Mallorca 2025 (8 Viewers)

[James Lowther]

I'm sure others on here have more detail but I walked in before 8am and met several staff members along the way with no issue. I think it is ok as a birder as long as you visit the office for a permit (they just take your name and nationality) when they open at 9am. However, I don't think you are supposed to enter before sunrise.

are you meant to register every day you visit or just the first time?

 

[Lazarus Taxon]

I'm going to Mallorca on 15 juli for my honeymoon so I managed to get in 'some' birding. What's the hotspot for that time of year?

 

[Paul & Margaret]

I’m now 8 days in to my latest 3 weeks visit and I’ve been out birding every day so far. Before flying out here I checked my records from the corresponding stay here in each of the last 5 years; late April to early May being considered the best time to visit. I’ve been to Son Real, Maria de la Salut, Depuradora, Albufera, Maristany and the local places around Port de Pollenca, some of them several times. Birding is very quiet and others I’ve spoken to say the same thing. I don’t know whether migration started early or if the best is still to come; were weather conditions such that the birds continued their journey over the island without staying? In 3 weeks last year I recorded 149 species, so far I’ve 112 on this visit. The highlight so far has undoubtedly been 60 bee eaters all around me in the trees at Can Cuarassa. Last year there were so many memorable days with storks, both black and white, all of the harriers, golden oriole and 4 rollers, whinchat, wood warbler and turtle dove. I went to the central plains with Peter S a couple of days ago. We saw only 5-6 kestrels, 1 or perhaps 2 lesser, 1 each of black and griffon vulture, a Bonellis eagle, booted eagle and up to a dozen red kites. The overhead wires and pylons would normally hold numerous kestrels but they were deserted. At Boquer Valley yesterday there were no birds on the terraced fields below the finca. I found 1 blue rock thrush and a booted eagle. A couple of other birders I spoke to had seen nothing in 2 hours other than some Eleonoras over the ridge. The lanes around Can Cuarassa and Llenaire seem devoid of bird life other than the usual Cetti’s, fan tailed and Sardinian warblers and a few finches. Here’s hoping the next 2 weeks improve and with unsettled weather forecast in the next couple of days that just might be the case. Ever the optimist!!

 

[Paul & Margaret]

We walked along the Can Cuarassa lane this morning and think we saw a Roller on the power lines at a similar spot we viewed one at this time last year. Unfortunately it was at the extreme range of our binoculars. So it might be worth checking if you are in the area.

 

[JohnMankelow]

I'm sure others on here have more detail but I walked in before 8am and met several staff members along the way with no issue. I think it is ok as a birder as long as you visit the office for a permit (they just take your name and nationality) when they open at 9am. However, I don't think you are supposed to enter before sunrise.

Many thanks
Glad we did not go today as probably would have got a good soaking!

 

[Phil Andrews]

I'm going to Mallorca on 15 juli for my honeymoon so I managed to get in 'some' birding. What's the hotspot for that time of year?

Will be there a week after - the various wetlands will be productive

 

[Strontium Dog]

are you meant to register every day you visit or just the first time?

When I went last year they told me I only needed to do it once.

 

[TonyCath]

Can anyone assist please. What is the earliest practical time I can walk into Albufera?
Official time is 9 am.
Thanks

Hi John, you are correct official entry time is 09.00 the gates can sometimes be open a little earlier.

You need to apply for a permit for early entry at reception you will need your passport. Reception will complete your application.You will then be issued a permit which allows you legimate entry rather than having to look over your shoulder.

If you enter during normal hours it's customary to go to reception they just then log your nationality and how many of you there are.

Hope this clears things up.

 

[TonyCath]

After the adventure we had on Tuesday, could Wednesday be better ?

No it couldn't.....two buses from Port de Pollenca to Cala de Sant Vicente didn't bother turning up, we had to go for a taxi but bumped into our airport driver which was nice after we had a lovely croissant in a newly found cafe.

On arrival at Cala we walked into the woods where the walk starts I'm lead to believe it's incorrectly named Fisherman's Walk ??

Cirl Bunting and Crossbill showed up on the Merlin App which one birder told me was a totally inaccurate tool.

We managed to locate the back end of a Firecrest which did finally show itself fully. Walking the footpath Cath located a Blue Rock Thrush showing well on a rock surprisingly. An Eleonoras was the only falcon found. All in all it was another quiet day in the field.
We enjoyed a lovely lunch before heading back for the bus which actually turned up on time.
As it was our last day we booked in for dinner at a lovely restaurant we had dined in the evening before.

Cath informed me I'd walked over 80 miles in 10 days and we'd observed 86 species of bird which is down 11 on last year which falls in line with what Dave has posted earlier.

Thanks for reading.

T&C

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Not sure what their status is but a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling at first light this morning on the road to the Depodura .... also 2 Beeater here, 2 Squacco and a Marbled Duck from the platform.

 

[Alf King]

Very scarce, apparently.

Well done for still being able to hear one!

 

[Jonny Rankin]

Hi all,

Highlights of a dawn raid on Son Bosc / Depuradora platform: 2 Marbled Duck, plenty Black-winged Stilt and calling Stone Curlew, distant flying Flamingo, masses of Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis. Had single Night Heron over and 2 Squacco with Cattle Egrets, single Great White Egret and plenty Purple Heron.

There was a Gropper reeling when we cycled down and 2 Beeeaters on our way back to Can Picafort.

 

[Jonny Holliday]

A fairly brief trip to Cuber this morning scored us a couple of Moltonis between the dam and the quarry. Griffon and Black Vulture, Cuckoo just audible above the mass of Nightingale etc.
2-3 Eleanoras above outskirts of Pollenca.
A Night Heron showing well at Maristany

 

[Ian Pollença]

A noticeable lack of birds and birdsong this week in Mallorca and I'm not going to speculate as to why, maybe a combination of factors. 🤔. Still, seeing 3 x GB Terns was nice and then Juanjo and I got to see the Spotted Crake at Albufera. Also 2 x Whiskered Terns and a Little Bittern. Lots of Purple Heron but no Grey Heron. Several views of Squacco Heron. A close in Curlew Sandpiper at Sa Barcassa hide. A Roller on the wires by Can Cuirassa track and one early evening I counted 40 Bee-eaters on the wires plus others flying around. Also a massive Hare was just a few metres from the track. I had a nice morning with Juanjo at Cap de Formentor and Albercutx Tower; and we saw 3 Honey Buzzard and a Peregrine perched up waiting, just like us, for migrants. The local Balearic Warbler at Albercutx landed 15m away, then moved closer to 10m away and still closer at 5m away all the while singing, fantastic. Also had a very nice morning at Albercutx with TonyCath minus Cath who has already reported what we (didn't) see 😄. Raptors were shy that morning but Tony wasn't and by 1 p.m we had put the world to rights. Thanks Tony for your very enjoyable company. A male Golden Oriel appeared at a finca 3 miles south of Pollença, then a few days later a female showed up; partial to the mulberries on the tree. At Mortitx near the dam 2 very low flying Black Vultures and an hour later 2 very low Griffon Vultures 25m over me. At Pla de Lanzell several Short-toed Lark and more at Maria de la Salut, plus a calling 'hiding' Quail. 5 Woodchat Shrike all in different locations. 2 Turtle Doves finally came to drink at the Son Real hide and a Pheasant showed very nicely right in front of the Hide (which usually is very shy). 2 BW Stilts heroically dive bombed 2 persistent Marsh Harriers at The Dep but alas their attempt was futile. 3 separate great views of Nightingale singing and dozens of well-hidden ones. Thanks to Max Radford for posting on the 'new' WhatsApp group as I got fantastic views of the Montagu's Harrier quartering both sides of the Can Cuirassa track for 20 mins and passing very low just over my head. This morning Juanjo, Rosa and I met up again at Boquer valley. A lovely walk, good company, again a lack of raptors, but at least 16 Eleanor's Falcon flew in a flock near or above us for a while, fantastic.

 

[Paul & Margaret]

A noticeable lack of birds and birdsong this week in Mallorca and I'm not going to speculate as to why, maybe a combination of factors. 🤔. Still, seeing 3 x GB Terns was nice and then Juanjo and I got to see the Spotted Crake at Albufera. Also 2 x Whiskered Terns and a Little Bittern. Lots of Purple Heron but no Grey Heron. Several views of Squacco Heron. A close in Curlew Sandpiper at Sa Barcassa hide. A Roller on the wires by Can Cuirassa track and one early evening I counted 40 Bee-eaters on the wires plus others flying around. Also a massive Hare was just a few metres from the track. I had a nice morning with Juanjo at Cap de Formentor and Albercutx Tower; and we saw 3 Honey Buzzard and a Peregrine perched up waiting, just like us, for migrants. The local Balearic Warbler at Albercutx landed 15m away, then moved closer to 10m away and still closer at 5m away all the while singing, fantastic. Also had a very nice morning at Albercutx with TonyCath minus Cath who has already reported what we (didn't) see 😄. Raptors were shy that morning but Tony wasn't and by 1 p.m we had put the world to rights. Thanks Tony for your very enjoyable company. A male Golden Oriel appeared at a finca 3 miles south of Pollença, then a few days later a female showed up; partial to the mulberries on the tree. At Mortitx near the dam 2 very low flying Black Vultures and an hour later 2 very low Griffon Vultures 25m over me. At Pla de Lanzell several Short-toed Lark and more at Maria de la Salut, plus a calling 'hiding' Quail. 5 Woodchat Shrike all in different locations. 2 Turtle Doves finally came to drink at the Son Real hide and a Pheasant showed very nicely right in front of the Hide (which usually is very shy). 2 BW Stilts heroically dive bombed 2 persistent Marsh Harriers at The Dep but alas their attempt was futile. 3 separate great views of Nightingale singing and dozens of well-hidden ones. Thanks to Max Radford for posting on the 'new' WhatsApp group as I got fantastic views of the Montagu's Harrier quartering both sides of the Can Cuirassa track for 20 mins and passing very low just over my head. This morning Juanjo, Rosa and I met up again at Boquer valley. A lovely walk, good company, again a lack of raptors, but at least 16 Eleanor's Falcon flew in a flock near or above us for a while, fantastic.

Thank you Ian for confirming you saw a Roller along the Can Curassa road as we did on Friday.

 

[Jonny Holliday]

A quick visit to Depodura this morning, Nightjar on the approach road, minimum of 8 Marbled Duck, c500 swifts, 3+ Purple Herons....1 sharing a perch with 4 Woodchats!

 

[AndrewF123]

1st full day back on the island this year. Started at Albufereta and relieved to see the tower is open again after some minor repairs. Fairly quiet bird-wise but nice to catch a Stone Curlew and a couple of Purple Heron . Moved on to Can Curassa with lots of Nightingales, Cettis and Sardinian Warblers

 

[Paul & Margaret]

Where is everyone? Our regular reporters seem to have dried up. Are they posting else where?

 

[AndrewF123]

Son Real today. Corn Buntings and a couple of flying Hoopoes plus an abundance of Spot Flys. Moved on to Maria de la Salut where a Booted Eagle ( dark morph) and a Red Kite were the only raptors.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Back to the island.
A few hours bird watching up North today following family stuff.
Visits to Cancurrassa Road, Albuferata screen and Approach road to Ternelles Valley.
Some 45 Species seen or heard including Nightingales, Black and Griffon Vultures, Flamingos, Avocet, Cirl Buntings, Hoopoes etc.
Several Butterflies and Dragonflies seen including Monachs, Cleopatra, Painted Lady, Blue Emperor, Broad Scarlet and Broad bodied Chaser.
Great to be back!