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Mallorca 2025 (8 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
Jonny Holliday
Well-known member
I suspect my 2 weeks in May will mean i wont be reaching those numbers lol......but will let you know how i get on
mike puxley
Well-known member
On the island again next week. One bird I would like to catch up with is Rock Sparrow. I note there has not been a single report of this species so far this year mentioned on eBird.
Does anyone know if there have been any sightings on other databases?
The most reliable spots were Cap Blanc and along the Ma6110.
Does anyone know if there have been any sightings on other databases?
The most reliable spots were Cap Blanc and along the Ma6110.
An Caislín Dearg
Active member
Hi. I will be visiting the island for a week just after Easter for a family holiday. I hope to squeeze 2 days of birding in while there. I have been reading all the valuable info on this forum and came up with a plan of one day around Albufera and various sites in the north of the island (thinking Son Real, Albufereta, maybe Albercuix). Which brings me to my 2nd day. I was half thinking of making the trip out to Cabrera to see if I can catch some Spring migrants (along with some shearwaters on the way). Do people think this would be a good use of time or would I be better aiming for something else. I'll be based out of Palma. I'd really appreciate any help (especially advice on Cabrera) as I haven't birded on Mallorca before. Thanks in advance.
ChrisMc1957
Well-known member
Others on here who live there or visited many times will give you more information, but you could spend all day just at S'Albufera, its an amazing nature reserve, Son Real, Albufereta are also good but not as big as the former, but to do all three in a day would be pushing it and exhausting IMHO
StewB
Well-known member
As others have said, you’ll struggle to do justice to all of those sites in one day, especially if you have to build in driving time to and from Palma. A good plan might be to cover the Albufera and perhaps the Depuradora. If you’re starting early, then the Dep first as (technically) the Albufera doesn’t open until 9am. If you find yourself with time at the end of the day, then Maristany and/or the Albufereta are just down the road.
I don’t know Cabrera at all, but an alternative may be to get into the Tramuntanas on day two for raptors and things like Blue Rock Thrush etc. I guess Cuber is closer (and has Moltoni’s Warbler) if you’re heading from Palma, although Mortitx is (in my opinion) better, with a greater chance of Bonelli’s Eagle.
Another possibility for day one might be to make an early start at the Fishermens Walk at Cala St Vicenc, where there’s a good chance of Balearic Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Eleanora’s Falcon etc. and to go on to the Albufera from there.
Whatever you end up doing, please post your sightings here. Good luck!
Stew
An Caislín Dearg
Active member
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I guess I will have to scale back my ambitions for the first day. The temptation is aways to try and squeeze too much in when opportunities are limited. I hope to do some hiking with the family so Cuber sounds like a good option. I'm still tempted by the trip to Cabrera though as small islands during migration can often be fun and would appreciate any thoughts or experiences people have of the place. I'll be sure to report anything I'm fortunate enough to find.
. The temptation is aways to try and squeeze too much in when opportunities are limited. I hope to do some hiking with the family so Cuber sounds like a good option. I'm still tempted by the trip to Cabrera though as small islands during migration can often be fun and would appreciate any thoughts or experiences people have of the place. I'll be sure to report anything I'm fortunate enough to find.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Cabrera is a magnificent island and always worth a visit.
A long list of migrants have just been reported and there is always a chance of a rarity or two.
There is a beach to the west of the port where many of the migrants are to be found. The trip over will produce at least two types of shearwaters, gannets and again, the possibility of something rarer.
Pep reports 3 Knot at Salobrar, quite scarce in Mallorca and the long-staying Slender-billed gull is still showing.
A few Sub-alpine warblers (don’t ask) have also been reported.
Mike
A long list of migrants have just been reported and there is always a chance of a rarity or two.
There is a beach to the west of the port where many of the migrants are to be found. The trip over will produce at least two types of shearwaters, gannets and again, the possibility of something rarer.
Pep reports 3 Knot at Salobrar, quite scarce in Mallorca and the long-staying Slender-billed gull is still showing.
A few Sub-alpine warblers (don’t ask) have also been reported.
Mike
This morning in Boquer Valley- 3 Booted Eagle, 7 black vulture, 1 griffin vulture, 5 red kite, 1 black kite, 2 marsh harrier, 2 peregrine, 4 kestrel, osprey, and what I thought was Elanora's Falcon but very distant, 2 audouins gull on beach, 4+ Balearic Warbler, 10+ Sardinian warbler, 7 willow warbler, 3 whitethroat, 15+ crag Martin. Nightingale singing at car park. And someone reported 15 Bee-eaters heading north up valley that I could hear but didn't see!
Walk up to locked gates at Ternelles midday- 2 griffin, 4 black v, 2 booted eagle, 2 red kite, 2 crag Martin, 2 woodchats, 2 wryneck calling at least 5 Sardinian.
From villa nr Pollenca this afternoon- 20 Bee-eaters low heading east, black vulture, 2 booted eagle highlights. Also 2 Scops Owl calling this evening.
The birding here is amazing! So many unusual species from a UK perspective.
Walk up to locked gates at Ternelles midday- 2 griffin, 4 black v, 2 booted eagle, 2 red kite, 2 crag Martin, 2 woodchats, 2 wryneck calling at least 5 Sardinian.
From villa nr Pollenca this afternoon- 20 Bee-eaters low heading east, black vulture, 2 booted eagle highlights. Also 2 Scops Owl calling this evening.
The birding here is amazing! So many unusual species from a UK perspective.
Jonny Holliday
Well-known member
Montagues Harrier and 4 Lesser Kestrel Pla de Lanzell yesterday - news from the Whatsapp group via ebird, thanks again to Mike Puxley!
Mortitx- amazing views of 2 Bonelli's Eagle from the ridge beyond reservoir. Also 12 Black Vulture, 3 Griffin Vulture and 3 Blue Rock Thrush (2m,1f) in the same area.
6 Gull-billed Terns, 3 Swamphen, 2 Purple Heron, Whimbrel highlights from Sa Roca hide, S'albufera
Son Bosc and depuradora- 3 Hoopoe, 4 Marbled Teal, 1 Collared Pratincole and huge amounts of hirundines at dusk (probably 300 swallows)
6 Gull-billed Terns, 3 Swamphen, 2 Purple Heron, Whimbrel highlights from Sa Roca hide, S'albufera
Son Bosc and depuradora- 3 Hoopoe, 4 Marbled Teal, 1 Collared Pratincole and huge amounts of hirundines at dusk (probably 300 swallows)
mike puxley
Well-known member
Seems Monarch Butterflies are everywhere in the Pollenca area at least.
In the villa garden this afternoon a bit of unusual(?) Lepidoptera action. A ‘Benny Hill sketch’ like behaviour was witnessed as one Monarch was being hotly chased across the lawn by a posse of 3 Painted Ladies. (Upsetting the ladies, I hope the Monarch had a tin hat on!)
Another introduction upsetting the balance of nature I guess.
PS later on one appeared to be feeding on Japanese Cheeswood (In the pittosporum family) in the villa garden, see photo below.
In the villa garden this afternoon a bit of unusual(?) Lepidoptera action. A ‘Benny Hill sketch’ like behaviour was witnessed as one Monarch was being hotly chased across the lawn by a posse of 3 Painted Ladies. (Upsetting the ladies, I hope the Monarch had a tin hat on!)
Another introduction upsetting the balance of nature I guess.
PS later on one appeared to be feeding on Japanese Cheeswood (In the pittosporum family) in the villa garden, see photo below.
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StewB
Well-known member
The origin of the Mallorca Monarchs is much debated. Many believe that some were released as part of a wedding celebration (releasing butterflies is, apparently, a wedding “thing” these days) and that they are the origin of what seems to be an establishing population.
I was pleased to have found the first Monarchs, at Mortitx in September 2022. This was followed up by locals who found several more insects and evidence of egg laying. Since then, numbers have climbed and some of this increase is surely due to breeding. However in the early months of their presence several observers (including Mike M) had many insects apparently arriving over the sea (including some observing numbers in the hundreds). There are several Monarch populations along the Mediterranean coast of mainland Spain, and perhaps one of these could be the source of the seagoing insects?
So, they may not be an introduction. Who knows? They certainly seem to be becoming established across the Island, and I for one enjoy seeing them. You just have to remember to sort the Monarchs from the Plain Tigers!
Stew
Matthebirder
Well-known member
Indeed; Monarch vs Tiger is tricky for birders with little butterfly knowledge, if you see flashing white in the wings its most likely the Plain Tiger.
Will be trying late Aug this year as a Part 2 visit. Insects will be the primary interest.
Will be trying late Aug this year as a Part 2 visit. Insects will be the primary interest.
Paul Freestone
Cornwall Birdwatching Tours
You'll be hard pressed to cover all those sites in two days! I would spend a full day at S'Albufera and a day in the Boquer Valley. You should cover plenty of habitat that way
Paul Freestone
Cornwall Birdwatching Tours
Whos running the WhatsApp group Johnny? I'm over with a group on May 1st and could be helpful.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Hi Stew.
You did indeed see the first Monarch butterfly at Mortitx which kicked it all off.
I cannot agree that the insects came from an introduction.
I counted over 70 one day at Cap de Ses Salines, all going east.
I enquired about wedding releases and spoke to several people. I was told by a company who sells them for wedding releases, that the usual number for sale for this purpose was a Perspex box of 12.
I saw well over 400 Monarchs over that relatively short period.
I also wonder why nothing is being said about Plain tiger butterflies.
Again, they were very scarce, I often only saw one or two all year.
Last year, I counted over 100 Plain tigers going east over Cala Mondragó in a single day.
Most days over that one week period, there were at least 50 seen every day, often more.
Where are these supposed to be from I wonder in the great introduction scheme?
I am not a butterfly expert, I just love these two species and take great delight counting them over long periods of birding at the migration points in Mallorca.
I personally didn’t find identification difficult. The Monarch’s appear so much bigger and often glide. They are the most beautiful things and I have developed a great passion for them.
Mike
You did indeed see the first Monarch butterfly at Mortitx which kicked it all off.
I cannot agree that the insects came from an introduction.
I counted over 70 one day at Cap de Ses Salines, all going east.
I enquired about wedding releases and spoke to several people. I was told by a company who sells them for wedding releases, that the usual number for sale for this purpose was a Perspex box of 12.
I saw well over 400 Monarchs over that relatively short period.
I also wonder why nothing is being said about Plain tiger butterflies.
Again, they were very scarce, I often only saw one or two all year.
Last year, I counted over 100 Plain tigers going east over Cala Mondragó in a single day.
Most days over that one week period, there were at least 50 seen every day, often more.
Where are these supposed to be from I wonder in the great introduction scheme?
I am not a butterfly expert, I just love these two species and take great delight counting them over long periods of birding at the migration points in Mallorca.
I personally didn’t find identification difficult. The Monarch’s appear so much bigger and often glide. They are the most beautiful things and I have developed a great passion for them.
Mike
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
and you are right Stew, I twice saw Monarch butterflies coming in-off the sea at Cap de Ses Salines but rather like the now tiresome debate over migrating Booted eagles over water, there is a stubborn refusal to believe anything that contradicts established thinking.
The same applies to arrival dates for birds. I have so often heard that it can’t be a particular species because the date is too early (or late).
We have to accept that strange things are happening out there, ie unusual species turning up at very odd times.
Personally, I find it all rather exciting.
Mike
The same applies to arrival dates for birds. I have so often heard that it can’t be a particular species because the date is too early (or late).
We have to accept that strange things are happening out there, ie unusual species turning up at very odd times.
Personally, I find it all rather exciting.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
And another thing, whilst I’m ranting, the butterflies at the migration hotspots, nearly always came through between the hours of 11am and 1pm, peak times for migrating birds.
All butterflies went in the same direction, usually in singles or twos, but in a constant stream over that period of time.
That sounds like the behavior of migration rather than butterflies that just happen to be in Mallorca.
Mike
All butterflies went in the same direction, usually in singles or twos, but in a constant stream over that period of time.
That sounds like the behavior of migration rather than butterflies that just happen to be in Mallorca.
Mike
