Two days birding in the north of the island gave some good sightings, while also giving the opportunity to visit several sites which I have heard much about, but not visited before. Yesterday we visited Son Real, and recorded Fieldfare, Hawfinch (up to 4 female-types, plus a stonking male), 8 Common Crossbills, including a distinctive ´wing-barred´male and various other interesting pool visitors. A walk along the coastline here also saw several singing and displaying Balearic and Sardinian Warblers, as well as the much talked-about Razorbill which showed very well feeding just off the beach. Four Sandwich Terns were present here also. The evening was spent watching the impressive starling roost from the tower of Cami de S´Amarador. While no dramatic shapes were made, the sheer number of birds (I estimated a minimum of 2,000,000, but there is likely more) couldn´t fail to impress. Two Merlins, 2 Hen Harriers and plenty of Marsh Harriers made up the evening.
Today was spent primarily at S´Albufera, where the variety was, as always, impressive. Highlights from here included 3 Wood Sandpipers, Woodcock, Little Bittern, 3 Great White Egrets, 3 or 4 Moustached Warblers and a White Stork over Platja de Moro, while a mammal highlight was a Weasel which shot across the path while we were watching sky-dancing Marsh Harriers and 7 Common Cranes overhead. A final evening watch from the new tower at Albufereta produced around 35 Flamingos and 10 Night Herons coming to feed as the light dropped. Cracking sunset from here over the mountains, it has to be said!
Today was spent primarily at S´Albufera, where the variety was, as always, impressive. Highlights from here included 3 Wood Sandpipers, Woodcock, Little Bittern, 3 Great White Egrets, 3 or 4 Moustached Warblers and a White Stork over Platja de Moro, while a mammal highlight was a Weasel which shot across the path while we were watching sky-dancing Marsh Harriers and 7 Common Cranes overhead. A final evening watch from the new tower at Albufereta produced around 35 Flamingos and 10 Night Herons coming to feed as the light dropped. Cracking sunset from here over the mountains, it has to be said!
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