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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Mallorca 2020 (2 Viewers)

Thanks Maties. This is on my Christmas and Birthday list!

We decided to visit the South West of the Island, using the Mallorca Birding Map.
Places visited included Torrent de Santa Ponca at Calvia, La Reserva de Galatzo, Sant Elm, and Port Andratx.
Birds seen included Booted Eagles, Ravens, Kestrels, Peregrine, Red Kites, Blue Rock Thrush, Firecrest, Serins, Goldfinches, Stonechats, Sardinian Warblers, Fantailed Warblers, Blackcaps, Dunnocks, Audouins Gulls, Yellow Legged Gulls, Balearic Shearwaters, Pheasants and RedLegged Partridges.
Two distant raptors were seen from Calvia (Two Common Buzzards were reported the previous day).
Fantastic Scenery but places that most birders seem to neglect.
 

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A nice day out Mike and certainly an underwatched area.
Phil took me to the torrent at Santa Ponça to see the Long-tailed tits which we managed to see. That was many years ago so I’m not sure there is still a population there.
Thank you Maties, I’m sure many people will be ordering the new book. I’ve got the Spanish/Catalan version and it is truly excellent. I have learnt a lot more about the birds of Mallorca.
Mike
 
A very happy walk up to Randa today with terrific views from the top. Thoroughly recommended for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness, it’s a bit steep here and there. The restaurant in the village is worth a visit too.
A lack of bird life was disappointing, earlier in the year there were some great birds, but there were many orchids on the way, wild freesias and an amazing selection of butterflies.
We haven’t really had a winter this year, not yet anyway, there is always time for it to turn nasty.
Juanjo found a Spotted crake at San Jordi and I have seen many House Martins today, including birds flying around the old nests from last year in my local port. Nice to see them again, one of my favourites.
Mike
 
Late afternoon visit to Albufereta and to Maristany.
Usual birds seen including Audouins Gulls, Sandwich Terns, Great and Little Egrets, Gadwall, Pochard, Shellduck, Shoverlers, Red Crested Pochard, Little and Great Crested Grebe,Common Sandpiper, Kentish Plovers, Fan tailed and Cetti Warblers, Hoppoe, Corn Buntings,Serins and linnets.
Most interesting birds included Stone Curlews, Pintails, Tufted ducks, and 40 House Martins.
 

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Nice photos Mike.
A Great Bittern has just been reported, seen by Nacho at San Jordi.
I still need it but don’t have a car tomorrow.
I hope it sticks.
Mike
 
A third attempt to follow Mike and Jason and get that Shrike!
An easy day with a stopover in Petra for coffee and tree sparrows. This is my best spot for the bird.
Next a visit to Pla de Lanzell near Vilafranca.
So many Corn Bunting, Stonechats, Serins, Goldfinch, Skylarks, as well as Red Legged Partridges and Kestrels.
The Southern Grey Shrike was in the same area as reported by the others. Difficult to get photos! But relieved to watch the bird in action.
No yellow wagtail seen, however Quail were heard.
The weather was wonderful.
 

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Nice photos as usual Mike, good to have a reliable site for Tree sparrow, I will go to Palma shopping tomorrow via Petra although my wife will no doubt wonder why we have taken such a circuitous route!
No positive news today of either the Bittern of the Spotted crake, Jason reported negative news so obviously not easy birds to see.
Mike
 
Can someone give me a precise location for the Southern Grey Shrike? I have a map of Pla de Lanzell from the GOB itinerary, but no idea where to look in the area.
I now have confirmation of Black Vulture around the Arta mountains after one flew over Colonia de Sant Pere. I had a possible sighting of two back in December.
 

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A visit to the Son Real hide this week produced a few Hawfinch, some Serin, Crossbill, Greenfinch, 3 Robin, one male Blackcap, Firecrest, Siskin, female Black Redstart, Dunnock, Song Thrush, Chiff-chaff, and a visit by a Weasel. Goldfinches were surprisingly absent.
 

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More photos from Son Real
 

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Hi Clive
Its worth getting the Birding map
Near to the site listed number 37
GPS ref. Its on next corner
 

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Hi Clive
The Shrike only really shows from one place. I met you once along the road past the Plain once before when we saw the Short-toed eagles following an influx.
There is a narrow road marked “depuradora”, take that to the end, don’t turn right to the dep, turn left instead and after a short time there is a turning to the right. Park on the left just before the junction. Look back to the main road. You will see about five fig trees, an old shed with a slanting roof and a gate on the right in the distance. The Shrike gets around that area but does go missing for a while at times.
Good luck!
Nice photos by the way. Many of us still haven’t seen Siskin, well done.
Hope to meet up soon, I’m seeing Phil next week so I will let you know.
Mike
 
Hello!
Today at la Gola: Common Sandpiper (2), Common Snipe (3), Yellow-legged Gull (3), Black.headed Gull (2), Kingfisher (1), Little Egret and Cattle Egret, White Wagtails and Meadow Pipit, Robins and lots of Black Redstarts and Blackcaps, Serins already singing and two pairs of Crossbills, apart of the resident birds in the park.

Today the local group GORA has started the observation from Albercutx Tower.

Regards,
Cristina.
 
A few hours spent today at the Depuradora and S’Albufera. So much to offer!
Usual birds seen including Marsh Harriers, Ospreys, Kestrals, Great and Little Egrets, Marbled Ducks, Red Crested Pochards, Avocets, Black Winged Stilts, Water Rails, Purple Gallinules, Glossy Ibis, Kingfisher, Common Snipe, Green and Common Sandpipers, Lapwings, Kentish plovers and Little ringed Plovers, Water Pipits, Cetti Warblers, Moustached Warblers.
Some interesting observations for comments:
1. Water level at Cibollar Hides was very low. Good for waders but maybe need for irrigation?
2. Horses were allowed into the area in front of Son Roca hides. Designed to keep the grass low I would imagine, but does this disturb the birds and could impact on nesting?
3. Very few Night herons seen at the previous Roosting spot near the main path. Have they moved on?
4. Red eared Sliders seen at the Depuradora. Should they be removed as an invasive species?
It was wonderful to see local families and young children enjoying the hides and facilities.
 

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I visit third week in May for a month. Can anyone point me in a direction for possible Hawfinch, Firecrest and Night Heron please? I will be in Can Picafort and will probably have to rely on buses.
 
I visit third week in May for a month. Can anyone point me in a direction for possible Hawfinch, Firecrest and Night Heron please? I will be in Can Picafort and will probably have to rely on buses.

Hi John, Firecrest should be easy in most areas of pine forest (which covers a huge part of the island), you won't have any problem finding these. For Night Heron, there's a roost along the main canal on the path into S'Albufera. Check the trees adjacent to the canal on the opposite side of the canal from the path, about halfway between the entrance and the visitor centre. They're normally there, but check Mcnswiss2's post above!

Son Real is the best place for Hawfinch. There's a small pond they visit there, but I suspect they made have departed for the summer by mid May sadly.

Cheers.
 
Hi John, Firecrest should be easy in most areas of pine forest (which covers a huge part of the island), you won't have any problem finding these. For Night Heron, there's a roost along the main canal on the path into S'Albufera. Check the trees adjacent to the canal on the opposite side of the canal from the path, about halfway between the entrance and the visitor centre. They're normally there, but check Mcnswiss2's post above!

Son Real is the best place for Hawfinch. There's a small pond they visit there, but I suspect they made have departed for the summer by mid May sadly.

Cheers.

Thanks Gregor, I am there for a month so fingers crossed for the Hawfinch. Can I get to Son Real by bus?
 
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