Mallorca 2020 (2 Viewers)

derban · Oct 29, 2020

Goodbye for now

Before we left the island on Wednesday, I managed to get to the Salobrar for only a third visit this time around. I was rewarded with a glorious morning, a beautiful sense of peace and plenty of birds, if not any rarities (I know, I must work on my identification skills, especially the lookalike waders!). But just seeing so many species close up, the salt pans full of waders and plenty of marsh harriers circling overhead gives a great sense of uplift in gloomy times. Back in January, corona willing. Can't wait!

Mike Montier · Oct 29, 2020

A couple more Yellowhammers have been found by Maties on Dragonera.
As this is a very rare bird in Mallorca, it seems there may have been a mini-invasion. There must be a few more out there, following on from the first one seen by Mirella in Cala d’Or. Three so far in a year is unusual.
Common cranes should be appearing soon, it’s still very warm here though.
An Alpine accentor was seen today by Jason at Castell de Santuari, Felanitx.
Mike

Mike Montier · Oct 30, 2020

Nice photos derban, I just wish the salt pans had been busy today but they were very quiet. I took some friends to see the Flamingoes but they were very distant. Nothing much else of note but the weather was glorious.
A plover species was present but only a distant silhouette and a Water rail put on a good show.
Later, along the board walk in Colonia Sant Jordi, it was also very quiet.
Biel found a Yellow-browed Warbler on Dragonera together with a Short-eared owl.
Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Oct 30, 2020

Slightly cooler today..only 23C! Had a free pass from family so covered Son Real, Depuradora, S’Albufera and Maristany. At slow pace however still managed 50 species. Son Real hide was very quiet and no sign of White headed duck or bluethroat at the Depuradora. However the waterlevels at S’Albufera were lower and large number of ducks and waders seen.
Birds seen included 10 Glossy Ibis, 2 Spoonbills, 6 Greater Flamingoes, Greenshank, Green and Common Sandpipers, Spotted and Common Redshank, Dunlins, Kentish Plovers, Lapwings, Marsh Harriers, Shelducks, Shoverlers, Teals, Kingfishers, BlackWinged Stilts, Night Herons, Purple Herons, Little and Cattle Egrets, Little Grebes and Black necked Grebe, Sandwich terns, Yellow legged and Audouins gulls.
A great day. The island is very quiet at the moment but the wildlife is still active.

Mike Montier · Oct 31, 2020

Biel is doing well on the Island of Dragonera but now he’s gone too far with a Wallcreeper just now.
My most wanted bird (jointly with Siberian Rubythroat)
I would swim out there to see that one.
Many congratulations to him, as they used to say, “a cosmic mind-boggler”...or words to that effect.
Photos later I hope.
No day boats I don’t think.
I will enquire.
Mike.

Mike Montier · Oct 31, 2020

It may be possible to charter a boat.
We are looking into it.
Mike

Mike Montier · Oct 31, 2020

I forgot to say, yesterday I saw an interesting looking species of Wheatear on the sandy area of Sa Barrala, Salobrar de Campos yesterday.
Just as I got the camera on it, it flew far away.
I have always thought that a rare Wheatear is due here and they may even have been overlooked in the past. The time is right so let’s hope one turns up in the near future.
Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 1, 2020

No sign of the Wallcreeper yet today, Pep managed to get there by boat.

I thought the migration watch at the Cap de Ses Salines was over but a very good number of birders were present this morning.
A couple of Common kestrels went through plus a late Honey Buzzard.
I got there in time to see a low male Sparrowhawk passing overhead and there were a few Barn Swallows around.
Two Northern gannet put in an appearance and as usual the banter was lively.

I saw photos of a Black stork at Cúber reservoir yesterday.
I will go soon to check if it’s overwintering.
Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 1, 2020

A quiet sunny mornings walk around the North( S’Albuferata and La Gola). Quiet for birds although some 32 Species seen. Stars included Fantailed Warblers and Cettis Warblers.
Excellent time for insects, etc. So far this trip have seen some great Butterflies including Two tailed Pasha ( now feeding on the over ripe figs), Swallowtails, Large White, Bath White, Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra, Small Copper, Langs short tailed blue, Long tailed blue, Plain Tiger( nearly 100 individuals), Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Meadow brown, Speckled wood and Wall Brown.

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 2, 2020

An Evening check on the Mirador at Formentor to see if there were signs of the Alpine Accentors arriving (one has been seen at Castel de Santauri).
No sign so far. Blue Rock thrush, Black redstarts, Yellow legged Gulls, Audouins Gulls, Sardinian Warblers, and Ravens seen.
Great way to see the Sunset before a pint!

Mike Montier · Nov 4, 2020

The Black stork is still at Cúber reservoir, seen by Pep.
I think Mike Swiss and I are going to have a go soon, hope it stays.
It’s always good in winter though for thrushes and accentors so it will be a good day out anyway.
Lots of mushroom pickers there at the moment so parking is difficult.
It can also be pretty cold there in the winter until the sun gets up.
Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 4, 2020

A few Common crane reported, seen in flight.
I went to Sa Barrala at the back of the salt pans, Campos, but didn’t see any at their usual site.
Numbers were low last year so I’m hoping for a better year this winter.
Some strong easterly winds are blowing which bodes well for a late rarity or two.
Yellow-browed Warbler would be nice.
Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 5, 2020

A very enjoyable day out in the north-east of the Island in the delightful company of Jane, Mike Swiss and Susan. Starting at Cap de Capdepera. We had great views of both male and female Peregrine falcons together noting the size difference between sexes.
The sea was quiet until Mike spotted a raft of Shearwaters, mostly Scopoli’s but when they flew, two Yelkouan shearwaters were obvious, especially in the company of one lonely Balearic. This site is one of the best for seeing Yelkouan shearwaters as they breed around Menorca.
Balearics do vary a great deal in plumage but seen close with Balearic, the Yelkouans do stand out.
We moved to Cala Ratjada, then to Cala Anguila and finally to Cala Mesquida.
All three places looked great for attracting migrants but on this grey, overcast day, not much was on show. I think a spring visit would pay dividends.
Mike identified a distant Osprey which was confirmed as it flew our way.
Blue rock thrushes were seen, Robins and Black Redstarts were abundant.
Lunch was obligatory of course and it was good to be back in this part of Mallorca where we rarely visit. There are some very beautiful coves and beaches so I’m sure we will be back there soon.
Mike

Mike Montier · Nov 5, 2020

Peregrine from today

LaGola · Nov 6, 2020

Hello!
here you have the birds seen this morning and two pictures of pretty ones.
On Wednesday the Osprey was trying to fish again in la Gola, but it was chased by two YL Gulls.
In private whatsapp groups there is the discussion about a possible sighting of a RF Blue Tail in Esporles, not sure at all but good dates in fact. The guy said sparrow size and blue rump, so we they are talking about which bird can be confused with that one.
Regards,
Cristina.

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 6, 2020

Today was cloudy and windy,with threatening rainfall. Together with Keith, Phil and Susan we decided to risk the weather and head to Mortitx.
Few cars parked at the limited parking spaces.The walk through the vineyard area until the first Refuge was interesting, however did not deliver! Small flocks of Chaffinches,Blackredstarts,White Wagtails,as well as many Robins and Sardinian warblers were seen or heard. No Cirl buntings,Bramblings or Hawfinches seen yet.
As we climbed up to the next refuge, birding and the scenery got more interesting. At least 9 Blue Rock Thrushes,Several Song Thrushes,Crag Martins,Goldfinches,and three Griffon Vultures were seen. Walking passed the embassaments de Mortitx, we found Chiffchaff,6 Black Vultures, and great views of the Bonelli eagles.
At the refuge we saw several Crossbills, Great tits, Firecrest,and Blackcaps. No sign of Dunnocks, Bluetits or wrens.
Not a great number of species seen but quality of the scenery and the Vultures and Bonelli Eagles was awesome.
We headed back to Pollensa for a well desrved coffee. A great day and no rain!
Photos from Keith and myself.
.

Mike Montier · Nov 6, 2020

A nice day out Mike.
Biel is at it again with no less than 5 Yellowhammer at Finca de Galatzó so the influx seems to be larger than thought.
Yellowhammer is a very special bird for me. My grandfather pointed one out to me when I was just 8 years old. I can still see it now, sitting on top of a corn field in the morning sun. It was magical and from that moment on, I was hooked. 60 years ago, good grief.
Still some Common crane moving through the Island so maybe we will see some leaving from the Cap on Sunday.
Mike and I are going to Cúber on Monday, desperately hoping the Black stork will still be there.
I went to Salobrar today briefly. No sign of any Cranes but large groups of small waders on the first salt pans just past the shop. I didn’t have time to go through them all but there were high numbers of Kentish plover and Little stint.
Also 22 Lapwing.
Mike

Mcnswiss2 · Nov 7, 2020

Rain at last.Very little rain up North but quite heavy around Palma.
Very quiet in local sites.Crossbills,Kestrels,Yellow legged Gulls,Sardinia Warblers,Black Redstarts,Little Egrets and Robins seen.
No sign of Alpine Accentors at the Mirador yet.
Maybe some specialities have arrived.
Looking forward to the new morning.

Josep Manchado · Nov 7, 2020

This morning at Galatzó, lot of passerines, but the highlights were 4 Yellowhammers and 1 Northern Wheatear than probably was flying in the middle of the big storm, because the terrible state of the plumage when suddenly I found it near the big house.

Its plumage was so much dark than I thought it was a Black Redstar (I just thought baahh another black redstar), when suddenly I saw a clear white flash on the tail. It was a wheater! but a black or very dark weather!!. I was shocked, so I was more than 1 hour almost crazy behind the bird. I did 1.030 pictures of the weather, but as the sun gained the battle in the rain and the plumage was getting dry, the bird was more like a Northern Wheater.

But during many minutes i had the feeling I had found some weather from Africa or East Europe, some very rare one. During many many minutes, I didnt know what I was watching, I only knew it was a wheater, with my heart beating very fast.

I upload some pics of the bird (excuse me to upload 5 pics but i did more than 1000 photos)3

To me it's a great lesson of how light and water in plumage can fool us.

davercox · Nov 8, 2020

Are these all the same bird ?

Mallorca 2020 (2 Viewers)

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