John In Ireland
Well-known member
Thanks Mike and Dave! Really pleased I found this just before I go. :t:
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Mallorca 2020 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
It sounds as though the birding spots will be busy as we are there also in May. Hope we bump into you both and others at the sites mentioned.
We will be in Port de Pollenca staying a stones throw from La Gola which is fabulous and full of great information.
Tony and Cath
We will be in Port de Pollenca staying a stones throw from La Gola which is fabulous and full of great information.
Tony and Cath
LaGola
Ornithological tourism center
Hello!
I attach the list of the birds seen this morning in the Park.
The Highlight has been a group of 5 Black Vultures overflying the park during 2-3 minuts.
And the first ducklings of this season
Since 2 weeks ago there are lots of Blackcaps visiting our tiny pond. Quite sure some of them are already birds in migration.
Regards,
Cristina.
I attach the list of the birds seen this morning in the Park.
The Highlight has been a group of 5 Black Vultures overflying the park during 2-3 minuts.
And the first ducklings of this season
Since 2 weeks ago there are lots of Blackcaps visiting our tiny pond. Quite sure some of them are already birds in migration.
Regards,
Cristina.
Attachments
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
Two hours this morning at Porto Colom trying to photograph Dartford warblers. Despite three brief views, they still evade the attention of my zoom lens. They are such flighty little birds.
I have been seawatching now for many years, mostly from my local lighthouse and often two or three times per week, and I still don’t understand the movements of shearwaters. A couple of evenings ago I logged over seven hundred Balearic shearwaters, tonight just 114.
Four northern Gannets helped but the highlight was a dolphin species breaching the water several times very close in, always a joy to see.
Just as I was packing up to leave, a large dark brown bird came lumbering into view, flying low over the water. I knew what I thought it was and as it came closer, I saw those lovely white wing flashes confirming my first ever Great skua at this site. What a monster bird and I followed it all the way across the bay, savouring every second.
Mike
I have been seawatching now for many years, mostly from my local lighthouse and often two or three times per week, and I still don’t understand the movements of shearwaters. A couple of evenings ago I logged over seven hundred Balearic shearwaters, tonight just 114.
Four northern Gannets helped but the highlight was a dolphin species breaching the water several times very close in, always a joy to see.
Just as I was packing up to leave, a large dark brown bird came lumbering into view, flying low over the water. I knew what I thought it was and as it came closer, I saw those lovely white wing flashes confirming my first ever Great skua at this site. What a monster bird and I followed it all the way across the bay, savouring every second.
Mike
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Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
Thanks Christina,
Great information.
Sorry I have missed you twice!
We have visitors and have been acting as a tourist Guide.
Have managed a few minutes birding.
Toured around Cap Ratjada, Punta de n’Amer and Palma.
Birds seen included Balearic Shearwaters, Audouin’s Gull, Thekla Lark, Red Kites, Booted Eagles, Kestrels, Little and Cattle Egrets, Sandwich Terns, Linnets, Ravens, Black Redstarts.
The best birds seen were two peregrines attacking gulls at the lighthouse, and a single peregrine at the Cathedral.
Great information.
Sorry I have missed you twice!
We have visitors and have been acting as a tourist Guide.
Have managed a few minutes birding.
Toured around Cap Ratjada, Punta de n’Amer and Palma.
Birds seen included Balearic Shearwaters, Audouin’s Gull, Thekla Lark, Red Kites, Booted Eagles, Kestrels, Little and Cattle Egrets, Sandwich Terns, Linnets, Ravens, Black Redstarts.
The best birds seen were two peregrines attacking gulls at the lighthouse, and a single peregrine at the Cathedral.
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Ps. Great skua is a scarce species here in Mallorca. I have seen them from Punta de n’amer, Porto Colom and Cap de Ses Salines but never at my local patch.
I also saw a Common Kestrel flying far out at sea tonight which seemed a bit odd. It flew into the bay eventually.
Mike
I also saw a Common Kestrel flying far out at sea tonight which seemed a bit odd. It flew into the bay eventually.
Mike
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John In Ireland
Well-known member
I will. Be staying in Can Picafort. Can anyone recommend decent car hire? Just in case I decide to hire one.
John
John
Hola todos! Sorry I don't post much on here but tonight I will, and hopefully a bit more in future. As Mike says, Spring is on its way , though I've been slow off the mark to see many signs yet! Today was nice to rectify that at Prat de Sant Jordi near Palma airport, with my first 2 Swallows of the year, which had a Red-rumped Swallow in tow! The latter often pass in reasonable number in February here, so not so surprising, but a treat all the same.
Also in the area were 25 Little Ringed Plovers, 53 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, a single Marbled Duck (a new species at the site for me), 4 regular Pintail, Grey Wagtail and a large roost of 533 White Wagtails into the depuradora and 429 Cattle Egrets to the Tamarisks.
Also in the area were 25 Little Ringed Plovers, 53 Snipe, 3 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, a single Marbled Duck (a new species at the site for me), 4 regular Pintail, Grey Wagtail and a large roost of 533 White Wagtails into the depuradora and 429 Cattle Egrets to the Tamarisks.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Another seawatch tonight in the hope of seeing the Great Skua again but no such luck.
464 Balearic shearwaters went through but there were probably more as I didn’t get there until late.
Two immature Gannets passed by and there were two larger shearwaters way out to sea. I feel sure they were Scopoli’s.
Mike
464 Balearic shearwaters went through but there were probably more as I didn’t get there until late.
Two immature Gannets passed by and there were two larger shearwaters way out to sea. I feel sure they were Scopoli’s.
Mike
derban
Well-known member
Flying south for the spring
Fed up with grey skies, gale force winds and bucketing rain, we are looking forward to landing back in Mallorca on Monday after plenty of northern gloom. And I hope you can point me at a gannet, Michael, and that they won't have all headed back north by the time I get there!
Fed up with grey skies, gale force winds and bucketing rain, we are looking forward to landing back in Mallorca on Monday after plenty of northern gloom. And I hope you can point me at a gannet, Michael, and that they won't have all headed back north by the time I get there!
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Showing you a Gannet will be a great pleasure David.
On this glorious sunny and calm day, I ventured out onto the salt pans, wading through deep water to get there.
I’m sure I heard the Red-throated Pipit on the way but didn’t see it.
Nothing unusual but watching five Red kites and three Booted eagles displaying, tumbling through the sky, was magic.
Another evening seawatch produced a healthy total of 976 Balearic shearwaters and two Scopoli’s shearwaters at last. Having seen nothing much else but Balearics all the year so far, identification was very easy. They were quite close in too.
The Stone curlews are getting much more vocal, as they always do at this time of the year. Quite large groups of them can be seen at the moment.
Mike
On this glorious sunny and calm day, I ventured out onto the salt pans, wading through deep water to get there.
I’m sure I heard the Red-throated Pipit on the way but didn’t see it.
Nothing unusual but watching five Red kites and three Booted eagles displaying, tumbling through the sky, was magic.
Another evening seawatch produced a healthy total of 976 Balearic shearwaters and two Scopoli’s shearwaters at last. Having seen nothing much else but Balearics all the year so far, identification was very easy. They were quite close in too.
The Stone curlews are getting much more vocal, as they always do at this time of the year. Quite large groups of them can be seen at the moment.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Regarding car hire, I have always used Record Go but I haven’t had the need for many years.
I know Mike, Kevin and David all rent cars here so perhaps they could help please.
All I know is that there is one company to avoid!
Mike
I know Mike, Kevin and David all rent cars here so perhaps they could help please.
All I know is that there is one company to avoid!
Mike
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Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
Visitors leaving.
Great to see friends and take local walks around the North including Cala San Vincente
Birds seen included Blue Rock Thrush, Ravens, Booted Eagles, Sardinian Warblers, Audouins Gulls, Yelliw Legged Gulls, Shags and Cormorants. No sign of Balearic Shearwaters.
Great to see friends and take local walks around the North including Cala San Vincente
Birds seen included Blue Rock Thrush, Ravens, Booted Eagles, Sardinian Warblers, Audouins Gulls, Yelliw Legged Gulls, Shags and Cormorants. No sign of Balearic Shearwaters.
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
907 Balearic shearwaters tonight from Porto Petro lighthouse. 2 Scopoli’s shearwaters were a welcome relief from the relentless stream of the smaller ones, whizzing through so fast it’s hard to keep count sometimes.
I went to Villafranca this morning on the Plain known as Pla de Lanzell, and after a long wait, the Southern Grey Shrike showed distantly.
Corn buntings were everywhere, I don’t recall seeing so many.
Still lots of Skylarks and Meadow pipits, it’s a great place to spend time.
Mike
I went to Villafranca this morning on the Plain known as Pla de Lanzell, and after a long wait, the Southern Grey Shrike showed distantly.
Corn buntings were everywhere, I don’t recall seeing so many.
Still lots of Skylarks and Meadow pipits, it’s a great place to spend time.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Just a note on the seawatching. I got to the lighthouse at 5pm. Nothing happened before 5.32pm when the Balearic shearwaters began coming through and they were still passing by when I left at 6.45 pm.
Mike
Mike
Mcnswiss2
Well-known member
Walking along the coast at Betlam on an excellent sunny morning.
Birds seen included Booted Eagles, Ravens, Audouins gulls, Yellow Legged Gulls, Kestrels, Stonechats, Serins, Goldfinches and Crossbills.
First Wyneck of the year heard and seen.
Birds seen included Booted Eagles, Ravens, Audouins gulls, Yellow Legged Gulls, Kestrels, Stonechats, Serins, Goldfinches and Crossbills.
First Wyneck of the year heard and seen.
Attachments
Following in Mikes footsteps, visited the Pla de Lanzell near Vilafranca this morning. Southern Grey Shrike is still favouring the same area as where it was found back in September last year, and a singing Iberiae Yellow Wagtail was my first of the spring. A couple of Mistle Thrushes and well over 50 Corn Buntings also.
Attachments
Maties Rebassa
Well-known member
Hello! We are very happy to announce that the book "Birds of / die Vögel von MALLORCA" is already on the market. At the moment you can buy it in s'Albufera de Mallorca, and very soon also online on the birdingmajorca website.
The book presents updated information (as of January 2020) on all the species observed to date, 385 already in the Balearic Islands and 372 in Mallorca. With 150 complete fact sheets of the most interesting species (photo, texts, distribution map and phenological diagram), another 75 complementary sheets with map and phenology, plus the commented checklist of the 385 species. In short, we believe a very interesting book for the enthusiastic observer. We will try to add some more information in the coming days.
The book presents updated information (as of January 2020) on all the species observed to date, 385 already in the Balearic Islands and 372 in Mallorca. With 150 complete fact sheets of the most interesting species (photo, texts, distribution map and phenological diagram), another 75 complementary sheets with map and phenology, plus the commented checklist of the 385 species. In short, we believe a very interesting book for the enthusiastic observer. We will try to add some more information in the coming days.
