[Geordie Dave]

We drove out to Campanment de la Victoria this morning, north east of Bon Aire beyond Alcudia. A first for me and with fabulous views back across Pollenca bay. Saw several booted eagles and a raven. Set the scope up for a brief seawatch and picked up definite shearwater heading north east out of the bay towards the open sea. Very light underneath, long wings, twisting as it flew low to the water. Is this Scopolis?
Called in at Tucan marsh on the way back, lots of little grebe and dozens of crag martins. Other birds included kingfisher, pochard, coot, gadwall and tufted duck plus yellow legged and black headed gulls.
Final stop at Can Cuarassa and a look at the ponds and a walk along the back roads. At least a dozen chiffchaff plus hoopoe, stonechat, tree pipit, pair of pintail, gadwall, teal and marsh harrier.
Travelling back home tomorrow after an excellent week, good weather, good walking and around 100 species seen. Only black spot is that property purchase fell through; the upside is that I have to come back in a few weeks time. Oh dear!!
David

[Mike Montier]

Hi David. I think your bird was most likely Scopoli’s from your description and there are very few Balearic shearwaters around at the moment making your sighting even more likely to be the larger species of the two.
Sorry about your property purchase, I hope you have better luck next time.
There was also a Ferruginous duck at Maristany today.
Mike

[Mcnswiss2]

Windy up North.
No sign of Ferruginus duck at Maristany.
A Breezy walk along the fields at Campanet.
Birds seen today included: Booted Eagle; Kestrels; Red Kite; Gadwall; Common Pochards; Red Crested Pochards; Little Grebe; Turfted Ducks; Wryneck; Goldfinches; Black Redstart; Song Thrushes; Crag Martins, Robins; Stonechats; Hoopoes and flocks of Chaffinches.

Mike

[Geordie Dave]

Now back in Uk andf managed to download phone scope photo from Albufera last Wednesday; is this a pale morph booted eagle?
David

[Mcnswiss2]

Trip to S’Albufera, Depurdora, and S’Amarador with Bob and Pete from ESRA North.
Excellent views of Little Bittern and Marble Ducks.
Other birds seen included:Osprey,Booted Eagles, Marsh Harriers,Kestrels, Red Crested and Common Pochard, Shovelers, Gadwall, Teal, Purple Swamphen, Water Rails, Redknobbed coots, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Dunlin, Kentish plover, Little ringed plover, Lapwings, Black winged Stilts, Avocets, Great White Egrets, Little Egrets, Night Herons and Grey Herons.

The area around the dog house is flooded..no sign of bluethroats.

A fine day

Mike

[Mike Montier]

A bracing walk along the front at Colonia Sant Jordi in the south was invigorating to say the least.
Several big flocks of Golden plover, one group of over 250 was nice.
Seven Turnstones, Common Sandpiper, Kentish plover and the highlight of a close-in adult Gannet sweeping majestically past, they really seem to relish high winds and what a joy they are, never failing to give me goosebumps.
Mike

[honeym]

Originally Posted by Mike Montier

and the highlight of a close-in adult Gannet sweeping majestically past, they really seem to relish high winds and what a joy they are, never failing to give me goosebumps.
Mike

I've literally just read in an email from a friend that Gannets are already back on their nesting ledges on Fair Isle - despite the cold and snow. Brave!

[Mike Montier]

Makes me shiver at the very thought of it Martin.
Mirella filmed a pair of Shag today on eggs so they are very early too.
It is due to be minus one degree here tonight so I will get a taste of Britain later when I go looking for Owls. I need Scops for the year and I have not heard one yet. It’s a nice clear night so I may get lucky.
Mike

[Mcnswiss2]

Afternoon walk to Ternelle Valley Enterance on a cold and blustery day.

Birds seen included: Hoopoe, Kestrels,Booted Eagle, 1 Black Vulture, 3 Griffon Vultures, Serins, Goldfinches, Black Redstart, Song Thrush, and Blackcaps.

Mike

[honeym]

Originally Posted by Mike Montier

It is due to be minus one degree here tonight
Mike

The same temperature as here in London when I got upi this morning!
Martin

[moorethm9]

Flock of about 20 Stone curlews have been showing around the ‘back lanes’, usually in the first field on the right when coming from the Llenaire roundabout.

[Mike Montier]

Jane and I met up with Mike Swiss today for a birdwatch around Porto Colom.
Mike was as ebullient as always and we both instantly recalled our last outing together with StewB. We were still buzzing from that day but quickly realised that today could never live up to that magic time.
How right we were.
A couple of Peregrine were nice, distant views of some shearwaters were disappointing, one unidentified Warbler at the normal Yellow-browed site was frustrating.
The Balearic warblers were unobliging and there was nothing else of note.
I got my wish of a Scops owl but sadly this one was freshly dead.
There were carpets of Black Redstarts, they cover the ground over much of Mallorca in winter.
It was still loads of fun though, never a dull moment when Mike is around.
Mike.

[Mcnswiss2]

Dead right Mike

Thanks again for a great day

Mike Swiss

[StewB]

Originally Posted by Mike Montier

Jane and I met up with Mike Swiss today for a birdwatch around Porto Colom.
Mike was as ebullient as always and we both instantly recalled our last outing together with StewB. We were still buzzing from that day but quickly realised that today could never live up to that magic time.
How right we were.

Certainly my best day’s birding in Mallorca (so far.. he said optimistically!). It’s been sustaining me during some slow birding days back home. Not too long ‘til June!

Stew

[moorethm9]

Bluethroat showing well at Albufereta mid morning, around the main birding platform. Other birds present included 30+ Flamingos, Red-crested pochard, Pintail, Wigeon, Greenshank, Kentish plover, Green sandpiper, Black winged stilts, Osprey, Great white egret and Crossbill.

[Mcnswiss2]

Afternoon visit to Maristany with Keith. Great to see Pep and Georges on this warm and sunny afternoon.

Birds seen included Common Pochard, RedCrested Pochards, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Shoverler, Kingfisher.

After a few minutes the Ferruginous Duck and Black necked grebe appeared

A Stone Curlew flew past on the way back

Mike

[Mike Montier]

Well done for the Ferruginous duck Mike and Keith.
The first House Martin has been seen at Albufera.
Mike

[Josep Manchado]

Originally Posted by Mcnswiss2

Afternoon visit to Maristany with Keith. Great to see Pep and Georges on this warm and sunny afternoon.
After a few minutes the Ferruginous Duck and Black necked grebe appeared
Mike

Well done Mike, he is not Georges, but Carlos.
I told you you only need to be patient, the ferrugineus was there, but just hiden, so the way was wait and wait

[Mcnswiss2]

Lol..i always get things wrong. Thanks Pep and my apologies to Carlos
Afternoon visit to S’Albufera and S’ Amarador with Keith. Windy day.
Usual birds seen but most huddled up against the wind. 10 common Snipe and 20 Avocet showing well at the hide.
No sign of bluethroats at S’Amarador.

Drove back through a swarm of starlings..interesting experience.

Pep what do you make of this wader? Possible Temmicks?

Cheers

Mike

[Josep Manchado]

Originally Posted by Mcnswiss2

Pep what do you make of this wader? Possible Temmicks?
Cheers
Mike

Yes, I think it is a Temminks, where was it? yesterday i was looking for it at Cibollar I

[Mcnswiss2]

It was at the Sa Roca Hide..On near Island

[StewB]

I've written up the notes from my trip a couple of weeks ago. Pdf attached.

[Mike Montier]

I enjoyed reading that almost as much as being there! A great report Stew and I feel very lucky to have shared some of those sightings with you.
Mike

[honeym]

It brightened up my day. Thanks Stew.
Martin

[Geordie Dave]

Originally Posted by StewB

I've written up the notes from my trip a couple of weeks ago. Pdf attached.

Stewart, an excellent report. I was there from 14-21 January staying in Port de Pollenca and covered much of the same ground although I haven't yet been to Bassa de Can Guidet and didn't go to Lluc this time. I did go out on the peninsula beyond Alcudia for the first time to Campanment de la Victoria for a spot of sea watching though. Our species lists for the corresponding weeks is very similar. I haven't been in Mallorca at this time of the year before and was surprised just how much there is around as my knowledge of places to go gradually improves. I'm due back in a week or so and very much looking forward to it
David