Mallorca 2010 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

I can also recommend the new book Martin mentioned: "A Tourists Guideto Mallorca".It was written by local birders. It is excellent for targeting specific species and it gives some suggested walks around the Island detailing what you may encounter. There is also a check-list and overall it is a great read.

 

[nick scarle]

Hi Mike
Can you provide some more details on this new book. Is it available in the UK or is it sold widely across the island? It sounds interesting and I'm always on the lookout for new bird-walks

Thanks
Nick

 

[honeym]

Hi Nick

It has been mentioned before on BirdForum (somewhere) but rather than search for it try this link http://birdingmajorca.com/

It is listed on the Subbuteo website so may be available via other UK booksellers

Martin

 

[nick scarle]

Martin

Many thanks for that info, I missed it previously. I'll be getting a copy from Albufera when I visit in May.

Cheers
Nick

 

[honeym]

Hi Nick

I hope there will be lots of interestesting birds to see - especially as I will be working there from late May into June.

Martin

 

[MalcolmR]

Thanks Mike. I'll give Boquer a good go this time. Is there anything else good around at present. I've seen most of the regular stuff but could still do with a White-headed Duck or Ferug'.

Malc

 

[Mike Montier]

White-headed duck is now very difficult, I think only one has been seen but I am not fully up-to-date. There is a web site for Albufera which lists all recent sightings and is excellent. Last week at Albufera I saw several Red-rumped swallows but not much else in the way of migrants. I have been to Cap Blanc today for Dartford warbler and Rock sparrow neither of which are easy. Cuber reservoir is always worth a visit if you can get there. There could be some surprises, let´s hope so!

 

[wolfbirder]

Are the Griffon Vultures still at cuber and around that area in general, or have they drifted away gradually?

 

[Sleeper]

MalcolmR

Lat time I saw White Headed Duck was at S'Albufera in 2007.

I walked down to the disused tower platform and just kept walking very quietly and there he was.

 

[honeym]

Hi

The site Mike mentioned is http://www.mallorcaweb.net/salbufera/introang.html#docs and the latest bird list is the first item. Previous lists are also available.

White-headed duck was certainly listed up to at least April 2008 but only as a singleton, Ferruginous was listed in March 2009.

Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

Re: Griffon vultures. They are still being seen but I am not sure of the numbers. Tens and twelves are common but I think the total influx must have been up to fifty. I had 32 once but now just see a few together so maybe as you say they are drifting away. I will update with recent numbers if I can get hold of the data! Cuber seems quite good as is Mortitx and Soller areas.

 

[MalcolmR]

By Pass etc

Is it just me or am I right in thinking that there are absolutely no maps online that show the Puerto Pollensa by-pass. I'm sure we cycled on it in Oct 08 - from the Rio San Jordi bridge to the Llenaire Road and all the way round to Boquer. The aforementioned river (stream?) had recently been dug out for a few hundred yards but still held good numbers of waders and the usual stuff including Starling. A lark calling in one of the adjacent fields sounded very like a Crested but as very rare in Majorca I can only assume Thekla. Did not tick however and I've seen plenty of Thekla in Portugal so no worries. I would be interested if anyone else has found Thekla in this area as probably not typical habitat for the species but perfect for Crested.

Hopefully, the Sant Jordi is a lot more overgrown again - albeit more difficult to find birds.

Malc

 

[Roy C]

Hi, I have booked into a hotel in Playa de Muro for the end of May, which, as far as I can tell is just a few hundred yards from the main entrance to The S'Albufera Park. My main interest is bird photography - any particular spots you would recommend to get within snapping distance or is it just a case of walking around and see what turns up.

 

[Sleeper]

Hi Roy

You will probably spend a large amount of time in the Bishop 1 hide as at times they can come very close. I seem to recall one photographer shouting "full frame Nigel" Strange really as his camera never worked again.

I think how close the birds will get will be dependent on the water levels.

But as you say Roy just walking around is good enough as we found the Cettis kamikaze in their habits and often had to duck! I don't think you will be disappointed in the chance to get close in a lot of situations on the island.

 

[Mike Montier]

I believe all the larks are either skylarks in the winter or Thekla all year. Many people seem to confuse Thekla with Crested but I have never known Crested to occur. I don´t think they do. ID can be tricky as the Balearic is even more similar. The breast streaking is more distinct in Thekla and there are other subtle differences. The voice is similar but Thekla is softer. Overall Thekla is more contrasty and greyer so I would not want to be the one to call "Crested" but you never know!

With regard to the road, no I have never seen a map with the by-pass. Roads often spring up here overnight with no warning!

I agree that Bishop 1 is the best opportunity for photography as the birds come closer but other hides on the reserve are good also. I often see photographers in Bishop 1 so that seems the place to go. Good luck!

 

[honeym]

Short-toed Lark Summer, Migrant
Skylark Winter, Migrant
Thekla Lark Resident

Bar-tailed Lark, Calandra Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark and Woodlark and listed as Balearic rarities. Shore Lark is listed as an Iberian rarity

All the hides can offer good photo opportunites. CIM hide is best late afternoon evening as it faces into the rising sun, often giving good close-ups of Stone Curlew. Bishop I and II in the morning as the sun is behind you. Xisco Lillo hide, near the power station, is a long walk but the boardwalk goes through Tamarisk scrub which can hold some interesting birds at the right time.

There's also an elevated platform at the end of the Ses Puntes track overlooking a (usually) wet pool that can be good for waders.

Martin

 

[Roy C]

Thanks for the head up Stephen and Mike - looks like Bishops 1 will be the first port of call.

 

[johnpell]

Hola from Alcudia - Boquer still accessible this week providing you rebolt the small access gate and rechain the gate into the valley, doesnt appear to be a problem - at least 20-25 other couples all using this entry for their walks (mostly Germans). Booted eagles in all the usual places at the moment including Cuber where 1 each Black and Red Kite and 2 barn doors (presumed Black Vultures) all from the "refuge". Only got a Peregrineat the base of Son Morel - clocked around 50 species at s`Albufeira incl 1 each Great White Egret and Glossy Ibis on the CIM and good views of Marsh Harrier from Bishops 1 - sorry not so hot on the "LBJs" so cant help at the moment with the less recognised warblers etc but will try and get back later in the week (looks like an Aquarium day today as it promises to be wet out). bye for now, John.

 

[Alf King]

That´s great news Martin, thanks. The bottom bit is indeed more interesting and should offer better views of elusive species skulking out of sight. A longer walk means it will be even better. So nice to get some good news after the disappointment of Son Bosc.

This is indeed good news, providing walkers/birders with access combined with better views of the valley floor and allowing the owners the privacy that has obviously been seriously affected in recent years. I do recall the time when Eddie Watkinson's book was new and there would only ever be 5-10 people in the valley at any one time. Numbers using the paths nowadays are so much greater that this change is understandable.

This gives me good reason to put PP back on my "places to visit" list, thankfully.

 

[Clive Griffin]

White-headed duck is now very difficult, I think only one has been seen but I am not fully up-to-date. There is a web site for Albufera which lists all recent sightings and is excellent. Last week at Albufera I saw several Red-rumped swallows but not much else in the way of migrants. I have been to Cap Blanc today for Dartford warbler and Rock sparrow neither of which are easy. Cuber reservoir is always worth a visit if you can get there. There could be some surprises, let´s hope so!

Hi Mike,
were you successful with Rock Sparrow? It's one of my target species, but I have not visited Cap Blanc yet.
I had an early record on 16th March for Eleonora's Falcon, at Colonia de Sant Pere, flying towards Es Calo. According to a contact in GOB, migration appears to be off to an early start this year.

Clive.