Mallorca 2015 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

ps. I went to the Polo pitch afterwards at the back of the salt pans and the short grass held the usual high numbers of Larks, Finches and Buntings. It is worth keeping an eye on this site, it will without doubt host a major rarity one day. Soon I hope! Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Just been down to Mondragó to survey the damage after last nights storm, the torrent has burst its banks, three Marsh harrier went by on migration at first light and there were two Red-rumped swallows in with the large arrival of other hirundines. It will be interesting to see what else has turned up. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

The calm after the storm and what a great day it was. I began by seeing Marsh harriers going over just before first light here in the south and later a record 137 were recorded at the mirador near the tower together with 7 Sparrowhawk, 4 Common buzzard and one Alpine swift. I also went to the Salinas at Colonia Sant Jordi and saw two splendid Mediterranean gulls in summer plumage, few birds are more attractive for me. Also two Black-tailed godwits there, all in all a great day out. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A whole day out today starting at the tower, Albercutx it was freezing with a howling wind and rain, six degrees and no birds. Then to Cases Velles which has been flattened by a bulldozer, nothing much doing there either. No sign of the Little crakes at Maristany (Tucan Marsh) but then the weather was even worse so they may still be there. Many Barn swallows and House martins there. Later I popped into a friends house for tea and a male Little bittern flew up from his pond! Only one other on the Island at the moment I understand. He says it's been there a month and was unimpressed. I didn't tell him it has been feasting on his prize fish. A Black kite on the way to Palma at Binnisalem was another highlight but I was glad of a hot shower when I got home, what a dreadful day but incredibly I then saw about a hundred Common swift battling against the wind in my local port. Mike

 

[hughm]

Hi again- really looking forward to arriving at the Pollensa Park again on Saturday for a fortnight (but not if the temperature is only 6 degrees- about what it is in Northampton now). however the outlook on both BBC and Spanish weather forecasts is pretty good for the first week at least, and I will endeavour to produce my daily summary of all that I see and hear about, with some other general wildlife thrown in as well as the birds. this year i have a camera, so I should be able to take some pictures (including moths) although I may struggle to upload them straight away and they may have to wait until the end of the holiday. Best wishes- Hugh Matthews

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Hugh, glad you are coming back. I hope you have a great time and see lots of good things, I think you will hit it about right. There will be lots of orchids and still some magnificent wild flower displays although some of them are over now. Bird migration will be in full swing with the odd rare bird thrown in. Try to get to the tower at the week.end, the locals will be there, they are good fun and very welcoming. I will keep you posted and let me know if you need anything specific, good luck! Mike

 

[hughm]

Thanks Mike- it would be good if the Little Crakes stay around, otherwise my list now stands at 172, with only the two larger owls to see from spring residents, plus Rock Sparrow if it is still hanging on on the south coast. Otherwise it is a case of looking out for a rare passage migrant or a very early Roller or Nightjar which are unlikely at this early time of the year- Regards- Hugh.

 

[Mike Montier]

A better day today, still many migrant Marsh harrier passing through, quite a few Black kites, Alpine swift, sometimes in large flocks, common swift everywhere now and still a few Red-rumped swallows to be seen. I sat at my friends pond up the road and had wonderful views of the Little bittern, really close which was a treat. Mike

 

[Mike J Raven]

Likewise, looking forward to 2 weeks in Mallorca; arriving on Saturday, and staying just outside Pollenca. Hugh - We might see you at Pollensa Park looking for the scops owl - there are eight of us! Will hopefully post daily sightings, if the WiFi works.

 

[Mike Montier]

Hugh, I think an earlier post gave a site for Long-eared owl near Pollença, Barn owl possible on the reserve, Cami des Polls after 5pm I believe. You may be able to get an extended pass to stay after hours from the centre, you will need your passport.
Rock sparrows are around and I have found some beyond their normal range so I'm not sure if they are expanding or declining! Either way there are very few. If you can get to the lighthouse at Cap Blanc you have a chance of seeing them at the very edge of the cliffs, walk either way from the lighthouse. Some people believe they are roosting in the building itself so it may be worth a visit at dusk, good luck all who are coming this week-end, I hope you have a great time, I always want people to enjoy this wonderful Island so I hope you do. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A Penduline tit seen at Albufera (Cami des Polls) this morning and still good numbers of migrant Marsh harrier through, I saw two in-off the sea this morning. They were so low I thought they would hit the water at any moment, they were really struggling. Quite a few Common swift passing through and five Booted eagles seen on the way home. Mike

 

[s.g.]

hi guys,
arriving in 9 days time for 2 weeks and cant wait, weather looking better by then, i hope!!
Steve.

 

[honeym]

A male Common Redstart and a Cuckoo today near Salobrar - Es Trenc road.
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

I saw a Cuckoo too near the Cap ses Salines and two Common redstarts at my local park a couple of days ago so quite a few migrants arriving, lots more to come I hope for the visiting birders. Mike

 

[hughm]

A brief note- will look out for the 8 Ravens(?) and also any other birders in the vicinity of the PP hotel. Thanks for the info on owls, Mike- my problem is that I only have a car on 3 days, and the family need looking after, but I might get to Cami des polls if I am nice to them all week! I leave Gatwick by Easyjet at 1240 tomorrow- should be at Son San Joan at 1555 local time.

 

[Mike Montier]

Have a great time Hugh, the weather is wonderful which will please your family but the migration has slowed as a result. If you only have the car for a short time I would suggest a visit to the tower at Albercutx, the views are stunning so everyone would enjoy it and there should be some great birds as well, mornings of course being the time to go. Mike

 

[hughm]

Thanks Mike- I went up to the tower last year and the views are stupendous, even when migration is limited. We arrived to beautiful views of Formentor from the plane, but the ugly ploughed field that used to be Cases Velles is visible even from 6000feet. Not much time for birding as we arrived late afternoon, but the Binissalem Red Kite was as ever along the motorway, a Kentish Plover at the outflow from Albufereta, and a single Scopoli´s Shearwater in Pollensa Bay scoped from the hotel balcony were the highlights. Hopefully a few more birds tomorrow- off now to listen for the Scops Owl.

 

[Mike Montier]

The Penduline tit seen again and a few Little Bitterns around. The tower has been good with a few Common Buzzard (not common here!) , some Sparrowhawks and a possible Pallid Harrier. It is strange that so many of these magnificent raptors are now coming through the Island with quite a few last year and hopefully more this year too. Unless they were previously overlooked they are on the increase. Mike

 

[Michael J Raven]

Today; saw a black redstart at La Gola as well as a robin, wheatear, greenshank and common sandpiper. Had sightings of booted eagle over Port de Pollenca and our villa (along the Cami de Llenaire road, Pollenca); and 2 shag and at least 10 Sandwich tern off the Port de Pollenca seashore, plus another black redstart near the harbour. Several stone-curlew and two Scops owl were calling from the villa last night.

 

[hughm]

A very local day today as my wife was recovering from the effect of the journey on her ME. There are at least three wintering species in the hotel grounds/ Robin, Meadow Pipit and Black Redstart, and I heard my first ever March Nightingale singing from deep scrub nearby. A brief visit to La Gola produced 20 Sandwich Terns on the breakwater and Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and a few Chiffchaffs at the pool, whilst a rest near the Hotel pool was enlivened by a flyover Osprey. Lastly, a scan from the top floor room which I have this year produced both languid Scopoli's and frantic Balearic Shearwaters, about 100 SS and 10 BS, some of which were at only 400m range, the closest that I have ever seen them here. An unfortunate negative is the total lack of sight or sound of a Scops Owl so far, but these are early days. Tomorrow to Albufereta if my wife feels better. Hugh Matthews