Mallorca 2015 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

All records are acceptable in English. I have submitted quite a few and they have all been accepted so far. With a photograph and now other observers there is no doubt about the authenticity. Had the locals not gone for the Yellow-browned then they would not have seen the Lesser whitethroat, an extreme rarity here so many thanks again, they were full of the joys when I saw them all this morning, two new species for their Big Year. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A very enjoyable morning at the Cap de Ses Salines. I haven't got the totals yet but big numbers of migrating Kestrels, six or so Honey buzzard, Eleanora's falcon, three or four Hobby and some Marsh harrier. Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

This afternoon in Alcudia area was not as good.

Cold and raining

Interesting numbers of Cattle egrets arrived but very quiet otherwise

 

[honeym]

This afternoon in Alcudia area was not as good.

Cold and raining

Interesting numbers of Cattle egrets arrived but very quiet otherwise

That's odd as in s'Albufera we did have a light shower but it is very warm and humid - it should be perfect for my moth trapping (providing there's no heavy rain overnight).

Martin

 

[micky1]

Hi Mike
Hope you're feeling better, we got home Tuesday, had a good week in Playa de Muro, used the bus and went to Parc Natural twice, got great views of moustached warblers near bridge plus Osprey, Hoopoes, Stone Curlews and all the usual suspects. We went to Boquer Valley twice and saw lots of Flycatchers, Booted Eagles, both morphs, 1 Black Vulture Blue Rock Thrushes and a Firecrest in olive grove near car park. We dipped on Balearic Warbler but enjoyed what we saw without a car, and with 2 days of torrential rain we were happy with 51 species considering the time of year, thanks for your help before our trip.
Regards Lyn and Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Still some Bee-eaters moving through and Hobby, also a few Honey buzzard. There was a lovely chocolate colored young Honey buzzard past the Cap yesterday and Pep took some fabulous photos which I hope he can post on here. What a beautiful bird. Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

S' Albuferata

The road is being repaired by the Southern enterance

Birds seen today included:

- Marsh Harriers
- Osprey
- Stone Curlews
- Fan tailed warblers
- Cetti Warblers
- Sardinian Warblers
- Spotted Redshank
- Cattle, Great White and Little egrets
- Water Rail
- Audouin Gull
- Stonechats

Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Lyn & Mike, glad you enjoyed your stay. Recovery will be a few months but every day seems a bit better. I have been out birding locally a couple of times, I find staying in all day very difficult. Thanks for posting, Mike

 

[honeym]

Just a quick up-date from s'Albufera: juvenile Caspian Tern late pm (at least that's when I saw it) to the left of Sa Roca hide.
Also 30 Stone Curlew in the field to the left.
Martin

 

[Josep Manchado]

Still some Bee-eaters moving through and Hobby, also a few Honey buzzard. There was a lovely chocolate colored young Honey buzzard past the Cap yesterday and Pep took some fabulous photos which I hope he can post on here. What a beautiful bird. Mike

Here they go 2 pics of the "chocolate" honey buzzard .

 

[Josep Manchado]

Today we have been again at the Cap Salines, lot of migration, specially kestrels, booted eagle and honey buzzard, but also 1 o 2 merlins, several hobbys and marsh harriers and thousand of barn swallows.

Today we have seen several times the Bonelli's eagle, and I could get some good picture. We also saw a couple of ravens disturbing one of the Bonelli's eagle and one of them probably won't bother another bird forever

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Pep, great photos. Thousands of Barn swallow past my apartment too, they all flew out to sea so not the same ones as at the Cap. I have no idea how many passed through the Island today, many thousands. Mike

 

[honeym]

Just read (on rare birds of the Balearics) that three Dotterel were seen today on the top of Mola de S'Esclop, Andraitx.
The mothing is improving - a species new to the Balearics last night among the 94 species recorded (plus a few still to identify).
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

Congratulations Martin, a great find, would love to see a photo if you have one. It must be a good feeling to find a "first" for the Balearics. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A couple of hours spent at the Cap this morning but after yesterday's spectacle, the show was sadly over. The winds are now hot southerlies and all I saw were three Eleanoras Falcons, one migrating Honey buzzard and two more circling the trees as I left. Also a distant falcon which I believe was a female Merlin but too far away to be sure. Mike

 

[honeym]

A brief visit to Sa Roca hide this evening saw 2 Raven flying over and an adult Lesser Black-backed Gull.
Martin

 

[honeym]

Didn't have bins with me today but streams of hirundines in off the bay plus 4 Shag and (I think) 6 Sandwich Terns feeding off-shore and resting on the Yellow lane markers for the boats - between Alcudia and Es Comu dunes.
Later at Sa Roca hide, at least 40 Stone Curlew and 2 escapees in the shape of Bahama Pintail, which I seem to recall seeing here before.
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

A Montagu's harrier at the back of the salt pans is the only news today. Streams of Barn swallow still leaving the Island. Hundreds of thousands have passed through in the last few days. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A Short-eared owl has been seen at Cap de Ses Salines this morning but otherwise very quiet there. Mike

 

[honeym]

A Scops Owl was showing most of the day along the track from reception to the bridge at close range. Unfortunately I heard about it too late to see it, or photograph it. It was possibly a recently arrived migrant.
Curlew at Sa Roca and I was told of some Temminck´s Stint seen from the path to Ses Puntes.
Martin