Mallorca 2016 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

Many thanks Xenospiza, I had no idea they were so endangered but I have seen very few in recent years. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Does anyone know the reason for their decline? Is it habitat loss or other problems. Mike

 

[Maties Rebassa]

Hello, in Albufereta only nominal subespecies, E.schoeniclus schoeniclus, can be seen. So, no breeding birds (witherbyi) there, only wintering and migrants birds.
Decline in breeding birds (in the Balearics, they only breed in Albufera) it's not well understood. Changes in habitat are important, with declines in the extension of reed beds (where they breed), but probably other factors have to be considered too.

 

[honeym]

Hello, in Albufereta only nominal subespecies, E.schoeniclus schoeniclus, can be seen. So, no breeding birds (witherbyi) there, only wintering and migrants birds.
Decline in breeding birds (in the Balearics, they only breed in Albufera) it's not well understood. Changes in habitat are important, with declines in the extension of reed beds (where they breed), but probably other factors have to be considered too.

Hi Maties
Possibly also a decline in the moth larvae/pupae on which their breeding success probably depends. I'll do some background reading/research before Spring.
Best wishes
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

Still no Avocets to be found anywhere on the Island. I had a pretty miserable day in the south with a few Flamingos to brighten things up a bit. Eight Turnstones together at Colonia Sant Jordi was a good number for this species here.
Otherwise, it's now just a question of waiting for the migration to begin. Can't wait, Mike

 

[LaGola]

Great Egret

Hello,
here you have a nice video of the Great Egret of La Gola.

https://www.facebook.com/Centre-de-turisme-ornitològic-de-la-Gola-126115184103029/

Cristina.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Balearic Shearwater

Visit to Capdepera Lighthouse on a wet and windy day.

Shearwaters were active

Interesting paper from birdlife

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/factsheet/22728432

Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Mike for the link. The article makes very interesting reading. It seems Mallorca has done much to eradicate threats to Balearic Shearwaters by eradicating rats which is great news. I find it all so depressing when I read about a decline in any species, but these charming shearwaters are very dear to me, always a pleasure to watch them around the Island. Mike

 

[LaGola]

Hello, it was no one avocet during the january count at Salobrar or s'Avall, it is a mistery where they are this winter, but not in Majorca.
I have seen only one at Es Cibollar (s'Albufera) 10 days ago, but a lonley bird.

Regarding to the Avocets, having a look at the AOB 2014 where you can find the results of January 2015, just one bird was seen.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Albuferata - Northern Site

Evening visit

Birds seen included Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Kestral, Little Grebes, Little Egret and at least 4 Water Rails heard.

So many Meadow Pipits , Stonechats and Thrushes as well as Cetti Warblers, Sardinia Warblers and Fan tailed Warblers.

Several Whinchats also seen

Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

avocets in albufera

Hello, it was no one avocet during the january count at Salobrar or s'Avall, it is a mistery where they are this winter, but not in Majorca.
I have seen only one at Es Cibollar (s'Albufera) 10 days ago, but a lonley bird.

Two arrived 15.30

Seen from Bishop hide

Nice day to visit.

Water levels higher.

Birds seen included the usual plus Osprey, Marsh Harriers, Black Winged Stilts, Avocets, Curlews, Spotted Redshank, Green Shank, Cattle Egret and Marbled Ducks.

 

[ESTEBANNIC]

Great day out last Sunday up at Cúber in the mountains. Loads of Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, Water Pipit and Grey Wagtail round the reservoir. Up past the dam bumped into 3 tame Alpine Accentors and a couple of really showy Dunnock (usually hard to see). On the raptor side Griffon and Black Vulture, Booted Eagle and a lone Black Kite.

Steve

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Little Bunting reported in Menorca

http://rareresesornibalears.blogspot.com.es

Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

That's a nice day out Steve. I went there myself last week and despite the cold and damp, I also saw much the same as you. Loads of thrushes as you saw, every few paces a few more flew up. No Redwings though, or Black kite sadly. Mike

 

[honeym]

Some interesting info about the movement of one of Mallorca's regular Ospreys:
http://www.gobmallorca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4108
Best wishes
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

Great reading Martin, many thanks. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Another lovely day out at Son Real, it really is a great reserve. Still two Hawfinch coming to the drinking pool, also good views of a Dunnock, quite a difficult bird to see well in Mallorca, Siskin, Serin, Crossbill and Mistle thrush were other good birds. I wonder what species will visit the pool during migration? It will be worth going again in April just to see. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Some news just in of a large influx of hirundines near the airport including Barn and Red-rumped swallows and Sand and House martins. Hopefully Steve will give more details later. Mike

 

[kevinh]

To Martin (Honeym)

Hi Martin, could you please help me by identifying this caterpillar? Unfortunately it was found in Fuerteventura not Mallorca.

 

[HartleyPoole]

Had a great week on the Island last week, with wife and two teenage kids so was under the thumb but still managed to see and hear almost 60 different and obviously many new to me, that took keen identification later. Favourites were Hoopoe and 3 Eleonora Falcons near where we were staying between Alaró and Consell, fan tailed warbler and Kentish plover at S'Albufera in a quick 45 min stop. Also had 30
Mins at la Gola for some top close ups of chiffchaff and black redstarts. Must come back, what a beautiful island. The parts that i saw, guess it may be different in the summer but had a great time. You residents are Lucky people!If anyone wants lists of what I saw and where, happy to provide. Email me on [email protected].