Mallorca 2016 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

A super image of this cracking bird, so glad you saw it. Mike

 

[martinswannell]

Thanks chaps, I have put a few more snaps from last week at
https://youpic.com/photographer/MartinSwannell/

there are more to come....

 

[Ian Bell]

Nice shots, Martin. :t:

 

[Rob Williams]

Well, just over a week until my first ever visit to Mallorca. Here's hoping.

Rob

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Rob, I think you should hit it about right for migration. Many migrants have been held up by the cold north winds but I think it's due to swing round to southerlies over the weekend and therefore many more birds will be arriving. Good luck and do post here what you see. Thanks, Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Some good birds today with Glossy Ibis at Albufera, an Alpine Swift, a Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and some Common Redstart. Mike

 

[LaGola]

Hi!
Some Willow Warblers this morning at la Gola, together with Chiffchaff.
4 Common Swift, House Martins and Barn Swallows.
The Great White Egret is still here.

There were 4 Flamingos at s'Albufereta Reserve and a Woodchat Shrike was seen at Bóquer Valley two days ago.

Regards,
Cristina.

 

[LaGola]

Moth

Not a bird but it's superb.
Chinese Oak Silkmoth found near la Gola.

Regards.

 

[hughm]

Hello again from sunny Northampton (first springlike day for some time). We fly out tomorrow from Heathrow and will be at the PoPark from about 1700 if all goes well. I will try and give a daily update on what I see for the next fortnight, and look forward to meeting the staff at La Gola any other birders who happen to be around. I will also be out in the evenings to see if I can track down the next reliable Scops Owl site in Port de Pollenca, after the apparent demise of the 2010-2014 site. Best wishes- Hugh Matthews

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Hugh, we look forward to hearing what you see. Good luck! Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Superb moth La Gola! I think Martin posted on here where they can be found on the island but it would be good to have an update. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Things are hotting up with a few Marsh Harrier through at the tower Albercutx, a singing Sub-alpine Warbler at Albufereta, a Sparrowhawk, a Ferruginous duck and Lesser Black-backed Gull at Maristany. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Late news of a Spotted Crake at Albufereta late Wednesday afternoon. It was just to the left of the new tower hide.
Speaking to some birders who were here in the 1980's, they were telling me that Spotted Crakes were more numerous then whereas these days I hardly ever hear of them. Shame, the habitat is perfect for them and I can't see why there are not more here.
Also, the pine wood there holds good numbers of Willow Warblers at the moment and there were seven Spotless Starlings at Can Curassa on Wednesday too. Lots of Yellow Wagtails also in, all were the Iberian race. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Purple Herons are beginning to appear with five being seen in the last couple of days. Mike

 

[honeym]

Superb moth La Gola! I think Martin posted on here where they can be found on the island but it would be good to have an update. Mike

Hi Mike
Yes, quite a spectacular moth, especially when you see one flying towards you at a moth trap!.
As far as breeding is concerned it can occur wherever Holm Oak grows as that is the most likely foodplant for the larvae (they may also feed on other oaks that grow in Mallorca), so mainly in the Tramuntana.
As far as adult records are concerned, they have all been mapped in the attached document - a recent paper by three very competent locals, all of whom I know.
Best wishes (from a brief birding break in Norfolk)
Martin

 

[chris chapleo]

Hello Mike and all

Really found this thread useful last year.....well, a year has flown by and I am coming out again for a week from 4 April so great to get feel of what's around this year. Will be based Llenaire side of Pto Pollensa so will be mainly doing Bocquer Valley, Albufereta and Albufera and will post what I see thats of note - really looking forward to it and who knows, hope I may may even run into some of you in the field!
Chris

 

[Mike Montier]

A nice morning spent at the tower, Albercutx. It was fairly quiet with one Black kite and a few migrant Marsh Harrier and Kestrel. Also the Alpine Accentor came within six feet offering fantastic close-ups. It will depart shortly I am sure but it has provided great entertainment for the past few weeks. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Thank you Martin for the comprehensive information as usual. I will keep an eye out for them around the Holm Oaks. Hope you enjoyed Norfolk, one of my favorite locations. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Chris, good luck and I look forward to reading your reports, it will hopefully be full of migrants by the time you arrive! Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

One group of Bee-eaters have been heard and another seen in Calvia, over twenty birds. That should brighten things up a bit! Mike