Mallorca 2016 (1 Viewer)

[Alexski]

First Visit to Port de Pollenca: Day 5

Thanks for the comments about the Pallid Harrier, we had just seen one in Kent before coming out, so it caught our eye immediately.

Very interested to read about the Western Reef Heron at Albufereta as we spent the morning there today. Is there any more information about where exactly it was seen (hide or viewing platform)? I presume it was a dark specimen rather than white? If there are any more details then we would be interested in making another visit there during our remaining days on the island.

Anyway, our own visit to Albufereta this morning began with catching the L352 bus from Port de Pollenca to the Pollentia Club Resort, and visiting the birdwatching hide behind it. There were certainly lots of egrets to be seen, but we only noted Little, Cattle and Great White. Other highlights there included our first Cormorants, Cetti's Warblers, a couple of Zitting Cisticola and a female Marsh Harrier.

We then walked on along the road, and on the beach at the mouth of the river had at least 50 Kentish Plover and 4 Meadow Pipits, before making our way back into the reserve to the viewing platform. There wasn't much to see from here, but 4 Little Grebes were new for the list. However, walking the surrounding fields, we were rewarded with 6 Stone Curlew, 3 Red-legged Partridge, and on the marshes 3 Greenshank, a further 25 Kentish Plover, and were also surprised to find a Grey Plover. Just as we were leaving a Hobby flew overhead.

Getting back onto the regular L352 bus, we continued down to the end of the line in Ca'n Picafort, and then walked along the shoreline to Son Real. Our target bird here was Thekla Lark, and we were very pleased to end up with a total of 13 birds, some of which showed nicely. We also had 3 Turnstone and a single Common Sandpiper, plus many Yellow-legged Gull and Shag offshore, as well as 4 Audouin's Gull.

 

[honeym]

Hi Mike,
I saw a grey 'Little Egret' at Albufuretta in May and I'm sure others have reported it on here. Could it have been this Philip saw or was it a Western Reef Heron all along ? !!!! Robert

There was a similar blue/grey bird at s'Albufera a few years ago.
Two hybrids between Little Egret and Western Reef Heron were seen and photogaphed in August this year at the Albufereta. I suspect it might have been one of those. There's also a rather old (1995) paper in British Birds that might be of interest:
https://britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/article_files/V88/V88_N07/V88_N07_P307_319_A084.pdf
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Martin and others. There have been two hybrids that I know about and I feel sure Philip is aware of those. He is a top birder and I am confident he saw a Western Reef Heron.
Nevertheless, I have written to him asking if it was a dark morph. He saw it at the throat of the "smelly stream" where it goes out onto the beach, Albufereta.
Thanks for the link Martin, it makes very interesting reading, I read it some time ago.
It's just a shame that Philip never takes photographs. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Many thanks to La Gola for the excellent details on the Bird Race. All very exciting and I hope it becomes an annual event, I might even have a go myself next year if it's on. Mike

 

[LaGola]

Thanks Mike. We hope it becomes an annual event and we hope to see you among winners!

Here some pictures of birds seen in october at La gola

A wheatear october 22th, a group of 3 grey herons migrants trying to land in the water repeatedly but the local grey heron didn’t let them and they returned to the pine trees to try again but finally they left after three attempts, a white and grey wagtail, skylark, kingfisher, redstart and black redstart...

https://www.facebook.com/Centre-de-...9/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1147318835315987


An abstract of Mallorca Birding Race, they are working on the english version but now the castilian version is only

http://www.reservoirbirds.com/News.asp#New_209

 

[Alexski]

First Visit to Port de Pollenca: Day 6

Today we decided to finally visit S'Albufera, so once again we took the L352 bus and arrived at about 9:30 at the reserve.

The reserve really lived up to expectations and even before we had got to the information centre we had managed to see 16 Night Herons, a Zitting Cisticola a very showy Red-knobbed Coot and 2 Purple Swamphen.

Walking around the reserve we saw almost 60 species, including some good birds such as 25+ Stone Curlew, 30+ Kentish Plover, a Little Bittern, a Marbled Duck, a Thekla Lark, a Black-necked Grebe, many Black-winged Stilt as well as over 10 more Purple Swamphen. Also we heard and caught a glimpse of a couple of Moustached Warbler. As we were leaving 7 Audouin's Gull flew in and landed on the canal giving great views.

A question for those of you familiar with the region at this time of year, do you think it worthwhile going on a boat trip round the Formentor Peninsula? We would like very much to try and see some shearwaters but don't know if we have much chance.

 

[Simon Wates]

I believe sightings are becoming more frequent.
Martin

Its still considered a rarity in Spain, though as you say its more and more frequent

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Simon, I think it looks good for a Pallid..what do you think?
Still in Norfolk, what joy! Lots of species I haven't seen for years. Mike

 

[Alexski]

First Visit to Port de Pollenca: Day 7

Making use once more of the L352 bus we got off this morning at the 'Camping Muro' stop and made our way to the Son Bosc area and Depuradora. Amongst the birds seen were 5 Hoopoe, 4 Thekla Lark, about 20 Zitting Cisitcola, and 25 Stone Curlew together with 4 Red-legged Partridge. We also saw a number of waders including a Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and a Godwit species which we think was a Bar-tailed. We have attached a photo and would value opinions.

Moving on to Albufera, we visited the main hides where we saw a similar range of birds to yesterday, but also added 2 Spotted Redshank, 4 Water Pipit and an Osprey.

Finally, on the way back to Port de Pollenca, we hopped off the bus again at Albufereta in hope of finding the possible Western Reef Heron, and were lucky enough to track it down still near the mouth of the river. We managed to grab a few shots which we have attached in the hope that they may help answer the question as to whether it is indeed a Western Reef Heron or a hybrid. Any thoughts?

 

[honeym]

Hi
Nice pics.
With a delicate, slightly up-turned bill I would agree with Bar-tailed.
Martin

 

[Simon Wates]

I think it looks good for a Pallid..what do you think?

Well I'm sure till proven wromg! Does look classic for juv. Pallid in every way - it helps to brighten the photo - or the screen in my case :-O

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Alexski, yes, it's a Bar-tailed, the bill is shorter and more upturned, the tarsus is shorter but more importantly, the supercillium extends behind the eye and the back is not plain like on Black-tailed.
Well done for getting such good photos.
Interesting Reef Heron. Do others think it is 100% or are there some hybrid features? Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Alexski. I know there is a birder on the mainland who asks for all photos of hybrid egrets to be sent to him. I will try to find his address and if you could send him a copy, that would be great. I will send you a personal message on here when I have found it. Mike.

 

[Alexski]

Thanks to everyone for your comments about the Pallid Harrier, also the confirmation of the Bar-tailed Godwit. How common are the godwits in Mallorca, we haven't seen much mention of them?

Personally, having read the article on the Reef Heron and Little Egret puzzle, we are tending towards it being a hybrid, but it would it be great if it turns out to be a genuine Western Reef. Looking forward to hear further opinions.

 

[Alexski]

First Visit to Port de Pollenca: Day 7

For our last day we had planned to do a boat trip round the Formentor Peninsula but unfortunately it was cancelled due to rough seas.

Instead we revisited Boquer Valley. We didn't pick up anything new but were pleased to see or hear at least 5 more Balearic Warbler. There were also 5 Blue Rock Thrush, a Hoopoe and a single light Booted Eagle.

This evening we made a final visit to La Gola, where a Common Sandpiper was still present along with a Grey Wagtail and another light Booted Eagle glided over.

 

[Mike Montier]

Hi Alexski. I am leaning towards a hybrid having looked at many photos of Western Reef Heron, they are very variable it seems.
Both Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits are scarce in Mallorca, this year I would say there have been less than normal but every year is different.
I would welcome more comments on the egret, you could even put the photo on the identification thread of Birdforum, it would be interesting to see what others think. Mike

 

[Josep Manchado]

Interesting Reef Heron. Do others think it is 100% or are there some hybrid features? Mike

Hi Martin, I think it is an hybrid, it hasn't the complet aspect of an E. gularis.

 

[Mike Montier]

I have heard from Philip who feels that the Heron is a genuine Western Reef, he gives his reasons in great detail.
I'm sitting on the fence because I have some doubt. Any comments gratefully received. Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Some Common Crane have been seen with most of them at Salobrar de Campos with at least 17 at that site. Gannets also being seen off the coast. A couple of common Redstarts at Formentor (Juanjo Bazan) Mike

 

[Alexski]

Back to the UK after a very enjoyable first visit to Mallorca. I've had the chance to research more the Reef Heron puzzle and as suggested I have posted the question along with my thoughts and more photos on the Bird Identification section of the forum.

A link to the thread here.

Mike, you mention that Philip has given detailed reasoning why he thinks it is a genuine WRH, can you post some of the key points? I'm now thinking along the same lines.