Our first “capote” (a day without seeing any migrants) took place this morning with Pep and I going to the favoured spot for autumn migration at the lighthouse, Cap de Ses Salines. It is the most southerly point of Mallorca and in autumn groups of birders gather there to watch many migrants leaving the Island for Africa.
We saw at least five Eleonora’s falcons hunting locally and about the same number of Scopoli’s shearwaters. A group of young Audouin’s gulls flew by, very nice to see them. A Balearic Warbler was flitting around, a few Spotted flycatchers and two young Woodchats.
Anyone who has ever been there on the right day will have had a memorable day with Booted eagles, Marsh harriers, Black kites and many other birds of prey, gaining height, and leaving to the south. The numbers of Common Kestrel can be staggering.
On the way down to the Cap, Turtle doves often line the road (although there were only three today.)
Some raptors leave at first light but the main event starts around 11am and tails off around 1pm.
Bee-eater numbers can be very impressive, I think my total for a single group was 85.
Common Swift sometimes gather in huge numbers before leaving and Barn Swallows also appear in impressive numbers.
There are always surprises too, you just never know.
It’s very exciting waiting for the first of the migrants to come through but you just never know when that is going to be, hence there will be quite a few more “capotes” to come no doubt.
Mike
