Mallorca 2020 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

Some more Black kites through Cap de Ses Salines this morning, seen by members of the raptor group, GORA but sadly not by me, we have grandchildren here at the moment making merry and doing serious damage to my wallet.
My neighbour here saw a Whimbrel and a Lesser Black-backed gull moving along the coast.
I’m particularly pleased about the gull. I saw one last August but I was told it was too early. Not so, obviously, but it does add to our knowledge of the movements of bird life here in Mallorca. We are all learning all the time. Records, particularly arrival and departure dates, tend to get written in stone. Adjustments need to be made to accommodate this new knowledge.
Still far too hot here for birding which is a shame. Salobrar de Campos turns up spectacular birds at this time of the year but is still under-watched. Very early mornings are clearly the best option.
I hope everyone is staying safe. Masks are required just about everywhere. It is not asking much to wear one and I’m glad to see so many people complying.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I managed to sneak away for a couple of hours at the Cap.
After a long wait with nothing happening, a magnificent group of 32 Black Kite came swirling into view. They gained height, circling all the time, and then left out to sea.
A short time later, one more Black Kite came through, followed by another four.
Then total panic ensued. Out of nowhere, three Bonelli’s eagles appeared, harassed by two Red kites, two Booted eagles, one Black Kite and two species of Buzzard. I didn’t know which way to look so I fired off as many shots as I could.
Out of 274 photos, only two are in focus, quite an achievement.
I had a new setting on the camera but it’s back to the drawing board for me. It’s a pity because I will never know what species of Buzzard they were, I didn’t have a telescope.
11.30am was the peak and around this time seems to be the best for the majority of raptor migration.
I had to leave but the sight of those kites was a joy to behold.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

One of the few survivors

 

[Mike Montier]

Looks like I missed a Montagus Harrier but I managed a flukey photo. It was identified by Lalo.
When the raptors came from every direction, all at once, I didn’t know where to look. I don’t remember that happening many times before, it was total panic.
I just wish other birders had been present, it’s much more difficult identifying large numbers of birds alone.
Can’t complain though.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

In contrast to my last visit to the Cap, it was a very quiet morning there today.
Just three Alpine Swift moving through, many Pallid swift and a few Common swift.
A Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Common Kestrel and Red Kite were all local birds.
We are meeting up tomorrow so hoping for a better day.
There is a gentle wind from the north now, easing the ghastly humidity, it really has been difficult to function well in such heat.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

It certainly was an improvement on yesterday but not outstanding today at the Cap.
Three Black Kite left early, hundreds of Barn Swallows were low over the sea, a group of 20 plus Bee-eaters flew over, at least 3 Alpine swifts were seen, four Common Buzzard flew overhead and 3 Marsh Harrier departed.
I will try to get to the lighthouse a couple of times during the week but migration is certainly well underway now.
The next couple of months will no doubt be very entertaining.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I forgot to say that I saw my first Plain Tiger butterfly of the autumn during the week at Mondragó beach.
Last year there were hundreds seen leaving the Island at Cap de Ses Salines so I hope there will be another good showing this year.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

When the salt pans are quiet, they are deathly quiet, as they were today for my visit.
Expecting some waders on passage, I hardly saw any birds at all. Just the usual Greater Flamingoes and some Shelduck.
The only saving grace was a group of about eight Sand martins in with a flock of young Barn Swallows.
It was very nice to see them, they are never very numerous here.
A couple of Marsh Harrier brightened things up a bit, but it really was very disappointing.
Some storms may be on the way at the end of the week which will no doubt stir things up a bit.
Mike

 

[LaGola]

Roller

Hello!
This morning on my way to la Gola I have seen a wonderful Roller in a field on the Road Ma-13, next to the Repsol Petrol station.

On Monday, a migrant in la Gola, one Green Sandpiper. And Today, one not very common in the parc, a Blue Tit

Regards,
Cristina.

 

[LaGola]

Dear Friends, I hope you are all safe and healthy.
This is the bird list today in la Gola.
Highlights (in my opinion), the Hoopoe and the 4 Willow Warblers seen. But also enjoying last Tyrrhenian/Mediterranian Flycatchers still present in the park.

Regards,
Cristina.

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Cristina.
A very enjoyable morning spent at the Cap de Ses Salines with fellow Brits, Philip G and Phillip A.
I got there super-early due to my alarm going off at British time. A few Scopoli’s shearwaters were seen and good numbers of young gulls which gave me plenty to do as I waited for my colleagues to arrive.
No migrants at all, just some local birds so we moved up to the Wall of Fame for some shade and local raptors.
A group of 40 Ravens were entertaining, an Eleonora’s falcon flew by, Booted eagles and Red kites were constantly patrolling the area, Kestrels were numerous and both Pallid and Common swift were plentiful. Lots of Barn swallow too.
Phil G spotted a Common redstart but it was a disappointing day for migration in general. On the way back up the approach road, Philip’s brake lights came on suddenly so I knew he had seen something good. A Red-rumped swallow flew across the road and into a field where I was able to pick up this year tick.
Up north with them both next week, I still haven’t seen a Willow Warbler this year.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Some storms have arrived. I have never driven in such conditions, I couldn’t see a thing.
Just before the rain, the group at Cap de Ses Salines recorded one Marsh Harrier, one Hobby and the first Honey Buzzard through there this autumn. I believe Jason saw one on the Island a few days ago though.
A couple of young Roller have been seen.
Golf II at Santa Ponça continues to deliver some good birds with a Black Tern today, two Whimbrel and some Northern Wheatear.
More tomorrow I hope. The Cap is often excellent following storms.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Philip G. just wrote to say that it wasn’t a Black Tern at Santa Ponça but a juvenile White-winged Tern, even better.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Autumn migration is hotting up as the weather cools.
There are more birders every years which makes me very happy. All of them are super-aware of conservation matters and are doing a lot for the preservation of nature in Mallorca.
Today started well but fizzled out early.
I will give numbers as soon as they are in. In the meantime a photo of the meeting place by the lighthouse before we move up the road for some shade. It’s a good place for seawatching too which I especially enjoy in the winter and spring.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Today’s totals thanks to Lalo and GORA:
6 Marsh Harrier
9 Black Kite
3 Common Kestrel (migrants)
1 Montagu’s Harrier
1 Osprey
13 Bee-eaters

Also seen, Bonelli’s Eagle, local.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I see that a Great-winged Petrel has been recorded from mainland Spain. It’s a first for the Western Palaearctic.
I believe that our very own Pep was over there to witness this unique event.
Congratulations to him, I hope he posts details here of what looked like a spectacular day.
His voice message sounded just a tad excited. Mine would have been too.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A large group of 30 raptors was seen today moving through the Island.
Current opinion is that they were Honey Buzzard.
I couldn’t get to the Cap but I may snatch an hour or so there tomorrow.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Some Whinchat, Willow Warbler and Wheatear have been seen recently so migration is well under way.
Mike

 

[StewB]

I see that a Great-winged Petrel has been recorded from mainland Spain. It’s a first for the Western Palaearctic.
I believe that our very own Pep was over there to witness this unique event.
Congratulations to him, I hope he posts details here of what looked like a spectacular day.
His voice message sounded just a tad excited. Mine would have been too.
Mike

I would have been totally incoherent if I’d even scratched the surface of a day like this!

Stew

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Stew, I had better get back to my local lighthouse.
I’m not living at home at the moment but I will be back tomorrow.
What a day they had, it must have been mind-boggling.
That’s why I have become so fond of seawatching, days on end of the same birds, then something comes along to blow you away.
Still two Whimbrel at Golf II plus an unexpected Bonelli’s Eagle.
Mike