Mallorca 2020 (1 Viewer)

[Mike Montier]

I did manage an hour at the Cap this morning. As two large groups of raptors have been seen high over the Island recently I was hopeful but only one Marsh harrier was noted leaving for Africa.
I am going again tomorrow and Friday so I’m hoping for better luck.
Two Plain Tiger butterflies were seen moving south which are always lovely to watch as they flutter purposefully by.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

After many years of hoping, I finally saw my first Genet a few moments ago.
It ran out in front of the car and was unmistakable in the headlights, such a beautiful creature and it’s a pity I couldn’t enjoy it for longer.
It was very nearly an ex-Genet though, I just managed to avoid it.
No doubt some people will say they are a nuisance but I really don’t know how local farmers view them.
For me, it was a spectacular sight with the boldest marking making it look very exotic indeed.
Mike

 

[Richard Prior]

After many years of hoping, I finally saw my first Genet a few moments ago.
It ran out in front of the car and was unmistakable in the headlights, such a beautiful creature and it’s a pity I couldn’t enjoy it for longer.
It was very nearly an ex-Genet though, I just managed to avoid it.
No doubt some people will say they are a nuisance but I really don’t know how local farmers view them.
For me, it was a spectacular sight with the boldest marking making it look very exotic indeed.
Mike

Brilliant Mike, well done you. I'm still hoping to see one here one day. Who needs Great-winged Petrel anyway?

 

[StewB]

After many years of hoping, I finally saw my first Genet a few moments ago.
It ran out in front of the car and was unmistakable in the headlights, such a beautiful creature and it’s a pity I couldn’t enjoy it for longer.
It was very nearly an ex-Genet though, I just managed to avoid it.
No doubt some people will say they are a nuisance but I really don’t know how local farmers view them.
For me, it was a spectacular sight with the boldest marking making it look very exotic indeed.
Mike

Wow! Pretty high on my wish list too.

Stew

 

[H Johnsson]

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

Stew

The day after they had a Yellow-nosed Albatross to complete with

 

[Josep Manchado]

The day after they had a Yellow-nosed Albatross to complete with

I just can say I was in Estaca This 2 days!!!
Just unbelivible, the yellow nosed albatross was stunning!!!
Some day i will explain to my grandsons!!!!

 

[Mike Montier]

I’m looking forward to hearing all about it when we next meet Pep.

I spent two hours this morning at Passage 5 on the approach road to the Cap de Ses Salines.
I believe that this site in the autumn could be every bit as good as Cases Velles is in the spring.
It’s the best place I know for seeing Rock sparrow and they should be reappearing there any day now. There is a large fig orchard and the fruit is very ripe at the moment. The figs attract insects so I don’t need to say any more. It’s also on the way off the Island towards the most southerly point so migrants funnel down past the site.
It is seriously underwatched, most birders pop in there early to see the sparrows but that’s about it.
More coverage would pay dividends I’m sure.
Today I saw a much-needed Garden Warbler and I spent ages watching another sylvia warbler flitting around the foliage. There can be few birds as frustrating as these twitchy little warblers, they never keep still. I’m sure it was a sub-alpine warbler and it looked like a young one.
Lots of common birds came and went but I will give this place more attention in the future and hope for a rare migrant or two.
I then went to the Cap but it was disappointing again. A Hobby flashed past and out to sea but nothing else came through. Six Woodchats kept me amused, two were this year’s young.
I’m meeting the two Phillips tomorrow and I hope we have some more luck than my recent birding excursions.
I will report tomorrow.
Mike

 

[H Johnsson]

:t

I just can say I was in Estaca This 2 days!!!
Just unbelivible, the yellow nosed albatross was stunning!!!
Some day i will explain to my grandsons!!!!

 

[Mike Montier]

Fed up with drawing a blank at Cap de Ses Salines, I had a full day out today with Philip G and Phillip A. at the Albufera reserve.
What an antidote it was too with 81 species seen including some scarce birds, notably, Slender-billed gull, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, Kingfisher, Squacco, Black Kite, Ruff, Whiskered tern, Black-necked grebe and a Bush full of warblers, mostly Reed and Great Reed, Moustached and Willow Warbler. Spoonbills and Ospreys, the list goes on.
70 plus Glossy ibis including a flock of 60 in the air at one time.
A brilliant day. When this reserve is on form, it can’t be beaten.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Good opportunities for close-ups too!

 

[Ben Nevis]

Sounds like a great time was had by all,Mike. :t:
Please give Philip,of one L,my regards

 

[Mike Montier]

Haha! I thought of you Ben Nevis as I was typing his name, Philip with one “L” sends his regards.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Talk about luck.
I said I wouldn’t go to the Cap today as that would be pushing my luck a bit too far.
We went out to the supermarket but a bit close to the entrance to the Cap. My wife suggested that I might like to pop down there for an hour. I couldn’t believe my luck.
It got better though. After seeing nothing I saw a slim Harrier coming my way. Sure enough it proved to be a Montagu’s Harrier and it went out to sea.
Bang on the agreed time of our departure, a huge bird of prey came into view. I thought it looked like a vulture, then it didn’t, then it did. I’m amazed at how raptors change their shape according to what they are doing, wind speed and other factors.
I reeled off about a hundred photos, needed these days but I would much rather just enjoy the bird.
After much fun and debate on the group forum, it turned out to be an Egyptian vulture, very rarely seen on migration.
Just one of those days.
We got to the shops a bit late though.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Ps. The Egyptian vulture was having a bit of a spat with another bird which I didn’t take any notice of.
Blow me, when I looked at the photos, it was another Montagu’s Harrier.
The luck just goes your way sometimes.
Mike

 

[StewB]

Ps. The Egyptian vulture was having a bit of a spat with another bird which I didn’t take any notice of.
Blow me, when I looked at the photos, it was another Montagu’s Harrier.
The luck just goes your way sometimes.
Mike

“You make your own luck” as the saying goes Mike.

Stew

 

[Mike Montier]

An entertaining morning at theCap with many of the locals.
I got a bit of stick for my luck yesterday but it’s always delivered in the best of humour.
We saw over 200 Bee-eaters, including one group of 80. They make quite a bit of noise as they go. They are often heard but not see though.
After many years of hearing them, it is now possible to estimate the size of the group from the sound alone, one of the best reminders of autumn migration.
Two adult Bonelli’s eagles drifted overhead, a Common Buzzard went past, a few Marsh Harrier left the Island and a male Golden oriole was seen at passage 5 together with two Garden warblers.
More tomorrow, Honey Buzzard have been very scare this autumn with only two being seen so far.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A nice view from the platform at the depuradora, Albufera.
Some fabulous birds are seen from here.
It’s a great place to meet up as early mornings are by far the best time for birds here.
We then go to the main reserve afterwards.
Manyhappy hours spent here.
Mike

 

[Ben Nevis]

A nice view from the platform at the depuradora, Albufera.
Some fabulous birds are seen from here.
It’s a great place to meet up as early mornings are by far the best time for birds here.
We then go to the main reserve afterwards.
Manyhappy hours spent here.
Mike

I have had the pleasure of your company there,several times Mike.Sadly,not this year but hopefully again In 2021.

 

[Mike Montier]

I will look forward to that Ben Nevis.
I got to the Cap early this morning in the hopes of catching the Golden oriole napping. I didn’t see it but it was showing a bit later.
At the lighthouse, Toni spotted a Harrier which was soon identified as another Montagu’s Harrier. A Wheatear was present and a weasel shot past us both.
Lots of Swallows, Martins and Swift’s were around together with four Plain tiger butterflies.
Up at the wall we saw several groups of Bee-Eaters, one group exceeding 60 birds. Such a lovely noise as they move through.
A couple of Marsh harriers left the Island followed by a Hobby.
Another Montagu’s Harrier went out to sea, my sixth one this autumn.
A Buzzard species was observed, originally called as Common but I have some doubts. It soared on flat wings and somehow didn’t look right for Common Buzzard. Sadly, nobody took any photos.
Some big storms are on the way, arriving tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see what gets blown our way.
I will report of course.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

The big storm has arrived with lots of thunder and heavy rain so no birding today.
After conditions like this, the raptor passage is often very good so I will be down at the Cap as soon as the weather clears.
It will be interesting to see what gets blown our way.
A Short-toed Eagle would be nice, they are very scarce with perhaps one or two per annum.
There was an influx one year and I remember watching these magnificent birds of prey hunting over the central plain. A rare treat.
Mike