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Mallorca 2020 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Philip G. reports 6 Lesser black-backed gulls on the beach at Santa Ponça during a lull in this huge storm.
Also, a Montagu’s Harrier out to sea there.
It’s been a great autumn so far for this super-slim Harrier, I have seen six and there have been a few more besides those. Could do with a Pallid Harrier next.
Mike
Also, a Montagu’s Harrier out to sea there.
It’s been a great autumn so far for this super-slim Harrier, I have seen six and there have been a few more besides those. Could do with a Pallid Harrier next.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
The big storm has passed. Mallorca is sometimes really productive after storms so I will be at the Cap tomorrow.
I have spent a lot of time there so far this autumn and lots more visits to come so I haven’t been able to visit my local lighthouse much in the evenings. I found a compromise by setting up my scope on the balcony. It brought back memories of lockdown and how frustrating it all was.
Nevertheless, I logged over 100 Scopoli’s shearwaters in just over 15 minutes so it was very lively.
I also saw 7 Balearic shearwaters and a large raptor species was flying low over the sea. It looked very much like a Marsh Harrier.
I will report tomorrow.
Mike
I have spent a lot of time there so far this autumn and lots more visits to come so I haven’t been able to visit my local lighthouse much in the evenings. I found a compromise by setting up my scope on the balcony. It brought back memories of lockdown and how frustrating it all was.
Nevertheless, I logged over 100 Scopoli’s shearwaters in just over 15 minutes so it was very lively.
I also saw 7 Balearic shearwaters and a large raptor species was flying low over the sea. It looked very much like a Marsh Harrier.
I will report tomorrow.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Thanks Ben Nevis, I agree, what a gem of a reserve it is.
Even without birds it’s a very pleasant walk for early mornings or evenings.
It is a little oasis just on the outskirts of Pollença and it has been host to some fabulous birds including the star, a Red-flanked bluetail, a Lesser Whitethroat and I think a Red-backed shrike.
I can’t recount them all but I seem to remember looking for a Yellow-browed Warbler there too. Or was it a Sub-Alpine Warbler?
Perhaps Cristina could refresh my memory.
Mike
Even without birds it’s a very pleasant walk for early mornings or evenings.
It is a little oasis just on the outskirts of Pollença and it has been host to some fabulous birds including the star, a Red-flanked bluetail, a Lesser Whitethroat and I think a Red-backed shrike.
I can’t recount them all but I seem to remember looking for a Yellow-browed Warbler there too. Or was it a Sub-Alpine Warbler?
Perhaps Cristina could refresh my memory.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I arrived at the Cap this morning in the dark, such was my excitement at the prospect of a great day.
Sadly, it was not to be. I saw a large raptor in the distance, a possible Black vulture, lots of Bee-eaters, Barn Swallows, Sand martins, a few Swift, mostly Pallid, nothing on the sea and no migrant raptors.
A group of four local raptors was nice though, 2 Common Buzzard, an adult Bonelli’s Eagle and a Kestrel. A few Booted Eagle too.
Further west, Adolfo bagged 2 Rollers and Juanjo took over from me when I left the Cap.
He saw 2 Hobby and a Montagu’s Harrier leaving the Island.
It has been a good day for Common passerines with reports coming in from all over the Island of Warblers and Chats. No doubt these birds put down during the severe storms.
Maybe the weekend will be a better bet, we shall see.
Mike
Sadly, it was not to be. I saw a large raptor in the distance, a possible Black vulture, lots of Bee-eaters, Barn Swallows, Sand martins, a few Swift, mostly Pallid, nothing on the sea and no migrant raptors.
A group of four local raptors was nice though, 2 Common Buzzard, an adult Bonelli’s Eagle and a Kestrel. A few Booted Eagle too.
Further west, Adolfo bagged 2 Rollers and Juanjo took over from me when I left the Cap.
He saw 2 Hobby and a Montagu’s Harrier leaving the Island.
It has been a good day for Common passerines with reports coming in from all over the Island of Warblers and Chats. No doubt these birds put down during the severe storms.
Maybe the weekend will be a better bet, we shall see.
Mike
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Mike Montier
Well-known member
Being a birder and thus used to suffering, I will be back at the Cap tomorrow morning.
I’m told it’s going to be good but I remain skeptical.
Quite a lot of movement has been noted around the Island this evening so let’s hope all those birds funnel down south.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Mike
I’m told it’s going to be good but I remain skeptical.
Quite a lot of movement has been noted around the Island this evening so let’s hope all those birds funnel down south.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
Mike
Josep Manchado
(Pep)
Dont forget the Rock Pipit who was there the whole winter Mike!:eat:
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Ah yes, thanks Pep.
Four hours spent at the Cap.
Early on, a Honey Buzzard flew very low past me from the pine trees where it had obviously roosted.
I saw two more, all young birds and very handsome they were too.
Also, two Black kites came and went. The sky was full of Barn Swallows, a few Swift, House martins and the constant calling of Bee-eaters which seemed to be around the whole time.
A controversial bird is being debated at the moment, either a Hobby or a Red-footed Falcon.
My bad photos do give the WhatsApp group lots to do.
Mike
Four hours spent at the Cap.
Early on, a Honey Buzzard flew very low past me from the pine trees where it had obviously roosted.
I saw two more, all young birds and very handsome they were too.
Also, two Black kites came and went. The sky was full of Barn Swallows, a few Swift, House martins and the constant calling of Bee-eaters which seemed to be around the whole time.
A controversial bird is being debated at the moment, either a Hobby or a Red-footed Falcon.
My bad photos do give the WhatsApp group lots to do.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I see that there is a westward spread of Red-flanked bluetails with 730 individuals reported in Finland.
The first one was recorded in Mallorca by Pep and Joan and then another at La Gola found by Cristina.
Hopefully, others will be recorded here along with Yellow-browed warblers and maybe even a Pallas’s Warbler.
That’s my hope for the coming autumn.
With more people looking every year, Mallorca is producing some very exciting birds.
We will see what this season brings.
Mike
The first one was recorded in Mallorca by Pep and Joan and then another at La Gola found by Cristina.
Hopefully, others will be recorded here along with Yellow-browed warblers and maybe even a Pallas’s Warbler.
That’s my hope for the coming autumn.
With more people looking every year, Mallorca is producing some very exciting birds.
We will see what this season brings.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
17 Honey Buzzard left the Island this morning via the lighthouse at Cap de Ses Salines.
2 adult and 1 young Bonelli’s Eagle showed well, these are local birds though, 1 Montagu’s Harrier went south, 1 Alpine Swift and 300 Bee-eaters went too.
A good morning in great company.
Mike
2 adult and 1 young Bonelli’s Eagle showed well, these are local birds though, 1 Montagu’s Harrier went south, 1 Alpine Swift and 300 Bee-eaters went too.
A good morning in great company.
Mike
Attachments
Phil Andrews
It's only Rock and Roller but I like it
One eastern warbler you didnt mention - Arctic Warbler in Puerto Pollensa today
Somewhat prophetic of Mike to start chatting about 'sibes', as if he was literally calling them in! Here are a couple of images of the Arctic Warbler from a private finca near Pollença today; the first for the Balearic Islands! Lots of migrants around, including 2 Tree Pipits, 15 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Whinchats, 5 Redstarts, 3 Willow Warblers, as Spotted FLycatcher (M. striata) and a single Wheatear.
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Many congratulations Jason, thoroughly deserved and a magnificent addition to the Balearic list.
As I have always said about Mallorca, I wonder what else is out there?
We will be at the Cap tomorrow of course and we hope for another good day for migration.
In one of the photos I posted showing what I thought were two Honey Buzzard, one appeared to be a Common Buzzard which left the Island as well, a very rare sight at the Cap.
Mike
As I have always said about Mallorca, I wonder what else is out there?
We will be at the Cap tomorrow of course and we hope for another good day for migration.
In one of the photos I posted showing what I thought were two Honey Buzzard, one appeared to be a Common Buzzard which left the Island as well, a very rare sight at the Cap.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
6 Honey Buzzard through the Cap this morning, 4 Marsh Harrier and a Hobby.
It’s very hot with no clouds and the raptors were moving through much higher as a result.
Maties saw a Rufous-tailed Rock thrush at passage 5 and it seemed alive with passerines.
Eleven birders were present which is so encouraging to see, some younger members too which is a great investment for the future.
Mike
It’s very hot with no clouds and the raptors were moving through much higher as a result.
Maties saw a Rufous-tailed Rock thrush at passage 5 and it seemed alive with passerines.
Eleven birders were present which is so encouraging to see, some younger members too which is a great investment for the future.
Mike
honeym
Well-known member
Hi Jason
Congrats.
Just a comment. Some time ago I down-loaded a checklist of Balearic birds (I now can't remember from where but possibly for the Big Year) and it has Arctic Warbler on it.
Thought I'd mention it.
Martin
Josep Manchado
(Pep)
I can't remember which list are you saying, as far as we know it is a first for Balearics.
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Now an Icterine Warbler has been found, by Joan I think, at Comuna de Bunyola.
The weather is hot with high pressure which is not good for raptor migration at the Cap.
Last Sunday, all birds were passing very high so we could do with another storm to liven things up a bit.
Passage 5 continues to deliver with a Rock sparrow, I saw two, some Tree pipits, Wheatears and Redstarts.
Mike
The weather is hot with high pressure which is not good for raptor migration at the Cap.
Last Sunday, all birds were passing very high so we could do with another storm to liven things up a bit.
Passage 5 continues to deliver with a Rock sparrow, I saw two, some Tree pipits, Wheatears and Redstarts.
Mike
