Mallorca 2020 (1 Viewer)

[timsg80]

Thanks Mike! I walked about two kilometres east of the lighthouse, the exact coordinates were (39.3674033, 2.8049938). The sounds of cicadas was totally overwhelming so I couldn’t hear any birds and decided to wait at a spot overlooking the cliffs, and the sparrows soon appeared!

It’s surely likely that the Brown Booby will stay for some time, if I can find the time I’ll try to look for it. It would be nice if it relocated to some Mallorcan cliffs

 

[Josep Manchado]

I’ve tried lots of times to find the White Storks around Sant Jordi/Casablanca but without luck, so if anyone has any advice on where to look it would be very much appreciated!

Today 8 white storks were at the Cami de Muntanya, in sonferriol, you have turn right in the Repsol petrol station and go on this path until the end near airport.
https://goo.gl/maps/BE7itQ2qpbM4Gfyh6
Good luck

 

[timsg80]

Today 8 white storks were at the Cami de Muntanya, in sonferriol, you have turn right in the Repsol petrol station and go on this path until the end near airport.
https://goo.gl/maps/BE7itQ2qpbM4Gfyh6
Good luck

Thanks so much again Josep, I found the eight White Storks exactly there this morning! Also two Quails calling, two Peregrine Falcons and a handful of other nice farmland birds there:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S71074663

I then went to Bassa de Can Guidet again, where there are now two summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebes among the other common waterbirds. Also four Green Sandpipers, a beautiful Marsh Harrier flying behind the reservoir and an Eleonora's Falcon hunting over the water.

Finally I also made a quick visit to Sant Jordi. There was no sign of the Barnacle Goose nor the Glossy Ibis today, but a nice number of waders were present, with eight each of Black-winged Stilt and Green Sandpiper, some Little Ringed Plovers and, best of all, two Wood Sandpipers, a Mallorca tick for me! What a fantastic morning

 

[timsg80]

I did the beautiful walk from Valldemossa to Puig des Teix this morning in search of Common Rockthrush and Spectacled Warbler. Thanks to Josep for his directions! I would have been totally lost without them!

Sadly I didn’t see either of the targets, though I did hear Common Rockthrush. I actually saw loads of rockthrushes up at the top, but every individual I checked (at least nine!) was Blue. I suspect I probably should have gone in June or May instead as the warblers weren’t calling. But at least I’ve got a couple of targets for the next time in Mallorca!

There were some nice birds on the way, including several Black and one Griffon Vulture, Eleonora’s and Peregrine Falcons, lots of Wrens and Firecrests, a Wryneck and most surprisingly a Chiffchaff singing. I see that they were also seen here in June, is there a small population breeding here?

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Back on the wonderful Island.
Flights easy and health check up at the airport very efficient. A great app “ Spain Travel Health” SPTH really helps.
Thanks to all those on the Island for keeping the birding spirit alive.
I enjoyed reading this forum during our lockdown.
Many thanks to Hugh for his interesting stories.
It is possibly not the best time to visit as migration is over and temperatures are rising, but the low number of people around for this time of the year makes it an interesting visit.
A short trip to S’Albuferata (North) and Can Currassa Road showed the ususal species including Fan-tailed warblers, Cetti warblers, Little Egrets, Common Kestrels, distant view of booted Eagle, Goldfinches, Swifts, Black winged Stilts, Purple Gallinule and Ringed Plover.
Now where are the Rollers, Bee Eaters, Spotless Starlings, etc etc

 

[Mike Montier]

Welcome back Mike, glad you made it and thanks for the very useful information which will no doubt be good news for others to hear.
I will look forward to your posts as it’s been a bit of a struggle keeping the forum going without any visitors.
It’s the quietest time of the year anyway but there should be some return migration soon.
Lots of common Swift are leaving now and I saw seven Turtle doves on the road down to the Cap de Ses Salines a couple of days ago. They always leave early.
I have been most days looking for the Brown booby and I have seen a bird three times flying around just to the right of the lighthouse but it’s so far away it’s just a shadow. It’s not a gull though.
Some friends are getting a boat over there, all non birders, and I have managed to hitch a ride. I will ask if they can detour en route to take in the small islands where the bird was seen. You never know. Gregor said he thinks it may stay but it has already been there a long while I assume. We will see.
No other news but hopefully I will be meeting up with the Brits who are coming over and we can see what’s around.
Mike

 

[Geordie Dave]

Mike, I'm looking forward to arriving back in Mallorca next Tuesday. It will be my first visit in 4 months, I last left in mid March the day after "lock down" started. Clearly I've missed the spring migration but after this 2 weeks stay I will be back again in August and September/October so I've a chance of seeing some of the return passage. Looking forward to catching up with you and Mike Swiss and anyone else who's about. I've not been in Mallorca in July before, preferring to avoid the hottest time of the year, so the weather combined with the fewer numbers of people around should make for an interesting visit. See you next week?

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Early Morning visit to Son Real, Son Bosc and the Depuradora.
The cicadas were deafening! Many Swallowtails, Cleopatra, Speckled Woods Butterflies. A great time for entomologists.
Birds seen included:Tawny Pipit, Turtle Doves, Greenfinches, Nightingales, Cetti Warblers, Blackcaps, Goldfinches, Serins, Kestrels, Blackheaded gulls, Yellowlegged gulls, Blackwinged Stilts, Common Terns.
No sign of bee eaters at Son Bosc. Maybe too late!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

And a few bird photos

 

[Mike Montier]

Going back to the debate some time ago about the Red-necked Nightjar heard calling in Mallorca on the tv series “White Lines”, I spoke to a tv producer last night and he said that every time they do a shoot, especially at night time, they are always adding in Tawny owls, foxes and other animals for extra effect.
I have little doubt that the calling Nightjar was added afterwards and was not heard here in Mallorca at the time of filming. They are an extreme rarity here.
Hope that settles the debate.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Yesterday evening we went for a short visit to S’ Albuferata (South) as well as the Mirador and Beach at Formentor( I would never consider this during a normal summer here!). Not so many tourists here, but also not that many birds.
At the new hide in S’Albuferata many young kentish plovers seen, as well as Blackwinged Stilts, Corn buntings, Purple Herons, linnets, Common Sandpiper, Common terns, several Stone Curlews as well as fan tailed warblers and Sardinian warblers.
Apart from Common Swifts, Ravens, and yellow legged gulls, no other birds seen at the Mirador. I was hoping for Elanoras Falcons!
Surprisingly Two Scops Owls were calling around 19.00 near the car park by Formentor Beach.

 

[Mike Montier]

The salt pans of Salobrar de Campos were entertaining this morning.
Greater Flamingoes have increased from 120 to over 180. A monster Black vulture flew over and put them all up thus enabling an accurate count.
Still lots of Avocets including their young, Shelduck and Black-winged stilts completed the picture on this sweltering hot day.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Susana Spotted two Honey Buzzard today on the Island, unusual for July.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A few of the Greater Flamingoes at Salobrar de Campos today.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Evening walk around La Gola. The centre is still closed. Any news Christina concerning the opening?

This centre is so important for the Tourists and for the local youngsters, providing valuable insights into the wonderful nature on the island.
In addition,several specialities such as Common Rosefinch and Red flanked Bluetail have been discovered by the specialist staff and many superb presentations on birdlife have been given by guest presenters.

Birds seen tonight included many Housemartins, Barn Swallows, Spotted Flycatchers, Sardinian Warblers, Blackcaps, Serins, Goldfinches, Yellow legged Gulls.

I hope the Centre opens soon!

 

[chris chapleo]

hello all - it seems that this will be the first year for quite a few that I don't get to visit and bird Northern Mallorca, so just wanted to say thanks all (esp Mike) for keeping this thread going as it makes me feel very connected to what is going on...I can almost see all the sites. That said, birding around home (Dorset) has had some compensations as the main excitement around here is an apparent Yelkouan Shearwater with a flock of around 70 Balearics off Portland Bill. Watching these yesterday was almost like being in the Med (apart from the keen wind and drizzle). Keep it going and see you in 2021!

 

[Ian Bell]

hello all - it seems that this will be the first year for quite a few that I don't get to visit and bird Northern Mallorca, so just wanted to say thanks all (esp Mike) for keeping this thread going as it makes me feel very connected to what is going on...I can almost see all the sites. Keep it going and see you in 2021!

May I second what Chris says.
This Is the first year In the last nine years,that I shall not be visiting the Island and I am normally In Puerto Pollensa at this time of year.It Is great to read up on what Mike and other birders are seeing.God willing,I shall be back In 2021 and my love affair with Mallorca shall resume again.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

An early morning visit to Lluc. Again, this is a trip I would not do at this time of the year due to large number of tourists and cyclists. However this year is special; few people venturing out.
The cafes are open and they serve the best Almond cake in the Island!
Very quiet for birds; only a few distant views of Black Vultures and no Griffon Vultures seen.
Other birds seen included Booted Eagles, Kestrels, Ravens, Common Swifts, Crag Martins, Firecrests, and so many Spotted Flycatchers.
The most interesting views were of three young Crag Martins being fed by their parents.

Recent news has arrived that Face Masks have to be worn outdoors from Monday (with a few excemptions)
https://www.majorcadailybulletin.co...sks-compulsory-from-monday-the-balearics.html

Sigh!

 

[Mike Montier]

Meeting up with Mike and Susan at Porto Colom this morning was as much fun as it always is.
Starting with coffee in the car park, we ventured up the path to s’Algar, not expecting to see too much at this time of the year.
Three common Kestrel were around, lots of Linnets but no sign of any Balearic or Dartford warblers, just Sardinian.
On the sea, quite a few Scopoli’s shearwaters drifted up-wind really close in. Such a delight to see them so near. Some Pallid swift entered the caves nearby giving wonderful views.
Only a couple of new birds for Mike’s year list, he like many of us, missed out on spring migration and he is now playing catch-up.
The heat became intense so we repaired to a local bar for refreshments. We watched the boats bobbing up and down in the port and all was well with the world.
Great seeing you both again Mike, see you next time.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Thanks Mike and Jane. Best views I have ever had of Scopoli’s and Pallid Swifts. Awesome. (And good views of Tawny Pipits)
After we left you we headed back north, via Castell de Santueri, Petra and the White Plains.
The drive up to the Castell was amazing. The castle was closed and no other cars in the Car park. This is a Saturday in July?
Many Crag Martins, Ravens, 2 Red Kites, Kestrel and a Booted Eagle showed well, however where was the target bird? Then 3 Alpine Swifts came into view!
On the way back several Kestrels, Cattle Egrets, Ravens etc were seen but I am still thinking about the great views of the target birds.
Many thanks again
There were some wonderful plants seen including flowering agave