Mallorca 2021 (2 Viewers)

[StewB]

Hi Stew, this is Sphrodomantis viridis, otherwise known as the Giant African Mantis - but it is present in Mallorca. I sometimes get them at my light traps.
Martin

Thanks Martin, this sent me to Google. It seems that it was first detected in Mallorca in 2004, possibly as an escape / introduction. I didn’t realise that there are so many Mantid species!

Stew

 

[Josep Manchado]

Today with a very strong wind, i have had the good luck to find 2 difficult species in Majorca, the Merlin (in Son Bosc) and 6 cranes in pla de Lanzell (fields near Maria). You can see the amount of water in the flooded fields of Maria, after 15 days of rain.
The photos are only testimonials, but many times, for me, these are the best.

 

[honeym]

Thanks Martin, this sent me to Google. It seems that it was first detected in Mallorca in 2004, possibly as an escape / introduction. I didn’t realise that there are so many Mantid species!

Stew

Hi Stew
Sorry, that should have read Sphodromantis viridis.
That's probably from:

Sobre la presencia de Sphodromantis viridis (Forskal, 1775) (Dictyoptera, Mantoidea) a Mallorca.​

Presence of Sphodromantis viridis (Forskal, 1775) (Dictyoptera, Mantoidea) in Mallorca​

by Canyelles, Xavier and Alomar, Guillem Desembre 2006 | Bolleti de la Societat d'Historia Natural de les Balears 49 , pp.83-87
Martin

 

[Mike Montier]

I had a birthday bash around the centre of the Island today, starting at Vilafranca, where the Iberian grey shrike was still present together with many corn buntings, meadow pipits, skylarks, red kites, kestrels and booted eagles.
I then moved to Maria de La Salut where I saw one common crane in flight and heard another (or the same bird) but I couldn’t locate the group Pep saw yesterday.
We then had lunch at the amazing Es Cruce. The prices are unbelievable and the quality assured. We had to queue to get in but that is normal every day. The coffee after the meal was one euro to give an indication of the value.
I left for home a very happy and full septuagenarian. It’s not so bad you know.
Mike

 

[Ian Bell]

Happy Birthday Mike.All The Best To You Sir 🍻🍻

 

[Mike Montier]

Maties reports a higher number of Becada (Woodcock) than usual at s’Albufera.
Certainly, seeing one at passatge 5, Cap de Ses Salines, was unusual and I have seen a few local ones too so I guess the influx must be Island wide.
Something spooked the one I saw at the Cap. There was a bit of a commotion and several birds flew up, three Yellow-legged gulls and some smaller birds, followed by the Woodcock clattering it’s way through the low bushes. A great moment.
Also, Maties has seen a Short-eared owl at the Starling roost, s’Albufera.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

A few more sightings of Common crane which is always nice.
One of the most evocative sounds of the marsh for me, they always give me goose-bumps.
I’ve only seen one this year so I haven’t been able to enjoy them to the full. There is always time though, numbers usually build up.
I remember going to Salobrar many years ago and seeing very large flocks. I haven’t seen such big numbers for many years so I do hope a few more arrive here.
It will be interesting to see how the Bigyear is going, I think I’ve added around 10 new species this month having added none last month.
I always like a flourish to finish the year but I doubt I will reach 200, a pretty poor effort but I did say I was going to take it easier this year.
I will post results for November.
Mike
Just a reminder of what they look like, I’ve almost forgotten!

 

[StewB]

I've written up some notes from our recent short break with Mike and Jane down in the south east of the island. I had a lovely time out in the field with Mike, which included getting seven ticks for my Mallorca list! Thanks Mike!

Stew

 

[Geordie Dave]

I've written up some notes from our recent short break with Mike and Jane down in the south east of the island. I had a lovely time out in the field with Mike, which included getting seven ticks for my Mallorca list! Thanks Mike!

Stew

Stew, an action packed visit and 94 species is an excellent haul. I should have been there this week but illness has prevented me from travelling. My Big Year is over for 2021. Looking forward to getting back in January

 

[Mike Montier]

Great report Stew, happy days!

I see that the population of Booted eagles here has expanded by 10% in the last 11 years which is of course good news.
I seem to see less these days so I’m relieved my perception is wrong.
I was also intrigued to learn on here that 92% percent of Booted eagles on the peninsula are pale morph.
I have been taking much more interest recently and although we have many migrant birds passing through the Island, our resident population is sedentary. It may well be then, that our ratio is different. I certainly think it is.
I have been taking note of all Booted eagles and I would say that only about 75% are Pale morph.
I will try to be more scientific about the figures and will take notes and photos. It will be a nice project for the winter months especially as there will be no migrant birds around to muddy the waters.
No other news yet.
Mike

 

[Phil Akers]

I began yesterday morning at the Cap and 40 minutes later I had seen 1 Yellow legged Gull. So I decided to move on. I stopped off several times as I drove back along the the Cap road and found a few nice birds. I had a superb Mistle Thrush, perched in a tree on the very topmost branch. I missed a photo by 2 seconds. There was also a lovely Thekla Lark perched obligingly on a stone wall. I also found some nice raptors; 2 Red Kite, 1 Black Kite, and 1 pale Booted Eagle.
Next spot was the Es Trenc road. The water was quite deep but I managed to find a few nice waders, Greenshank, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint.
At Eddies Track I was so pleased that I had put my wellies in the car. In places the water was was only 4 inches below the top of them! There were lots of Flamingo, quite spread out, I counted 140. Also; 140 Avocet, 8 Marsh Harrier, 80 Shelduck, 6 Curlew, Black winged Stilt, Cattle and Little Egrets, 2 Grey Heron, White Wagtails, Fan Tailed Warblers. But unfortunately no sign of the Cranes.
I`ve just seen on our Whatsap group that I`m in 5th place in the Big Year with 178. I`m amazed, I really didn`t think that I would get to be in 5th place, I would have been happy to be halfway up the list. If I do manage to find the Cranes before the end of December that would take me to 179.

 

[Mike Montier]

Here are the results of the Bigyear so far with just one month to go.
The all-time record, set by Maties in 2013 at 232 birds is being threatened by Pep who is just 2 birds away.
Following a great November, we have all been able to add a few more species to our lists.
It may well be then, that there are still more birds out there to be discovered and that December will therefore also deliver.
It will be fascinating to keep and eye on things as they go down to the wire.
Records are of course there to be broken but I always feel sorry for the guy who has been usurped.
Nevertheless, good luck Pep, we will be cheering you on.
Mike

 

[Josep Manchado]

Here are the results of the Bigyear so far with just one month to go.
The all-time record, set by Maties in 2013 at 232 birds is being threatened by Pep who is just 2 birds away.
Following a great November, we have all been able to add a few more species to our lists.
It may well be then, that there are still more birds out there to be discovered and that December will therefore also deliver.
It will be fascinating to keep and eye on things as they go down to the wire.
Records are of course there to be broken but I always feel sorry for the guy who has been usurped.
Nevertheless, good luck Pep, we will be cheering you on.
Mike

Thanks Mike,
It is quite difficult to reach it, because been honest, the number should be 234 (he counted 232), but after that year, they have splited the muscicapa striata/ Tyrhenica and the sylvia cantillans/subalpina, so the real number is 234, very difficult for only 30 days...
But who knows with all these rarities around here.

 

[Mike Montier]

Good luck Pep and well done Phil. You are up with the big boys now and chasing my tail.
I’m very pleased to see you doing so well.
We had better watch out next year!
Mike

 

[MJB]

Mike, have you seen this forecast for the likely extinction date of Balearic Shearwater?

MJB

 

[Mike Montier]

Thank you MJB.
I hadn’t seen it.
As I go seawatching so often, I have formed a very special bond with these little beauties.
I am of course deeply concerned about their future.
All I can do is continue counting their numbers and to hope that some measures can be implemented to halt their decline.
Mike

 

[derban]

Thank you MJB.
I hadn’t seen it.
As I go seawatching so often, I have formed a very special bond with these little beauties.
I am of course deeply concerned about their future.
All I can do is continue counting their numbers and to hope that some measures can be implemented to halt their decline.
Mike

And how sad just to see it happen without being able to do anything!

 

[Mike Montier]

A long walk at La Victoria in the north today. The scenery was stunning but it’s not in my manor so I wasn’t sure where the best birding bits were. Mike sent a message to say it was a good place for Dunnock. I don’t know what it is with me and dunnock, but every year I have trouble connecting with this apparently common species. Within two minutes of the message, one popped up on a tree right in front of us. Thanks Mike.
I saw five Booted eagles, only three were pale morph, the other two were dark. One hung in the air just above allowing super views.
It was just such a great day out, shared with non-birders, but they were very tolerant of my frequent stops to look at birds.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Lunch in Colonia Sant Jordi was far too near the salt pans to ignore.
I managed a short visit and it was alive with bird life.
Some of our recent visits have just about drawn a blank but there was lots to see today.
Big numbers of greater flamingoes, a couple of Avocet, Little stint, Dunlin, Redshank, Kentish plover and finally a year tick in the shape of a Knot, not as easy bird to see in Mallorca.
An Osprey was hunting nearby and Red kite and Marsh harrier were looking very active.
I went round the back roads in the hope of seeing Common crane but there were none.
76 Golden plover were on the polo pitch but nothing else.
We are off to Switzerland tomorrow to hopefully see my joint most wanted bird, a Wallcreeper. I’ve waited so many years and my hopes are high.
I will let you know.
Mike

 

[derban]

Lunch in Colonia Sant Jordi was far too near the salt pans to ignore.
I managed a short visit and it was alive with bird life.
Some of our recent visits have just about drawn a blank but there was lots to see today.
Big numbers of greater flamingoes, a couple of Avocet, Little stint, Dunlin, Redshank, Kentish plover and finally a year tick in the shape of a Knot, not as easy bird to see in Mallorca.
An Osprey was hunting nearby and Red kite and Marsh harrier were looking very active.
I went round the back roads in the hope of seeing Common crane but there were none.
76 Golden plover were on the polo pitch but nothing else.
We are off to Switzerland tomorrow to hopefully see my joint most wanted bird, a Wallcreeper. I’ve waited so many years and my hopes are high.
I will let you know.
Mike

Have a great trip! As we're back in Mallorca tomorrow, we'll keep the salt pans under close observation.