-
Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.
Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
Mallorca 2021 (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Mike Montier
- Start date
mtrevillion
Well-known member
All things being equal (and on course...) I hope to be in Mallorca in October!
Mike Montier
Well-known member
October is a great month, I hope you make it!
A trip round the salt pans followed by an amble around the boardwalk at Colonia de Sant Jordi was rewarding with 4 Black-tailed godwits, 8 Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and a few Black-winged stilts.
Mike
A trip round the salt pans followed by an amble around the boardwalk at Colonia de Sant Jordi was rewarding with 4 Black-tailed godwits, 8 Ruff, a Spotted Redshank, Dunlin and a few Black-winged stilts.
Mike
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Apparently we have snow on the way with nasty winds and a cold front.
As it’s a beautiful sunny day with 18 degrees, it’s hard to imagine, but I had better go and buy some more wood for the fire.
It will be interesting to see what it does to the migration, it may bring a few surprises.
We shall see.
Mike
As it’s a beautiful sunny day with 18 degrees, it’s hard to imagine, but I had better go and buy some more wood for the fire.
It will be interesting to see what it does to the migration, it may bring a few surprises.
We shall see.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Two hours Seawatching from my local lighthouse this evening saw a truly staggering number of shearwaters all going south.
I decided to not do an accurate count partly because the birds were further out than usual, maybe due to the offshore wind, but also my left clicker has broken.
I count Balearics in the right hand and Scopoli’s in the left and it works well.
During the whole watch, both types passed by constantly in huge numbers, certainly into the thousands, and the sea was full of birds for the whole session.
Photo is my local port in the evening sun. Anyone who manages to photograph shearwaters from the coast has my utmost respect.
I’ve got a couple of hundred shots of the sea with the odd white dot in it.
Mike
I decided to not do an accurate count partly because the birds were further out than usual, maybe due to the offshore wind, but also my left clicker has broken.
I count Balearics in the right hand and Scopoli’s in the left and it works well.
During the whole watch, both types passed by constantly in huge numbers, certainly into the thousands, and the sea was full of birds for the whole session.
Photo is my local port in the evening sun. Anyone who manages to photograph shearwaters from the coast has my utmost respect.
I’ve got a couple of hundred shots of the sea with the odd white dot in it.
Mike
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I forgot to say that as I arrived on site this evening, I saw two heron species flying away from me. I suspected that they were Purple heron but I couldn’t be 100%.
Mirella saw 5 Purple heron flying over in the next cala some time after me so I guess my hunch was right.
Audouin’s gulls haven’t yet got into the habit of nicking your chips yet like the gulls of the UK do, but this one was a bit too interested in my tuna sandwiches earlier today.
Mike
Mirella saw 5 Purple heron flying over in the next cala some time after me so I guess my hunch was right.
Audouin’s gulls haven’t yet got into the habit of nicking your chips yet like the gulls of the UK do, but this one was a bit too interested in my tuna sandwiches earlier today.
Mike
Attachments
Last edited:
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Some Northern wheatears have arrived and some more Red-rumped Swallows came too.
Just waiting for the first Common swifts to arrive although they may get held up by the cold front moving ever closer to Mallorca.
Mike
Just waiting for the first Common swifts to arrive although they may get held up by the cold front moving ever closer to Mallorca.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Juanjo has seen two Jack snipe on Ibiza.
Jack Snipe is quite a difficult bird to see here, I’ve only seen a handful over the years.
S’amarador is a good place, Prat de Sant Jordi also good as are the marshes at Albufera and Albufereta.
The horrible weather still hasn’t arrived although it’s been blowy and cold today.
I will post a photo of the snowy mountains if it happens.
Mike
Jack Snipe is quite a difficult bird to see here, I’ve only seen a handful over the years.
S’amarador is a good place, Prat de Sant Jordi also good as are the marshes at Albufera and Albufereta.
The horrible weather still hasn’t arrived although it’s been blowy and cold today.
I will post a photo of the snowy mountains if it happens.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
An Oystercatcher has been seen today by Fatima at Albufereta.
I haven’t seen any this year yet, despite walking around much of the coastline of the south.
They sometimes fly past the Cap de Ses Salines but no luck yet.
Maybe the cold weather will bring in some interesting birds so I hope to be down the Cap at the weekend.
Mike
I haven’t seen any this year yet, despite walking around much of the coastline of the south.
They sometimes fly past the Cap de Ses Salines but no luck yet.
Maybe the cold weather will bring in some interesting birds so I hope to be down the Cap at the weekend.
Mike
osprey31
Well-known member
Interesting article
www.majorcadailybulletin.com
The failures of La Gola
The Council doesn’t have any responsibilities for the park. The latest row speaks yet again to the apparent failures regarding La Gola; failures that have existed for too long.
www.majorcadailybulletin.com
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I was just reading that in the Daily Bulletin osprey31. Many thanks for highlighting the situation.
As Pep gets a mention, maybe he will comment on here so we all know what the problems are.
As I have often said, La Gola is a gem of a reserve right in the heart of Puerto Pollença.
I know many readers of this thread are great supporters of the reserve and they visit it every time they are on the Island.
Cristina is well known to them and she always gives a warm welcome and lots of information.
A few mega rare birds have been seen there confirming the area as vitally important.
I hope there is a swift resolution.
Mike
As Pep gets a mention, maybe he will comment on here so we all know what the problems are.
As I have often said, La Gola is a gem of a reserve right in the heart of Puerto Pollença.
I know many readers of this thread are great supporters of the reserve and they visit it every time they are on the Island.
Cristina is well known to them and she always gives a warm welcome and lots of information.
A few mega rare birds have been seen there confirming the area as vitally important.
I hope there is a swift resolution.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
No birding today.
The wind is so strong that I fear a few trees may be blown over.
I think it’s worse here in the south-east.
There is apparently snow on the mountains but I have not been up there to see.
Hopefully, it will blow itself out soon.
Mike
The wind is so strong that I fear a few trees may be blown over.
I think it’s worse here in the south-east.
There is apparently snow on the mountains but I have not been up there to see.
Hopefully, it will blow itself out soon.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
A few local birders have braved the elements and have been rewarded with some movement of certain species.
Grey heron have been seen, two groups by Lalo and a group of 9 by Toni. Pep saw a group of 8 Oystercatchers at Cap de Ses Salines, Lalo saw a White stork at Prat de San Jordi and 3 Red-rumped swallows at Maristany, a couple of male Marsh harriers seemed to be on migration, some Alpine swift have passed through and the first Common swift was seen at Salobrar. Also a Black-tailed Godwit there.
I stayed local and walked around Parc Mondragó. A Barn Swallow, Crossbills and Black Redstarts were logged and I saw a sylvia species disappearing into a bush. I’m fairly certain it was a Dartford Warbler but I didn’t see enough. I have never seen this species in the park but Jordi saw one on a recent visit.
Stone curlews were around in good numbers.
Yesterday a group of Garganey were seen and my near neighbour saw some larus fuscus locally.
Mike
Photo is of my local beach.
Grey heron have been seen, two groups by Lalo and a group of 9 by Toni. Pep saw a group of 8 Oystercatchers at Cap de Ses Salines, Lalo saw a White stork at Prat de San Jordi and 3 Red-rumped swallows at Maristany, a couple of male Marsh harriers seemed to be on migration, some Alpine swift have passed through and the first Common swift was seen at Salobrar. Also a Black-tailed Godwit there.
I stayed local and walked around Parc Mondragó. A Barn Swallow, Crossbills and Black Redstarts were logged and I saw a sylvia species disappearing into a bush. I’m fairly certain it was a Dartford Warbler but I didn’t see enough. I have never seen this species in the park but Jordi saw one on a recent visit.
Stone curlews were around in good numbers.
Yesterday a group of Garganey were seen and my near neighbour saw some larus fuscus locally.
Mike
Photo is of my local beach.
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
I followed in the wake of yesterday’s sightings in the hope of picking up some leftovers but it was very quiet with virtually nothing flying, just the usual Red kites in combat which is always a great thing to witness.
I went to Salobrar de Campos where Jason saw a couple of Red-rumped swallows. Most birds were huddled against the rocks sheltering from the strong wind.
I also went to the salt pans of Colonia Sant Jordi where there was one Lesser Black-backed gull.
No sign of any Oystercatcher despite us taking a long coastal walk.
I also went to Cap de Ses Salines including a stop at passage 5 but again it was unproductive.
Still, the sea looked marvelous and I’m very pleased that we can get out and walk around, I would hate to be locked in again.
Mike
I went to Salobrar de Campos where Jason saw a couple of Red-rumped swallows. Most birds were huddled against the rocks sheltering from the strong wind.
I also went to the salt pans of Colonia Sant Jordi where there was one Lesser Black-backed gull.
No sign of any Oystercatcher despite us taking a long coastal walk.
I also went to Cap de Ses Salines including a stop at passage 5 but again it was unproductive.
Still, the sea looked marvelous and I’m very pleased that we can get out and walk around, I would hate to be locked in again.
Mike
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
A group of House martins in my local village this morning is a good sign. I rather fancy that a trip to the Albercutx tower will be beneficial.
I’m going tomorrow in the hopes that at last, there will be some good migration. The bad weather has broken and it’s a fine sunny day.
Here’s hoping.
Mike
I’m going tomorrow in the hopes that at last, there will be some good migration. The bad weather has broken and it’s a fine sunny day.
Here’s hoping.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Patrick beat me to it by going to the tower this morning for a short time.
5 Marsh Harrier through and a Sparrowhawk was the result.
Hopefully, they are all queuing up to depart tomorrow.
Bodes well.
Mike
5 Marsh Harrier through and a Sparrowhawk was the result.
Hopefully, they are all queuing up to depart tomorrow.
Bodes well.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
3,208 mixed shearwaters went past my local lighthouse at Portopetro tonight in one and a half hours.
I would estimate that about 70% were Scopoli’s but I think on the next seawatch I will just count Scopoli’s and then the following time, just Balearic.
I will then have a more accurate split.
There is not much variety out there so I would like the challenge one day of being somewhere where there is a greater variety of species.
I guess I seawatch about 100 times every year but I still feel relatively inexperienced. It would be nice to spend time with seasoned watchers so that I could learn more. I’m self-taught which is probably not a good idea.
I’m excited about going to the tower tomorrow and I will obviously post my sightings.
Mike
I would estimate that about 70% were Scopoli’s but I think on the next seawatch I will just count Scopoli’s and then the following time, just Balearic.
I will then have a more accurate split.
There is not much variety out there so I would like the challenge one day of being somewhere where there is a greater variety of species.
I guess I seawatch about 100 times every year but I still feel relatively inexperienced. It would be nice to spend time with seasoned watchers so that I could learn more. I’m self-taught which is probably not a good idea.
I’m excited about going to the tower tomorrow and I will obviously post my sightings.
Mike
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Hmm, whenever I give a prediction of a super day ahead, it seems to be the kiss of death.
Not a single migrant passed by the tower at Albercutx today despite looking like a great day weather-wise.
Two Alpine accentors greeted us in the “car park” at the top which was a great start but that was it.
It was a glorious sunny day and with those far-reaching views, we whiled away the hours just gazing round.
Somehow, the birds didn’t matter so much.
Lots of migrants arrived today elsewhere on the Island but no raptors.
The accentors are ridiculously tame and one even walked over my shoe!
Mike
Not a single migrant passed by the tower at Albercutx today despite looking like a great day weather-wise.
Two Alpine accentors greeted us in the “car park” at the top which was a great start but that was it.
It was a glorious sunny day and with those far-reaching views, we whiled away the hours just gazing round.
Somehow, the birds didn’t matter so much.
Lots of migrants arrived today elsewhere on the Island but no raptors.
The accentors are ridiculously tame and one even walked over my shoe!
Mike
Attachments
Mike Montier
Well-known member
Many thanks KC. I really enjoy photography and I like to share moments from this beautiful Island.
