I've just returned to the U,K. after spending 12 days on Mallorca. I can honestly say that in 25 years of visiting the island I have never experienced such a prolonged spell of bad weather. Despite the torrential rain and gale force winds I did manage to get out and about and did manage to see some good birds.
My first day was spent on the central plain near Villa Franca where a Southern Grey Shrike has been lingering for a few weeks now. I managed to locate it and had good scope views. There has been a Grey Shrike wintering in this area for at least 3 years. Possibly the same bird? On day 2 I was at the Depuradura where I had Wood, Green and Common sandpiper, Snipe, Black tailed godwit, Black winged stilt, Little and Cattle egret, Shellduck, Shoveller, Marbled duck, Teal, Mallard, Little grebe, Coot, Moorhen, White Wagtail, Water pipit, Chiffchaff, Cetti's and Fantailed warblers, Robin, Song Thrush, Audouins, Yellow legged and Black headed gulls, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Kestrel, Crag martins and Swallows. From here I intended to spend the rest of the day at S'Albufera. I only managed to reach the visitor centre when I receved a text telling me a Snow Bunting had been found at Felanitx cemetery. I quickly made back to my car and then arranged to meet up with Dave, Phil and Mike S. who where at the Grey shrike site. We then headed off to Felanitx together, We found the cemetery and I must say, that as far as cemeteries go, this really is a beautifully kept place and the four of us wandering around with binoculars and cameras did seem a little irreverent. After searching for 10 minutes or so all we had seen were Black Redstarts when we were joined by local birder Patrick who eventually spotted the bird. The Snow Bunting was very confiding and offered us great photo opportunities before we left it in peace. From here we called in at Petra which is usually a reliable winter site for Tree sparrows but unfortunately they weren't there.
Day 3. I was joined by Dave at Son Real where we spent the first hour or so in the hide, there wasn't much activity here with only Greenfinch. Goldfinch. Serin and Firecrest seen. From here we decided to walk along the beach to Son Serra. We only made it half way when the storm blew in. The pair of us took what shelter we could but we were both drenched to the bone. We only managed to see Shag , Kentish plover, Turnstone, Dunlin, Thekla lark, Sardinian warbler, Stonechat and the usual gulls before we made our escape. Lots of Song thrushes seen on the walk back to the cars and a pair of Hoopoes on the drive out.
Due to the bad weather and other commitments I wasn't able to venture out again until day 7. As the storms were still looming I decided to shelter for a couple of hours in the Son Real hide, This turned out to be a great move as after only 15 minutes in there, a beautiful Red flanked bluetail appeared right in front of the hide giving excellent views. I watched it come and go 4 or 5 times before I left. Also there, were Crossbill, Corn bunting, Blackcap, Great tit, Song thrush and the usual finches and warblers. After putting the news out lots of people including myself came the following day hoping to see if the bird was still there. Unfortunately it had moved on but I did see Hawfinch and Siskin there.
On day 8 I went to Maristany where the day before Phil had found some Mediterranean and Slender billed gulls that had probably been blown in by the storms. The Med, gulls were still showing but no sign of the Slender billed. The only other new birds seen there were Red crested and Common Pochard and Great crested grebe
On day 9 I met Phil at the Depuradura to look for the Little gull found by Mateus the day before. We had to sit in the car for almost an hour until the rain subsided. We managed to get good views eventually and also saw 10 Glossy Ibis there and still lots of Swallows flying around. From here we moved on to S'Albufera where we were met by Phil G. The highlights here were Kingfisher, Night Heron , Little bittern, Crested coot, Great egret, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Purple Gallinule, Crested coot, Greater flamingo, Siskin and a superb male Hen harrier. There was also a very confiding Osprey sat on the screen of the new hide only a few feet from us as we entered.
On day 11, my last days birding, I returned to S'Albufera and found nothing I hadn't seen the previous day apart from Water rail and 2 Slender billed gulls which were on the seaward side of the road bridge near the entrance.
Great trip despite the awful weather.
It's been emotional
