Mallorca 2023 (7 Viewers)

[Geordie Dave]

Hi — I will be visiting Mallorca for the first time shortly. Neville Davies’ book mentions a site for Scops owl at a children’s play area next to a Civil Guard station along the seafront at Port de Pollença, however, there don’t appear to be any recent records from here on eBird. Is this still a reliable spot or can someone suggest somewhere better?

Tris a further update to Hugh M post 339 regarding Scops Owl. I am a regular visitor and own a property in Gotmar. I have, very ocassionally, heard them calling here and in the nearby Siller area. Both are on the edge of Port de Pollenca. My best sighting was a a couple of years ago when one was sat on an overhead wire in Gotmar, just behind Aries and Rosa Blanca bars. It was perched next to what was Stefanos restaurant at about 9pm. We disturbed it and it flew about 20 yards down the street and perched again. As we approached it repeated this move once again. We watched it for a few minutes and decided to leave it in peace. I’ve not seen one since then. Interestingly we also have 2 barns owls very close by. I’m back again in 10 days time and will be looking out for them. Good luck.

 

[Phil Akers]

I met up with Phil Garnett yesterday morning at the closed down bus depot at Son Bosc. The Tree Sparrows were posing obligingly as usual on the rear fence. The sun was rising to light up the photos and to warm us a little. It was a chilly start.
We then headed off down the lane making a stop at the electricity sub station to check out for Stone Curlew, but none were around.
At the Depuradora viewing tower we were greeted by a lovely variety of birds, which was a very welcome change compared to recent previous visits. There were hundreds of Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin and a couple of Pallid Swifts. There were Whiskered and Common Terns, Common and Red Crested Pochards, several Yellow Wagtails, 2 Garganey's, Green and Common Sandpipers. And as always there were a number of Marsh Harriers quartering the reed beds and circling above, including a couple of very handsome males.

On to the Albufera. Walking up the lane into the reserve we found 20 + Night herons in the canal side roosts.
At the 3 Sa Roca hides there were plenty of Little Ringed Plovers, Shelduck, a few Teal and Black Winged Stilt and a couple of Stone Curlews. 2 Glossy Ibis flew over and there were a couple of Purple Swamp Hens chasing each other around in the reeds.

Over to the 2 Es Cibollar hides. There were BW Stilts and Avocet mating, Sanderling, about 12 Ruff, Little Stints, a few Flamingos, Cormorants.
We finished the day with a visit to the Es Columbars hide. We found Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Great Crested Grebe, lots of Flamingos.
As we were walking back, nearing the main canal bridge, Phil G spotted a Female Little Bittern tucked into the edge of the reeds. A great end to the day, we found 66 Species and had a very enjoyable day out.
Cheers Phil A.

 

[Mike Montier]

Great report of a good day out Phil.
Nice photos too, I particularly liked the Garganey shot.
Mike

 

[StewB]

I met up with Phil Garnett yesterday morning at the closed down bus depot at Son Bosc. The Tree Sparrows were posing obligingly as usual on the rear fence. The sun was rising to light up the photos and to warm us a little. It was a chilly start.
We then headed off down the lane making a stop at the electricity sub station to check out for Stone Curlew, but none were around.
At the Depuradora viewing tower we were greeted by a lovely variety of birds, which was a very welcome change compared to recent previous visits. There were hundreds of Common Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin and a couple of Pallid Swifts. There were Whiskered and Common Terns, Common and Red Crested Pochards, several Yellow Wagtails, 2 Garganey's, Green and Common Sandpipers. And as always there were a number of Marsh Harriers quartering the reed beds and circling above, including a couple of very handsome males.

On to the Albufera. Walking up the lane into the reserve we found 20 + Night herons in the canal side roosts.
At the 3 Sa Roca hides there were plenty of Little Ringed Plovers, Shelduck, a few Teal and Black Winged Stilt and a couple of Stone Curlews. 2 Glossy Ibis flew over and there were a couple of Purple Swamp Hens chasing each other around in the reeds.

Over to the 2 Es Cibollar hides. There were BW Stilts and Avocet mating, Sanderling, about 12 Ruff, Little Stints, a few Flamingos, Cormorants.
We finished the day with a visit to the Es Columbars hide. We found Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Great Crested Grebe, lots of Flamingos.
As we were walking back, nearing the main canal bridge, Phil G spotted a Female Little Bittern tucked into the edge of the reeds. A great end to the day, we found 66 Species and had a very enjoyable day out.
Cheers Phil A.

Great photos Phil. I really like the resting swallows and martins - they’ll be with us in the UK soon!

Stew

 

[Ian Bell]

Totally agree,Stew.A fantastic photograph 👍 👍

 

[StewB]

Looking again at Phil’s photos - wondering if this could be a red-rumped?

Stew

 

[Mike Montier]

It’s been a funny old year so far with most, but not all, winter visitors having departed.
A Brambling was seen and videoed today for instance.
It seems that the spring passage migrants are a little tardy, birds like Nightingales are normally here in large numbers, singing away tunefully, but less than a handful have been reported.
Bright, sunny weather maybe to blame as many migrants keep going and don’t put down to feed and rest. That’s surprising because there have been a few big rainstorms as well as the clear, sunny days of late.
Nevertheless, today seems to have been quite lively with reports of Alpine swift, White stork, Great bittern, Wheatear and Montagu’s harrier.
Hirundines have been arriving in good numbers though and Common swift continue to pour through.
I wrote about my regular seawatch a while ago and how variable the Balearic shearwaters are. There have been a few Yelkouan shearwaters in with them which for me now, are not too hard to separate.
I mentioned one bird that stood out as different a few weeks ago. It was sooty black above and very white below. It was definitely different.
I put it down as a particularly dark Yelkouan but it seems there may be a Manx shearwater out there.
Despite watching the shearwaters three of four times a week, I don’t feel I am good enough to claim that the bird I saw was a Manx shearwater but I thought I would mention it as I’ve seen it again and it may be worth more experienced birders having a go at seeing it.
You have to sift through a few thousand birds mind you!
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Looks like Red-rumped to me Stew, well spotted.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Mirella found a Tawny pipit in Cala d’Or and Pep saw 4 Collared pratincole at Salobrar de Campos.
Beautiful birds, Salobrar is probably the most reliable place to see them but s’Albufera has a fair share too.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I got to the Cap de Ses Salines a bit later than normal this morning.
Apart from lots of shearwaters on the sea, there was very little else.
Migration has been oh so slow this year.
Not much else to report except that Maties saw an ultra-rare Pomarina skua from nearby Porto Colom late this afternoon.
I dashed out onto the balcony but must have just missed it. Birds are very distant from my home but it’s easy to make out the different species.
As I see that the skuas fly at between 35 and 50 kph, I guess it wouldn’t take long to get to my patch.
At no time during an hour of watching were there no shearwaters in the ‘scope.
There were hundreds and hundreds, all streaming south.
Maybe Maties has totals but they were well into the thousands.
It’s quite a spectacle and I was just mesmerised by the sheer numbers of passing birds, all heading for the archipelago of Cabrera.
Lots of dolphins too.
A very carnival atmosphere in my town today. This time of year is very significant for the locals and we had lunch out. It was warm and sunny and as I looked out of the port, I felt I was a very lucky boy indeed.
Mike

 

[Chris Pendlebury]

Hi all.
Arrived on the island today. Visited s’Abufera and Deporadora.
Highlight was probably a whiskered tern at Deporadora.
All the best, Chris

 

[Mike Montier]

Good luck Chris, enjoy your time here.
Hopefully, migrants will now be arriving in bigger numbers.
Mike

 

[Louise and Brian]

Staying near Arta for a few days - can hear scops owl. Black vulture flew over. Many red kite and booted eagles. Not seen any willow warblers or chiffchaff yet or any other small migrant!
Lots of swifts, swallows and house martins joyously flying over. We move to Pollença tomorrow so hopefully more to be seen.
Always great to check in with the site when we are here, thanks for keeping it going.

 

[Geordie Dave]

Good luck Chris, enjoy your time here.
Hopefully, migrants will now be arriving in bigger numbers.
Mike

Mike you’ve got a migrant arriving from Newcastle next weekend! I’m staying for 4 weeks this time and hoping I’ve timed my trip just right. Is there much activity with the raptor group at Albercutx at the moment, I’ve not seen much posted. Let me know when you’re free for a trip out.

 

[Mike Montier]

Good news David. I look forward to meeting up.
A few birders have been to the tower without much success except for one day when there was a Montagu’s harrier and a few Black kite, maybe a Marsh harrier or two, but the best days are yet to come so I’m sure you have timed it just right!
See you here then,
Mike

 

[avian sky]

I was at Castell de Santueri yesterday and had 3 Alpine Swift as well as a single Crag Martin, Peregrine, 2 Ravens, singing Blackcap and a Blue Rock Thrush on the castle wall.

At Portocolom, the Thekla Larks were very visible, singing bravely from the tops of bushes and several Hoopoes were very active. Also, two Blue Rock Thrush on the roofs of villas near the sea cliffs. Best wishes, Andrew.

 

[Mike Montier]

Thousands of shearwaters making their way up the coast this morning.
Views of a minuscule patch of sea from my balcony but good enough to make out the different species.
No sign of the Pomarine skua but I bet it’s still out there.
I will be going tonight.
Last time a saw one was during lockdown when I had sightings over a period of weeks. I hope this one hangs around too.
Mike

 

[mike puxley]

Arrived on Saturday and the birding excellent as always.
Today started early doors at Talaia D’Albercutx. looking for Balearic Warbler. Surprised as 4 Marsh Harrier went north b4 sun up. Nice views of the warbler were followed by 2 Tawny Pipits dropping close by onto the roadside gravel. Tried setting up for digiscoping (a faff😬) only for the birds to be flushed by a passing car flying off into the long rank grass strewn with boulders and rocks 100m away never to be seen again.
Late am picked up a further 3 Marsh Harrier seen from our villa on very NW edge of PP heading Formentor way.
At 3:30pm arrived at Mortitx vineyard trying to suss out the parking layout etc for walking along the valley later in the week. Couldn’t believe my luck as at 3:35pm looked up and there was an adult Bonelli’s Eagle going over. (Followed by a Cinnerous Vulture a few mins later).
I had to buy a couple of these. Someone has to!🤪

 

[Mike Montier]

Well done Mike, I will pass the migrating Marsh harrier on to the raptor group if that’s ok.
Well done with the Bonelli’s, fabulous birds.
Enjoy your wine!
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

I popped in to Vilafranca coming back from Inca.
It was really quiet apart from the usual resident birds and 5 newly arrived Short-toed larks.
Then a magnificent male Montagu’s harrier floated past.
What a stunning bird.

I went to my local lighthouse tonight and I don’t remember ever seeing more Balearic shearwaters going south.
They were so quick and densely packed that my clicker couldn’t keep up. I just gave in trying to count them but there were thousands.
I was waiting for the Pomarine skua of course but no luck.
I will keep trying. I saw one once just as it was getting dark so they can turn up anytime.
It was nevertheless, very entertaining watching such huge numbers going by.
Then some youngsters appeared and began to party.
I went home.
Mike