Mallorca 2024 (2 Viewers)

[Mcnswiss2]

Quiet weekend due to Cyclist activity up North blocking roads etc.
Visits to La Gola, s'Albufereta and Maristany.
Nothing special, highlights included 3 Ospreys, Marsh Harriers, Flamingos, Green and Common Sandpipers, Greenshank, Red Crested Pochard, Glossy Ibis, Great Crested Grebe, Kingfishers, etc.
Weather still holding up..21C and Sunny.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Following the Cycle lockdown, Phil A and I decided to go birding locally up North. Started at Can Currassa Road, "The Sports Hotel" platform, S'Albuferata, Maristany, The "Orange Bridge" on the outskirts of S'Albufera, the Depuradora and ending up at S'Amarador.
Highlights listed below:

• The 6 Spotless Starlings showed well at Can Currassa Road.
• Over 70 Greater Flamingos at S'Albuferata
• Some 40 Stone Curlews at the Orange Bridge.
• Some 50 Avocets at S'Albufera outskirts
• Excellent views of Male Marsh Harriers at Depuradora.

Some 60 Species seen or heard.
So many excellent birding spots in these local areas.
Great to get out!
Thanks Phil A.

 

[Phil Akers]

Good day out yesterday with Mike S and Susan.
Just a few more photos and comments to compliment Mikes.
For the last few weeks I`ve been trying to find the Spotless Starlings at Can Cuarassa to no avail, but yesterday with Mike, we found them straight away. One of the birds was carrying nest material and I think I saw one bird slip underneath a roof tile? so maybe they`re nesting in the roof? Who knows, at least it might answer the question why are they always seen on the same roof of the same house.
The Stone Curlews which are often found to be around the Orange Bridge at the Albufera ( no one seems to know why it`s called the orange bridge) were out in force. As Mike posted, there were at least 40 birds. They were nervous because we were around and they continually lifted up, circled around and landed. Luckily I managed to get a few good shots each time they landed.
So, although we found 60 or so species, the Stone Curlews and the Spotless Starlings were the stars of the day.
Great day out
Phil A
Cheers

 

[Mike Montier]

Having returned from the UK late last night, I was itching to get to my local lighthouse tonight.
I got there super-early and spent 3 hours there.
It’s a funny old thing is seawatching. Tonight, it felt right, I couldn’t say why, just a gut feeling.
Sure enough, 2,036 Balearic shearwaters went whizzing past on their way to the archipelago de Cabrera.
They were joined by my first Scopoli’s of the year, 34 in all. They reappear during the middle of February according to my copy of the excellent “Birding Tourist’s Guide to Majorca” written by the locals, so they are bang on time.
I was able to identify 4 definite Yelkouan shearwaters as they were quite close in. There were probably more but they were out of ID reach.
One sub adult Gannet went by too.
My, it’s good to be back.
Mike

 

[Josep Manchado]

The Stone Curlews which are often found to be around the Orange Bridge at the Albufera ( no one seems to know why it`s called the orange bridge) were out in force. As Mike posted, there were at least 40 birds.
Phil A
Cheers

hi, it was called Orange bridge because 40 years ago when they builded it, durin several months it was painted with minium anti-oxid orange painture.

 

[Phil Akers]

hi, it was called Orange bridge because 40 years ago when they builded it, durin several months it was painted with minium anti-oxid orange painture.

Thanks Pep, so now we know 👍

 

[Ian Pollença]

Ref Phil A: One of the birds was carrying nest material and I think I saw one bird slip underneath a roof tile? so maybe they`re nesting in the roof? Who knows, at least it might answer the question why are they always seen on the same roof of the same house.

They did nest there last year and I saw them a few times last year going in between the roof tiles with food in their mouths.
Cheers, Ian

 

[Mike Montier]

Maties also did a seawatch this afternoon just up the road from me at Porto Colom and he saw 2,516 Balearic shearwaters and 13 Scopoli’s shearwaters.
He also saw a Razorbill going south and 2 Great skua, my target bird for today.
I don’t know why the Razorbill didn’t come past me and I was very disappointed not to see Great skua.
Porto Petro and Porto Colom are very close to each other but numbers vary every time. Some birds that pass Porto Petro come straight from out to sea, thus probably not being seen at the other site.
At other times it’s no doubt the opposite.
Ah, the joys of seawatching.
Mike

 

[Phil Akers]

Ref Phil A: One of the birds was carrying nest material and I think I saw one bird slip underneath a roof tile? so maybe they`re nesting in the roof? Who knows, at least it might answer the question why are they always seen on the same roof of the same house.

They did nest there last year and I saw them a few times last year going in between the roof tiles with food in their mouths.
Cheers, Ian

That's very interesting Ian, I wasn't aware the you had seen this before 👍

 

[Mike Montier]

Mike Swiss elected me to report on today’s outing to the town of Petra, but I would be better equipped to talk about the lunch, such was the paucity of bird life.
Just Booted eagle, Red kite and Kestrel adorned a perfect blue sky, but our target birds, Tree sparrows, were nowhere to be seen.
It didn’t really matter, Susan and Jane came too so we had a very enjoyable walk around the countryside.
The lunch at Bar Stop was memorable, three courses of local produce, olives, aliole and bread, wine and water included, less than ten quid per head. Astonishing value and very good it was too, especially as Mike paid. (Thanks Mike).
I know it can be a bit intimidating to step into a bar full of locals, but it really is where all the best and cheapest food is on offer.
I went to my local lighthouse again tonight to see if I could beat my last count of 34 newly arrived Scopoli’s shearwaters. 89 were counted plus one adult and one sub-adult Gannet.
Numbers will continue to build up over the coming weeks but I still want to see a Great skua. Actually, I see that one was in my photo of the fishing boat, tagging along behind and harassing the gulls. I can’t count that one though.
The Penduline tits are still present at Magaluf apparently.
No other news.
Mike

 

[pereto]

LA GOLA CENTRE OPENS FOR THE 2024 SEASON
🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆🦆
Hi everybody,
I am pleased to inform you that the Birding Information Center of La Gola has reopened and that we (Mallorca Nature Tours) will be running it during the coming months. At the Centre you will find information about our birds and the best birding and nature spots on Mallorca like s'Albufera, Formentor, Dragonera and Cabrera among many others.
We'd love to welcome you to visit the center and to discover the birds of La Gola. Winter is a great time for it.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!!
OPEN: Mon, Wed & Fri 9am-4pm.

Pere

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Mike Montier]

I’m sure many Mallorca aficionados will be very pleased about La Gola being opened.
It’s a gem of a reserve and has attracted a good few rare and scarce birds over the years.
We will all be there soon, thanks Pere and good luck.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

To reap revenge on Mike, I invited them up North for some real birdwatching. Despite no rain, the weather was still blustery and many birds remained hunkered down.
We started at Can Currassa Road, then to S’Albufereta, Maristany and finally the “Orange “ Bridge at the outskirks of S’Albuefera.
Some 56 Species seen or heard including:

• Spotless Starlings at Can Currassa
• Flamingos, Avocets, Osprey, Large White, Little and Cattle Egrets at S’Albufereta
• House Martins, Red Crested Pochards,Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier and Great Crested Grebe at Maristany
• Stone Curlews at The “Orange” Bridge

A great Sunday out with friends. Thanks Mike and Jane

Photos by Mike Montier.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Opposite the Orange Bridge is a new Tower over looking S'Albufera..any comments on why it has been built?
Nice views today of Stone Curlews, Avocet and Flamingos from there

 

[Mike Montier]

Thanks Mike for a great day out.
You delivered not only coffee and biscuits, but also some really nice birds for my year list which you kindly had staked out.
Brilliant.
Thanks.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Rains arrived at last, which is great for the Dry Island but not so much fun for birders. Peter S and I headed to S’Albufera to shelter in the hides.
The mud flats in front of ES Cibollar were very bird active with a number of species including Water Pipits, Common Snipe, Common and Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, Avocets, Teal.
2 Little Stints were also present. Marbled Ducks showed well.
Some 58 Species seen or heard between the rain showers.
Some 50 Flamingos, House martins and Barn Swallows, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Red Crested Pochards were seen at Maristany on our way back home.
We managed to keep reasonably dry and had a great day out.
Back Home we heard an early Temmicks Stint was also seen at S’Albufera..its always the case!

 

[ggshrike]

Rains arrived at last, which is great for the Dry Island but not so much fun for birders. Peter S and I headed to S’Albufera to shelter in the hides.
The mud flats in front of ES Cibollar were very bird active with a number of species including Water Pipits, Common Snipe, Common and Green Sandpipers, Greenshank, Avocets, Teal.
2 Little Stints were also present. Marbled Ducks showed well.
Some 58 Species seen or heard between the rain showers.
Some 50 Flamingos, House martins and Barn Swallows, 2 Great Crested Grebes and 4 Red Crested Pochards were seen at Maristany on our way back home.
We managed to keep reasonably dry and had a great day out.
Back Home we heard an early Temmicks Stint was also seen at S’Albufera..its always the case!

It's been a while but hope to bump into you again in sunny Mallorca. Head to Playa de Muro later today from cold wet Yorkshire!!

 

[Geordie Dave]

I'll be back in Mallorca again on Sunday morning, staying for almost 3 weeks in the north and looking forward to some sunshine, plenty of walking and early spring birding. From latest reports it seems that migration is starting to get underway. I've had to content myself with cold and wet here with grey skies the norm. The reward has been some winter specialities such as shorelark, snow bunting, brambling, waxwing, lesser scaup and American wigeon but I must confess I am more than ready for vultures and raptors in the blue sky. Also hoping to add to my Big Year list, from what I've read I've got some catching up to do. Looking forward to seeing birding friends and chance meetings with any other birders out there. I should be at Albufereta by early afternoon; not long now!!

 

[Mike Montier]

Safe journey David, looking forward to birding with you again.

We met Mike and Susan again today at the cold and wet reserve in Magaluf where Penduline tits have been seen for quite a while now.
Also reported have been House Martin, Barn swallow, Wryneck, Bluethroat and Reed bunting.
After quite a wait, I spotted one Penduline tit momentarily and later Mike made a recording of one in exactly the same location.
Up to five birds have been reported at this site but I think we felt that the majority had left. I hope we are wrong but I guess it’s about the right time for their departure.
The rain stopped and the sun came out to warm us up.
We headed for the centre of Magaluf for coffee and cakes in a terrific patisserie with a wonderful selection of pastries, all at very low prices.
The bay of Magaluf is one of the most beautiful on the Island and it certainly doesn’t deserve the negative publicity that it receives.
Mike

 

[Mike Montier]

Also hope we bump into you again ggshrike. It’s been a while.
I will be coming north next week and will be going to the main reserve at s’Albufera.
Mike