Mallorca 2024 (2 Viewers)

[Mike Montier]

Just to catch up with some news.
Pep found a Common gull at Bassa de Can Guidet last week, a very scarce bird here in Mallorca.
Jane and I met Susan and Mike yesterday for our annual bash round Porto Colom.
We rarely see much at all but it’s a great laugh and an unbelievably cheap, delicious lunch at a local bar followed.
We were hoping for Dartford warbler but we didn’t see or hear any.
I still don’t understand the status of Dartford warbler. One year we saw at least 4 and this year nothing.
3 or 4 Balearic warblers showed briefly but getting photos is near impossible. I have a nice selection of shots of various bushes and twigs.
I managed to buy some English biscuits at Mike’s request and Jane supplied the coffee.
It’s always great fun so somehow the lack of birds doesn’t seem to matter. It’s a lovely place and the sun shone all day.
We can’t ask for more than that.
I’m off to the UK tomorrow for two weeks but I will still be getting the news which I will post.
I will leave it to Mike to find all the rarities and the first migrants. I believe he has already seen House Martin and Swallows.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Great Trip Mike, you deserve it!
Already the good birds arrive in your absence :

21 cranes in south of mallorca ( photo by Biel)

 

[BielBernat]

Great Trip Mike, you deserve it!
Already the good birds arrive in your absence :

21 cranes in south of mallorca ( photo by Biel)
View attachment 1558000

Hi! This photo is not mine! I report the observation on a local birding group but the one who took the photo and saw the group of cranes was Miquel Angel Mairata at El Toro.

Regards

 

[mike puxley]

Hi,
Hope someone can help. Starting a short holiday this Saturday on the island. Would like to call in (as I head to the north of the island) to Bassa de Can Guidet to view the BN grebes. It is a site I have never visited and note from Google Maps that there are roads running round the west, north and east sides of the reservoir.
The weather forecast is of 12-18 mph westerly winds Saturday am plus possible rain. Is there easy access to the reservoir and are there any hides available. Also do the grebes have a favourite area?
Many thanks for any assistance.
Mike Puxley

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Hi mike
Do you have ebird..good instructions on it to get there….
Coordinates below

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A good day out with Peter S. and Austen.
We decided to head for S’Albufereta, Maristany, and S’Albufera.
Several Reports of Spoonbills had been received.
Very Quiet at the S’Albufereta; normal birds seen including Common Shellduck,Gadwall, Teal, Flamingo, Black Winged Stilt, Lapwing, Green Sandpiper, Chiffchaff, Stone Curlew and Meadow pipits.
Maristany delivered additional species included Tufted Ducks, Common Pochards, Glossy Ibis, Great Crested Grebe, etc.
Sad that the resident Coscoroba Swan seems to be dead.
S’Albufera water levels were low, however few Waders were seen apart from Green and Common Sandpiper, and Kentish Plovers. Some 50 Avocets and 2 Ospreys showed well. Several Marsh Harriers were seen.
No sign of the Spoonbills.
Some 60 Species seen or heard on a great Winters day.

 

[mike puxley]

Hi mike
Do you have ebird..good instructions on it to get there….
Coordinates below

View attachment 1558250

 

[mike puxley]

Hi,
I am ok in finding the site but wasn’t sure on getting access, ie the best place to watch the birds from and whether there are any hides present. Would it be the west, north or east side to view from?
Thanks
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Hi Mike,
Others may have better information. I just parked inside a communal area near by and walk around. No hides etc. Sorry not to have more detail information.

 

[StewB]

Hi,
Hope someone can help. Starting a short holiday this Saturday on the island. Would like to call in (as I head to the north of the island) to Bassa de Can Guidet to view the BN grebes. It is a site I have never visited and note from Google Maps that there are roads running round the west, north and east sides of the reservoir.
The weather forecast is of 12-18 mph westerly winds Saturday am plus possible rain. Is there easy access to the reservoir and are there any hides available. Also do the grebes have a favourite area?
Many thanks for any assistance.
Mike Puxley

Hi Mike,

I went there for Black-necked Grebes in Jan 2019 (haven't been since). Here's the entry in my report of that trip:

"Bassa de Can Guidet:
This small, banked reservoir just north of Palma airport has a reputation for being difficult to find. I certainly didn’t find it easy, but the directions in Gosney got me there eventually. A key locator is the town of Son Ferriol. From Son Ferriol head east onthe MA3011 through the small settlement of s’Hostalot. From the east end of s’Hostalot measure exactly 1km, to where a straight, narrow tarmac track is on the right. Take this track and after approximately 600m the banks of the reservoir appear on the left. Here, take the rough track off to the left. It quickly rises to allow somewhat restricted views through the perimeter fence and vegetation. It’s possible to view at several points along the track, and also from the track which turns right at the next corner of the reservoir. I was later told that the occupants of the property half way along that edge of the reservoir will allow access to the water’s edge for unobstructed views if asked.

The reservoir holds good numbers of wildfowl (and has hosted rarities in the past),but its main attraction is the winter gathering of black-necked grebes – a potential addition to my Mallorca list. Because of the restricted views it’s hard to be confident about numbers, but in one sweep I had 21 black-necked grebes! On the water there were lots of shovellers and mallards, many pochard and single shelduck and tufted duck – lots of coot too. In the weedy fields behind the viewing spot there were house sparrows, goldfinches and greenfinches, which were joined by small groups of serins and 12+ tree sparrows. Black redstarts, robins and song thrushes were here, as they seemed to be at most sites during the week".

Hope that helps, good luck - let us know how you get on!

Stew

 

[H Johnsson]

Hi,
I am ok in finding the site but wasn’t sure on getting access, ie the best place to watch the birds from and whether there are any hides present. Would it be the west, north or east side to view from?
Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike if you want you can contact me I use to visit it many times during my staying in Palma.
I also have permission from the owner to watch from his garden for best overview.

 

[mike puxley]

Thank you Stew for the info. Reservoir looks easy to find on Google Maps but close access to the water body itself is clearly another matter then!! Your directions will be invaluable.
🤞for the BNGs.

My first Feb. (and winter) visit so quite a few Majorcan ✅ hopefully await!

 

[mike puxley]

Hi Mike if you want you can contact me I use to visit it many times during my staying in Palma.
I also have permission from the owner to watch from his garden for best overview.

Thanks for the offer. Hopefully Stew’s directions do the business.
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Austen and I headed to the White plains(Maria de la salut) and Petra. We ended up at the Depuradora and S'Amarador.
Slow beginning to the day, several Common Kestrels, Red Kites, Booted Eagles soaring above, and fields covered in Meadow Pipits, Sky Larks, Goldfinches and Serins.
As we approached the Depuradora, a common Crane took to the air. The Crane has been there for several days.
At S'Amarador a few thousand Starlings took off from the reeds but no massive murmurations.
Many Marsh Harriers around; when suddenly one chased a Male Hen Harrier in front of us!
50 plus species seen today. Great scenery and great fun.

 

[timsg80]

It’s been fantastic to have a few days back in Mallorca for the first time in ages!

I sadly haven’t had a huge amount of time for birding, but I’ve been pleased to find a Sparrowhawk and two Goldcrests around Es Capdellà, as well as a couple of fantastic trips to Sa Porrassa, with Penduline Tits, Swamphens, Bluethroat and Kingfisher the highlights.

The bird of the trip for me, however, was a Little Bittern at Port d’Andratx this evening. It flew up from right by my feet on the path next to the canal and I watched it for a while skulking in the reeds. It seems to be the first record on eBird from Port d’Andratx? Sadly I didn’t have my camera, so I’ve attached my best effort using phone/binoculars, I’m not sure if that counts as a record shot

I’ll be back in Mallorca in late February/early March, hopefully there will be some more surprises then!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Phil A, Austen and I headed to Mortitx in hunt for the Bonellis Eagles.
Such an excellent walk as Georgie Dave described earlier in this forum.
The vineyards were covered in Black Redstarts, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Chaffinches, etc. Several Cirl Buntings calling and showing well.
As we headed up the path, Greenfinches, Siskins, Serins, Great tits, etc were heard and seen in the olive trees. At least 6 Blue Rock Thrushes were seen.
Upto 10 Vultures including both Black and Griffon, Booted Eagles, and Red Kites were seen in the sky.
At last Two Bonellis showed well in the Sky.
Some 35 Species seen or heard; the scenery was awesome and great fun with friends.

 

[H Johnsson]

Today’s weather was more like the sea watching weather I`m used to.
Went down to Illetes nothing in the beginning but after a while 9 Balearic shearwaters flew W.
One commorant, 10+ Shag and Yellow legged gull.
Left for Sant Elm much more windy 1 Balearic shearwater, 3 adult Gannets and behind Sa Dragonera 100+ Yellow legged gull and some Shag

 

[mike puxley]

Managed to drive directly from the airport to Bassa de can Guidet. (Thanks Stew). BN grebes were showing well but distantly. I cannot confirm or deny the number of 25 seen a couple of days ago! What with peering thru gaps in the fence line trees, the very strong wind and the birds actively feeding made counting very difficult but definitely were well into double figures.
A late pm visit to the Albufereta was interesting as the look out tower was literally rocking!! However retiring to the hide gave views amongst others of pintail(4), kingfisher, water pipit and 3 little ringed plover.
A brief stop at the Pollentia Club lookout was worthwhile as 3 spoonbills flew across and landed in front of the hunkered down great egrets and gray herons.
Of flora interest there was an orchid in full bloom close to the small lookout tower. Not sure of the species but very early??

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Carefully avoiding rain or wind gusts we went to Bocquer Valley, Cala Sant Vincenc and Ternelle Valley Road up North.
We managed to see Black Vultures, Griffon Vultures, Red Kites, Kestrels, and Booted Eagles battling with the wind.
Many birds were hunkered down including Black Redstarts, Sardinian Warblers, Serins,Siskins, Robins, etc.
No sign of Wrens, Dunnocks, Blue Rock Thrushs.
Hope the weather settles soon.

 

[Mike Montier]

I think your orchid is a Giant orchid Mike but others will know more than me.
I usually see them around this time of the year.
Mike