Mallorca 2025 (5 Viewers)

[Matthebirder]

I've attached a summary that I put together in 2022 of the Dragonflies of Mallorca, based on an internet literature search and my own observations of 20+ years visiting the Island. I'm in the process of updating it, but there are rather a lot of distractions which are slowing progress..

A really good dragonfly source is the report on Balearic dragonflies in 2019, appearing in the Winter 2020 edition of Es Busquaret, authored by Marina Tysoe and Maties Rebassa. It's in Catalan but as it shows scientific names it's pretty accessible if (like me) your Catalan is non-existant. In addition to 2019 records they show previous records, so it's as complete a list as you're likely to get. Here's the link:

Es Busqueret 50

Es Busqueret 50

www.gobmallorca.com

Bird Forum users here have a very wide interest in natural history, so it would be great if members posted dragonfly and butterfly records as well as bird records here.

Stew

I forgot to mention that for dragonfly chasers it will be worth checking the refurbished road side water tank towards the top of the Tenelles road. It was being worked on in March and has been dry previously. If it does fill up then will likely attract the Orange-winged dropwings and will be easier than the tank on the corner house where the dogs are as it isn't outside a house.

 

[Matthebirder]

So it's 22 April, possibly the best time to be in Mallorca; is all the news going on WhatApp or isn't there anyone birding?
Thinking back to the Hotel Pollentia birders evenings you had to queue at the bar, there were so many birdwatchers. No internets or mobiles of course back then. Are there any other rival sites collecting news? Thoughts welcome...

 

[Geordie Dave]

So it's 22 April, possibly the best time to be in Mallorca; is all the news going on WhatApp or isn't there anyone birding?
Thinking back to the Hotel Pollentia birders evenings you had to queue at the bar, there were so many birdwatchers. No internets or mobiles of course back then. Are there any other rival sites collecting news? Thoughts welcome...

Matt I’m back next week for a 3 weeks visit. I’ll be posting regularly. You’re right this is the best time of year to be on the island and I’m very much looking forward to it.

 

[mike puxley]

Hi,
Just to emphasise, all I’m doing is trawling through eBird on a very regular basis and putting rare and scarce birds on the WhatsApp group page. This gives participants the possible chance of connecting with them. Obviously I’m hoping birders, whilst on holiday on the island, will post their sightings.
No common bird sightings are going on there. My messages are short and concise and probably aren’t the best reading!
I note that, sadly, many birders are giving up on writing blogs. Whether it is due to dwindling readership or them lacking time or motivation I’m not sure. Is this the case with the Majorca bird forum thread?

 

[Jonny Holliday]

So it's 22 April, possibly the best time to be in Mallorca; is all the news going on WhatApp or isn't there anyone birding?
Thinking back to the Hotel Pollentia birders evenings you had to queue at the bar, there were so many birdwatchers. No internets or mobiles of course back then. Are there any other rival sites collecting news? Thoughts welcome...

Hi Matt - there has been some news going onto the Whatsapp (which i guess you are on?). also out from the 1st May and will be posting news to both (Whatsapp in the field and here when i can)

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Hi,
Just to emphasise, all I’m doing is trawling through eBird on a very regular basis and putting rare and scarce birds on the WhatsApp group page. This gives participants the possible chance of connecting with them. No common bird sightings are going on there. My messages are short and concise and probably aren’t the best reading!
I note that, sadly, many birders are giving up on writing blogs. Whether it is due to dwindling readership or them lacking time or motivation I’m not sure.

Hi Mike - are you happy for a bit more 'regular' news to go on the group? think it might be of use/interest to people less familiar with the birds/island...?

Jonny

 

[Matthebirder]

Thanks all for feedback

 

[mike puxley]

Hi Mike - are you happy for a bit more 'regular' news to go on the group? think it might be of use/interest to people less familiar with the birds/island...?

Jonny

Hi Jonny,
Should be ok for the time being as there are only a small number of participants on the group.
Have to see how it goes and what people want. It could eventually be conceivable of having a second WhatsApp group for common birds as is the case in many UK counties.

 

[timsg80]

I had a lovely day of birding yesterday, starting at S’Albufera. It was fairly quiet there, but lovely to see the usual species (Flamingoes, Night Herons, Marsh Harriers etc) in good numbers. The rarest bird was a Gull-billed Tern at Cibollar 2, but the only migratory waders were 3 Spotted Redshank (in summer plumage) and a Greenshank. A group of 16 Bee-eaters flew over which was wonderful to see and hear! It was slightly surprising to not hear many Acrocephalus warblers - just a couple of Reed Warblers.

I then went Depuradora, but it started pouring with rain as soon as I arrived! A Peregrine flew low overhead and it was great to see a small group of Marbled Teal.

I headed to Es Blanquer de Maria. Sadly the rain followed me, but a brief look produced loads of Short-toed Larks and Corn Buntings, as well as a Sand Martin in a big group of Swallows.

I finished at Bassa de Can Guidet which was much quieter than usual. The only birds of note were a pair of Black-necked Grebes, three Spotless Starlings, lots of Shelducks and a surprise Lesser Black-backed Gull with a big group of Yellow-legged.

Meanwhile, birding has been quiet as Es Capdella, though regular Vultures of both species and a Pied Flycatcher this morning have been nice. Sa Porrassa in Magaluf has been great, I had a wonderful sighting of two Little Bitterns flying around and perching in the reeds, while a third individual was booming nearby. A Purple Heron has been around, and it was great to see two juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons in the reeds. There are two big Swamphen chicks around which is wonderful to see. A Whitethroat and a Wheatear have been the only passerine migrants I’ve seen there recently.

I’ll upload some photos when I’m back with my laptop!

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Sighting from Ebird/Whatsapp group today.

Marsh Sandpiper - Albufera, Sa Roca hides
S B Gull - PN Salobar
Western Bonellis Warbler - Es Trenc/PN Salobar
Montagus Harrier - Albufereta
Eygptian Vulture over Albercuix

 

[An Caislín Dearg]

Sighting from Ebird/Whatsapp group today.

Marsh Sandpiper - Albufera, Sa Roca hides
S B Gull - PN Salobar
Western Bonellis Warbler - Es Trenc/PN Salobar
Montagus Harrier - Albufereta
Eygptian Vulture over Albercuix

Montagu's and Egyptian Vulture was me. Sorry, only getting a chance to visit the forum now. Not sure if they are noteworthy here but had a Purple Heron and 3 Greenshank at S'Albufereta this morning too.

 

[mike puxley]

I paid my first ever visit to Son Navata last week. I’m not sure of the history of the site but there are 3 parallel ponds.
I noted a breeding colony of cattle egret and night heron. Also present were mallard, coot and moorhen. Plus great reed warbler calling.
What puzzles me is on the southern most pond all the reeds had been freshly ripped out leaving a bare bank. Also the west side appeared to have some infilling going on.

This would make a great ‘pocket’ nature reserve but has anyone any knowledge what is happening to the site?

 

[timsg80]

Some nice sightings from the last couple of days:

Yesterday evening I went to Sa Porrassa in Magaluf and had an epic surprise in the form of an adult male Montagu’s Harrier heading over to the northeast. Amazingly it was 5 years to the day since I photographed one just to the north in Es Capdella during the covid lockdown.

I went to Pla de Lanzell this morning in search of rare raptors and was rewarded with two male Lesser Kestrels. There were quite a few female Kestrels which were too far away to identify to a species level (there were a few male Common Kestrels around as well). Sadly no Harriers or Red-footed Falcons seen. A Wood and a Green Sandpiper on the Depuradora there were nice surprises.

Then, this evening, there was a nice fall of migrants in Es Capdella, with several Willow Warblers, a Wood Warbler and two Pied Flycatchers in the garden. I went up to the top of Niu d’Aguiles and came upon a group of 17 Bee-eaters, two Red-rumped Swallows and a wonderful adult Bonelli’s Eagle getting mobbed by a Peregrine.

I finished the day back at Sa Porrassa, which was swarming with flycatchers, with at least 4 Pied and 10 Spotted/Mediterranean. There were also several Willow Warblers, a late Robin, the usual Purple Heron and two Little Bitterns booming.

 

[An Caislín Dearg]

Visited Mortitx in the morning and was lucky to see a Bonellis Eagle, 5 Griffon and 1 Black Vulture. There seemed to have been an arrival of Flycatchers with at least 18 Spotted and 1 Pied. A flock of 16 Bee-Eaters passed overhead too. Sa Barcassa in the evening had a couple of Temmincks Stint and a nice breeding plumage Spotted Redshank.

 

[timsg80]

A lovely (if very distant) sighting this morning with at least 27 Black Kites heading north from Es Capdellà. I think there were probably quite a few more as they joined another group a long way in the distance. I have attached some terrible back of camera pictures here, I am desperately waiting to get back to my card reader😂

Also three Wheatears this morning, which is a record high count for me here, and three more Pied Flycatchers.

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Western Bonellis Warbler - Boquer below finca today per WhatsApp

 

[mike puxley]

Report on eBird yesterday with an unstated number of tree sparrows seen at the S’Albufereta. Genuinely intrigued as to where they were seen. Have visited the area numerous times but never managed to see any. It could be they are in the agricultural area on the opposite side to the main viewing platform. Wondered if others have managed any sightings there?

 

[An Caislín Dearg]

Saw a Golden Eagle high and to the south at Sa Roca in S'Albufera yesterday which was a bit of a surprise. Didn't know there were any on the island. Also had very close views of a Sedge Warbler on the walk in. Lots of great and very enjoyable views of birds but nothing rare (I think).

 

[Jonny Holliday]

Saw a Golden Eagle high and to the south at Sa Roca in S'Albufera yesterday which was a bit of a surprise. Didn't know there were any on the island. Also had very close views of a Sedge Warbler on the walk in. Lots of great and very enjoyable views of birds but nothing rare (I think).

There are no resident wild Golden Eagles on the island (that I am aware of.....), there was/is an escaped bird roaming the NE for several years, although that bird must be a number of years old now.......sure others may no more.

 

[Josep Manchado]

Saw a Golden Eagle high and to the south at Sa Roca in S'Albufera yesterday which was a bit of a surprise. Didn't know there were any on the island. Also had very close views of a Sedge Warbler on the walk in. Lots of great and very enjoyable views of birds but nothing rare (I think).

She is Bicinta (TwoStraps), scaped around 17-19 years ago, so now she must be older than 22 o more
Josep