Mallorca 2025 (6 Viewers)

[Mcnswiss2]

After the deluge at the weekend had to get out.
Headed over to the East to the lighthouse at Capdepera.

One of my favourite places for Shearwaters, Peregrines, Gannets Blue Rock Thrushes etc.
However apart from Yellow Legged Gulls, Audouins and a single Lesser Black backed Gull, and distant view of a Gannet and some 20 Balearic Shearwaters ( normally I see many more) little else was seen.
I did photograph a strange bird but with lighting etc difficult to identify..any idea?

A quick visit to Cala Mesquida and Colònia de Sant Pere on the way back revealed Cormorants, Shags, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Kestrel, Crossbills, etc.
Not a great birding day but great to get out there!

 

[Mike Montier]

My first thought was a Bonxie Mike.
Looks deep chested but it’s hard to tell.
Mike

 

[Hugh Ouston]

Well Saturday was a complete washout so 4 hours in Molly's with the rugby and Guinness was the only answer.
Then Sunday it was a case of following the tiny bits of dry weather. I headed for Maria to be blocked by the professional cycle race, so entered the backroads at the other end. All the usual species were there - Corn Bunting, Sky and Thekla Larks, Linnets, Kite, Booted Eagle, one Marsh Harrier. Next was the hunting of the shrike - a roundabout route to the plain below Villafranca, then backwards and forwards looking for the spot (with Mcnswiss on remote giving me directions). Found an empty tree. But it's a very productive spot, with big numbers of the usual agricultural species. Hey ho somewhere new. Good views of the pair of Pintail at the Tintoretto Screen on the way home.
Today was much better. Hired a bike in Playa de Muro and cycled the Albufera all day. The Sa Roca hides were quiet in the morning, but the CIbollar 1 hide as always was the best, despite a cold wind blowing directly in. Enough cormorants to empty the Med of fish. Plenty of teal, avocets, flamingos, bwstilts. A ruff and a spotted redshank cuddled up together. Three spoonbills asleep (but see later) and three ospreys in the bins at once, two with fish. One appeared to be giving a big mullet to another which was on the nesting platform, then sitting together. This looked spectacular but I don't think it was a long-term relationship. Cycled down to Colombars which was quiet (couldn't see any godwits) and an osprey half dived (I was ready for it) but gave up after circling for 20 minutes. On the way back three barn swallows were an exciting and optimistic sight, heading north (of course). A lot to teal up at Es Patrimoni, and flamingos all over the place, but back at Cibollar 1 the spoonbills were active preening and feeding, so great photos (I'll try and download them again). Back to warm up at Sa Roca, where there was a snipe and 3 swamp-hens, 2 wigeon and a hoopoe feeding on the grass in the evening light. More photos. Year list now 78 but I'm very short of herons (and where's that hen harrier?). Big day tomorrow with Peter and Mike.

 

[Fonzie]

Well Saturday was a complete washout so 4 hours in Molly's with the rugby and Guinness was the only answer.
Then Sunday it was a case of following the tiny bits of dry weather. I headed for Maria to be blocked by the professional cycle race, so entered the backroads at the other end. All the usual species were there - Corn Bunting, Sky and Thekla Larks, Linnets, Kite, Booted Eagle, one Marsh Harrier. Next was the hunting of the shrike - a roundabout route to the plain below Villafranca, then backwards and forwards looking for the spot (with Mcnswiss on remote giving me directions). Found an empty tree. But it's a very productive spot, with big numbers of the usual agricultural species. Hey ho somewhere new. Good views of the pair of Pintail at the Tintoretto Screen on the way home.
Today was much better. Hired a bike in Playa de Muro and cycled the Albufera all day. The Sa Roca hides were quiet in the morning, but the CIbollar 1 hide as always was the best, despite a cold wind blowing directly in. Enough cormorants to empty the Med of fish. Plenty of teal, avocets, flamingos, bwstilts. A ruff and a spotted redshank cuddled up together. Three spoonbills asleep (but see later) and three ospreys in the bins at once, two with fish. One appeared to be giving a big mullet to another which was on the nesting platform, then sitting together. This looked spectacular but I don't think it was a long-term relationship. Cycled down to Colombars which was quiet (couldn't see any godwits) and an osprey half dived (I was ready for it) but gave up after circling for 20 minutes. On the way back three barn swallows were an exciting and optimistic sight, heading north (of course). A lot to teal up at Es Patrimoni, and flamingos all over the place, but back at Cibollar 1 the spoonbills were active preening and feeding, so great photos (I'll try and download them again). Back to warm up at Sa Roca, where there was a snipe and 3 swamp-hens, 2 wigeon and a hoopoe feeding on the grass in the evening light. More photos. Year list now 78 but I'm very short of herons (and where's that hen harrier?). Big day tomorrow with Peter and Mike.

Where is Tintoretto Screen?
And Es Patrimoni?

 

[mike puxley]

After the deluge at the weekend had to get out.
Headed over to the East to the lighthouse at Capdepera.
View attachment 1626453
One of my favourite places for Shearwaters, Peregrines, Gannets Blue Rock Thrushes etc.
However apart from Yellow Legged Gulls, Audouins and a single Lesser Black backed Gull, and distant view of a Gannet and some 20 Balearic Shearwaters ( normally I see many more) little else was seen.
I did photograph a strange bird but with lighting etc difficult to identify..any idea?
View attachment 1626455
A quick visit to Cala Mesquida and Colònia de Sant Pere on the way back revealed Cormorants, Shags, Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets, Kestrel, Crossbills, etc.
Not a great birding day but great to get out there!
View attachment 1626454

Don’t suppose you have any more pics of your mystery bird, however ropey?
Mike

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Sorry
I think it's just a Gull..sigh

 

[Hugh Ouston]

Where is Tintoretto Screen?
And Es Patrimoni?

Tintoretto or Salvador Dalli screen is at the east end of Sa Barcassa in Albufereta - access up the road behind the abandoned Posada Verano n the PP to Alcudia road.
Es Patrimony is the SW corner of Albufera.

 

[Hugh Ouston]

Eight hours and 62 species on a warm still(ish) February day is a good birding day. Thanks to Peter for driving. Began at Tintoretto screen where a zipping kingfisher and mcnswiss's longed for Pintail got us going. The orange (grey) bridge had stone curlew as predicted. Then to Albufera - on foot. Lots of night herons on the way up the canal. Sa Roca hides had only teal, gadwall, shelduck etc. but once again Cibollar 1 delivered with the spoonbills, osprey, bright pink flamingos, cormorants, avocets, bw stilts, moorhen, teal, passing lbb gull and marsh harrier, greenshank. Gc grebe was a treat by the bridge over the main canal. Persuaded mcnswiss to do the long walk down to Colombars, which is better now with cleared reeds and vewing platforms. Large numbers of little waders on left, mainly Kentish plovers but quite a few dunlin. Concentration of distant flamingos on the breeding area. Colombars had pochard, teal, greenshank, bw stilt, but we dipped on other hoped for or reported waders. On the way back we had gw egret, green sandpiper and greenshank in the reedy ponds on the north side which are always worth a look. A final check at Sa Roca gave us some snipe among the lapwing, and grazing swamp-hens. Osprey and marsh harriers were pretty constant through the day. Finally had marbled duck on the main canal heading out.
Then to Depuradora. Common sandpiper on edge, many white wagtails, shelduck, loads of shoveler, some lapwings, kestrel, starlings. And then to S'amarador, always lovely in the middle of the reed beds. Lots of rc pochard, water rails squealing invisibly, harriers soaring, kestrel, reed bunting, white wagtail, Sardinian warbler and water pipit from the platform.
And so home via the Aries bar and an icy beer over which we agreed it had been a lovely day out despite no spectacular rarities. Mcnswiss got one more, I got 4 so now at 82. It's good to be here.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A few photos from Today
Thanks Hugh and Peter
A great day!

 

[Hugh Ouston]

Today Mortixt, and perfect still warm day for that wonderful place. The new wine tasting and sales reception, 100m inside the gate, has plenty of parking and toilets and you can park there till 5 pm. The Wine is quite good too...
I walked up to the summit beyond the refuge forest, where there is one of the best views in the whole world. The vineyard was full of finches, little flocks of chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, serin, cirl bunting with meadow(?) pipit and black redstart in abundance. The woods also full of robins, great tits, song thrushes and blackbirds with some blackcaps and sardo warbs. Overhead were 1 black vulture, 2 griffons, 3 ravens, but the Bonellis were elsewhere. Just being there is always magical. Best of all, only 4 cyclists and 3 planes. Wow.
A late afternoon trip to Albercutx got a good view of a Balearic Warbler at the gate to the radar beacon, then a floating raven followed by a peregrine low round the tower, then lost in the sun.
I'll try some photos now.

 

[Hugh Ouston]

Today Mortixt, and perfect still warm day for that wonderful place. The new wine tasting and sales reception, 100m inside the gate, has plenty of parking and toilets and you can park there till 5 pm. The Wine is quite good too...
I walked up to the summit beyond the refuge forest, where there is one of the best views in the whole world. The vineyard was full of finches, little flocks of chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch, serin, cirl bunting with meadow(?) pipit and black redstart in abundance. The woods also full of robins, great tits, song thrushes and blackbirds with some blackcaps and sardo warbs. Overhead were 1 black vulture, 2 griffons, 3 ravens, but the Bonellis were elsewhere. Just being there is always magical. Best of all, only 4 cyclists and 3 planes. Wow.
A late afternoon trip to Albercutx got a good view of a Balearic Warbler at the gate to the radar beacon, then a floating raven followed by a peregrine low round the tower, then lost in the sun.
I'll try some photos now.

And a few more

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Thanks for info on Mortixt.
Left to pick up friend from Airport. Started with a visit to Screen in Albufereta. Some 50 Flamingoes, 3 Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Little Egret, etc
On the way to Airport 2 Red Kites, Kestrels, Cattle Egrets, etc.

At Garden City, Sandwich Terns, Audouins, Black headed and Yellow legged Gulls, Shags, Cormorants, seen.
No Whimbrel or Turnstone but a nice pair of Sanderlings.
Another bright sunny day!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A short trip to Sa Porrassa, the famous site for Penduline tits near Magaluf.

Nothing really special today but some 25 species seen including 3 Booted Eagles, 4 Red Kites, Purple Swamphens, Reed Bunting, Song Thrush, Meadow pipits etc.
It's a great site and thanks to those who have protected and supported it.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Time to go North again.
A quick morning visit to Sa Porrassa. Nothing really new..Cetti Warblers, Common Snipe and Crag Martins seen.
Next stop to Raixa!

This is a must visit if you come to Mallorca. The house and gardens are wonderful.

https://www.mallorcantonic.com/raixa-estate-gardens/

Birding is very good..normally great place for Vultures but today quiet! It's also one of yhe best places for cirl buntings..and at least 4 heard singing in the sunshine.
Some 25 species seen including Booted Eagle, Red Kites, Kestrels were seen.
The Almond trees are in full bloom.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

The latest Annual Ornithology report is available.
Can be downloaded or hard copies available on request.

Anuari Ornitològic de les Illes Balears. Volum 38, 2023 – GOB Mallorca

www.gobmallorca.com

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Weekend was so varied. Saturday trying to avoid rain downfalls and windy conditions, Sunday was sunny and calm.
Visits to Maristany, Cala Sant Vicenc, Albuferata, and Son Baulo.

Some 50 species seen including 50 Flamingos, 100 Avocet, Stone Curlews, Blue Rock Thrush, Cattle Egrets, Turnstone, 70 Common Pochards, Tufted Ducks, Marsh Harriers etc.
Highlights included Squacco Heron at Albuferata and Peregrine at Maristany.

Good to meet Pau and Carlos today.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

This time of the year is best to visit the mountains.
A trip to Lluc is one of my favourites..with few cars and even better few cyclists!

Birding was relatively quiet, highlights including 3 Red Kites, 2 Black Vultures, 8 Griffon Vultures, 3 Ravens, Several nesting Crag Martins and 4 Blue tits.


Lluc is also good for Cirl Buntings, Wrynecks, Peregrines...maybe another day.

 

[Mcnswiss2]

A friends last day here...we decided to show him some of the fine birds up North at Albuferata, Albufera, and S'Amarador.
Some 50 species seen including 150 Flamingos, 30 Avocets, Shoverlers, Marsh Harriers, Ospreys, Black Winged Stilts, Great White Egrets, Spoonbills, Marble Ducks, etc.


A nice Osprey feeding on fish.

Heard the first Moustached Warbler singing this year..trying to find it ..Sigh.
Note the ringed Flamingo
X407..anybody know the source( probably South France)


A great day out!

 

[Mcnswiss2]

And the winner from the Flamingo Lottery number X407 is…….

 

[Mcnswiss2]

Blimey..Somebody told me the locals shot the processionary caterpillar nests with Shotguns ...it's true..They are blasting away!
Took my friend back to the Airport and another chance to explore Garden City/ Cala Gamba for the Whimbrel.
Third time lucky.

Other birds seen in the area included Shags, Great Cormorants, Sandwich Terns, Audouins Gulls, Turnstone.

An Oystercatcher was reported there recently. Dipped. Better go back 2 more times!
A great place to wait near the Airport.