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Mallorca Trip Report 28^TH April TO 5^TH May 2000,

Mallorca is an excellent destination for a birding holiday. During our week we totalled a respectable 122 species which included all of the islands specialities.

THE SITES:

S'Albufera Marsh

A fantastic place to watch birds and surprisingly overlooked by many of the birders we met during our trip. Early morning and early evening to dusk were the most productive times of day as most if not all of the tourists have left and it's much cooler. The most productive area on the reserve was the CIM pool. We saw some of our best birds from the CIM hide particularly between 5pm and dusk. At around this time gulls come into bathe before going to roost, mainly Yellow-legged Gulls but we often had 1-2 Audouin's and on one occasion we had a stunning Adult Slender-billed. Terns and Waders would often come to bathe during the evening and species recorded included Whiskered Tern and Marsh Sandpiper.

The track between the CIM pool and the raised mound was good for close views of Moustached Warbler and the canal behind the Bishop Hides proved a good site for Little Bittern. Another good place to watch from is a wooden platform, which overlooks an area known as Es Ras. We had stunning views of White-winged Tern and Squacco Heron; this is also a reliable site for migrant pipits particularly Red-throated. Apparently a group of 9 were recorded here during our stay. Also check the bushes for Cetti's Warbler and Nightingale as well as migrants. An Orphean Warbler was recorded near the visitor centre on 27^th April.

Bocquer Valley

One of the most productive sites on Mallorca for migrants as well as 1 or 2 specialities. Early morning is the best time to visit although spending the whole day in the Bocquer will reap its rewards. We tended to bird the entrance to the valley first and then walk through Postage Stamp wood several times and then do a spot of raptor watching. The best places for migrants was the ploughed field at the valley entrance, the small fig plantation left of the track leading to the finca and Postage Stamp wood. The latter was hardly watched by other birders, which is a pity because it was often full of warblers and flycatchers and was hard to cover between just two. We didn't find anything rare in the wood but a group of German birders had Bonelli's Warbler during our stay and Golden Oriole is recorded most years. Raptor watching from the bottom of the valley proved fruitful. We had 11 species of raptor during our week including Montagu's Harrier, Black Kite and Steppe Buzzard.

Resident species recorded included Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Vulture and a pair of very confiding Marmora's Warblers, which were watched well for over an hour feeding their young.

Depuradora de S'illot

Situated near S'Albufera this site proved to be very productive. Fan-tailed Warbler, Short-toed Lark and Tawny Pipit were all recorded. Migrant species included Red-footed Falcon, Bee-eater and Whiskered Tern. The motorcross track was best for Larks and pipits and the cultivated fields surrounding the Depuradora works held several Fan-tailed Warblers, they were often seen perched on water sprinklers. Check the telegraph wires for Falcons, Bee-eaters and shrikes.

Albufereta

Well worth a visit but can be quite difficult. Mornings would probably be the best time as the heat haze can make birding difficult at other times. The usual assortment of herons and waders are ever present and it can be good for migrant terns and gulls. We had Gull-billed Tern and Slender-billed Gull here. Check the back roads described in Graham Hearls guide for migrants particularly Chats and Wagtails. Roller and Golden Oriole were both recorded here during our stay.

Arta peninsula

As described in Graham Hearls guide the area near the radio station was excellent for Thekla Lark and Booted Eagle was also recorded. However if you're a vertigo sufferer then the drive can be a bit scary particularly if there is oncoming traffic! Porto Colom is an alternative and Black-eared Wheatear was recorded there during our stay.

Cuber Reservoir

Hard work! But to see 1 or 2 of the Mallorcan specialities a must. We had a superb male Rock Thrush near the quarry and a pair of Tawny Pipits showed down to 10 yards near a small building 100 yards or so from the quarry. Unfortunately we blanked on Spectacled Warbler probably due to the wind and rain! Other species recorded included Firecrest, Cirl Bunting, Northern Wheatear, Blue Tit and Crag Martin.

Ses Salinetes

An excellent site for migrant waders particularly Curlew Sandpiper and Little Stint. An overwintering Greater Flamingo was present throughout our week as well.

SYSTEMATIC LIST:

Black-necked Grebe                A single summer plumaged bird on 30^th April Depuradora.

Little Grebe                              Common at S'Albufera.

Cory's Shearwater                    10+ off the Arta peninsula on 5^th May.

Balearic Shearwater                  5 off the Arta peninsula on 5^th May.

Cormorant                                  3 at the Albufereta on 1^st May.

Shag                                            Common off Pt. Pollenca. All were of the race Desmarestii.

Little Bittern                               A female on 2^nd May and a male on the 3^rd, both at S'Albufera.

Night Heron                                Common. A maximum of 17 at the English Bridge roost, S'Albufera.

Cattle Egret                                 Common at S'Albufera.

Squacco Heron                            A single was recorded at S'Albufera on 30^th April and 2^nd May. Then 2 birds were noted there on the 3^rd and 4^th.

Little Egret                                  Common at S'Albufera and the Albufereta.

Grey Heron                                  Small numbers recorded at S'Albufera throughout the week.

Purple Heron                                Common. A maximum of 21 was counted at S'Albufera on 30^th April.

Spoonbill                                       A single juvenile was noted at S'Albufera on several dates.

Greater Flamingo                         A single juvenile was present throughout the week at Ses Salinetes.

Mallard                                         Common.

Gadwall                                         Common.

Marbled Duck                              A pair was seen from the CIM hide on 2^nd and 3^rd May. On the evening of the 3^rd they were displaying.

Teal                                               A drake was noted at S'Albufera on 2^nd May.

Garganey                                      2 drakes and a duck were recorded at S'Albufera on 4^th May.

Pochard                                         A drake was noted throughout the week at S'Albufera.

Red-crested Pochard                   Common.

Black Vulture                               5 drifting along the Bocquer valley on 1^st May was a spectacular sight. A single was also recorded at the Embalse de Gorg Blau on 4^th.

Egyptian Vulture                          1-2 was regularly observed over the Bocquer area. A single was also noted over Turo de Llenaire.

Osprey                                           Recorded in small numbers throughout the week.

Booted Eagle                                 Common at several sites.

Black Kite                                     A single north over the Bocquer on 1^st May and 2 north on 5^th.

Marsh Harrier                              Resident birds were noted at several locations. Migrants were recorded through the Bocquer Valley as follows: 1/5, (50+) , 2/5 , (11), 5/5,( 4)

Montagu's Harrier                       A single female along the Bocquer on 2^nd May, a Male over S'Albufera on 3^rd and another Male over Turo de Llenaire on 5^th.

Common Buzzard                          A single on 1^st May and 2 on 5^th were noted over the Bocquer Valley. A single on 2^nd was of the eastern race Vulpinus or Steppe Buzzard as it is often called.

Honey Buzzard                              All records are as follows and concern birds over the Bocquer valley: 2/5 ,(6), 5/5 , (5) 3 , Noted passage between 08:45 and 13:30 the largest group consisted of 15 birds.

Sparrowhawk                                 A single Male watched well along the edge of the road near Lluc on 4^th May.

Kestrel                                           Common.

Red-footed Falcon                         A female at S'Albufera on 2^nd May and a 1^st summer Male commuted between the Depuradora and S'Albufera on 3^rd. An unidentified falcon was also noted at the Albufereta on the 3^rd and was probably a Red-footed.

Eleonora's Falcon                          A single over Arta on 29^th April was our first of the week. A group of over 40 birds was hunting over the Bocquer on 5^th May.

Peregrine                                       A pair regularly seen at the bocquer.

Pheasant                                        A single male at Cuber on 4^th May.

Water Rail                                     Heard frequently at S'Albufera but only one sighting from the CIM hide.

Moorhen                                        Common.

Coot                                                Common.

Purple Gallinule                             Common at S'Albufera with a maximum of 20 noted on 30^th April, 9 were showing on the CIM pool which included an Adult and 2 chicks.

Avocet                                            A single on the CIM pools on 29^th April.

Black-winged Stilt                          Common.

Stone Curlew                                  A pair was on territory throughout the week below the Finca in the Bocquer Valley.

Little Ringed Plover                       Common

Ringed Plover                                 2 at the Albufereta on 2^nd May.

Kentish Plover                                Common.

Knot                                                 A single at S'Albufera on 4^th May.

Turnstone                                        A single on the CIM pools on 30^th April.

Curlew Sandpiper                           A maximum of 7 noted at Ses Salinetes on 4^th May.

Temminck's Stint                            3 were present at S'Albufera throughout our stay.

Little Stint                                       Common.

Wood Sandpiper                             Common.

Green Sandpiper                             2 on the CIM pool on 30^th April.

Common Sandpiper                        Common.

Redshank                                        Common.

Marsh Sandpiper                             4 roosted on the CIM pool on 3^rd May and a single there on 4^th.

Black-headed Gull                          A maximum of 4 roosted on the CIM pool on 29^th April.

Slender-billed Gull                          A stunning summer Adult came to roost on the CIM pool on 29^th April and showed well for over an hour until dusk. Another or the same was recorded at the Albufereta on 2^nd May and was present until the 5^th.

Yellow-legged Gull                          Common.

Audouin's Gull                                Several were seen particularly in the evening from the CIM hide. 2 Adults were our maximum there on the evening of the 3^rd May.

Gull-billed Tern                               A single at the Albufereta and 2 at the evening roost (CIM pool) on 2^nd May. A single was also noted at S'Albufera on 4^th.

White-winged Tern                         A stunning adult showed well at S'Albufera on 3^rd May.

Whiskered Tern                              Apart from a single at Depuradora on 30^th April all records were from S'Albufera as follows:, 29/04 (5), 30/04,(6). 02/05                       1

Wood Pigeon                                   Common.

Collared Dove                                 Common.

Turtle Dove                                     Singles were recorded on 29^th April (Bocquer), 2^nd May (Albufereta) and 3^rd May (Depuradora).

Cuckoo                                            A single flying north over Ses Salinetes on 30^th April.

Scops Owl                                        A single watched well at the rear of the Uyal hotel in Pt Pollenca on 1^st May. Frequently heard and several road casualties found.

Common Swift                                 Common. A spectacular gathering of 10,000+ was noted over S'Albufera on the evening of 29^th April.

Pallid Swift                                       recorded in small numbers throughout the week.

Hoopoe                                             Common.

Bee-eater                                         Recorded as follows:

Wryneck                                           Only one single noted singing from a dead fig tree at the entrance to the Bocquer Valley on 2^nd May. Heard frequently throughout the Island but as ever they proved to be very elusive.

Thekla Lark                                     3 watched well on the Arta peninsula on 5^th May.

Short-toed Lark                               A maximum of 10 was noted on the Motorcross track at the Depuradora on 3^rd May.

Sand Martin                                     Common.

Crag Martin                                     Common at the bocquer Valley and Cuber.

Swallow                                             Common. A spectacular roost of 5,000 was noted at S'Albufera on 4^th May.

House Martin                                   Common.

Tawny Pipit                                       A pair at the Depuradora on 3^rd May and a very confiding pair at the Cuber Reservoir on 4^th.

Tree Pipit                                          2 at the Cuber Reservoir on 4^th May and a single over the Bocquer on 5^th.

White Wagtail                                  A single male at S'Albufera on 29^th April.

Yellow Wagtail                                 4 races were recorded as follows:

                                                          Flava (Blue-headed):                         Common

                                                          Iberiae (Spanish Blue-Headed):         Common

                                                          Cinereocapilla (Ashy-headed)           Several noted

                                                          Thunbergi (Grey-headed)                   Max 7 Albufereta on 2^nd May.

Nightingale                                      Common.

Redstart                                           Recorded at the Bocquer and Postage Stamp Wood as follows:

29/4         30/4         01/05        02/05
2              4              7              1

Northern Wheatear                        Single males at the Bocquer and Cuber reservoir on 29^th April and 4^th May respectively.

Whinchat                                         Recorded as follows:

                                29/04       30/04       01/05       04/05
Bocquer Valley        6                6                0                0
Albufereta                0                0                9                0
Cuber Reservoir       0                0                0                10+

Stonechat                                         Common.

Blue Rock Thrush                           Recorded at the Bocquer and Cuber reservoir.

Rock Thrush                                    A singing male showed well at Cuber Reservoir on 4^th May.

Blackbird                                         Common.

Garden Warbler                              Recorded at the Bocquer and Postage Stamp wood as follows:

29/4         30/4         01/05       02/05
1              2              3              2

Blackcap                                         Recorded at the Bocquer and PSW as follows:

29/4         1/5            2/5
2              4              1

Sardinian Warbler                          Common.

Whitethroat                                     Recorded at the Bocquer and PSW as Follows:

29/4           30/4           01/05         02/05
8                2                6                3

Marmora's Warbler                Superb views of a pair feeding young in the Bocquer valley on 2^nd May.

Moustached Warbler               Common at S'Albufera, a maximum of 5 noted on 29^th April.

Fan-tailed Warbler                   Maximum of 10 at Albufereta on 3^rd May.

Great Reed Warbler                 4 singing males noted at S'Albufera on all visits.

Willow Warbler                         Common migrant recorded in large numbers in PSW on 30^th April.

Wood Warbler                           Maximum of 7 noted in PSW on 30^th April.

Chiffchaff                                   3 singles recorded on 1^st, 2nd and 5^th May respectively (Bocquer).

Firecrest                                     Singing Males noted at Cuber and on the Arta peninsula.

Spotted Flycatcher                     Recorded throughout the island.

Pied Flycatcher                          all records from the Bocquer and PSW as follows:

29/4             30/4             01/05           02/05
18                15                25                5

Great Tit                                     Common.

Blue Tit                                       A single at Cuber on 4^th May.

Woodchat Shrike                        Daily totals as follows:

29/4           30/4           01/05         02/05         03/05         04/05         05/05
1                4                5                6                3                1                2

Raven                                           2 regularly noted at the Bocquer. Also a pair at Arta on 30^th April.

House Sparrow                             Common.

Chaffinch                                      Common.

Linnet                                            Common.

Goldfinch                                       Common.

Greenfinch                                    Common.

Serin                                              Common.

Common Crossbill                         A male in PSW on 30^th April.

Reed Bunting                                 Recorded on every visit to S'Albufera.

Cirl Bunting                                    Recorded at Cuber and the Bocquer.

Corn Bunting                                  Common.

SPECIES RECORDED DURING OUR STAY WHICH WE DIDN'T SEE

Roller                                                   Black-eared Wheatear                                   
Bonelli's Warbler                                 Spectacled Warbler
Golden Oriole                                      Spotted Redshank
Whimbrel                                             Ruddy Shelduck
Hobby                                                  Bar-tailed Godwit
Griffon Vulture                                     Alpine Swift      
Little Tern                                            Barn Owl
Long-eared Owl                                  Shelduck
Subalpine Warbler                               Dunlin
Greenshank                                         Reed Warbler
Red-throated Pipit                               Sanderling
Tree Sparrow       

BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER SPECIES NOTED

Swallowtail
Clouded Yellow
Red Admiral
Bath White
Small White
Green-veined White
Large White
Speckled Wood
Painted Lady
Small Copper
Holly Blue
Common Blue
Rabbit
Pipistrelle Bat
Black-tailed Skimmer
Emperor Dragonfly

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