Majorca – 29^th April to 6^th May 2006

by Mike Fox 

This was our third year together as a trio (Colin and Sean Murphy and me) and decided this year to go back to Majorca for a spring week birding. 

On two previous occasions we had visited Majorca 2004 and Lesvos 2005. Colin and Sean having been on birding trips on numerous occasions previously. 

I arranged accommodation (La Singala, Puerto Pollensa), flights (FlyThomson) and car hire (Europa Goldcar) via the internet. All at a reasonable cost. 

As we made our way to Baggage Reclaim we saw our first bird, a House Sparrow, flying around the inside of the airport.

After checking in to our apartment it was too dark to contemplate birding. 

Sunday, 30^th April 2006

Warm and sunny 

An early stroll along the front in Puerto Pollensa gave us our first sighting of an Audouin’s Gull. Flying overhead were six Yellow-legged Gulls. The sky also appeared to full of hirundines, Common Swifts, Swallows and House Martins. After breakfast we made our way to the Boquer Valley. Our route took us past the Postage Stamp Wood where we saw three Sardinian Warblers, a Corn Bunting, a Robin, three Blackbirds and numerous Woodpigeons. Before entering the Boquer Valley we spent time around an area called The Orchard. A place of both Almond and Olive trees. There we spotted, a pair of Redstarts (see left), a Subalpine Warbler, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, a Chiffchaff and numerous Willow Warblers darting about in the trees. Behind us in the trees around the gravel car park were Serin and a pair of Stonechats perched high on some kind of scrub. Goldfinches were everywhere. Within the Boquer Valley more Sardinian Warblers were heard and seen. Other birds seen within the Boquer Valley were a Wren, a Whitethroat, a Raven, three Crag Martins and two Cirl Buntings. A fellow birder informed us that there was a Blue Rock Thrush seen high on the rock face and obligingly it appeared for us to get a positive sighting. On our return journey out of the Boquer Valley we saw a Kestrel. A brief stop at The Orchard gave us three Yellow Wagtails. 

Monday, 1st May 2006

Warm and sunny 

We made our way to the Parc Natural de S’Albufera. Numerous Cattle and Little Egrets were nesting in the trees to the right of the entrance to the reserve. In the bushes either side of the roadway towards the centre of the reserve the sound of Cetti’s Warblers were clearly heard. Suddenly a Cetti’s Warbler settled on a bush a couple of yards in front giving us excellent views. Moving on towards the reserve centre Nightingales were singing in trees either side, but, not seen. And then the unmistakable sound of the Zitting Cisticola (Fan-tailed Warbler) was heard. Before long the bird was seen bouncing along in flight. In the water on our left three female Red Crested Pochards were seen with their respective families in tow. A Little Grebe with four or five chicks darting in and out of the reeds was seen. Colin spotted a bird within the reedbed. All three turned our bins towards the bird, a Moustached Warbler. Numbers of Grey, Purple and Night Herons were all seen on our walk. 

At the CIM hide Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Black-winged Stilt, Gadwall, Black-headed Gull, Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harrier were all seen. 

We then made our way to the Mound hoping to get further views of the Glossy Ibis. All to no avail. Two Purple Swamp-Hens were seen. On the reeds a Great Reed Warbler (see above left) gave us cracking views singing its head off. As we were making our way down the Mound a Little Bittern was seen flying low over the top of the reeds. Whilst overhead an Eleonora’s Falcon was seen. On the pond below the Mound there were two Red-knobbed Coots (see below left), one with a white collar attached. 

Before making our way to the Bishop Hides we stopped to have lunch. A Whinchat appeared giving us good views. And then Colin announced that he had been watching a Wood Warbler. 

We then made our way to Bishop Hides. No 1, we saw six Dunlin, eight Kentish Plovers and a pair of Little Ringed Plovers. Black-winged Stilts were nesting close by. In the distance there was a Marsh Harrier. At No 2 a pair of Common Sandpipers flew in. An Osprey was seen. A Yellow Wagtail was also seen. 

As we made our back a single Bee-eater was briefly seen. Finally, after hearing and searching for so many a singing Nightingale was seen. At the entrance/exit of the reserve two Common Sandpipers were seen on the canal’s concrete embankment. 

Tuesday, 2^nd May 2006

Warm, sunny and windy 

Today we made are way to the Formentor Lighthouse. Stopping first at the viewing point at Mirador. The weather was a case of “holding on to your hat” it was very windy. On the sea and also flying were numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls. At the furthest point floating on the sea were six Cory’s Shearwaters. Further on we stopped at the bus station at the junction of the road to Hotel Formentor and the Formentor Lighthouse. Three Sardinian Warblers (see left) were seen plus Great Tit and Chaffinch. Goldfinches and Woodpigeons were everywhere. It was here that I saw a Firecrest. Driving along the road to the lighthouse we came upon a Raven pecking away at a carcass. On the way we stopped at two further points, at the 25 km and 17 km stone markers. At the 25 km marker we had quick glimpses of a Marmora’s Warbler. Whilst perch on a tree singing its head off was a Blue Rock Thrush. Flying overhead were both Common and Pallid Swifts. As we pulled into the lay-by at the 17 km marker immediately in front of us perched on a small bush was a Marmora’s Warbler. Great views. Another bird appeared with food. We had parked our car less than six feet from the nest of a pair of Marmora’s Warblers feeding young. A noise from above made us all look up to see a pair of Peregrine Falcons. At the lighthouse the usual Yellow-legged Gulls were flying about. After lunch we again peered over the stone wall to see thankfully, numerous Cory’s Shearwaters gliding just above the waves. On the way back we stopped off at Cases Velles hoping to see Crossbills. But, according to a couple of birders there, we had just missed them. Spotted Flycatchers and Eleonora's Falcons were seen. 

Wednesday, 3^rd May 2006

Overcast, rain, low cloud and windy.

Today we made our way to the Cuber Reservoir. Leaving our accommodation the weather was sunny. But, has we made our way south the weather became more threatening with the tops of the mountains on route barely visible. On route a number of Woodchat Shrikes (see left) were seen perched on top of posts along side the road. Numerous Chaffinches were feeding on the tree blossom blown onto the road by the high wind. We stopped off at the Lluc Monastery to view the Introduction of the Black Vulture project. Plenty of Chaffinches and House Sparrows feeding in the courtyard. As we got closer to the Cuber Reservoir the heavens opened. The clouds now racing along the tops of the mountains. At the reservoir the first birds were a pair of Stonechats. The reservoir itself was full of Yellow-legged Gulls. We made our way along side the reservoir fighting against both wind and rain. Half away round we decided “enough is enough”. As we were almost back to the car park a brown bird sudden flew across in front of us. We managed to see it drop not too far away. The bird then appeared on top of a stacked tree to give us stunning views of a Tawny Pipit. We made our way back to Puerto Pollensa deciding to call into the Boquer Valley. Halfway along the valley we met up with a birder from Liverpool. He pointed out a nest of a Stone Curlew. But, no bird. Within five minutes the Stone Curlew appeared from the left and settled down on the nest. That night we visited the Trio Restaurant for our evening meal. We had been told by a reliable source that Scops Owls were nesting in the uppermost drain hole above the entrance to the restaurant. Along with seven other birders we were there from 9:15 to 10:30pm. No bird, but, plenty of owl calls. 

Thursday, 4^th May 2006

Rain until about 4pm and then some sun

Lazed about all day. Finally at about 4pm the sun came through. We decided to check out the Postage Stamp Wood. Plenty of Woodpigeons, Goldfinches and Blackbirds. At least five Sardinian Warblers were heard and seen. Movement in the top of the trees proved to be a group of three to four Wood Warblers. We then made our way up to the Orchard at the entrance to the Boquer Valley. There we saw Bee-eaters, Greenfinches, Spotted Flycatchers and a Whinchat. That evening we again decided to eat in the Trio Restaurant. At about 9:30pm we came out of the restaurant and could hear the owls calling. Within five minutes a Scops Owl appeared from behind us and flew into the drain hole. After a couple more minutes a it appeared at the entrance to the hole. It stayed there for about five minutes before disappearing back into the hole. We were the only three birders there. Three very happy birders. 

Friday, 5^th May 2006

Warm and sunny

At breakfast both Colin and Sean informed me that from their balcony they had seen Honey Buzzards along the ridge of the Boquer valley. After breakfast we made our way to the Parc Natural de S’Albufera. As we made our way up the thoroughfare to the park centre there was an abundance of Cetti’s Warblers in the reeds and bushes. A pair of Common Sandpipers flew up the canal on our right. Three Common Terns were flying in the opposite direction. Halfway along the canal is an island where Little and Cattle Egrets were nesting. At the water’s edge a Squacco Heron was showing well. Three Ospreys were seen flying overhead. We made our way to the CIM hide. A pair of Black-winged Stilts were nesting. A single Yellow-legged Gull was sunning itself perched on a rock (see pic at end of report). In the distance a Marsh Harrier was hawking the area. Mallard and Shoveler were resting on the banks. Whilst a pair of Gadwall and Red Crested Pochards with ducklings were swimming in the pool. Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow and Common Swift were all feeding over the area of the pool. As we exited the hide a pair of Hoopoes was seen feeding on the ground. At the Bishop’s No 1 the Dunlin, Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plover were all still there. Redshank and Ringed Plover were an addition to the pool. As we made our way back we stopped off at a bridge to watch a Little Grebe (see above left) feeding it's young. Further down the small canal a Squacco Heron was feeding (see left). As we made our way to the Mound we stopped to view the Red-knobbed Coot. At the top of the Mound another Squacco Heron was seen. As was Black-crowned Night Heron, Grey Heron and Purple Heron. A sudden appearance of a raptor proved to be spectacular views of a male Montagu’s Harrier. On route back to our accommodation we decided to call in to the Boquer Valley to have one last look at the Stone Curlew. Once there we were informed that the Stone Curlew and chicks had moved. But, the appearance of three Booted Eagles was an added bonus. As were a pair of Eleonora's Falcons. A flock of Bee-eaters flew through the valley. 

Saturday, 6^th May 2006

Warm and sunny

Our last day so I decided to venture up the Boquer Valley once more. There I saw four Osprey, a Blue Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting (see below), Eleonora's Falcon and the flock of Bee-eaters. All too soon it was time to leave. So no Honey Buzzard for me this time!!!