{"id":298,"date":"2022-02-09T10:59:55","date_gmt":"2022-02-09T10:59:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.realbirder.com\/bird\/?p=298"},"modified":"2022-02-23T13:23:04","modified_gmt":"2022-02-23T13:23:04","slug":"mallorca-21st-april-to-5th-may-2007-report-contains-mallorca-bird-photos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realbirder.com\/bird\/2022\/02\/09\/mallorca-21st-april-to-5th-may-2007-report-contains-mallorca-bird-photos\/","title":{"rendered":"Mallorca – 21st April to 5th May 2007 Report contains Mallorca bird photos"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

INTRODUCTION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"VillaHaving said we have done Mallorca to death over the last 12-15 years is probably an understatement, but once again we found ourselves back on the island we cut our overseas birding teeth on. I have highlighted in previous reports (2003<\/a> & 2005<\/a>) the relentless creep of developments that is still occurring on the island, so other than to say it is still happening at a frightening pace I will say no more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is easy for us to look back at great habitats that no longer exist and bemoan the lack of bird species once seen there, but I do feel this needs to be put into context. We met several birders during this trip, who, like us, are using the island to cut their own overseas birding teeth on. Their enthusiasm for the birds they were seeing was no less diminished than ours was all those years ago, a case of rose tinted specs perhaps, who knows?     <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All the species that were on the island 15 years ago are still there, although arguably not in the numbers they once were.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again this may also be a touch of rose tinted specs, but it would be accurate to say that a reduction in numbers of some birds is evident. I suspect these are the species that utilised the small scrubby areas which are the first to be developed; larks, pipits and buntings seem particularly affected.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING THERE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\"VillaBeing creatures of habit we once again went to Villa Select for our holiday package. Unlike previous years we were allowed to book both our air travel and hire car independently, rather than part of the package as previously. This meant we could shop around for bargains allowing us to spend the same amount of money on the holiday that we had 10 years previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your preference is for first class self catering accommodation we have no hesitation in recommending Villa Select<\/a>. Villa Select can be contacted by email<\/a> or phone on 01789 764909.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our chosen villa this year was Les Oliveras, a 4 star villa set in 4 acres of land of which 20% was laid out as a formal garden with sun terrace, large pool and many cacti and citrus trees. The rest was laid out as citrus orchards and almond and olive groves. The ground between the trees in the orchards and groves was covered in wild flowers and tall weeds, an ideal habitat for Stone Curlew as we were to find out. Stone Curlews calling through the night and glimpses of them caught in the car’s headlights as we turned into the drive after returning from our evening meals became the norm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Buy<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>For those visiting Mallorca for the first time I would strongly recommend Graham Hearl & Jon King’s A Birdwatching Guide to Mallorca<\/a>. The Gosney book is now well out of date and even the update downloads available on the internet are several years old and many of the birding sites long gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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BIRDING SITES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I have listed all the sites we visited during this trip and the birds encountered. Because of the very wet weather prior to our visit and the fact that I had to seek medical attention for a very sore back during the trip, our birding was restricted to the north of the island and with the exception of Cuber Reservoir, all the sites were within 20 minutes drive of our villa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was informed that Eddie’s track at the salt pans in the South of the island was almost impassable and with the exception of good numbers of Avocets there was also little of ornithological interest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALBUFERA MARSH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"View<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is still the premiere birding spot in the north of the island. Albufera is a Parc National consisting in the main of vast reed beds interspersed with areas of open water whose depths are controlled, making them attractive to waders, herons and ducks. With 5 hides and 3 elevated platforms birding is very much based on the English style. The reserve is open 7 days a week and is free to enter. Only vehicles with disabled occupants are allowed on the reserve, other cars can be parked on the small car park adjacent to the entrance. Pedestrian access is allowed from first light although the gates don’t officially open until 08-30, access can be made via a small opening in the wall adjacent to the main gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- Cormorant, Great-crested & Little Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Harrier, Cattle, Little, & Great White Egret, Purple, Squacco, Night & Grey Heron, Sacred Ibis, Red, Green & Spotted Redshank, Gadwall, Garganey, Teal, Mallard, Red-crested & Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Osprey,   Purple Gallinule, Moorhen, Red-knobbed & Common Coot, Golden, Ringed, Kentish & Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Common, Wood & Curlew Sandpiper, Cetti’s, Moustached & Great Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Black-headed & Yellow-legged Gull, Common & White-winged Black Tern <\/em>and a Red-throated Pipit <\/em>for which I had to supply a rarities report.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOQUER VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boquer<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>All the small fields, orchards and groves at the bottom of the valley have now been swallowed up by urban sprawl, leaving only the land owned by the farmer with any worthwhile ornithological value. All the main species can still be found but in greatly reduced numbers, commensurate with the reduced habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- Redstart, Spotted & Pied Flycatcher, Wryneck, Hoopoe, Wren, Whinchat, Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Blackbird, House Sparrow, Woodchat Shrike, Wood, Balearic, Sardinian & Spectacled Warbler, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Great & Blue Tit, Serin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blue-rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, Crag Martin, European Bee-eater, Booted Eagle, Peregrine, Kestrel, Eleonora’s Falcon, Honey Buzzard, Raven, Rock Dove and Common Swift.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DEPURADORA<\/strong> (Water Treatment Works)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Depuradora\"This was a site I was eagerly looking forward to visiting as the old hide had gone and had been replaced with an elevated viewing platform. Poor maintenance of the hedge around the old hide had greatly reduced visibility, so the replacing of it with an elevated platform would alleviate that problem as well as giving far better views over the more distant pans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

75% out of 100% for effort, but how much better the platform would have been had it incorporated some form of screen. As it is now, as we found out to our cost, the early birders push all the birds on the 2 nearest pans off, some will settle in more distant pans but many leave the site altogether. Not good if you have a rarity near the platform! The area to the rear of the platform was also a disappointment, which I attribute to the new platform; again this would cause disturbance to the waders that used to frequent this part of the reserve. However this did not appear to affect the breeding Stone Curlew which could be detected, especially during late afternoon in this area. With the severe pruning of the hedge on the approach track, the half dozen resident Hoopoe have disappeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Marbled Duck, Shelduck, Great-crested Grebe, Black-winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, Wood, Curlew and Common Sandpiper, Ruff, Greenshank, L.R. Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Whiskered Tern, Swallow, Sand & House Martin, Swift, Black-headed and Yellow-legged Gull, Cetti’s Warbler, Linnet, Serin, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Corn Bunting.     <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALBUFERETA <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Albufereta\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>I have seen several notice boards which have appeared proclaiming the existence of the Albufereta as a Parc Natural. Let’s hope this will safeguard the area from further development, although we noted several developments taking place extremely close to the perimeter of the site during our visit. Several English speaking horse riders were also encountered riding through the centre of the reserve disturbing the birds during one of our visits, suggesting little supervision of the site is taking place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, the water table was high so little of birding interest except for the odd Mallard and Little Egret on the East Lake. However the large area of swamp and reeds to the West was more productive with good views of Great White Egret, Purple Heron and a fishing Osprey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- Cormorant, Great-crested Grebe, Little Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Great White Egret, Purple Swamphen, Red-crested Pochard, Mallard, Gadwall, Black-winged Stilt, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Zitting Cisticola, Northern Wheatear, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Yellow Wagtail and Corn Bunting.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CUBER RESERVOIR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Cuber<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This was a real let down with none of the usual suspects seen. Our first attempt to reach the site was stopped just a couple of kilometres short of our destination due to a landslip. 27 kilometres of hairpin bends to be told just a couple of kilometres from your destination that the road was closed! A simple sign stating the road was closed past Lluc monastery would have saved a tortuous drive with a very sore back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- Black Vulture, Redstart, Cirl Bunting, Greenfinch, Crag Martin and Yellow-legged Herring Gull.  <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SON SERRA DE MARINA<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a site that is now firmly on our itinerary when visiting the island. I have to be honest and say we haven’t really seen anything outstanding during our visits but it’s one of those sites that looks like it should produce. However it gave us 2 trip ticks during our visit which were Oystercatcher and Thekla Lark. \"SonFrances Gatens had been there a couple of days previous and had a flock of about 30 Common Sandpipers, not a sight you see every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this visit:- <\/strong>Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Grey Heron, Mallard, Little Grebe, Swift, Swallow, Thekla Lark, Woodchat Shrike and Hoopoe.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SON MARC VALLEY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a particular favourite of ours, introduced to us some years ago by Pam & Arthur from Cow Bridge in Wales. It’s not a site you will find in many site guides to the island. Taking the road to Cuber\/Soller from Pollensa, you turn left into the valley at the 5.3 Kilometre mark. This is a dead end for vehicles although if you are made of sterner stuff than us you can follow the track through the pine forest to Lluc monastery, although most people prefer to start at Lluc and walk downhill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Species seen during this trip:- Booted Eagle, Raven, Kestrel, Woodchat Shrike, Redstart, Cirl Bunting, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Stonechat, Whinchat, Spotted & Pied Flycatcher, Firecrest, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, House Sparrow and Glossy Starling.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BIRD LIST AND STATUS <\/strong>   <\/h2>\n\n\n\n