A "slightly" belated trip report for our Mallorca holiday this year. We flew on the morning of 7th May from Leeds Bradford Airport, arriving in Palma at approximately 11:30 after a late get away from the UK. For our holiday we were based in a villa near Pollensa which is an excellent location for anyone interested in birds and other wildlife.
Despite losing valuable birding time, within 1 hour of leaving the airport we were setup and enjoying great birds on the saltpans at Ses Salines. Whilst still eating lunch 10 Turtle Doves flew out of a tree behind our parked car and Black-winged Stilts were everywhere. A small group of waders could be seen feeding which included Turnstone, Common Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit (summer plumage), Greenshank, Dunlin, Kentish Plover and Avocet. The air was filled with song from Nightingale, Fan-tailed Warbler, Corn Bunting, Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Serin. A single Tawny Pipit boldly strut along the road near us looking for food.
Moving on to Banys, we walked along the path and found a flock of 16 Greater Flamingo and Ringed Plover. We also got good views of Marsh Harrier and Osprey.
Sunday 8th May we spent the day with more glorious weather at G'an Guarassa and Albufereta. G'an Guarrassa is a nice walk quiet away from the crowds and a good area to find the unexpected. This is a walk we have done for the last 5 years without being disappointed. Birds seen were Cetti Warbler, Nightingale, Stonechat, Woodchat Shrike, Yellow Wagtail, Yellow-legged Gull, Mallard, Sardinian Warbler, Greenfinch, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Kestrel, Reg-legged Partridge, Blackbird, Linnet, Bee-eater, Corn Bunting, Red Kite, Swift, Swallow, Fan-tailed Warbler, Black-winged Stilt. The highlight was a pair of Red-footed Falcon happily hunting closeby giving great views.
The birds seen at Albufereta were Common Redshank, Little Tern, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Stonchat, Whinchat, Moorhen, Coot, Blackbird, Mallard, Fan-tailed Warbler, Yellow Wagtail, Sardinian Warbler, Yellow-legged Gull, Osprey, Spotted Flycatcher, Whitethroat, House Sprarow, Greenfinch, Black-winged Stilt, Purple Heron and Ruff.
Monday 9th May was started at the Boquer Valley before heading to the Cap De Formentor with stops at Casas Veyes.
Boquer Valley - Cirl Bunting, Swallow, House Martin, Crag Martin, Sand Martin, Greenfinch, Red Kite (7), Booted Eagle, Eleonora's Falcon (7), Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher and Robin.
Casas Veyes - Raven, Carrion Crow, Yellow Wagtail, Bee-eater, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Serin, Red-legged Partridge.
Cap De Formentor - Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Eleonora's Falcon, Sardinian Warbler, Yellow-legged Gull, Audouin's Gull, Cory's Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater and Swift.
Tuesday 10th May was a day at Porto Colom with a stop at San Salvador and Es Blanquer on the way back home.
Porto Colom - Northern Wheatear, Pallid Swift, Rock Dove, Thelka Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Audouin's Gull, Swallow, Common Swift, Stonechat, Blackbird, Linnet, Woodhcat Shrike and Corn Bunting.
San Salvador - Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, House Sparrow, Great Tit and Blue Tit.
Es Blanquer - Short-toed Lark, Thelka Lark, Red-legged Partridge, Tawny Pipit, Skylark, Quail, House Sprarrow, Tree Pipit, Fan-tailed Warbler, Corn Bunting, Serin, Kestral and Goldfinch.
Wednesday 11th May was local day due to other non-birding commitments, but we still managed a stop at the Smelly River and the new birdwatching centre La Gola. The highlight of this short walk were good views of Hummingbird Hawkmoth. Birds seen were - Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret, Mallard, Greenfinch, Moorhen, Little-ringed Plover, Booted Eagle and Swift
Thursday 12th May was our day at Albufera Marsh.
Birds seen were Great Reed Warbler, Swift, Cetti's Warbler, Squacco Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Night Heron, Marsh Harrier, House Sparrow, Mallard, Marbled Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Black-winged Stilt, Little-ringed Plover, Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Sardinian Warbler, Purple Gallinule, Coot, Moorhen, Purple Heron, Yellow-legged Gull, Grey Heron, Little Stint, Curlew, Reed Bunting, Pochard, Kestral, Gadwall and Red-kobbed Coot.
Friday 13th May was our last day of birding, so we went to Gorg Blau & Cuber Reservoirs with a stop at Val De Marc on the way home.
Gorg Blau & Cuber - Giffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Raven, House Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Crossbill, Black-eared Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat, Linnet, Yellow-legged Gull, Honey Buzzard, Osprey and Booted Eagle.
Val De Marc - Firecrest, Greenfinch, Collared Dove and Spotted Flycatcher.
Bird List Total = 102 species.
Butterflies - Swallowtail, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Cleopatra, Speckled Wood and Clouded Yellow.
Moths - Four Spotted, Scare Umber, Single-dotted Wave, Mouse Moth, Embelished Thorn, Hoary Footman, Bee Moth, Delicate, Dolicharthria Punctalis, Riband Wave, Hummingbird Hawkmoth and Spotted Sulphur. There are still some to identify!
Mammals - Rabbit, Rat and Bottle-nosed Dolphins (2)
Above are the highlights from the moth trapped on Friday night (27th). Minimum Temperature 11.3C, with a chilly wind.
