Flew into Palma on the Monday early afternoon and after a long wait picking up the hire car from Record and Go (although more like take ya money and make ya wait!!!) we headed for lunch at the Campanet Caves, a favorite of ours as it has stunning views and we are always surrounded by birds.
Firecrest, Spotted Flycatchers, Booted Eagles, Red Kites, a Black Vulture and a few Humming-bird Hawkmoths.
On arriving out our hotel the Lagotel, we were delighted to be in the same room as previous visits (after a request) which has amazing views of the S Albufera Marsh's. Getting the scope out i could see Osprey, Stone Curlew, Purple Heron and Marble Teal just to name a few. A Dark Eleonora's had a go at taking a Greenshank strangely.
Nipped over to the Son Bosc Deck at the Sewage treatment plant as i do a few times each visit for an hour before tea to see our first Hoopoes, Glossy Ibis, more Stone Curlew (23), a Woodchat Shrike, Pied Flycatcher and Fan tailed Warblers.
Tuesday 18th
It was a fairly limited trip due to it being only 5 days 4 when you loose getting here and back but Son Real was on our short list of things to do. It was noticeably quiet but Woodchat Shrike more Hoopoes a calling Wryneck and a couple of Common Redstarts.
Down on the beach Thekla Lark, Shag, a Stone Curlew, Audouin's Gulls and Kentish Plover.
Then in the afternoon we had a walk to the old hotel in the Cala Boquer Valley as there had been loads of thunderstorms and i thought this may have dropped a load of migrants in, unfortunately it hadn't and it was very quiet. We then spent the rest of the day at Alcudia market.
Wednesday 19th
Already!!! Again we wanted to go somewhere a little different so headed to Lluc monastery, spectacular place, just loved the whole area. We started by walking some of the hill and we reached a clearing just as 12 Griffon Vultures took flight, wonderful sight.
A Booted Eagle joined them for a short time, great landing lights showing in this picture.
We spent all day here catching up with more Wrynecks, loads of Crossbill and what felt like hundreds of Firecrest. Our first Crag Martins here too. The grounds of the Monastery were filled with history, what a place.
After spending most of the day here we left a little time before tea for the Son Bosc Deck again. A couple of Whinchats and a Nightingale were the only new birds added.
Back at the hotel 2 Spoonbills had dropped in and our first Greater Flamingos (4)
The Flamingos were still about but only 3 now.
So today we headed for one of our favorite places Formentor Lighthouse, we left it a little late which made it very busy and before we left it was literally heaving with cars and there occupants. Anyway we manged several Eleonora's Falcons, a couple of Peregrines and many Pallid Swifts. 2 Balearic Warblers were a nice bonus. Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush were new for the trip. Record shot of a Pallid swift.
As the crowds had descended on us we got out of there earlier than hoped but i ended the afternoon at the S Albufera Marsh's. Love the place and never get to cover the whole area due to lack of time and its such a big place. Anyway Night Herons were great and a new hide by the VC was a bonus. Good views of Waders, Gulls and Ducks.
Moving onto Sa Roca and Es Ras hides i did some digiscoping of the regulars such as the Black-winged Stilts, Little Egrets and Purple Swamphens also the Glossy Ibis. The light was great.
Moved onto the bridge where the Red Knobbed Coots always hang out, they were the wrong side of the bridge for pics but it was still great to see them.
Moved onto the Es Cibollar1 hide where it was great to see the Flamingos had dropped in and were much closer than from the hotel. There was too much water for there to be anything else of note. One Flamingo was ringed from the Catalan region. coded X/sch.
Headed back to the new hide at the VC where a couple of Stone Curlews showed nicely. A single Lapwing was a sign of Winter.
It was getting late now and I needed to head back for tea but the Night Herons were getting restless as i walked back to the car.
Friday 21st
Last day already so we stayed around the hotel until check out time but 9 Flamingos now, 9 Marble Teal too also the Osprey still. Another sign of winter 40+ European Starlings. That was really about it. On the whole it felt like bird numbers were down and i missed many species i would normally get easily in September, but i can put some of it down to having less time on the Island and going to fewer places. Still had a great time and next year its definitely a Saturday to Saturday trip.
Only 97 Species but hay i enjoyed the whole experience once again.
List here.....
Great stuff again Craig you did brilliantly with the vultures really good shots my hearts pounding with anticipation many thanks for sharing.
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