Another year another September trip to Majorca. Flew out from East Midlands into Palma via Ryan air. Arrived around lunchtime and quickly picked up our hire car from the horrible Goldcar, it was cheap at least.
Headed to our first spot and a first day tradition the wonderful Coves de Campanet. We only go there for the views and wonderful selection of exotic plants and Wildlife.
Swallowtail Butterfly, Humming-bird Hawkmoth, Firecrest and a Black Vulture. A few Red Kites and a Booted Eagle along the motorway on the way here.
From here it was off to check in to our hotel EIX Lagotel. It was great to recieve our usual hotel room on the 6th floor overlooking the S'Albufera Reserve. Always makes my holiday as i can see some amazing birds just from the balcony.
So the Amazing birds were 16 Flamingo, Osprey, Purple Gallinule, Purple Heron and Marble Teal just for starters.
Evening times are always nice as we get to hear the nights entertainment from our room.
Sunday 22nd September
We were all happy just hanging around the hotel today, we usually have a very hectic holiday never really getting a chance to fully relax but life's been manic so we made a big effort to relax more.
A day of birding from the balcony, highlights were 3 Honey Buzzard, 6 Griffon Vulture, Flamingos stayed on the pools all week, Glossy Ibis, Osprey and Audoiuns Gull.
Down on the beach for lunch and a Crossbill flew over.
That evening nipped to the Depordeva pools on the S'Albufera Reserve, always good from the platform. Cattle Egret, Hoopoe, Woodchat Shrikes, Sardinian Warblers and Whinchats. Many Yellow Wagtails and plenty of waders such as Wood and Green Sandpipers. The best bird of the trip though as we were leaving were 2 Nightjars.
Monday 23rd September.
We vowed to do something different this year so we headed for Dragonera Island leaving on the short boat trip from Sant Elm. A very nice Island and the surprise was the number of
Lilford's wall lizards (Podarcis lilfordi), basically it was a carpet of Lizards dodging them as we walked.
Also on this fabulous island were many Eleanor's Falcons with maybe double figure numbers.
Common Redstart, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were the only small migrant on the island, Marsh Harrier, Blue Rock Thrush, Firecrest a few Crossbill and Marmoras's Warbler were the other birds here.
Spent the rest of the day in Sant Elm which was lovely.
Tuesday 24th September
Today it was only or 2nd ever trip to Lluc Monastary birds were a lot quieter his year so the only thing of real not here was a Red Rumped Swallow 6 Crag Martin Serin and a Two Tailed Pasher butterfly.
We continued along through the mountains, Red Kites, Booted Eagles and a few Griffon Vultures. In the trees many many Firecrest and Crossbills otherwise birds were few and far between.
Wednesday 25th September
A Visit to the Cap de Ses Salines was surprisingly quiet, most birds that i did see were leaving the island, Marsh Harrier 5 Grey Heron and an Eleonora's Falcon. Coming into the island were 5 Honey Buzzards and an Audouins Gull but that was it.
Ses Salines salt flats was our next stop, birds were more plentiful with lots of Flamingos over 200 Kentish plover, 20 Little Stints a few Dunlin and Ringed plover, many Avcoets.
Thursday 26th September
I spend the day on the S'Albufera reserve, it was very very hot making it quite uncomfortable to sit in the hides but a good selection of birds had. Night Herons, Red Nobbled Coot, Little Bittern, Great White Egret, Moustached Warbler, Glossy Ibis, Osprey, Plenty of waders and loads of Marble Teal.
Other stuff here, Wasp Spider, Cone Headed Grasshopper, Lesser Emperor and Praying Mantis.
Friday 27th September
Not much birding during the day but another first visiting Port Pollenca Birds on the walk around town were just a Spotted Flycatcher. The town was lovely though and the cafes and restaurants on the sea front were amazing.
The afternoon was spent back at Capanet Caves. Another relaxing day back at the hotel and a quick visit to Depordeva. No new birds for the trip but good views of Glossy Ibis and Whinchat.
Back to the beach at playa de muro.
Saturday 28th September.
Started by heading upto the view point before Formentor, another ritual really. It was rather busy so we didn't stay long just a quick walk to the viewpoint and back. Blue Rock Thrush singing was it here.
Moved onto Lluc again to buy some souvenirs that the girls wished they had picked up during there last visit.
From here a slow drive through the mountains to the wonderful Soller where we spent the afternoon drinking tea and juice. Not much bird activity though.
Then it was back to the airport for our return flight home. Really need 10 day to fully wind down and relax although we did feel refreshed. Bird numbers seemed down from previous years but I wasn't overly bothered as the enjoyment was just getting away.
Species list here.
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