Trip Report: Mallorca , April 11-17, 1998

Adrian Kettle; adrian.kettle@virgin.net

All species are listed with notes and numbers where of interest.

At the time of writing there were some restrictions on access to some of the better known are these are listed below.

These restrictions may change; the best way to keep in touch is to attend the meetings held at the hotel Pollentia, Puerto Pollenca every Monday and Friday at 21:00.

This was my sixth visit to Mallorca, and I stayed in the village of Campanet, between Inca and Alcudia.

My itinerary was as follows:

11/4/98: Campanet, Albufera, Depuradora, and Campanet
12/4/98: Albufera, Bunola, Soller, and Campanet
13/4/98: Albufera, Depuradora, and Colonia St. Pere, Bocquer, Beehives Rd., Puerto Pollenca
14/4/98: Albufereta, Bocquer, Depuradora, and Campanet
15/4/98: Bocquer,
16/4/98: Sta. Margalida, Porreres, Salines de Levante, Cabo Salines, Porto Colom, Bocquer, and Albufera
17/4/98: Albufera, Depuradora, Bocquer, and Campanet

Abbreviations used in list:

Albufera = A, Albufereta =AF, Bocquer = BV, Beehives Rd. = BH, Bunola = B, Cabo Salines = CS, Campanet = C, Colonia St. Pere = CSP, Depuradora =D, Puerto Pollenca =PP, Sta. Margalida = SM, Salines de Levante = SL, Soller = S.

This was basically a short family visit to see relatives living on the island. Some birding was managed every day but some days' birding was restricted due to family commitments. A list of birds present but not seen is at the end.

I managed to get all species listed without going into the mountains, due to lack of time, not by choice!

If you would like to contact me feel free.

Trip Totals:

122 Species seen
3 Feral / Escapes
15 Species that could have been seen, but were not looked for.

Species List:

  1. LITTLE GREBE
    Common in all suitable habitats

  2. CORY'S SHEARWATER
    16/4/98 'CS' 100's seen distantly off Cabrera island, 20+ showed to 30 m

  3. MEDITERRANEAN SHEARWATER
    16/4/98 'CS' 20+ seen at medium range

  4. CORMORANT
    13/4/98 'A' 6 birds seen roosting on pylons by main canal

  5. SHAG
    Common on all rocky coasts, max. 6 'PP'

  6. BITTERN
    13/4/98 Heard booming at 'A', from track to Lone Pine area

  7. NIGHT HERON
    12/4/98 'A' 9+ birds at the roost at English Bridge
    13/4/98 'A' 4+ seen in flight with nest material
    16&17/4/98 'A' 1 adult roosting on dead trees at Iron Bridge

  8. SQUACCO HERON
    13/4/98 'A' 1 adult seen resting on a dead tree beside main canal at English Bridge

  9. CATTLE EGRET
    11/4/98 'D' 2 seen in fields behind hide
    14/4/98 'D' 3 seen in field behind hide
    16/4/98 'AF' 3 seen in marsh from pines area
    17/4/98 'A' 10 seen to fly from roost in Iron Bridge area

  10. LITTLE EGRET
    Common in all suitable habitats

  11. GREY HERON
    12/4/98 'S' 2 flying over town
    13/4/98 'A' 1 seen from cim hide
    17/4/98 'D' 1 on concrete banks

  12. PURPLE HERON
    Commonly seen on all visits to 'A' and 'AF'

  13. RUDDY SHELDUCK
    16/4/98 1 adult male 'SL' from Es Trenc Rd.

  14. SHELDUCK
    16/4/98 2 birds seen from Es Trenc Rd., 1 female, the other probably male but asleep.

  15. GADWALL
    Seen on all visits to 'A', at least 4 pairs seen.

  16. MALLARD
    Common in all suitable habitat

  17. PINTAIL
    17/4/98 1 female on the 'D'

  18. GARGANEY
    16/4/98 2 male and female at 'SL' from Es Trenc Rd.

  19. RED-CRESTED POCHARD
    Common in 'A'; large numbers present on most open water, also females seen with chicks.

  20. POCHARD
    16/4/98 'A' male and female on main canal north of stone bridge.

  21. WHITE-HEADED DUCK
    A male and female were present at Iron Bridge 'A' all week, fem. had blue ring on left leg with black 8 and something else not read.

  22. BLACK KITE
    15/4/98 1 bird flew by the entrance to 'BV' at 10:45 mobbed by Yellow-legged Gulls. Headed towards Gomma hill where lost to sight.

  23. EGYPTIAN VULTURE
    14/4/98 1 adult seen flying through 'BV'

  24. BLACK VULTURE
    14/4/98 4 birds seen over Tomir from garden in 'C'
    15/4/98 4 birds drifting through 'BV'

  25. MARSH HARRIER
    Seen on all visits to 'A'

  26. BOOTED EAGLE
    12/4/98 4 Light phase birds seen around 'B' 2 were displaying.
    4 dark phase seen all week from garden in 'C'

  27. OSPREY
    12/4/98 'A' seen in the bay from English Bridge.

  28. KESTREL
    Common in all suitable habitats

  29. PEREGRINE
    14/4/98 1 bird 'BV'

  30. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE
    16/4/98 Common in 'CS' area.

  31. QUAIL
    14/4/98 'AF' 3 birds calling from pines area
    17/4/98 'C' 1 bird calling on back road to Pollenca.

  32. WATER RAIL
    Heard in all suitable habitats
    16/4/98 1 bird seen at 'SL' where very common.

  33. MOORHEN
    Common in all suitable habitats

  34. PURPLE GALLINULE
    12/4/98 1 adult Iron Bridge 'A'
    13/4/98 2 + chick 'A' on pools before visitor centre; 5 birds on and around cim hide.

  35. COOT
    Common in all suitable habitats

  36. BLACK-WINGED STILT
    Common in all suitable habitat.

  37. AVOCET
    16/4/98 4 birds 'SL'

  38. STONE CURLEW
    16/4/98 2 birds in fields near 'P'
    16/4/98 1 bird 'CS'

  39. COLLARED PRATINCOLE
    1 bird present all week at the 'D'

  40. LITTLE RINGED PLOVER
    Common at 'A','AF','SL'

  41. RINGED PLOVER
    16/4/98 2 birds 'SL'

  42. KENTISH PLOVER
    Common in all suitable habitats
    16/4/98 60+ on one lagoon at 'SL'

  43. GREY PLOVER
    16/4/98 2 birds at 'SL'

  44. LITTLE STINT
    16/4/98 100+ birds counted on the lagoons at 'SL'
    16/4/98 2 birds 'A' cim hide

  45. TEMMINCK'S STINT
    16/4/98 1 winter plumaged bird at 'SL'

  46. CURLEW SANDPIPER
    16/4/98 1 partial summer at 'SL'

  47. DUNLIN
    16/4/98 5 birds at 'SL'

  48. RUFF
    16/4/98 70+ on lagoons at 'SL'

  49. CURLEW
    16/4/98 1 bird at 'SL'

  50. SPOTTED REDSHANK
    16/4/98 1 bird seen at 'SL'

  51. REDSHANK
    Common at 'SL' and'A'

  52. MARSH SANDPIPER
    16/4/98 1 bird seen from 'Eddies Track' 'SL'

  53. GREENSHANK
    16/4/98 14 birds seen at 'SL'

  54. WOOD SANDPIPER
    13/4/98 1 bird from cim hide 'A'

  55. COMMON SANDPIPER
    Seen on every visit to the 'D' max. 6 on 17/4/98
    16/4/98 3-4 'SL'

  56. BLACK-HEADED GULL
    Seen on every visit to 'D'; max. 10+ 17/4/98

  57. AUDOUIN'S GULL
    11/4/98 1 adult 'A'
    13/4/98 1 adult 'D'
    13/4/98 2 adults on beach at 'PP' seen on all visits to the area
    14/4/98 2 adults on beach, usually by outflow stream, at 'AF' seen every visit and when driving past.
    15/4/98 1 adult 'BV'
    16/4/98 2 adults 'CS'
    16/4/98 12+ adults in and around harbour at 'PC'

  58. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL
    14/4/98 1 1stw bird seen on concrete banks of 'D'

  59. YELLOW-LEGGED GULL
    Common everywhere, best numbers 'D' roost.

  60. SANDWICH TERN
    12/4/98 3-4 'A' English Bridge in bay.

  61. WHISKERED TERN
    11/4/98 5 birds at 'D'
    14/4/98 5 birds at 'D'

  62. BLACK TERN
    17/4/98 1 adult 'D'

  63. ROCK DOVE
    14/4/98 'BV' seen and supposed to be genuine?

  64. WOODPIGEON
    12/4/98 2 near 'B'
    13/4/98 2 'CSP'
    13/4/98 2 'BV'
    16/4/98 20+ 'CS'
    16/4/98 2 'PC'

  65. COLLARED DOVE
    12/4/98 1 bird seen at 'S' train station.

  66. CUCKOO
    13/4/98 1 bird seen in 'CSP'

  67. BARN OWL
    11/4/98 1 bird on Palma to Inca road 05:00
    16/4/98 1 bird seen at 06:15 near 'SM'

  68. SCOPS OWL
    2+ birds heard all week in 'C', also seen a few times as road casualties.

  69. SWIFT
    Common in all areas visited.

  70. PALLID SWIFT
    12/4/98 2 'a' at the Power Station roost
    13/4/98 1 bird gave excellent views all morning at 'A' English Bridge
    14/4/98 2 birds at 'AF' pines
    16/4/98 1 bird at 'PC'
    16/4/98 1 bird at 'A' visitor centre

  71. ALPINE SWIFT
    14/4/98 1 bird over 'BV'

  72. HOOPOE
    Common; best seen at 'BV', 'C', but seen in most areas.

  73. WRYNECK
    11/4/98 1 bird seen at 'A' near radio mast.
    14/4/98 1 bird seen singing around entrance to 'BV', 2 others heard in valley.
    Also heard from pinewoods on back road from 'C' to Pollenca.

  74. SHORT-TOED LARK
    16/4/98 3+ 'SL'
    16/4/98 'CS' common at all stops along road.
    16/4/98 2+ 'PC'

  75. THEKLA LARK
    16/4/98 7+ birds seen from K1 to the lighthouse including 1 in scrub to the west along the coast path.
    17/4/98 2 birds seen singing and carrying food on backroad from 'C' to Pollenca about 1km from junction with Pollenca road, by house with rusty iron gates and orange satellite dish.

  76. SAND MARTIN
    Common

  77. CRAG MARTIN
    Seen in all northern areas with hirundine flocks, also seen in 'BV' and 'S'

  78. SWALLOW
    Common

  79. HOUSE MARTIN
    Common

  80. TAWNY PIPIT
    13/4/98 2 birds along road to 'D'
    13/4/98 2+ birds in fields at 'CSP'
    16/4/98 Common on 'CS' road

  81. TREE PIPIT
    16/4/98 3 birds on telegraph wires at 'CSP'

  82. WATER PIPIT
    14/4/98 1 bird 'D'
    16/4/98 1 bird 'SL'

  83. YELLOW WAGTAIL
    Iberiae Spanish Wagtail: Common
    Cinereocapilla Ashy-headed Wagtail: 'A' 1-2 at 'D' most visits
    Flava Blue-headed Wagtail: 15/4/98 Common from this date on, max. 20+ 'BV'

  84. WHITE WAGTAIL
    Seen on every visit to 'A' and 'D' max. of 5 D' 17/4/98

  85. WREN
    13/4/98 5+ singing 'CSP' along track below Arta mountains.
    14/4/98 3+ 'BV' singing

  86. ROBIN
    13/4/98 1 bird in 'BV'

  87. NIGHTINGALE
    Best areas were 'A' Iron Bridge, 'C' and back road from 'C' to Pollenca.

  88. BLACK REDSTART
    14/4/98 Female at the entrance to 'BV'

  89. REDSTART
    14/4/98 Female at entrance to 'BV'
    15/4/98 3male 1 female 'BV'
    16/4/98 10+ birds 'BV'

  90. WHINCHAT
    15/4/98 6+ 'BV'
    16/4/98 10+ 'BV'

  91. STONECHAT
    Very common

  92. WHEATEAR
    14/4/98 1 male by road to 'D'
    15/4/98 1 male 'BV'
    16/4/98 1 male 'CS'
    16/4/98 male and female 'PC'

  93. BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR
    15/4/98 1 female may have been 1st s due to worn brown wings 'BV'
    1 1st s male black-throated form 'BV' seen with female and male Wheatear. Worn brown primaries and moult contrast in greater wing coverts, alula and outer 4-5 gr/c brown, other wing coverts jet black, rest of plumage as adult.
    16/4/98 1 female 'BV' probably different from the above bird due to wing feathers showing faint but well marked pale edges, not worn.

  94. ROCK THRUSH
    16/4/98 1 male 'BV' also present on 17/4/98

  95. BLUE ROCK THRUSH
    13/4/98 3, 2 males and 1 female 'BV'

  96. BLACKBIRD
    Common especially around 'C'

  97. SONG THRUSH
    17/4/98 1 bird 'BV'

  98. CETTI'S WARBLER
    Very common in all suitable habitats.

  99. FAN-TAILED WARBLER
    Common in all suitable habitats.

  100. MOUSTACHED WARBLER
    11/4/98 2+ singing 'A' in area by radio mast
    13/4/98 3+ 'A' in area from viewpoint to Bishop hides
    Seen on every visit to 'A' in all parts of reserve

  101. GREAT REED WARBLER
    Seen or heard on every visit to 'A'
    11/4/98 4+ in radio mast area
    13/4/98 1 singing and showing well by stone bridge main canal.

  102. MARMORA'S WARBLER
    16/4/98 1 female carrying food at 'PC'

  103. SUBALPINE WARBLER
    14/4/98 1 male singing and calling in pines at 'AF'
    15/4/98 1 female at the entrance to 'BV'

  104. SARDINIAN WARBLER
    Very common everywhere

  105. WHITETHROAT
    16/4/98 2 birds flushed from vegetation at 'PC'
    17/4/98 1male at entrance to 'BV'

  106. BLACKCAP
    Common resident

  107. CHIFFCHAFF
    13/4/98 2 birds singing by visitor centre 'A'
    14/4/98 1 bird in pines at 'AF'

  108. WILLOW WARBLER
    Quite common
    14/4/98 noticeable increase in numbers from this date onwards e.g.: 10 'BV'

  109. FIRECREST
    12/4/98 Singing in pinewoods surrounding 'B' just to SE of village.

  110. PIED FLYCATCHER
    15/4/98 1 1ST s male at entrance to 'BV', also seen on 16/4/98

  111. GREAT TIT
    Common in most areas

  112. WOODCHAT SHRIKE
    Seen every day but noticeable increase from the 14/4/98. Whereafter common in all suitable habitats.
    All were of the race badius.

  113. RAVEN
    13/4/98 1 bird seen over Arta mountains and fields at 'CSP'
    13/4/98 2 birds at 'BV'

  114. HOUSE SPARROW
    Common everywhere

  115. CHAFFINCH
    Seen and heard in most wooded areas.

  116. SERIN
    Very common often in flocks of 10 or so, singing everywhere

  117. GREENFINCH
    Very common

  118. GOLDFINCH
    Very common

  119. LINNET
    Reasonably common
    Best sights were 'A' ,'AF','BV'.

  120. CIRL BUNTING
    Locally common
    12/4/98 1 bird singing 'B'
    13/4/98 5+ birds in one wildflower field at 'CSP'; also common along roadside.
    14/4/98 4-6 birds probably 3 pairs in 'BV'

  121. REED BUNTING
    11/4/98 1 male 'A' by radio mast

  122. CORN BUNTING
    Common everywhere.

Feral/Escapes?

  1. COMMON WAXBILL
    11/4/98 4 birds 'A' considered to be 2 males and 2 females, showing signs of display and aggression, in the area by the radio mast where there is an entrance gate to 'A' reserve.

  2. MASKED WEAVER
    12/4/98 1 male seen by entrance to 'A' by radio mast

  3. FERAL PIGEON
    Everywhere

Birds Present and Not Seen

  1. LITTLE BITTERN --- 'A' pair by stone bridge main canal
  2. MARBLED DUCK--- 'A' 1 adult cim hide
  3. RED KITE --- Mountains, Cuber reservoir
  4. GRIFFON VULTURE --- Mountains, Cuber reservoir
  5. ELEONORA'S FALCON--'BV', or lowland marshes
  6. LAPWING --- 'A' bishop 1 hide 2 birds
  7. SNIPE --- 'A' bishop 1 hide area a few birds
  8. WHIMBREL --- 'A' bishop 1 hide 2 13/4/98
  9. GREEN SANDPIPER --- 'A' bishop 1 hide
  10. BEE-EATER --- 'BV' 3 flew through 16/4/98 1st of the year
  11. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW -- 20+ birds on island including a flock of 10 but can turn up anywhere with hirundines
  12. SPECTACLED WARBLER --- 'Cuber reservoir' at least 2 singing males
  13. BLUE TIT --- Mountain areas
  14. TREE SPARROW --- 'AF'
  15. CROSSBILL --- Any pinewoods especially Cases Veases

Butterflies:

  1. SWALLOWTAIL --- 'C'
  2. LARGE WHITE --- 'Common'
  3. SMALL WHITE --- 'common'
  4. BATH WHITE --- 'A'
  5. CLOUDED YELLOW --- 'CSP'
  6. LANG'S SHORT-TAILED BLUE --- 'C'
  7. RED ADMIRAL --- 'C'
  8. SPECKLED WOOD --- 'common'
  9. WALL BROWN
  10. SMALL HEATH --- 'C'
  11. PAINTED LADY --- 'BV'
  12. GERANIUM BRONZE --- 'C' 1 female

Mammals:

  1. WEASEL --- 'A'
  2. ALGERIAN HEDGEHOG --- many dead on roads
  3. RAT --- 'A'
  4. WATER VOLE? --- 'A'

Reptiles/Amphibians:

  1. MARSH FROG --- 'A' any pools.
  2. MOORISH GECKO --- 'C' on villa walls on warm evenings

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This page served with permission of the author by Urs Geiser; ugeiser@xnet.com; May 7, 1998