MAJORCA IN SPRING - May 2023 - Cornwall Bird Watching Tours

S’Albufera National Nature Reserve and surrounding areas

Another recce to our favorite Mediterranean island for a very short two day excursion in order to experience some Spring migration and sunshine! We flew from Bristol airport arriving late at our hotel in Can Picafort. The following morning after breakfast we jumped in a taxi (8 Euros) to the S’Albufera Parc Natural. We did this on both days having decided not to bother with the Boquer Valley on this trip, walking back to the hotel each evening from the reserve, birding all the way, a walk that included the Ses Puntas and Depuradora Water Treatment works areas.

The weather was hot and sunny on both days, with a short period of light rain on the first morning. The S’Albufera was alive with birds! Breeding species included hundreds of Black-winged Stilts and Avocets, Little Ringed and Kentish Plovers, Common Tern, Little and Cattle Egrets, Night, Purple and Squacco Herons, Glossy Ibis and Little Bittern. Zitting Cisticola’s, Nightingales, Cetti’s Warblers and Serins were in every bush and tree! Great Reed and Moustached Warblers were very vocal and a Savi’s Warbler was heard on our second day. Other waders included Wood and Common Sandpiper, Greenshank and a Temmink’s Stint (at Depuradora). Birds of prey species were dominated by Marsh Harriers, seen in all areas in good numbers, also seen were Eleanora’s Falcons, Osprey, Kestrel, Griffon and Black Vulture, Black and Red Kite and female Red-footed Falcon. The Golden Eagle (escaped but living wild in the area for 15 years!) gave us an amazing display flight right over our heads. Stone Curlews were numerous and could be heard calling from our hotel at night.

There were still plenty of wildfowl on the reserve including Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Shelduck, Marbled Duck, Red-knobbed Coot and the resident escaped Mute Swan! The Greater Flamingo flock held over 300 birds and a single Spoonbill was amongst them. The farmland and gardens from S’Albufera to the main road into Can Picafort held plenty of Theckla’s Lark, Corn Buntings, Serin, Hoopoes and Sardinian Warblers and a few Pallid Swifts were seen overhead. The second day saw good numbers of Bee-eaters migrating overhead with some flocks involving 30+ birds.

Another fantastic visit to this huge reserve! Really looking forward to going back again soon and eventually arranging a full tour here. In the mean time if you want to experience Mediterranean birding in Majorca, let us arrange a private short trip for you! Contact Paul at [email protected]