There seem to be a few more Terns arriving around the locality so at first light I took the short trip to an area just inland from the Torrent de Albufereta, where we'd noted a couple of
Common Terns from the roadside the previous evening. There are a few pools that are viewable from a small raised area and on my last visit
Stone Curlew were quite prominent. Once again the
Stone Curlew were located along with
Yellow Wagtail and
Stonechat, the pool did indeed have a couple of
Common Tern, along with
Red-crested Pochard, Cattle Egret, plus nesting
Kentish Plover and
Black-winged Stilt. A
Marsh Harrier also drifted over during my visit and
Serin,
Goldfinch, and
Greenfinch were seen in the pine wood that leads to the pools.
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| Cetti's Warbler - distant but at least we could see him! |
Later in the morning we headed off for Cap Capdepera, the most easterly site on Majorca, around 30 or so miles from our villa. Firstly, we decided to stop off at an area known as Tucan Marsh. This is a small wetland hemmed in by development between Alcudia old town and the Alcudia resort and accessible by a small track near the Lidl store. In fact despite its location it proved quite fruitful during our visit. A
Great Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler and
Nightingale were singing close by and the pools held
Little Grebe,
Great-crested Grebe and a summer plumage
Black-necked Grebe. A real treat was while Dee and I were scanning the surrounding reedbeds, locating a
Little Bittern, which offered good views as it flew across the far end of the pool.
Audouin Gull and
Yellow-legged Gull were also recorded before moving on.
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| The view down to the sea from Cap Capdepera. |
At Cap Capdepera we parked at the lighthouse and took a stroll through the small copse near to the housing area before continuing on over the rocks for a sea-watch. The wooded area held
Sardinian Warbler,
Stonechat and we inadvertently flushed a trio of
Turtle Dove. On the rocks themselves another trio, this time
Wheatear plus a single
Blue Rock Thrush before we settled for a half hour. There were a few
Mediterranean Shag on the rocks below and during our stay eleven
Cory's Shearwater and two
Balearic Shearwater passed through.
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| Huge Eagle SP. Over the Albufera showing seven fingers. |
A stop at Depuradora de S'Illiot observation platform on route home, which offers panoramic views across the area was a haven for young
Shelduck, which delighted Dee. Several
Marsh Harrier were quartering and fly pasts of
Booted Eagle,
Eleanora's Falcon and
Squacco Heron. A huge
Eagle SP. at least twice the size of
Booted and showing seven fingers flew through at distance, someone even called out
Golden Eagle but the photo Dee managed and the little time for observing before the bird flew on is inconclusive for me on ID. Waders included
Common Sandpiper,
Little-ringed Plover and nesting
Black-winged stilt. At one stage at least 20+
Bee-eaters were up high soaring in a thermal offering an unforgettable moment.
