NORTH MALLORCA

BIRDING IN
NORTH
MALLORCA
S’ALBUFERETA
Extending either side of the coast road, this
reserve includes a beach area, on which both
Kentish and Little Ringed Plovers breed, and
a much larger area of lagoons (both fresh and
saltwater), plus scrub and pine woodland.
Black-winged Stilts are among the breeding
birds on the lagoons, along with Purple Gallinule,
while the hirundines and swifts that are
numerous here attract the attentions of Eleonora’s
Falcons, particularly early in the day. Cetti’s
Warblers breed, and the saline lakes have even
recorded Greater Flamingo.
It’s a particularly good site to search during
migration periods, with a wide range of passerines
possible, including those Blue-headed Wagtails
(Yellow Wagtails of the flava race) again, other
Yellow Wagtails, Redstarts, both Spotted and Pied
Flycatchers, Nightingales and both Moustached
and Subalpine Warblers.
Honey Buzzards and Montagu’s Harriers
pass through on migration, and Redfooted
Falcon has also been recorded
here. The fields and orchards, and any
overhead power or telephone lines, are
worth checking for the likes of
Bee-eater, Serin, Woodchat Shrike,
Crossbill, Corn Bunting, Hoopoe,
Golden Oriole and Whinchat.
GETTING THERE
From Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia, catch
one of the TIB buses (352/353 ) which run
frequently between Puerto Pollensa and
Can Piquafort. The stop is a short walk from
the reserve, outside the kite and surf shop.
VITAL INFORMATION
Access is available at all times, but be careful to
respect private property, as the reserve includes
a number of farms and other buildings.
ê ALBUFERA
This viewing screen allows
to get as close as
possible to the birds
WHY NOT
ALSO TRY
Birdwatching the reserve by
bike can bring great results –
although smaller than Albufera,
it’s still large enough, so it’s a
great way of getting around
quickly without
disturbing birds
WHY NOT
ALSO TRY
Albufera can get very
busy, with a consequent
disturbance to the birds, so try
to visit as early or late in the
day as possible
éé WOODCHAT
Mallorca’s Woodchat Shrike are of
the Balearic subspecies, badius
é WARM WELCOME
The visitors’ centre offers much for
the birdwatcher, including trails
ê SQUACCO HERON
Arguably Europe’s most beautiful
heron, the Squacco is a delight
ALBUFERA
Let’s start with the one Mallorcan reserve
that you’ve probably already heard of – Parc
Natural s’Albufera, to give it its full name.
Situated just south of Alcudia, it’s the
island’s largest wetland reserve, and
probably the largest on any Mediterranean
island. There’s a visitor centre with toilets,
marked trails for birders, cyclists and
walkers, and several hides, making it
particularly user-friendly for birdwatchers
with families in tow, or anyone dropping in for
a day’s birding as part of a more general holiday.
The habitats include saltmarsh, reedbeds,
freshwater lagoons and pools, plus conifer
woodland and tamarisk groves, and these bring
the corresponding variety of species that you’d
expect.
In spring and autumn, a wide range of waders
pass through, and it’s also a good place to look for
herons, with Purple, Night and Squacco all
present. Woodchat Shrikes (of the western
Mediterranean badius race) perch atop bushes and
scrub on the lookout for prey, while common
warblers include Moustached and Cetti’s.
Nightingales should also be heard in spring and
summer, and check every Yellow Wagtail you see
– the Blue-headed (flava) race is regular here.
GETTING THERE
If you’re staying in Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia,
you can use the TIB buses (352/353) that run
frequently between Puerto Pollensa and Can
Piquafort. These stop at Playa Muro, just outside
the reserve’s entrance. If you’re driving, there is a
very small car park, but also parking in front of
the supermarket across the road.
VITAL INFORMATION
Opening times are: 1 October – 31 March, from
9am to 5pm; 1st April – 30th September, 9am-6pm.
Tel: +34 971 892250 /
Website: enjoymallorca.com/portdepollenca
Email: parc.albufera@wanadoo.es
Entrance: Free, but pick up a permit at the
reception area.
8
BIRDS TO FIND
in Mallorca
Emberiza cirlus
LENGTH: 6.25ins (16cm)
WINGSPAN: 8.75-10.25ins (22-26cm)
FOOD: Various seeds, almost all taken from the ground.
Grasshoppers can be important in summer.
BREEDING: Lays 3-4 eggs in a nest well hidden low in a
bush or creeper.
Orchards and vineyards are good places to look
for this attractive bunting in its strongholds
around the Mediterranean – it is particularly fond
of sunlit slopes. It can crop up in urban and
suburban areas, though, as long as its main
habitat requirement – open country with some
dense cover – is met. Its song, a short, metallic
trill, lacks the longer end note of a
Yellowhammer’s song, while the flight call is a
short, high, soft ‘ssip’, often frustratingly
difficult to place.
IN MALLORCA, LOOK FOR AT…
The Albufera Reserve is a great place to find
them, but the species is resident and widespread
in the right habitat. The Arta Peninsula is a
hotspot for them, mainly in arable fields, while
the Cuber Reservoir is another good spot to find
them. Finally, the Boquer Valley offers great
opportunities – scan the tops of bushes and
shrubs – they will often be perched on these
(Stonechats are the other species that typically
does this, here).
WHERE ELSE CAN I SEE IT?
Mainly a bird of southern Europe, although it
breeds in northern France right up to the Channel
coast. In the UK, coastal hedges and fields in
south Devon (and a few Cornish sites) are the only
place you’ll find it – numbers are low, although
the RSPB has a project aimed at boosting them.
Eight target species to discover in this birding paradise
WORDS: MATT MERRITT
MALLORCA OFFERS opportunities
to see near-endemic species, to
get great views of birds hard to
find elsewhere, and to get close
up to some more familiar
species. Here are eight species
to look for on the island,
elsewhere in the Mediterranean,
and even closer to home…
CIRL BUNTING
DID YOU
KNOW…
It was first identified by the
ornithologist George Montagu (of
harrier fame) near the Devon town of
Kingsbridge – still the bird’s UK
stronghold, its range having
expanded into southern
England, before the recent
range contraction
Cavall Bernat
ID POINTERS
Male has distinctive black eyestripe and bib,
yellow cheeks and green breast
Female is less strongly marked, with flat crown,
and striped face
Males have olive rump (compare with
Yellowhammer’s rusty rump), females duller
Males have distinctive rusty brown area on
wings and tertials
Female has chestnut area on shoulders
Larger-billed but shorter-tailed than
the Yellowhammer
Male Cirl Bunting
MORE INFO
For many more bird sites
and bird information in the
area you can visit
mallorcabirdwatching.com
4 Birding in North Mallorca
birdwatching.co.uk 5