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BIRDING IN<br />
NORTH<br />
MALLORCA<br />
S’ALBUFERETA<br />
Extend<strong>in</strong>g either side of the coast road, this<br />
reserve <strong>in</strong>cludes a beach area, on which both<br />
Kentish and Little R<strong>in</strong>ged Plovers breed, and<br />
a much larger area of lagoons (both fresh and<br />
saltwater), plus scrub and p<strong>in</strong>e woodland.<br />
Black-w<strong>in</strong>ged Stilts are among the breed<strong>in</strong>g<br />
birds on the lagoons, along with Purple Gall<strong>in</strong>ule,<br />
while the hirund<strong>in</strong>es and swifts that are<br />
numerous here attract the attentions of Eleonora’s<br />
Falcons, particularly early <strong>in</strong> the day. Cetti’s<br />
Warblers breed, and the sal<strong>in</strong>e lakes have even<br />
recorded Greater Flam<strong>in</strong>go.<br />
It’s a particularly good site to search dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
migration periods, with a wide range of passer<strong>in</strong>es<br />
possible, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g those Blue-headed Wagtails<br />
(Yellow Wagtails of the flava race) aga<strong>in</strong>, other<br />
Yellow Wagtails, Redstarts, both Spotted and Pied<br />
Flycatchers, Night<strong>in</strong>gales and both Moustached<br />
and Subalp<strong>in</strong>e Warblers.<br />
Honey Buzzards and Montagu’s Harriers<br />
pass through on migration, and Redfooted<br />
Falcon has also been recorded<br />
here. The fields and orchards, and any<br />
overhead power or telephone l<strong>in</strong>es, are<br />
worth check<strong>in</strong>g for the likes of<br />
Bee-eater, Ser<strong>in</strong>, Woodchat Shrike,<br />
Crossbill, Corn Bunt<strong>in</strong>g, Hoopoe,<br />
Golden Oriole and Wh<strong>in</strong>chat.<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
From Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia, catch<br />
one of the TIB buses (352/353 ) which run<br />
frequently between Puerto Pollensa and<br />
Can Piquafort. The stop is a short walk from<br />
the reserve, outside the kite and surf shop.<br />
VITAL INFORMATION<br />
Access is available at all times, but be careful to<br />
respect private property, as the reserve <strong>in</strong>cludes<br />
a number of farms and other build<strong>in</strong>gs.<br />
ê ALBUFERA<br />
This view<strong>in</strong>g screen allows<br />
to get as close as<br />
possible to the birds<br />
WHY NOT<br />
ALSO TRY<br />
Birdwatch<strong>in</strong>g the reserve by<br />
bike can br<strong>in</strong>g great results –<br />
although smaller than Albufera,<br />
it’s still large enough, so it’s a<br />
great way of gett<strong>in</strong>g around<br />
quickly without<br />
disturb<strong>in</strong>g birds<br />
WHY NOT<br />
ALSO TRY<br />
Albufera can get very<br />
busy, with a consequent<br />
disturbance to the birds, so try<br />
to visit as early or late <strong>in</strong> the<br />
day as possible<br />
éé WOODCHAT<br />
<strong>Mallorca</strong>’s Woodchat Shrike are of<br />
the Balearic subspecies, badius<br />
é WARM WELCOME<br />
The visitors’ centre offers much for<br />
the birdwatcher, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g trails<br />
ê SQUACCO HERON<br />
Arguably Europe’s most beautiful<br />
heron, the Squacco is a delight<br />
ALBUFERA<br />
Let’s start with the one <strong>Mallorca</strong>n reserve<br />
that you’ve probably already heard of – Parc<br />
Natural s’Albufera, to give it its full name.<br />
Situated just south of Alcudia, it’s the<br />
island’s largest wetland reserve, and<br />
probably the largest on any Mediterranean<br />
island. There’s a visitor centre with toilets,<br />
marked trails for birders, cyclists and<br />
walkers, and several hides, mak<strong>in</strong>g it<br />
particularly user-friendly for birdwatchers<br />
with families <strong>in</strong> tow, or anyone dropp<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> for<br />
a day’s bird<strong>in</strong>g as part of a more general holiday.<br />
The habitats <strong>in</strong>clude saltmarsh, reedbeds,<br />
freshwater lagoons and pools, plus conifer<br />
woodland and tamarisk groves, and these br<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the correspond<strong>in</strong>g variety of species that you’d<br />
expect.<br />
In spr<strong>in</strong>g and autumn, a wide range of waders<br />
pass through, and it’s also a good place to look for<br />
herons, with Purple, Night and Squacco all<br />
present. Woodchat Shrikes (of the western<br />
Mediterranean badius race) perch atop bushes and<br />
scrub on the lookout for prey, while common<br />
warblers <strong>in</strong>clude Moustached and Cetti’s.<br />
Night<strong>in</strong>gales should also be heard <strong>in</strong> spr<strong>in</strong>g and<br />
summer, and check every Yellow Wagtail you see<br />
– the Blue-headed (flava) race is regular here.<br />
GETTING THERE<br />
If you’re stay<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia,<br />
you can use the TIB buses (352/353) that run<br />
frequently between Puerto Pollensa and Can<br />
Piquafort. These stop at Playa Muro, just outside<br />
the reserve’s entrance. If you’re driv<strong>in</strong>g, there is a<br />
very small car park, but also park<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> front of<br />
the supermarket across the road.<br />
VITAL INFORMATION<br />
Open<strong>in</strong>g times are: 1 October – 31 March, from<br />
9am to 5pm; 1st April – 30th September, 9am-6pm.<br />
Tel: +34 971 892250 /<br />
Website: enjoymallorca.com/portdepollenca<br />
Email: parc.albufera@wanadoo.es<br />
Entrance: Free, but pick up a permit at the<br />
reception area.<br />
4 <strong>Bird<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>in</strong> North <strong>Mallorca</strong>