Birding in Mallorca

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8 BIRDS TO FIND in Mallorca 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… Cavall Bernat CIRL BUNTING 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. 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 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 birdwatching.co.uk 5
BIRDING IN NORTH MALLORCA Male Blue Rock Thrush DID YOU KNOW… The Blue Rock Thrush is actually a chat, or Old World flycatcher, rather than a Turdus thrush. It is found across Europe and Asia, as far east as Japan and breeds in rock habitats ID POINTERS Male can appear black at distance – in good light, shows intense, smoky blue Female has bluish upperparts (fading to brown in autumn), but brown, barred underparts Long wings and tail, and strong, easy flight style Spends long periods stationary on sunlit boulders or cliff ledges Juveniles are similar to females in appearance Long, dark bill is distinctive BLUE ROCK THRUSH Monticola solitarius LENGTH 8ins (20cm) WINGSPAN 14-15.5ins (35-40cm) FOOD: Insects and small lizards, plus a few berries. BREEDING: Lays 4-5 eggs in a nest made in a hole in a rock, wall, or building. If seen in silhouette, or at long distance, this gorgeous thrush can escape notice surprisingly easily. But check every thrush or Starling-sized bird in likely areas, because a closer look will reveal the beautiful blue tones that give it its name. Its song, sometimes delivered in a swooping songflight, but perhaps more often from a high, rocky perch, is similar to the Blackbird’s and the Mistle Thrush’s, but with simpler, and shorter, phrases. Calls include a high ‘peep’ and a harsher ‘tchuk tchuk’. IN MALLORCA, LOOK FOR AT… This resident breeder lives in mountainous regions, so is best looked for at specific sites (if you want to avoid long walks or difficult climbs!). A few pairs can be found in the Boquer Valley, while the Formentor Peninsula is also a great place to look for them. The Parc Natural de Llevant, on the Arta Peninsula, is another likely spot for them. Nowhere are numbers high, but it is a relatively widespread bird, so check prominent rocky outcrops, cliffs and old buildings. WHERE ELSE CAN I SEE IT? In warm, rocky areas throughout southern Europe – its close relative, the Rock Thrush, is much more a bird of high meadows. Resident in many areas, while in others it disperses to warmer parts in winter. Casa at Boquer MORE INFO To find places to eat and stay next to a beautiful cala visit enjoymallorca.com/ CalaSantVicenc 6 Birding in North Mallorca
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Birding in Mallorca

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