BIRDING IN MALLORCA
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BIRDING IN MALLORCA |
På norsk 
Mallorca is the perfect holiday destination to obtain an introduction to Mediterranean birdlife and despite the package tour image is essentially av very attractive island, boasting magnificent coastal scenery, rugged montains, and a largely unspoilt interior. The island was one of the first destinations to become popular with birdwatchers from northern Europe who relished the opportunity to get to grips with the impressive migrations of the Mediterrianean and with the localised breeding birds of the area. Altougether more than 340 species are recorded in Mallorca.
The Island is very compact, with large ranges of habitats from high mountains to lowland marshes and coastal scrub - all within reach on the same day. Mallorca is a ideal destination for any keen birdwatcher who wants an introduction to southern European birds, with a spectacular passage of migrants in spring, repeated to a lesser extent in the autum. The birdlife is rewarding at any season, a spring visit should be rewarded by numbers of summer migrants passing through the island on their way to nothern Europe. The list of breeding birds and regular migrants is impressive..The island acts like a magnet for migrants and chances are good under favourable weather conditions to encounter one or two suprises amongst the migrants, with large falls of warblers, chats and wagtails.
The ideal time to visit in spring is from mid-April to mid May. But you will find a good numbers of birds in winter. These are species who has retreated from the extreme weather on the European mainland. The resident species for which Mallorca is best known are: Black Vulture(Aegypius monachus), Buitre negro, Audouin's Gull (Larus adouinii) Gaviota de Adouin, Marmora's Warbler (Sylvia sarda),Curruca sarda, Thekla Lark(Galerida theklae),Cugujada montesina and Blue Rock Trush (Monticola solitarius), Roquero solitario. It is possible to see all these species at any time of the year.
The RSPB and GOB's meeting in Hotel Pollentia is a must for all arriving birders to Mallorca. The meetings in Spring 2001 are hold at 3.00 pm on Mondays and Fridays during the spring & autumn migration seasons in the downstairs bar of the Hotel Pollentia, Puerto de Pollenca.
S'Albufera (pronounced "sa
bufera")is a unique
place who covers 2.200 hectares on the island and its natural
values has been recognized and appriciated as such. The
recognition was concreted with a declaration of the area as a
natural park by the Balearic Government on the 28th of Nov.1988.
It is one of the very best wetland in the western Mediterranean
and certainly the best of any Mediterranean island. Its
ornithological value is supported by a very interesting flora and
fauna.
To get to S'Albufera you will have to go to Alcudia and on the road to C'an Picafort in the area og Playa del Muro, you will see the sign for the natural park at a place called Pont dels Anglesos - The english bridge. The track to the information centre is used to be open for motor vehicles, but are fortunately now closed for this.
Access on foot or on bicycle(highly recommended!) is possible at all hours. Use the gap in the wall on the southside of the main gate. For registration you need to visit the centre for a permit to enter the park. If you are planning a early morning and late evening visit, make sure you get the permit a day before. Normal opening hrs are 9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm. While you are in the reception check the noteboard of recent sightings (described using scientific names only) and support the local preserving work with buying a souvenir in the same time.. You may also,for a small fee,rent a birdbook or a pair of binoculares.
Spend some time in the park,
don't rush. You will have a splendid opportunity to observe birds
from the good hides overlooking pools. Purple Gallinules and
White - Headed Duck (the rarest duck in Europe?) have been
introduced. Other species are: Marsh Harriers (Circus aeruginosus),,
Purple Herons (Ardea purpurea), Ospreys (pandion haliaetus),
Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax), Little Bitterns (Ixobrychus
minutus), Cattle Egrets (Bubulcus ibis), Little
Egrets (Egretta garzetta), Great Reed Warblers(Acrocephalus
arundinaceus), Moustached Warblers (Acrocephalus
melanopogon), Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) . Hoopoe (Upupa epos).
You may get to know these in addition to Bee-eaters (Merops
apiaster), ducks and waders and it may even occure flocks up to
40 Eleonora's Falcons (Falco eleonorae).
In 1997 the Marble Duck bred for
the first time in S'Albufera. This was the first breedin of this
species in Mallorca for 30 years, when a pair bred at Salinas de
Levante.
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 Photogallery |
 Birdliterature |
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 The local birdgroupe: |
Cabrera Nasjonalpark
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Mallorca Online
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| Balearene |
Mallorca Connection
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If you are planning to go or have been to Mallorca I would like very much to get a report from your trip. Maybe you have som questions or comments?
since feb
1998
AND 