mallorca bird trip reports

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Birdwatching in Mallorca

Mallorca has long been known as one of the best places in the Mediterranean for bird watching , especially in the north close to the resort of Puerto Pollensa (also known as Port de Pollença, Majorca). Twenty years ago it was the number one destination for birding holidays from both the UK and Germany and now in recent years it is established as a top destination again with thousands of visiting birdwatchers.

There are over 300 species recorded with 220 on a regular basis these do include however passing migrants. There also two endemic species being the Balearic Warbler and the Balearic Shearwater but also imagine an island in the spring where hundreds of Eleonora's Falcons arrive with a great selection of Herons in the north including both Purple Heron and Squacco as well as Little Bittern . Crossbills and Firecrest are common and in the mountains Blue Rock Thrush and Cirl Buntings . Mallorca has the only island breeding population of Black Vultures in the world and recently has a breeding population of Griffon Vultures .

Without doubt the best place to stay if you are birdwatching or walking is the fantastic Puerto Pollensa (having its own little reserve of La Gola ) as well as the now opened visitors centre for bird tourism on the Island. Puerto Pollensa is situated near to the Albufera Marsh, Boquer Valley and Cap de Formentor as well as the now very popular S’Albufereta including the Can Currassa and also ideal for birding in the Tramuntana. There is no doubt the island is at its best during migrating times as birds make their final rest before completing their journey to breeding grounds or wintering grounds. A great site near Puerto Pollensa is the tower at Albercutx where thousands of migrating birds can be seen especially raptors with huge numbers of Honey Buzzards passing through.

This website is being developed to help all bird watchers visiting the Island to make the most of their stay by providing as much information on both birding and leisure as possible.

Public transport to most of the local sites is both cheap and regular and also some are within taxi distance so another option.

There are many highlights when visiting this stunning Island and a boat trip will give you amazing memories. These are available from both Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia as well as in the south to Cabrera and Dragonera .

Latest articles about Mallorca

Conservation in Mallorca

About Puerto Pollensa (Port de Pollença)

Cala Sant Vicenç

Mallorca Travel

Culture in Mallorca

Spring Bird Migration in Mallorca

Balearic Warblers in Mallorca

Birding in Mallorca – Introduction

Featured birds found in Mallorca

Crag martin.

Ptyonoprogne rupestris

Booted Eagle

Hieraaetus pennatus

Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus

Eleonora’s Falcon

Falco eleonorae

Bonelli’s Eagle

Aquila fasciata

European Bee Eater

Merops apiaster

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Mallorca Birdwatching Trip Report – Sept 2022

If you are wanting to experience Mediterranean birdwatching then you need look no further than the island of Mallorca. Set in the northern Mediterranean off the coast of Spain, Mallorca is a great place to ‘cut your teeth’ with species associated with the Mediterranean area. We normally go in the last week of April or early May, but on this occasion we decided on an autumn excursion. Flying from Bristol Airport, we booked with Easy Jet holidays and stayed for four nights at the BQ Holiday Village in Alcudia . The cost included bed, breakfast, evening meal, flights and transfers from Palma airport.

We arrived in the early hours of 16th September and were pleased to find we had been upgraded at no extra cost, to an apartment room from our booked double room. After a long journey we were happy to get into bed and made no attempt to get up too early. Fortunately our balcony looked straight out onto the S’albufera nature reserve and we were soon racking up the species for our ‘balcony list’. This included, Greater Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Purple Heron, Audouin’s Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Cattle Egret, Mediterranean Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler, Marsh Harrier, Night Heron and Kingfisher! We also heard Scops Owl early one morning calling in the hotel grounds.

We always base ourselves in the north of the island and Alcudia is ideal being situated between two birding hotspots. Firstly, to the east, the S’Albufera Parc Natural, which is a huge reed bed and wetland reserve (imagine RSPB Ham Wall on steroids!) and to the west, the famous Boquer Valley, an amazing mountainous valley with dry valley bottom leading to the sea. In the middle there is the smaller Albufereta reserve just east of Pollenca, which is another wetland reserve with pools and viewing platforms. We didn’t visit there on this occasion due to time constraints and there is nothing there that can’t be seen at the other reserves.

The S’Albufera Parc Natural

Day 1, 2 and 4 were spent at S’Albufera. You can spend two days on the reserve and still not cover it all! The main gate leads down to the visitor center and from there there are a number of hides nearby all overlooking scrapes and shallow marshy areas. Running through the center of the reserve is a large canal, lined with reed and trees that hold Night Heron (we counted 35 one evening), Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Glossy Ibis, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Western Swamphen (Purple Gallinule) and numerous Kingfishers. On the canal we saw, Red-crested Pochard, Marbled Duck, Pochard and Mallard. South of the visitor center there are three hides overlooking the same scrape. This area is great for passage waders and we saw Ruff, Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper amongst the resident Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Black-winged Stilts. There had been 2 Pectoral Sandpipers the day prior to our arrival. There were lots of duck here too with hundreds of Shoveler, Eurasian Teal, 3 Garganey, Shelduck, Gadwall and Marbled Duck. Fan-tailed Warblers can be seen all over the reserve but a juvenile showed down to a few feet in front of the hide here! The grassy area between the hides held a few Northern Wheatear and Glossy Ibis were everywhere. Marsh Harriers were the most common bird of prey on the reserve and we saw at least 4 Ospreys, one on a nesting platform that didn’t move the who;e time we were there! Kestrel was the only small bird of prey on the reserve but we also had Booted Eagles, Red Kite and two Griffon Vultures overhead during our visits.

On the other side of the canal there are further hides and viewing platforms looking across the marshy north of the reserve. The water here is deeper and holds bigger numbers of waders including 80+Black-winged Stilt, Green, Common and Wood Sandpipers, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin, Curlew, Kentish, Little Ringed and Ringed Plover, Avocet, Common Snipe, 25+ Spotted Redshank and Greenshank. And you can’t miss the fabulous Greater Flamingos!

Behind the visitor centre is another small pool with a notice board with information about the reserves re-introduction species. One of these, the Red-knobbed Coot can be found on this pond and the surrounding reeds and scrub hold Great Reed Warbler, Nightingale, Cetti’s Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler. We saw quite a few Hoopoes in this area too.

Ses Puntas and S’Amarador

On day two we walked the footpath south from the centre to Ses Puntas and S’Amarador. This is still part of the reserve but be prepared, its is a long walk and it would have been better to hire bikes for the day to get there. To walk the whole outer footpath of the reserve would take up to four hours and for the majority there is nothing but high reeds on both sides of the path. However, the Ses Puntas area proved fruitful as we found a European Roller in the field on the right just before the woodland. The field also provided us with our first Balearic Woodchat Shrike and Whinchat and three juvenile Serins. The woodland area was quiet other than two Hoopoes and the odd Sardinian Warbler. At S’Amarador there is a large deep water pool surrounded by huge reeds, which looked promising but held nothing but Coot and a few ducks. There is a Mute Swan here of dubious origin and the adjacent fields held Little Ringed Plover, another Woodchat Shrike. There is a good panoramic view from the platform here which is great for watching raptors. We had great views of Booted Eagles and Red Kites from here before the long walk back!

The Boquer Valley

Our 3rd day was spent in the Boquer Valley. With a mountain range on either side this is a superb migration hotspot in both Spring and Autumn. We took a Taxi from Alcudia to Pollenca, which was about 25 euros and found the entrance to the valley. Serins were in good numbers here and we soon found Crag Martins circling the ridges above us. From the Finca (farm) we scanned the mountains and picked up 4 Griffon Vultures and numerous Cinereous (black) Vultures. A couple of Red Kites and Peregrines were also seen in this area and our first Blue Rock Thrush was in fields below the Finca. Numerous Wrynecks could be heard calling but we only saw one bird distantly. The valley itself was alive with migrants and we counted over 60 Common Redstarts, Pied and Spotted Flycatchers and bird of the day, a 1w male Black-eared Wheatear high up on the ridge. On the slope down to the beach we finally picked up a few elusive Balearic Warblers, seeing up to 15 birds in total. At the very end of the valley, Eleanora’s Falcons could be seen chasing tired migrants and their calls echoed around the valley. As did that of a couple of juvenile Booted Eagles that flew close overhead. The valley itself was very busy with tourists making their way to and from the beach. And it was extremely hot! In hindsight an earlier start would have been beneficial.

The Depuradora

Our final day was spent at Depuradora at the eastern end of the reserve. Despite being part of the Parc Natural, it is not accessible from the main reserve due to the gate being inexplicably locked. So, we traveled by taxi for about 9 euros and walked from the Bus depot towards the water treatment works. This is a fantastic farmland area and we soon picked up over 30 Stone Curlews in a field with 4 Thekla’s Larks, some of which were singing and showing at close range. The gardens along the road held good numbers of Tree Sparrows, Serin, Fan-tailed Warblers and Sardinian Warblers and our first Pallid Swifts hawked overhead. The waterworks were fairly quiet but still held Coot, Marbled Duck, Glossy Ibis, Little Ringed Plovers, Yellow-legged Gull and Common Sandpiper. One of the adjacent fields had over 150 ‘flava’ Wagtails, Whinchats, Wheatear and a Pied Flycatcher.

We saw over 100 species over the four days at just three sites and will be planning a tour here in the not so distant future! Keep and eye on the website! See below for a full list of species seen:

SPECIES LIST

Mute Swan (of unknown origin), Cormorant, Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Bittern, Glossy Ibis, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Curlew, Ruff, Common Snipe, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Stone Curlew, Western Swamphen, Water Rail, Coot, Moorhen, Red-knobbed Coot, Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Eurasian Teal, Garganey, Gadwall, Shoveler, Mallard, Marbled Duck, Common Pochard, Little Grebe, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Black-headed Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Osprey, Griffon Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Kestrel, Peregrine, Eleanora’s Falcon, Scops Owl (heard only), Red-legged Partridge, Woodchat (Balearic) Shrike, Hoopoe, European Roller, Wryneck, Kingfisher, Great Tit, Fan-tailed Warbler (Zitting Cisticola), Eurasian Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Crag Martin, Willow Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Balearic Warbler, Blackcap, Firecrest, Blackbird, Blue Rock Thrush, Wren, Common Redstart, European Starling, Raven, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Nightingale, Stonechat, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Thekla’s Lark, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Yellow Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet, Serin, Crossbill, Reed Bunting.

Book a Tour Here

If you would like further details about private tours to Mallorca please contact Paul at [email protected] to discuss further. We can arrange bespoke 4-5 day tours based on the trip report above.

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Balearic Islands

Birding the Balearics

The Balearic Islands (Spanish: Islas Baleares) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The four largest islands are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. The archipelago forms an autonomous community and a province of Spain, of which the capital city is Palma. The co-official languages in the Balearic Islands are Spanish and Catalan (i.e. Mallorquí, Menorquí and Eivissenc, as Catalan is known by its speakers in this territory).

The Balearic Islands comprise Majorca and Minorca which are the Balearic Islands proper, and other smaller islands, which together constitute an autonomous community of Spain. The main islands of the autonomous community are Majorca (Mallorca in Catalan), Minorca (Menorca), Ibiza (Eivissa), and Formentera, all of which are popular tourist destinations. Among the minor islands is Cabrera, which is the location of the Parc Nacional de l’Arxipèlag de Cabrera. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Minorca, and Cabrera as the Gymnesian Islands, and Ibiza and Formentera as the Pine Islands.The climate of islands is a Mediterranean Climate. With cold and mild, rainy winters and warm, sunny summers.

Majorca – the most frequently birded island – has two mountainous regions each about 70 km in length. These occupy the north-western (Serra de Tramuntana or Tramuntana range) and eastern thirds of the island. The highest peak on Majorca is Puig Major (1,445 m) in the Serra de Tramuntana. As this is a military zone, the neighbouring peak at Puig de Massanella is considered the highest accessible peak (1,364 m). The northeast coast comprises two sweeping bays: the Badia de Pollença and the larger Badia d’Alcúdia. Inland of here lie some of the best birding areas of the island with slat pans and the extensive reedbeds of S’Albufera d’Alcúdia nature reserve as well as the fame Boca Valley with its vultures and etc. The northern coast is generally rugged and has many cliffs. The central zone extending from Palma is generally flat fertile plain known as Es Pla. The climate is Mediterranean, with markedly higher precipitation in the Serra de Tramuntana. Summers are hot in the plains and winters mild to cool, getting colder in the Tramuntana range; in this part of the island brief episodes of snow during the winter are not unusual.The island is surrounded by two uninhabited small islands: Cabrera (southeast of Palma) and Dragonera (west of Palma).

IBA Salinas de Migjorn - South Mallorca

Np parc natural de s'albufera de mallorca.

GNU Free Documentation License

Number of bird species: 380

Number of endemics: 1 breeding endemic.

A Birdwatching Guide to Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera

Atles ornitonímic de les illes balears [atlas of bird names of the balearic islands], cuándo y dónde ver aves en baleares [when and where to see birds in the balearic islands], finding birds in mallorca - the new book, guia de les aus de menorca [guide to the birds of menorca], a birding tourist's guide to majorca, balearic group of ornithology mallorca, balearic group of ornithology menorca, institut català d'ornitologia.

Abbreviations Key

BR Menorca Reserva de Biosfera

Iba puerto pollensa, mp freus marine reserve of ibiza and formentera, np archipiélago de cabrera, kudu travel, 2014 [10 october] - pat hayes - mallorca, 2015 [10 october] - tony benton - menorca, 2016 [05 may] - david karr - mallorca, 2016 [05 may] - mike neale, 2016 [10 october] - chris gibson - menorca, 2017 [10 october] - bob shiret, 2018 [04 april] - ed o'hara, 2018 [05 may] - bob shiret, 2019 [04 april] - zoothera birding, 2019 [05 may] - ed o'hara - mallorca, 2019 [05 may] - ed o’hara - mallorca, 2019 [05 may] - tony benton - menorca, 2019 [06 june] - richard thomas - mallorca, 2023 [04 april] - ed. o'hara - majorca, 2023 [05 may] - bob shiret - menorca, hotel playa esperanza - mallorca, birding in mallorca.

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© Neville Davies

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Where to go Bird Watching in Mallorca

A haven for visiting bird watchers

Mallorca - the largest of the Balearic Islands - has a fantastic selection of birds all of which inspire visitors to keep coming back, myself included. It has that magical and memorable effect on one.

Geographically, Mallorca is well placed to receive a large number of migrating birds during April and early May, with these returning through again in September and October. Coupled with the resident species, the island boasts over three hundred recorded species of bird, making the island a haven for visiting bird watchers. The important bird species include Audouin’s Gull, Black Vulture, Balearic Warbler, Thekla Lark, Blue Rock Thrush, Spectacled Warbler, Wryneck and Purple Gallinule.

For me, the two main birds I most wanted to see were the Hoopoe with its elegant raised crest and distinctive black and white markings, and the beautiful Bee Eater with its nine different colours - I was not disappointed. In fact, on my first visit to the island, I saw over fifty species of birds that were new to me.

What attracts the diverse range of birds to the island is the varied habitat. In the south, you have the salt pans and lagoons of Salinas de Llevant and throughout the island there are olive and almond groves interspersed with cork oaks. There are extensive areas of marshland and reed beds such as the Albufera Marsh near Alcudia (now a natural park), reservoirs such as Cuber in the mountains of the north, rivers, steep-sided valleys and of course the magnificent mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana that run for eighty miles from Andratx to Pollenca with peaks that rise to 4,747ft in the north. Such habitats offer a diverse range of feeding habitats for many species of birds.

From a bird watcher's point of view, there are six main sites with numerous other sites where you can maximise the chances of viewing the birds. Most visitors base themselves in Puerto Pollensa. From here you can reach the nearby Boquer Valley - home to the endemic Balearic warbler with its amazing steep-sided gorges. The mountain drive up to Cap de Formentor passes by the Mirador (viewpoint) for Eleonora’s Falcons and then up the side road to Alburcutz Tower which is an old Moorish tower with commanding views over the sea and the Formentor Hotel below. The end of the journey is rewarded with an impressive lighthouse that boasts a very nice coffee shop that also sells hot and cold meals.

Just before the turning for Alcudia along the coast road is the Albufereta Marsh where Osprey and Thekla Lark can be seen amongst numerous other birds. Nearby is the old part of Alcudia, flanked by the castle walls which house a lovely walkway lined with shops and restaurants. Alcudia itself also boasts one of the most important wetland habitats in Europe – the Albufera Marsh which is now a rural park and home to a multitude of breeding birds including Moustached Warbler and Purple Gallinule.

Towards the north of the mountains is the impressive Cuber Reservoir, home to the Black Vulture which soars effortlessly over the highest mountain of Puig Major (4,747ft above sea level). It is possible to see up to ten different species of birds of prey on a walk around the reservoir itself. The walk around the reservoir takes about two hours but a trip here must be followed by continuing the drive down to the beautiful town of Soller which is an Arabic name meaning ‘golden bowl’ in reference to the many orange groves. From here one can catch a tram down to the Port de Soller or even down to Palma which is a lovely trip in itself.

The south of Mallorca also boasts a fantastic birding destination in the form of the Salinas de Llevant with its numerous salt pans and lagoons. A visit here must be combined with a visit to the beautiful harbour at Porto Colom and perhaps a visit to the nearby town of Manacor famous for its pearls.

Of course, there is more to Mallorca than simply the birds, from its spectacular scenery, to its history and culture. But if bird watching is your thing, then to give you a little flavour of the birds on offer, here are some to whet the appetite – Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Serin, Golden Oriole, Roller, Dartford Warbler, Quail, Collard Pratincole, Scops Owl, Tawny Pipit, Rock Thrush, Greater Flamingo and Black Winged Stilt.

Neville Davies is the author of the recently published Bird Watching in Mallorca, how where and when (ISBN 978-0-957387-0-2). Signed copies are available for 12Euros. Please email [email protected] for more details. You can also visit his website at www.ecologycymru.co.uk

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• Balkan Specialties
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Mallorca Birdwatching Tour

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This trip is based on a seven day excursion of the island visiting its various habitats, among which oak woodlands, pine forests, marshes, rivers, mountains and garigue valleys to include one of the most important wetland areas in Europe, and taking in a few points of interest including a Roman bridge, fantastic scenery, orchids and butterflies, and most importantly, over a 110 species of birds including some new additions for the island, Mediterranean Flycatcher, Moltoni’s Warbler and the endemic Balearic Warbler.

The trip is timed to coincide with the likely peak of migration, and we will have the flexibility to move freely round the island to wherever the birding is best. all the islands main birdwatching sites will be explored, shown to you by expert birdwatcher and guide, and author of two guide books for mallorca, neville davies..

Day one :  Pick up at the airport, booking into accommodation and freshening up followed by an afternoon visit to the Albufereta Marsh to get you into the Mediterranean bird mood , with over 60 species of water and scrub birds likely.

Key birds we will look for here include Corn Bunting , Great Egret, Greater Flamingo, Eleanora’s Falcons hawking for dragonflies, Kentish Plovers , Stone Curlew , migrating waders, ducks, migrating tern species, Fan-tailed Warbler, Black-winged Stilt, Wryneck and Hoopoe . We will first scan a water inlet which can be good for waders and then follow the main path onto a raised viewing platform with commanding views over the marsh. A nearby bird hide overlooks a large lake which can be good for migrating waders and terns. Then we move on to another raised viewing platform with views over the far side of the reserve. Also, a possibility will be Clouded Yellow and Swallowtail Butterflies, Pyramidal and Giant Orchid with Wild Gladioli adding a splash of colour.  There will be some time before the evening meal to explore some of the Albufereta back roads for migrating Red-footed Falcon, Lesser Kestrel and Roller or taking in one of the new roadside viewing platforms to see the roosting waders coming in ( Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Stone Curlew are all likely).

Day two:  A full day in the south – Sallinas de llevante, Far de Cap Ses sallines and Castle de Santuri 

We will have a full day in the south today, taking in the salt pans, some sea watching and a Moorish castle for breeding Alpine Swifts . First, we will visit Sallinas de Llevante – home to up to 200 breeding Greater Flamingos and one of the best sites on the island for waders, terns, ducks and Collard Pratincoles . Key birds also include Great Egret, Eurasian Spoonbill, Teminck’s Stint, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Gull-billed Tern and other tern and wader species. A steady walk along flat ground takes us alongside lagoons on both sides, packed with waders and waterbird species, with Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail and pipits in the surrounding low vegetation. Water Rail are common here and migrating rarities stop off to feed and rest. Raptors are plentiful and include Marsh Harriers, possibly Montagu’s Harrier, Bonelli’s Eagle (one of the better sites for this species), Booted Eagle (both light and dark phase), Red Kite and Black Kite with migrating Lesser Kestrel and Red-footed Falcons in some open fields at the end of the track. Returning to the vehicle we will take the very short drive to Es Trenc which is the other side of the salt pans with more lagoons. More waders can be seen from the other side of the salt pans, and the scrub area there holds warblers, migrating passerines, Common Crossbills on occasion, European Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo , larks and pipits and the beautiful Hottontot Fig plants. Slender-billed Gulls are often mixed in with the Yelow-legged Gulls , and another short drive will take us to a scrub area ideal for Whinchat and other migrants.

We will stop in the nearby village of Ses Sallines for lunch, then we will move to our next destination – Far de Cap Ses Sallines. A slow drive along the road leading down to the sea will see us scanning the orchards and open fields for Montagu’s Harriers, Red-legged Partridge, Hoopoe , finches and buntings, with a small detour for possible Rock Sparrows . At the Cap itself, we will take a short walk onto the rocky beach and set up the telescopes for some sea watching, where Balearic and Scopoli’s Shearwaters can be seen close in along with Gannet, European Shag and perhaps European Storm Petrel . The scrub around the lighthouse is worth checking for warblers and migrants and Audouin’s Gulls share the area with Yellow-legged Gulls and Sandwich Terns .

On the way back we will take in Castle de Santuri to see the breeding Alpine Swifts and Crag Martins , with Red-rumped Swallow, Peregrine, Blue Rock Thrush, Firecrest and warblers also on the cards along with spectacular views. We will head back towards Alcudia via the Arta route with its stunning scenery.

Day three :  The Mountains

Today we will drive the 30km twisting hairpin bends up to Cuber Reservoir where we will be at an altitude of about 1400 m. Here we will pass cyclists on the road training for the upcoming Tour de France. The scenery is breath-taking, and the cool mountain air is welcomed. A circular walk will take us around the reservoir itself where the key birds will be Yellow-legged Gulls, Common Cuckoo, Spectacled Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Moltoni’s Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Thekla Lark, Common Nightingale, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting , warblers and finches. Up to eleven species of raptor are possible, including Booted Eagle, Hobby, Eleanora’s Falcon, Peregrine, Common Kestrel, Red Kite, Black Kite, Cinereous (Eurasian Black) Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture and Osprey . The view from the dam may reward us with Marsh Frog and Balearic Midwife Toad . The short Holm Oaks can be good for Firecrest , warblers, Common Nightingales and Wryneck . This is a great area for birds where rarities such as migrating Black-eared Wheatears can turn up.

This will take us up to lunch where we will visit the nearby site of Lluc Monastery for some food, a look around the gift shop, followed by a short circular walk along the stone path built by the Monks under the Holm and Turkey Oaks , where Firecrest , finches, warblers and the Blue Tit can be found – strangely a bird of higher altitudes on Mallorca,  and the aptly named Friar’s Cowl plant.  Some nearby Eucaluptus trees will be scanned for roosting Eurasian Scops Owls , and Eurasian Wryneck may be possible too. We will explore the top end of the car park where we have had Golden Oriole in most years, then take the drive back down towards base, taking in the gorge at Ternelles where Rock Dove (of the pure form), Blue Rock Thrush , the endemic Balearic Foxglove and overhead raptors including vultures can all be seen. We will stop off briefly to look at the Roman bridge – Pont Roma in its beautiful setting before exploring Cala San Vicente, a deep limestone valley leading to the sea with its beautiful coves where we will be looking for European Shag and offshore shearwaters,  and a roadside stop off where in most years we have been successful in seeing Golden Orioles and Rollers .

We will have some time in the late afternoon to explore the well known Bee Hive Lane road, where the olive groves and open fields can hold migrants such as Pied Flycatcher, Common Redstart, Whinchat , wagtail species (Iberian and Blue-headed included), finches, pipits, Roller, Golden Oriole, Lesser Kestrel, Red-footed Falcon, Wryneck, Hoopoe and more, followed by a coffee at a tucked away venue with commanding views over the bay, and warblers and Common Crossbills in the pines around us. Close by is a small river with a few sections to stop at to see what may be along the banks.

Day Four:  Son Real, Waterworks area, Can Curassa, Cala San Vicente

We will visit the Son Real estate which compromises a walk through the Pine woods to a secluded beach. This is Hoopoe country, with Woodchat Shrike , Cirl Bunting and warblers likely along the way. At the rocky beach we will look for Tawny Pipit and Thekla Lark , with Shag close in on the rocks. Migrating waders are possible such as Sanderling and Ruff . Audouin’s Gull and Yellow-legged Gull will be close by and there are a nice variety of coastal plants to see and Painted Lady butterflies. We will make our way back up to the woods where we will visit a bird hide with an artificial pool in front, where we will see the sub-species of Common Crossbill ( ssp. balearica ). Many species come to this pool to drink including Common Nightingale , Pied Flycatcher , warblers and finches including European Serin . Hermann’s Tortoise is also a regular visitor. Orchids may still be present along the path.

Day Five: Cap de Formentor, Cases Velles and the Boquer Valley

We will take a drive through the beautiful cliff top landscape leading up to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor, stopping off en-route at the viewing spot for breeding Pallid and Common Swifts, Blue Rock Thrush and Eleanora’s Falcons . The scrub area below the lighthouse can be alive with migrants as this is the first land they see as they enter Mallorca. Views across the sea can reveal the islands of Menorca and Ibiza. The cliffs around here also hold breeding Eleanora’s and Peregrine Falcons, Blue Rock Thrush and swift species. On the way back down we will stop at Cases Velles for close views of the sub-species of Common Crossbill found here. This can be another gem of a spot for migrants and past years have seen rarities such as Little Bunting and Olive-backed Pipit . This roadside stop will give us Firecrest, European Serin, Common Redstarts, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat , raptors above the ridge, Raven and possibly Roller and Golden Oriole too. Note, if the road to the lighthouse is closed to cars as is often the case, time will be spent visting Cases Velles only after the Mirador and tower stop.

After lunch we will take a walk into the famous Boquer Valley, flanked by the Caval Bernet Ridge and home to the endemic Balearic Warbler. Woodchat Shrike, Blue Rock Thrush, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting , pure wild Rock Dove, Crag Martin, Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Cinereous Vulture and other raptors are all on the cards, and migration time has also seen Honey Buzzard, Short-toed Eagle, Golden Eagle, and in some years, White and Black Storks following the ridge. We will walk to the far end of the valley for the Balearic Warbler (unless seen beforehand), then return to spend time scanning the vegetation near the finca for Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler , other warblers, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat and other migrants. Stone Curlew, Wryneck, Redstart, Hoopoe, Serin,  Mediterranean Flycatcher and other birds breed in the fields below. The sheep fields at the start of the walk can be good for summer migrants.

Day Six : The Albufera Marsh and the nearby hot spot areas.

This day we will visit the vast world renowned Albufera Marsh after breakfast, taking in the key hides to see an impressive array of species. The area has the familiar Giant Reeds where we will see a breeding colony of Little and Cattle Egrets . Pockets of White Poplars, canals and open areas, are all ideal for a variety of great birds and wildlife. Key species we will be looking for here include Night Heron, Osprey, Moustached Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Red-knobbed Coot, Marbled Teal, Western Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt, Little Bittern, Purple Heron and Squacco Heron . There are several key hides where we will have opportunities to see a good variety of waders including Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Spotted Redshanks and Little Ringed Plovers to name a few, along with very close views of breeding stilts, Avocets and Kentish Plovers. Collard Pratincoles are  likely. Migrating terns stop off to feed and rest and European Bee-e ater, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Nightingale, Mediterranean Flycatcher and Cetti’s Warbler can be seen, and other warblers such as Western Bonelli’s , plus a spot where in previous visits we have had Savi’s Warbler . We will also have the chance of seeing Bug Orchids, Stripe-necked Terrapins , close views of  Red-knobbed Coot , butterflies and possibly Viperine Snake .

Next, we will stop off a site close by where we can scan around the small pools of the sewage plant where Marbled Duck , stilts and waders can be found in good numbers. Rarities turn up here and have included Spotted Redshank and Spotted Crake in the past. The electricity wires can be good for migrating falcons and Roller . This should take us up to the nearby town of Can Picafort for some lunch, drinks and toilets. After lunch we will visit the waterworks site of Sa Coma in the area, where a raised platform looks over the five small lagoons which can be good for sandpiper species, terns ( Whiskered, Gull-billed, Black and White-winged Terns at the right time), ducks and wagtail species. The surrounding area of rough vegetation is good for Whinchats and wheatears, with Turtle Dove, Thekla Lark, Short-toed Lark likely, with Hoopoe guaranteed and where a nesting colony of European Bee-eaters will be on show. Red-rumped Swallows can be mixed in here with the hirundines and Alpine Swifts sometimes join the Pallid and Common Swifts flocks. This is a great little area that never dissapoints bird wise.

Depending on the time of the return flight there is the option of some local birdwatching or taking in a site en-route to the airport – which ever suits.

On each day there is the option of some pre-breakfast birding to maximise the variety of birds and wildlife to be seen. Our base is a charming hotel in Puerto Pollensa in the north of Mallorca, very conveniently placed for transfer to birding hotspots.

If you would like to receive a full checklist of the birds seen on this tour, please send us an e-mail.

28 Apr 2025

04 may 2025, april - may, 7 days / 6 nights, tour prices per person.

6 persons – 1900 EUR

5 persons – 2150 EUR

4 persons – 2400 EUR

Single room supplement – 260 EUR

Prices for groups bigger than 6 persons – to be agreed;

The prices include ground transport, accommodation in en-suite double / twin rooms in a middle standard hotel, all meals and guiding.

The prices do not include flights to and from Mallorca, expenses of a personal nature including drinks and personal insurance.

Outline itinerary

Palma de Mallorca Airport to Puerto Pollensa

Albufereta Marsh and the back roads after checking in

A full day in the south – Sallinas de llevante, Far de Cap Ses Sallines and Castle de Santuri

The Mountains – Cuber Reservoir and lluc Monastery

Son Real, Waterworks area, Can Curassa, Cala San Vicente

Boquer Valley, Formentor and Cases Velles

The Albufera Marsh and the nearby hot spot areas

Pre-breakfast birding from the nearby Alburcutx Tower is also possible

© 2015 Neophron Tours Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

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Majorca Trip Report - September 2022

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Mallorca Birdwatching Trip Report – Sept 2022​

The S’Albufera Parc Natural​

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Mallorca Birdwatching Guide – Spring Time on Mallorca Is Birding Time

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Mallorca birdwatching season kicks off in the spring time when the migration starts. Spain’s Catalan island of Mallorca is one of the most popular spots for birdwatching or birding as twitchers and birders call it in Europe. This is our guide to birding on the Balearic Island for beginners and amateur bird watchers.

For twitchers or birders – those serious birdwatching types who seem to have binoculars permanently dangling from their neck and a well-thumbed field guide stashed in a pocket – Spain’s  Catalan island of Mallorca is one of the most popular spots for birdwatching (or birding as twitchers and birders call it) in Europe .

Mallorca, located in the Balearic Islands group, is in a prime position for migrating birds to land and rest on their travels each spring and autumn, Mallorca has a staggering diversity of habitats – marshes, reed beds, fresh water lagoons, salt pans, scrubland, fields, orchards, woods, rocky sea cliffs, and wild mountains.

We are by no means what you’d call twitchers or even amateur birdwatchers, although we have been known to do the occasional birdwatching tour in places where there are beautiful birds in abundance, such as Costa Rica and Kakadu.

However, when we were last on the island researching and photographing a guidebook we did get into a bit of birdwatching as we road-tripped around Mallorca . One of the things we loved was that Mallorca’s birdwatching is just so accessible.

While the most rewarding places for twitchers for birdwatching on Mallorca will always be the most remote, sparsely inhabited parts of the island, for everyday travellers like you and I, one of the most satisfying spots is the easiest to get to and that’s S’Albufera de Mallorca at Can Picafort, pictured above.

S’Albufera is a protected nature park that comprises some 1,708 hectares of marshes and dunes and it’s just 25 minutes drive from the centre of Port d’Alcudia. On the main public bus route, there are fantastic paths right through the nature park, which you can walk or cycle.

Once upon a time the park was a lagoon separated from the sea by sand dunes. It’s now the biggest and most significant wetlands area on the Balearic Islands and it’s Mallorca’s most important birdwatching site.

There are more than 200 species of birds within this vast area of marshes, reed beds and waterways, so if you only do birdwatching once, make it S’Albufera.

Mallorca Birdwatching – Our Beginner’s Guide to Birding on the Balearic Island

Mallorca birdwatching – when to go.

Mallorca has abundant birdlife all year round, as long as you know where to look and what to look for. The island is packed with birds, including resident birds, birds visiting to breed, and 200-odd species of migratory birds.

Among Mallorca’s best-known resident species that you’ll see all year round are the black vulture, Audouin’s gull, Marmora’s warbler, and blue rock thrush.

But if we had to choose one season it would be spring, especially from April to May, which is by far the best time to visit. This is when the greatest number of birds are in evidence, but best of all, those migratory birds are on the move, which is a dramatic sight.

Mallorca Birdwatching – Where to Go and What Birds to Look For

S’albufera de mallorca nature park.

Look out for bitterns, which thrive in S’Albufera; marsh harriers, which like to sail over reed beds which conceal herons and egrets; wild fowl, that like to doze in the creeks; and elegant black-winged stilts, which probe around the muddy lagoons.

Bóquer Valley

This is where you’ll see migratory birds in the spring time, including redstarts with their flashy red tails, pied flycatchers, and firecrests with their stripy heads and yellow jackets.

Here you can watch black storks patrol the shoreline where ospreys plunge down to catch their lunch, while the rocky cliffs are home to blue rock thrushes, small crag martins, and, near the crags around Formentor lighthouse, some of Mallorca’s rarest birds, including Eleonora’s falcons, booted eagles and red kites, along with one of Europe’s most endangered species, the mighty black vulture.

Sa Dragonera and the National Park island of Cabrera

Serious twitchers claim to have spotted some 64 different seabird species here during the spring migration.

Mallorca Birdwatching – Endangered Bird Species

While the natural habitats and wildlife of Mallorca have been under threat as a result of mass tourism and coastal development, the efforts of the environmental group Grup Balear d’Ornitología (GOB) and local authorities, which have protected almost one third of the island in some way, seem to be paying off.

We’re told that various species, including the black vulture and purple swamp hen, that were reintroduced to Mallorca from mainland Spain are doing well. The marble duck, bred in S’Albufera in 1997 for the first time in Mallorca in 30 years, is thriving. However, sadly, the Balearic shearwater is on the critically endangered list .

Mallorca Birdwatching – Our Tips for Beginners

These are some of the tips that we’ve picked up from birdwatching guides over the years.

Start Early

After about noon in winter, and as early as 10am or 11am in summer, Mallorca appears strangely bird-less. But take a stroll in the countryside before breakfast and you will hear Sardinian warblers chirruping in the hedges, the chattering of woodchat shrikes, and the zip-zip call of tiny fan-tailed warblers. You may even glimpse a hoopoe, among the most striking birds on the island, with its striped wings and Native American chief’s headdress, flapping around the traditional stone walls like a giant butterfly.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

Strolling around the gardens or beach at seaside resorts, or beachcombing along a deserted stretch of sand at dawn or dusk, you’ll spot sea gulls swooping overhead and waders strutting in the sand and shallows. During boat rides, look out for graceful shearwaters, their wings virtually skimming the water in flight.

Even when you’re basking on one of Mallorca’s brilliant beaches , it’s worth removing your headphones for a bit to listen out for the occasional chirruping in the sky. There’s no need to even move. Just open one eye and you’ll probably see a flock of swifts overhead, a dapper black-and-white Sardinian warbler delivering a rattling song from the tangled vegetation, or a swirl of bee-eaters, which appear black in silhouette but burst into all the colours of the rainbow if you’re lucky enough to track them with binoculars.

Do a Little Research

A good source of information online is Mallorca Birdwatching’s  Facebook page where they post pics of birds they’ve spotted. You’ll find a link there to their website where they have loads of info on the types of birds you’ll see and the bird sites. You’ll find lots of information on S’Albufera on Mallorca Web, including a downloadable handbook, bird list, a map, visiting hours, and rules for visiting

Buy a Field Guide

When it comes to field guides, Dave Gosney’s Finding Birds in Mallorca is well regarded and was recommended to us by local experts.

Where to Stay on Mallorca

See our recommendations for where to stay on Mallorca – all tried and tested – from hillside hideaways to beach escapes . Of our favourites, Son Brull just out of Pollença, Son Sant Jordi in Pollença and Hotel Ca’n Pere in Alcúdia are all ideally placed for a spot of bird watching.

The more intrepid travellers who are getting around on their own wheels – the best way to explore Mallorca – should consider checking into one of these Mallorcan monasteries and mountaintop retreats .

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Trip Reports

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Mallorca – 18th April to 2nd May 2009 Trip report includes bird photos

Mallorca – 21st april to 5th may 2007 report contains mallorca bird photos, mallorca – 27th april to 4th may 2019 © ed. o’hara (pdf), mallorca – 27th september to 11th october 2014 trip report includes bird photos, mallorca – april 2007 report includes bird photos from mallorca, mallorca – april 2017 report includes bird photos, mallorca – april 2018, mallorca – may 2014 report includes bird photos, mallorca – october 2003 report includes photos, mallorca – october 2005 report includes mallorca bird photos, mallorca – october 2008 report includes photos, mallorca – october 2010 trip report includes bird photos.

Majorca - 23rd to 30th April 2005 ,

Last year I (Andy Firth), two other Sandbach Flashes regulars (Ian Barber and Mark Stubbs) and a vagrant to Sandbach Flashes (Lee Greenhough) decided to spend a spring week birding in Majorca.

Ian had birded abroad several times, including Majorca, and arranged for an apartment in Puerto de Alcudia in the North of the Island.  I arranged flights through Thomas Cook and arranged car hire through Europa Goldcar.  The apartment was ideal and flights and car hire went to plan.

After checking in at our apartment we immediately headed for an afternoon visit to the Albufera.  In five hours birding this site we saw 60 species, highlights being introduced Red Knobbed Coot and Purple Swamp Hen, a brief Little Bittern, pair of Slender Billed Gulls and two Whiskered Terns.  An array of Herons, Egrets and Waders were also seen.  Access to Albufura is from the C712 road where parking is limited but we always found a space and extra parking is available across the main road.

Day 2 produced the first of many sightings of Audouin's Gull on the coast by the road connecting Alcudia and Port De Pollenca.  We then parked at Postage Stamp Wood and spent an hour birding, seeing only Pied, Spotted Flycatchers, Wood and Sardinian Warblers.  A kilometre or so from here is the start of the Boquer Valley.  On the walk up the valley we saw Wryneck, Stone Curlew and the first of many Blue Rock Thrushes.  A Melodious Warbler was found in some scrub further up the valley.  On the return journey down the valley, whilst searching through an apparent fall of Wheatears, Whinchat and Flycatchers, two  Mamora's Warblers were located.

At the bottom of the valley a birder pointed out a distant perched Black Vulture which took to the air and was immediately joined by two Egyptian Vultures.  The first of many Booted Eagles followed.

We then called at the Albafureta Marsh which is accessed from the Port de Pollenca, Puerto de Alcudia road.  A two hour visit produced two Collared Pratincoles with many Zitting Cisticola, Osprey, Marsh Harrier and another Stone Curlew.

Another visit to the Albufera followed producing the first Alpine Swift and the first of the surprisingly elusive Moustached Warblers.

On day 3 we drove to the Cuber Reservoir a site well documented in the books available on Majorca.  The hoped for Spectacled Warbler and Rock Thrush defied us (is this site still good for these species ?).  However Black and Egyptian Vultures, Red Kite, Osprey and Tawny Pipit were seen well.

An afternoon visit to Casas Vevas (access off the Cap de Formentor road) was excellent, highlights including Turtle Dove, Ortolan Bunting, Crossbill, Black Redstart and the first sighting of Eleonoras Falcon.

An elusive Scops Owl in Port de Pollenca brought the holiday list to 101 after two and a half days birding.

The morning of day 4 was spent at the Albufera where four more species were added including 2 or 3 obliging Squacco Herons.  A party of six Eleonoras Falcons hunted above us at the site which was very impressive.

The afternoon was spent at the Arta Peninsula where Thekla Larks were seen feeding young.  This drive is quite arduous and Thekla Lark can be found easily elsewhere as we found later in the week.

Formenter was the venue for the morning of day 5.  Corys Shearwater, Blue Rock Thrushes, Eleonoras Flacons and an escaped Bateleur were recorded.  A brief visit to the Boquer Valley produced another Blue Rock Thrush.  The day ended on a high with a party of 6 Bee Eaters back at the East end of Albufera.

On day 6 we drove about an hour and a half to the Ses Salines, the salt pan on the Southern tip of the island.  Here we were greeted with Short Toed Lark and also Thekla Lark (one birder insisted these birds at the lower levels were in fact Crested Larks).

The next two hours produced 3 Gull Billed Terns, 5 Collared Pratincoles, a flock of Greater Flamingos and an impressive array of Waders, including the fist Termmincks Stints of the trip.  Spoonbill and Ruddy Shelduck were also recorded.

A drive to the Cap Salines produced Corys and Balearic Shearwaters and more Audouins Gulls.  On the drive back from the coast we stopped at the road side to "scope" a Black Vulture seen from the car and the next hour was brilliant.  The fields here were alive with Larks, Chats and Buntings, while Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike, Hoopoe, Bee Eater and Eleonoras Falcon were seen in one magical hour.

Porto Colom failed to produce the hoped for Pallid Swift and this species eluded us all week, although other birders claimed many sightings.  Back to the field guides !  Two more Blue Rock Thrushes were seen and hundreds of Shearwaters, some very close.

On the final day the copious amounts of beer and Jack Daniels drunk each night caught up with Mark (the youngest of us !!) and we retired from the field early so Mark could sleep it off with a White Headed Duck, the only notable species seen (Albufera).

The trip list finished on 123 with "lifers" for all of us.  For a first birding trip abroad it was excellent and between us we identified almost everything we saw. Anyone who can stay off the drink and be out at first light could probably see more species but to us the night time is part of the holiday.

Anyone who wants any information on our visit or can enlighten me to any aspect of birding on the island ie:-sites we didn't visit,birds we missed, please feel free to contact me on [email protected] .

The species we saw were as follows.

Andy Firth, Crewe, Cheshire.

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Palma de Mallorca

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Serra de Tramuntana

Birdwatching on Mallorca

By stephanie horsman.

29 April 2020

Birder’s Bliss #

Bird watching your thing? Why not play "tourist," plan a few outings and enjoy some pretty serious birding in the sun!

Bird watching may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Mallorca but the island is home to some of the best spots for viewing in the Mediterranean. With estimates falling between 300-400 recorded resident and migrating species living or passing through, it’s a can’t miss for hardcore ornithologists and casual birders alike.

Where to Go #

There are several sites for bird watching on the island, but three of the best are S'Albufera Nature Reserve, Ses Salines/Es Trenc and La Gola Bird Observation Centre. Add the Boquer Valley (Catalan: Vall de Boquer ) located 3 km northeast of Puerto Pollença, the Artá Peninsula, the Formentor Peninsula and the Tramuntana Range and you have a lot of terrain to cover.

S'Albufera Nature Reserve

S’Albufera’s name is Arabic for “lagoon” and is the largest wetland area in the Balearics. Just 5km south of the Port d’Alcudia on the northwest coast, this 1,650 hectare marsh is home to many of the island’s bird species, both native and migratory. Rarely seen migrants like Montagu's harriers and Eleanora's falcons are often spotted here. Indigenous birds, such as stonechats, moustached warblers, the purple gallinule and hoopoes breed and live here year-round. The park is protected land designated by its status as a Natural Park.

Open 7 days/week from 9h-17h

Av. de s'Albufera, 07458, Ca’n Picafort

+34 971 89 22 50

Salobrar de Campos/Es Trenc

Behind the cliffs of Es Trenc is a newly created wetland project and nature park. The wetlands are being expanded to house more birds and other wildlife, and the government is making the area more accessible for ornithological enthusiasts. With a unique microclimate (low humidity, consistent sea breezes, mild year-round weather), this salt flat is a paradise for flamingos , sea eagles and reeds. Check out the village of Ses Salines to find boutique shops, restaurants and hotels that offer a glimpse of quaint Mallorca, away from tourists and franchises.

PM-604, 135. 07630, Campos

+34 971 176 666

La Gola Bird Observation Center

La Gola is smaller than the other two bird watching areas mentioned, but with its dynamic diversity, it packs a lot of punch. Here you’ll often see grey heron, egrets, warblers, and crossbills. Also, there is a visitor’s centre for “collecting and forwarding information,” with a permanent exhibition to learn more about the birds and other natural parks in the Balearics.

Open daily from 9h-14h/17h-20h

Parc de la Gola, Carrer de Temple Fielding, S/N , 07470

+34 608 586 430

Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF)

A walk back in time, this place provides an extraordinary look at the “old” Mallorca. For a more in-depth understanding of this spectacular work to preserve and protect the black vultures of Mallorca that are close to extinct, please read this article >> [ link to article]]. Take hiking shoes, a visor to protect from the afternoon sun and plenty of water then trek lightly.

Open Monday and Friday only 10h-14h

Finca Son Pons, s/n Campanet, Mallorca

+34 661 21 22 22

What Birds You Can See #

The list tops 300 bird species, so we won’t be able to tell you every single one, but a few of the rare or more interesting ones to be found on Mallorca are the Alpine Swift, Audouin’s Gull, Black Vulture, Balearic Crossbill , Balearic Warbler, Bee Eater, Booted Eagle, Griffon, Egyptian Vulture, Balearics Shearwater, and Purple Gallinule. For a complete list check out https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org

Best Times to View #

Mallorca is incredibly well-placed on the migratory path. Typically, April/May and September/October are the best times of the year to catch a glimpse at the most number of species. Happy birding!

The Wildlife Of Mallorca

29 April, 2020

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Relaxed spring birding in the west Mediterranean Sea

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Trip Reports

The most exciting time for birding in Mallorca is during springtime, when many thousands of birds pass over and through the island, resting and feeding before heading to mainland Europe. This passage usually peaks in late April and early May, and is an exciting time when virtually anything can happen. There may be hundreds of Honey Buzzards overhead, taking advantage of favourable winds. There may be trees full of singing Nightingales, displaying much more openly than on their northern territories. Unexpected rarities can occur anywhere, and there are excellent migrant 'traps' such as the fig orchards and fields at Casas Veyas on the Formentor Peninsula, and the Boquer Valley.

This trip is timed to coincide with the likely peak of migration, and we will have the flexibility to move freely round the island to wherever the birding is best. There is a vast array of birdlife to entertain us. Rare and much sought species include Black Vulture, Marmora’s Warbler and Moustached Warbler. Key birds seen infrequently in the UK include Golden Oriole, Bee-eater, Wryneck, Firecrest, the many raptors include elegant Eleonora’s Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle and Red-footed Falcon, and there a is a huge variety of water birds and passerines, both resident and migrant.

Our base is a family-run hotel in a small village close to Puerto Pollensa in the north of Mallorca, very conveniently placed for transfer to migration hotspots, yet well away from the busy tourist areas. We are also centrally placed to visit the varied mountain, marsh and coastal habitats of the northern part of the island, and with little physical effort, we'll be able to enjoy some of Europe's most sought-after species amid beautiful and sometimes spectacular scenery. This trip is ideal for those who want to experience the thrill of European spring migration at its best, those who are new to European birding and want to see many of the most iconic species, and those with more experience who want to ‘fill-in’ a few gaps while enjoying warm spring sunshine on a relaxing and laid-back holiday. This gently-paced tour has a potential list of over 120 species and a major objective is for everyone to get good views of as many as possible.

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here !

Day 1: Sat 26 April 2025 - Arrival After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly to Mallorca, then drive for an hour to our comfortable hotel. This holiday runs from a conveniently located single base, our home for the week.

Days 2 - 7: Sun 27 April - Fri 2 May 2025 - Island Birding On most days there will be a short pre-breakfast trip for those who want to catch migration at the beginning of the day. After breakfast we'll leave for a full day at one of the island's noted birding localities, with a picnic lunch prepared by your leaders. Each day we buy fresh bread, Mallorcan cheese, fresh ham or ‘jamon curado’, fruit, cakes or yoghurt and juice. We always enjoy our Mallorcan lunches, and often manage good birding at the same time! If the weather is hot, we may take a short afternoon break back at the hotel, then offer more local birding before dinner. This means the day's birding can often be broken into sessions, any of which are optional for those preferring a more leisurely pace.

Each of the places we visit has its own special attractions. Albufera is Mallorca's largest marsh, and in 1985 was declared a reserve. Here, and at the smaller Albufereta marsh, we'll seek a variety of wetland species and other birds, among them Little Egret, Purple and Night Herons, Little Bittern, Garganey, Osprey, and Great Reed and Moustached Warblers, with the possibility of rarities such as Squacco Heron, Marsh Sandpiper, Slender-billed Gull, and Red-throated Pipit.

In the island's northern mountain range we'll drive to the picturesque Cuber Reservoir. On other days the Arta Mountains and the spectacular Formentor Peninsula will be our destinations. In these largely montane habitats we hope to see Black Vulture at one of its few remaining European sites, and a variety of other birds such as Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle, Peregrine, spectacular Eleonora's Falcon (which usually begins to arrive in late April), Blue Rock Thrush, Spectacled Warbler, Firecrest, and Common Crossbill.

At Porto Colom or Cabo de Salinas, sea-watching should provide views of Mediterranean and Cory's Shearwaters and several Audouin's Gulls, the rarest breeding gull in Europe. This is also one of the best areas to see Marmora's Warbler, a delightful Mediterranean species of very limited distribution.

At the nearby saltpans of Salinas de Levante, the island's main wader site, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt occur regularly. If weather conditions are right the saltpans can be thronged with waders, and there is a chance of rarities such as Collared Pratincole, and Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns. In stony fields in this part of the island we'll look for Stone-curlew and rare Thekla Lark.

In all habitats we'll hope for uncommon species, and possibilities include Glossy Ibis, Black Kite, Red-footed Falcon, Pallid and Alpine Swifts, Bee-eater, Red-rumped Swallow, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Rufous Bush Robin, Subalpine and Western Bonelli's Warblers, and Golden Oriole, as well as the local specialities mentioned above. All of this, of course, in a context of regular Mediterranean birds such as Purple Gallinule, Greater Flamingo, Ruddy Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Scops Owl, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Short-toed Lark, Crag Martin, Cetti's, Fan-tailed and Sardinian Warblers, Woodchat Shrike, Serin, and Cirl Bunting.

Day 8: Sat 3 May 2025 - Palma and Departure After our last morning's birdwatching we'll drive to Palma for our return flights.       

Please note: all itineraries are given as a guide only. Actual holiday content may vary according to the judgement of your guide, and elements beyond our control (eg weather).

What's included in your holiday price:

• return scheduled flight from London – Palma, airport taxes, baggage and hand luggage up to airline included limit.
• airport transfers, ground transportation, accommodation and meals as specified.
• the services of Heatherlea leader(s)
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more...

What's not included in your holiday price:

• travel to and from departure airport before and after holiday, in-flight meal, baggage above airline included limit
• incidental tips, expenses of a personal nature including drinks and personal insurance.

More holiday information

Accommodation is in a comfortable hotel with all rooms en suite, Food Breakfast is typical of Spain, consisting of a roll with jam/cheese/ham. Fruit juice and tea or coffee are also available. Evening meals are generally local dishes, which are good but often quite simple. Vegetarian and other diets are welcome. Walking is generally light/moderate. There may be some uphill track and road walking, though generally an average level of fitness is required. Weather Typically, temperatures will range from 10°C in the early morning to perhaps 25°C in the heat of the day. Sunshine should be plentiful, but cloud and rain are possible. Cold weather, with temperatures as low as 5°C, are rare but possible. Insects biting insects may be encountered, though not usually as a major problem. A good repellent is advised, just in case. Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum. Flights are by scheduled airline, from London. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.

Other birding and wildlife holidays in Spain

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Why choose Heatherlea for your birding and wildlife holiday in Europe?

Our overseas holidays are planned with care to offer great birding and wildlife, led by capable Leaders who really look after you. Every holiday is run the 'Heatherlea Way', and we hope our Overseas Adventures remind you of the quality and care so many of you enjoy in Scotland. That means rewarding and exciting days in the field, and good quality accommodation and meals, with a real flavour of the country we are visiting. Heatherlea always seek to include the personal touches that make all the difference.

Heatherlea holidays are not ‘dawn to dusk’ expeditions. Our less-intensive approach is ideal for those who want to relax whilst experiencing the best wildlife watching, and wherever possible we organise early or late activity on an optional basis. We also take sensible breaks when in very hot places and regular comfort breaks on every holiday whenever possible. All itineraries are planned carefully around the best wildlife opportunities, and you won’t miss out on memorable wildlife, whilst enjoying relaxed, informal days that are great fun.

The really important part of any wildlife holiday is the experience for you, our valued customer. Heatherlea invest in many things to offer you the best possible service;

• We have been organising birding and wildlife holidays for over 30 seasons, and have a highly experienced and capable office team. We also offer a telephone and email service outside normal office hours.
• Heatherlea overseas holidays have a maximum of 12 clients per trip, putting the emphasis on personal service, and helping you get the best possible experience.
• Our holidays often include things which others might invite you to pay yourself, for instance Departure Taxes and tips to hotels.
• All elements of our holidays are sold under our own licence, ATOL 6113. Under ‘Flight-Plus’ legislation it is a legal requirement of any tour operator to hold an ATOL licence for the supply of any overseas holiday where a flight is involved, if that holiday includes either overseas accommodation and/or car hire. It can be a criminal offence for an operator to book flights as part of a package without an ATOL licence. Heatherlea also hold full Tour Operator Insurance for your added protection.
• Heatherlea is your complete wildlife holiday provider. Our ‘Back Office’ team can organise all your pre-flight and other travel needs. Our specialists will help you book the right services, at the best price. Book holiday extensions through us, and your ATOL protection is extended further. We don’t charge extra for this service.
• Heatherlea is a limited company, registered in Scotland, and registered to pay VAT (applies to all holidays within the European Union).

Mallorca Trip 2024

• Mainland Scotland
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• Spain: Lynx - January
• Sweden in Winter for Birders
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An 8-day birdwatching tour of Mallorca's finest sites, concentrating mainly on the spectacular north-east.

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We've chosen a prime location for this holiday, just outside the peaceful town of Puerto Pollensa. Our hotel lies on the edge of the Albufureta Marshes, a magnet for migrants, and the Boquer Valley, which attracts raptors, Hoopoes, shrikes, wheatears and warblers during migration. During the week we also enjoy visits to the Parc Naturel de S’Albufera, a 2,200 hectare freshwater marsh, and the Tramuntanas Mountains, home of the rare Cinereous Vulture and other raptors. The spectacular Formentor Peninsula, with newly arrived Eleonora’s Falcons, is another area not to be missed. The comfort and simplicity of a birdwatching tour in this area, and the short driving distances involved, make this a most relaxing holiday and ideal for the less experienced birdwatcher.

• A comfortable hotel – with superb swimming pool – close to all the main birding sites
• Superb, relaxed Mediterranean birding
• Cinereous Vulture, Audouin's Gull, Balearic Warbler & Eleonora's Falcon
• Time to enjoy butterflies, dragonflies and reptiles
• Regional flights available from the UK to Palma de Mallorca
• Expertly guided by a Naturetrek ornithologist

Grade A. A traditional birding tour with easy walking.

Mallorca, surprisingly, is one of the most remote islands in the Mediterranean! Almost 200 kilometres from the nearest mainland coast, it has a range of high mountains (with 37 peaks over 1,000 metres), one of the largest marshes in the western Mediterranean, and a wealth of the garrigue and maquis vegetation so typical of the region. These features are in part the reason for the island’s rich birdlife, but Mallorca’s appeal to the naturalist also lies in the close proximity of its very varied habitats, enabling all of them to be covered easily from a single base, without the need to change hotels or travel vast distances, thus leaving more time to enjoy the natural sites in a more relaxed way. Further, Mallorca lies along one of the major bird migration routes across the Mediterranean and, due to its comparative isolation, is home to a number of rare species such as Cinereous Vulture, Eleonora’s Falcon, Audouin’s Gull and Balearic Warbler, not to mention over 30 endemic plants, including a relict from the ice ages, Hypericum balearicum .

Our holiday is based near Puerto Pollensa, a relatively quiet Mallorcan coastal town, situated in the north-eastern corner of the island and well away from the main tourist metropolis. From here we will take daily minibus excursions into the surrounding areas and pass our time enjoying easy walking in our search for birds and other wildlife. Behind our hotel lies S’Albufereta Marsh, a prime site for passing migrants together with a wealth of resident species. Our hotel has a private hide overlooking the marsh which is an excellent facility for enjoying some pre-breakfast or post-dinner birdwatching. Another local site worth exploring is the Bocquer Valley which attracts raptors, shrikes, wheatears and warblers during migration.

Amongst the other special sites we will be visiting is the Parc Naturel de S’Albufera, a 2,200-hectare freshwater marsh and one of the most important birding areas in the western Mediterranean. This provides a wealth of insect-life for passing migrants such as terns, bee-eaters, hirundines and warblers, and is home to such resident birds as Marsh Harrier and Moustached Warbler, of which the latter number some 1,000 pairs. We will also be looking for the marsh’s excellent selection of herons, egrets, waterfowl and waders, and some of the re-introduced populations of Purple Swamphen and Red-knobbed Coot.

We will spend at least one day in the northern mountains, the ‘Tramuntanas’, home of the rare Cinereous Vulture. These mountains are mainly composed of limestone, and the scenery here is magnificent. As well as enjoying some pleasant walking, our primary purpose will be our search for raptors, and we will hope to see Cinereous and Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagle, Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel and Red Kite.

The spectacular Formentor Peninsula is another area not to be missed. A rocky extension of the Tramuntana Mountains, the peninsula provides superb coastal cliff scenery and views, and is home to Blue Rock Thrush and Shag (the Mediterranean subspecies desmarestii ). We will visit the lighthouse at the tip of the peninsula in search of newly arrived Eleonora’s Falcons, a summer visitor which breeds colonially on the cliffs, and spend time at Casas Vellas, a cultivated area containing fig and olive trees as well as vines in the middle of this otherwise pine-covered peninsula, which attracts many northbound migrants in spring.

Finally we will take a trip to the Salinas de Levante in the south, an area of worked and disused saltpans that are often the first landfall for migrants from Africa, and a particularly good site for waders such as Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover and Pied Avocet. They are also an important area for wintering wildfowl, and small flocks of Greater Flamingoes have begun to overwinter here in recent years. We will view the pans from the main tracks and then explore the Cabo de Salinas, the southernmost point on the island, and a marvellous area of undisturbed garrigue which is home to Eurasian Stone-curlew and Thekla Lark. From the beach we should see the elegant Audouin’s Gull, one of the rarest gulls in the world, and possibly Scopoli’s and Balearic Shearwaters if the weather is favourable.

The comfort and simplicity of a birdwatching tour in this area, and the short driving distances involved, make this a most relaxing holiday. The exceptional range of southern European birds makes it an ideal venue for the less experienced birdwatcher and beginners, as well as those with more experience. In this respect, Mallorca has certainly not changed since it first became a birdwatcher’s paradise over 40 years ago.

Outline Itinerary

What's Included?

Comfortable hotel near Puerto Pollensa, with private facilities and swimming pool.

All included in the price.

Never been there [Mallorca] before and was delighted with the birds seen. Our guide was excellent quickly spotting birds and telling us all about them. Our accommodation was comfortable and the food really delicious. The location of the hotel (Pollentia) was the best bit as it was next to the L'Albfretta reserve allowing us to bird watch from a hide or viewing platform before breakfast and in the evening. Our guide was an experienced birder and extremely caring of our small group, two of which were in their 80s. He knew all the best places to go and bird watch and was an excellent driver. A.P. Hertfordshire, Apr 22

Kevin Elsby and Dave Smith were extremely good at finding birds for us and instructing us in how to identify the birds. Kevin is exceptional with his broad interest in natural history. They both made the holiday a great pleasure. J. & S.S. Midlothian

We stayed near Puerto Pollensa at a resort hotel with loads of facilities and fantastic food and accommodation. We made bird-watching trips to Albufera and Albufereta marshes and up into the mountains and to Formentor. A relaxed pace and friendly knowledgeable guides made this a superb holiday, with over 100 bird species seen. J.C. Cambridgeshire

A very good trip. Hotel surpassed all expectations for location, comfort and food. The latter was the best I have ever had in any hotel I have stayed. Saw lots of new birds such as Spotted Redshank, Hoopoe and Black and Griffon Vultures. The tour leaders Andy and Cliff were excellent. Looking after their team of birders, answering questions and giving information where needed. They were very good at making sure that all tour members saw birds that were spotted. They treated the tour members as individuals responding to needs and playing to the groups strengths. The leaders were very different but they complemented each other. We had a well organised daily plan which went to plan. The itinerary took us to all parts of the island to see a whole range of birds. The Mallorcan scenery was breath taking. I will certainly speak highly and recommend Naturetrek to my colleagues and certainly go on another Naturetrek trip myself. S.P. Gloucestershire

Our leaders were more than willing to help pinpoint birds some of us found difficult. Information on all things was given freely and every effort made to find out about any flora and fauna. This was a great holiday, enjoyed by all I am sure. I.S. Lancashire

Both Dave and Alan were excellent leaders and very patient with all members of the group. The hotel was quiet, well sited for birding and had an excellent choice of buffet. The rooms were spacious and grounds of the hotel well maintained. That Mallorca had so much to offer was a surprise and really good birds were seen each day. S.R. Norfolk

A very relaxing holiday with little travelling which gave plenty of time to enjoy each different habitat. The hotel was excellent - spacious rooms, wonderful buffet selection and amazingly quiet. Dave and Alan worked tirelessly to make sure everyone in the group was happy - very patient and efficient. Superb picnics too. E.R. Norfolk

We had an amazing week of birdwatching in Mallorca. Our guides, Dave Smith and Alan Miller, were really excellent, quietly arranging everything for us and producing birds on demand; they were very professional. The hotel is perfectly situated. Many thanks for organising this holiday for us. I hope we’ll be able to fit another Naturetrek holiday in before too long! B.S. Buckinghamshire

The knowledge and enthusiasm of our leaders, Dave and Alan, was incredible. They were amazing! The way they organised the trip in every way - lunches, driving etc., made the holiday successful. Not being a great birdwatcher I found them so patient and helpful all the time. T.B. Buckinghamshire

The tour leaders very much added to the enjoyment of the trip. We were well briefed ahead of each daily trip and they were at pains to ensure that as far as possible we were all able to see the target birds. Their catering skills were pretty good too! J.H. Buckinghamshire

The hotel was excellent - plenty of space, cupboards etc. The food was first class - lots of choice. Staff was good and the wine service was excellent. Wine came within 2 minutes of ordering. J.M. Devon

John & Jenny are excellent tour leaders - very knowledgeable on their own subjects. Excellent skills to get the group into a cohesive, friendly and co-operative party. R.G. East Yorkshire

I very much enjoyed this trip because of the great variety of birds, most of them, especially waders, seen from a very short distance. Both guides had good humour, great enthusiasm and competence. We were a good group and the weather also was good! C.G. France

Nothing was too much trouble for the two leaders Dave and Alan. They were always polite, helpful and professional. This was my first holiday with Naturetrek and I thought that the itinerary was excellent. It was a great comfort to know that any problems or questions, not that I had any problems, could be dealt with by Dave and Alan. I would like to recommend them for their skills and teamwork. C.H. Cumbria

Dates & Prices

Prefer to travel in a private group.

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Tour Reports

Why naturetrek.

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

Experience the Natural Wonders of Mallorca

Birding in mallorca . the island of birds, wildlife and culture.

Mallorca has been long known amongst European birdwatchers and nature lovers as a major wildlife hotspot in the Western Mediterranean. In spring and autumn thousands of migratory birds cross the island during their long journeys. Threatened, rare or absent species on the continent breed and can easily be seen here, such as  Eleonora’s falcon , Black vulture ,  Bonelli’s eagle , the endemic Balearic warbler and Balearic shearwater, Moustached warbler , Purple heron , Red-knobbed coot , Purple swamphen , Audouin’s Gull ,  European Bee-eater , just to mention a few. If you haven’t been birding in Mallorca, you miss a lot!

Many orchids and endemic plants are found in the forests, sand dunes and mountains. The island offers you a great diversity of habitats, ranging from wetlands, sand dunes and beaches, Mediterranean scrub, Holm oak and pine forests, ancient olive groves and agricultural land to rocky cliffs and high mountains.

Mallorca is also home to remains of ancient cultures and traditions, such as Bronze, Iron Age and Roman settlements, medieval castles, 16th century coastal watching towers, traditional farmhouses and rural architecture.

Would you like to…

…walk in the best nature spots ? …enjoy astonishing landscapes and amazing sunsets? …watch threatened birds and other wildlife? …discover Mallorca’s endemic plants and orchids? …visit ancient historical sites? …learn about Mallorca’s culture and traditions?

If so, join us and enjoy a new and different experience?

CONTACT: e:  [email protected] t: +34 620 229687

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Introducing eBird Trip Reports

Available languages.

We’re thrilled to introduce eBird Trip Reports —an exciting new way to tell your birding story through eBird. eBird Trip Reports bring together your eBird checklists to create a fun summary of where you went and what you found, along with your photos and audio recordings, all in one easy-to-share place. You’ve never seen your eBirding like this before!

eBird Trip Reports features:

• eBird checklist location map
• Lifer stats—see which species you observed, photographed, and audio recorded for the first time during the trip
• Species totals across all your checklists from the trip
• Photo and audio feature views
• Bulk checklist sharing
• Quick links to share your trip with friends or on social media

More features to love Create summaries of your birding adventures for one or multiple days. Trip Reports is a LIVE summary, meaning your report updates automatically as new lists are added from the trip period. If you’re going on a birding outing and want to share what you see with your friends, create an eBird Trip Report ahead of time and share the link—as you submit your eBird lists, the report will update.

Use the narrative and comments to share favorite memories and scroll through the species notes to relive the best moments. Each person on a trip can create and share a personalized report by choosing which of their own checklists to include. You can view the “group” version of the report, with everyone’s data, or view a personal view that includes only your sightings and media.  Learn more about creating and sharing eBird Trip Reports.

How can you use eBird Trip Reports?

eBird Trip Reports help you create summaries for Big Days, Christmas Bird Counts, special birding trips, and more.

Big Days and Bird-a-thons

eBird Trip Reports are an easy way to summarize one-day birding events like Global Big Day and October Big Day , or record-setting chases like the OR Big Day 2021 and 2021 Georgia Big Day . eBird Trip Reports compile your checklists in real time, so anyone with the link can track your progress throughout the day.

“My siblings and I often get together for a weekend or several days of birding in many different locations and we love being able to keep track of the total number of species we have seen over those days,” says Margaret Viens, an eBirder from Maine, “I also hope to be able to use [eBird Trip Reports] this winter for our Birdathon Team . I like that I can go back and create historical reports as well.”

Last year, Ontario eBirder Mike Burrell decided to try a “yard” birdathon: Birdathon Spring 2020 (Yard) . His report shows how eBird Trip Reports can be useful even when you stay in one place, letting you create multiple lists throughout the day and still have a single summary of your birding.

Birding field trips and workshops

Use eBird Trip Reports to summarize and share organized activities with members of your birding group. Maine Young Birders Club coordinator Nathan Hall says he looks forward to “using this feature when I take young birders out birding. Especially if we cover more than one location.”

• The School, KFI, Birdwatching Workshop
• Maine Young Birders Club, Scarborough Marsh, April 2017

Adam Betuel, Director of Conservation at Georgia Audubon, says his favorite feature is “being able to easily produce a species list throughout a day or across days,” Adam says “I lead birding trips and this is where I expect to use the trip report function the most.”

• Paraguay with Georgia Audubon

Birding tours

eBird Trip Reports help you revisit past memories or show prospective trip members what they can look forward to. “The lifers for each trip is great,” says eBird Spain collaborator Yeray Seminario, “showing the map with all the locations is a great visual tool.”

• Whitehawk Birding and Tiger Safari 2019
• Saskatchewan Whooping Cranes Tour 2021
• BBC Deepwater Pelagic Trip

“Combining sightings from multiple stops on a day is a great way to get an overview of the trip. It’s always been complicated to view many lists, like on a pelagic trip, and to try to combine all of the species that were seen… this summary view is so great!” says California eBirder Andrea Carpio.

Christmas Bird Counts and Breeding Bird Surveys

eBird Trip Reports are a great tool for birders who participate in annual cooperative survey efforts. Reports can be used to summarize stops along a Breeding Bird Survey route or to compile counts from your area of a Christmas Bird Count .

“I’ve long wanted something to make it easier for eBirders participating in CBCs to do reasonable-length checklists and then be able to merge them into one report,” says Kathy Mihm Dunning, an eBird Reviewer for Colorado, “eBird Trip Reports should work quite nicely for that purpose.”

Create your own eBird Trip Reports now!