Cap de Formentor - Mallorca

The first place Jayne and I visited outside of Puerto Pollenca was the Cap de Formentor (see details here).

Lighthouse at Cap de Formentor

The key species we were hoping to see was Eleanora's Falcon, and we managed to see 4 individual birds flying over the cliffs. Other new species seen were: Crag Martin, Swift, Pallid Swift and Blue Rock Thrush.

Year List update:
163 – Crag Martin
164 – Eleanora’s falcon
165 – Pallid Swift
166 – Blue Rock Thrush

CRAG MARTIN!!!

When I looked at the national bird sightings on the Bird Guides website ( see here)  on Sunday, I saw a record of a Crag Martin that had been spotted flying around the Crooked Spire in Chesterfield earlier that day. My initial thought was... what, that can't be true!??? After reading a little more on the web and on Twitter, I realised that it was true and that I'd most likely missed out on a very rare bird, on my doorstep!

The bird was refound on Monday morning, but work called, so I couldn't get. Luckily, however, it stayed put and was seen again today. I managed to get down to town after school, and had a couple of minutes with the bird flying around the Spire, before it disappeared again! This is the first ever sighting in Derbyshire, my first record in Britain, and I believe, only the 10th ever record in Britain! I didn't manage a photo myself, but there are lots of great ones on the internet, including on the brilliant Darley Dale Wildlife website (see here).

Whilst there, I also spotted an adult Peregrine Falcon that was perched up on the church, and managed to get a quick photo before the light went.

Peregrine Falcon

Year List update:

173: CRAG MARTIN

Lesvos -23rd April 2011

Hi there. I was thinking about last year's trip to the Greek island of Lesvos today and realised that I'd only blogged about the first 2 days of my week long trip. So here goes for the 3rd day.

An early morning return visit to the Kalloni Saltpans started with a look over the small pool opposite the main entrance. 20+Ruff were feeding along with Black-winged Stilt, 1 Little Ringed Plover, Black-headed Yellow Wagtail and an absolutely stunning male CITRINE WAGTAIL (14th lifer).

Citrine Wagtail

Moving over to the main driveway the female Red-footed Falcon was still present on the overhead wires and a Little Owl was sat perched on a metal post.

Red-footed Falcon (female)

The usual waders were seen on “the moat” (Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff and Avocet) and new additions were a Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a White Wagtail. 2 Black Storks flew over and Little and Great White Egret were fishing.

After breakfast we drove up to the Scops Owl site at the Kalloni Mini Soccer Pitch . One bird was spotted straight away and we managed excellent views as it sat tight up against the trunk of one of the Eucalyptus trees.

Scops Owl

Next stop of the day was the Ruppell's Warbler (15th lifer) site on the coastal road near Petra. We parked up in the layby and within 5 minutes had our first sightings of a male bird, singing and flitting about on the vegetation. Over the course of the next half an hour we had another 4 excellent views and managed to get a lovely photograph as the bird perched up against the blue seas below.

Ruppell's Warbler

Also present from the layby were a male Eastern Orphean Warbler (16thlifer), a male Subalpine Warbler (17th lifer), male and female Black-eared Wheatear (white throated form), a Crag Martin, a Shag on the sea, a fly-by Hoopoe, Linnet and Goldfinch.

After a short drive from the Rüppell’s site we arrived in the coastal town of Molivos. Walking down to the harbour area we saw Swallow, House Martin, Swift and about a dozen Alpine Swifts. Jackdaws were present around the Castle, including several pairs entering potential nest sites in the castle walls. More Alpine Swifts were also seen here, as were Red-rumped Swallows and a pair of Black-eared Wheatear (dark throated form). Butterflies seen here were Red Admiral, Painted Lady and Scarce Swallowtail. Lizards called Anagama were also seen basking in the sunshine on the walls of the castle.

Anagama

On the drive back to 2 Ravens and a male Cirl Bunting were seen near “the bandstand” area near Kalloni.

Another amazing day!!