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 a new addition for the island, Moltoni’s Sub-alpine 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, wagtails, Great White Egret, Greater Flamingo, Eleanora’s Falcons hawking for dragonflies, Kentish Plovers, migrating waders, Osprey, Stone Curlew, 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 White Egret, Spoonbill, Teminck’s Stint, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Ruff, Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Gull-billed 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, Blue-headed 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 other side of the salt pans, and the scrub area there holds warblers, migrating passerines, Crossbills on occasion, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, larks and pipits and the beautiful Hottontot Fig plants. Slender-billed Gulls are often ixed in with the Yelow-legged, 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 Cory’s Shearwaters can be seen close in along with Gannet, Shag and perhaps 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 just over 5,000ft. 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, Cuckoo, Spectacled Warbler, Cirl Bunting, Moltoni’s Sub-alpine Warbler, Sub-alpine Warbler, Tawny Pipit, Thekla Lark, Nightingale, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, warblers and finches. Up to eleven species of raptor are possible, including Booted Eagle, Hobby, Eleanora’s Falcon, Peregrine, Kestrel, Red Kite, Black Kite, 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, 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 Scops Owls, and 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 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, Spotted Flycatcher, 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 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 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 Crossbill (Balearica). Many species come to this pool to drink including Nightingale, Pied Flycatcher, warblers and finches including Seren. 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 Swift, 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, Serin, flycatchers, 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, Rock Thrush, Cirl Bunting, pure wild Rock Dove, Crag Martin, Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Black 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 Bonelli’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler, other warblers, Pied Flycatchers, Whinchats and other migrants, and Stone Curlew that breed in the fields below, Wryneck, Redstart, Hoopoe, Serin, Spotted Flycatchers and other birds. 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, Crested Coot, Marbled Teal, Purple Gallinule, 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 Bee Eater, Hoopoe, Nightingale, Mediterranean Flycatcher and Cettis Warbler can be seen, and other warblers such as 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 Crested 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 Black 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 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 Swift flocks. This is a great little area that never dissapoints bird wise.

Day Seven:

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.