Mallorca

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. The rare and sought after 'new' species - the Balearic Warbler is one of our priorities, while we also hope to find Black Vulture 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.

Day 2: Sun 27 April – Parc Natural de s’Albufera
S’Albufera is Mallorca's largest marsh, an iconic birding destination and in 1985 was rightfully declared a nature reserve. A vast and impressive site, from a series of hides and good trails we look for a variety of wetland species including Little Bittern, Purple and Squacco Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Glossy Ibis and Greater Flamingo. Wildfowl such as Garganey, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard and Marbled Duck may be encountered, as well as Purple Swamphen and Red-knobbed Coot. Waders will feature too, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank the most notable, as Osprey and Marsh Harrier patrol the skies. Focussing on passerines can be tricky with so much else to look at, but Moustached Warbler is a key bird and not easy to see within its range. On Mallorca it is most likely at s’Albufera, and Common Nightingale, Zitting Cisticola, Great Reed and Sardinian Warbler may be found while searching for them.

Day 3: Mon 28 April - Boquer Valley and s’Albuferata Marshes
Birding in the Boquer Valley, we look for migrants and breeding birds in a charning setting. Species such as Hoopoe, Wryneck, Redstart, Whinchat and Pied Flycatcher as well as a range of warblers may be seen. Corn Bunting and Serin should be singing, and this is perhaps a good place to first pay careful attention to any ‘Spotted’ Flycatcher we might find. Newly recognised Mediterranean Flycatcher is without doubt one of the trickiest identification challenges facing European birders. a recent split from near identical Spotted Flycatcher, on Mallorca it is a breeding bird, so it is well worth taking time to focus on singing birds or pairs seemingly on territory! As the day warms our focus switches to raptors, and Cuber Reservoir to the west is a good site to look for Booted Eagle plus Cinerous and Eurasian Griffon Vulture. We may also visit s’Albuferata Marshes today, where in addition to wetland birds, the agricultural fields can be good for Stone Curlew, Greater Short-toed Lark, Cirl Bunting, Yellow Wagtail (of various subspecies) plus rarities such as Red-throated Pipit – which has occurred on multiple occasions.

Day 4: Tue 29 April - Alcudia Bay, Son Real
In coastal heath at Alcudia Bay near Son Real, we find ourselves in one of the best areas to see Balearic Warbler - a delightful bird only found on Mallorca and neighbouring Ibiza. Balearic Woodchat Shrike, Thekla Lark and Tawny Pipit and other scrub specialists are likely in these habitats, while in the sheltered Aleppo Pine woods we listen (and look out) for Turtle Dove, Golden Oriole, Mediterranean Flycatcher and Firecrest. Offshore flocks of Audouin’s and Yellow-legged Gull should be encountered, and if our targets are seen early, we are well placed to return to sites in southern S’Albufera. A more leisurely day perhaps, we may try an optional evening drive for Eurasian Scops Owl and Eurasian Nightjar if there is interest among the group.

Day 5 – Wed 30 April - Southern Mallorca salt pans
Spreading our wings and driving south, we aim to visit salt pans where numerous new species should to be possible. Waders ought to be prominent with species such as Kentish Plover, Little and Temminck’s Stint, Wood and Curlew Sandpiper among good numbers of Avocet, Ringed and Kentish Plover, Redshank, Dunlin and Sanderling. In some years, large numbers of Greater Flamingo gather in the south, Gull-billed and Whiskered Tern and Slender-billed Gull are recorded annually and recent rarities have included Lesser Flamingo, Marsh and Pectoral Sandpiper and Roller. We may also have time to visit Portocolom, where sea-watching should provide views of Audouin’s Gull, Balearic and Scopoli’s Shearwater. The headland is another good place for Balearic Warbler, and we can search the scrub for them if desired.

Day 6: Thurs 1 May - Cap de Formentor
At Cap de Formentor, we visit the islands most northerly point and despite being a magnet for tourists, it is the best place in Mallorca for Eleonora’s Falcon. Scanning from the cliff top, Peregrine, Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine and Pallid Swift, Red-rumped Swallow and Crag Martin are likely, and Balearic Warbler occupy the scrub. In the right conditions the peninsula can be something of a migration hotspot, with rarer species such as Melodious and Western Bonelli’s Warbler recorded among falls of passerines. The peninsula is a renowned flyway for raptors too, and watching from inland sites such as Ses cases Velles de Formentor or Talaia d’Albercuix we have chances to connect. Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Booted Eagle and large numbers of Marsh Harrier may be on the move, while rarer Montagu’s and Pallid Harrier, Short-toed Eagle and Egyptian Vulture have passed several times. Watching the skies may also yield Golden Oriole and European Bee-eater, while Wryneck, Red Crossbill and Mediterranean Flycatcher can be easier to track down on territory than at other sites.

Day 7 – Fri 2 May – Round up or return to s’Albufera
Given the flexible nature of our tour and revolving around one centre, we have chances to return to the same sites as many times as is desired. With such good birding, going back to s’Albufera seems likely and we may focus on areas where uncommon species have been recorded. Mallorca is popular with birders in the spring, and should news reach us of a Collared Pratincole, Western Black-eared Wheatear, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush or something rarer nearby, we may well try and find it!

Day 8: Sat 3 May 2025 - Palma and Departure
There may be time for some light birding on our last morning, before we drive to Palma for our return flight to the UK.

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.