With Tank down the Boquer

I met up with Beddington stalwart Steve 'Tank' Thomas, who is also staying in Port de Pollenca, and we headed off to the Boquer Valley. It was very hot...

In three hours we completed a circuit of the valley, firstly walking along the length of its bottom, then ascending the eastern slope by the sea, returning by the well-worn central path. Our haul included 10+ Eleonora's Falcons (some giving stunning views low over the valley and directly above our heads), adult and immature Booted Eagles, a Stone Curlew, single Pallid Swift and Crag Martin, 5 Blue Rock Thrush, 6 Woodchat Shrikes, 20+ Spotted Flycatchers, a Nightingale, 2 Balearic Warblers, 4 Sardinian Warblers, 2 Ravens and a male Cirl Bunting.

Two further butterfly ticks came my way - several Southern Gatekeepers and a False Ilex Hairstreak.

We rewarded ourselves with a couple of ice-cold pints back in the town, where we were joined by Steve's family. A most enjoyable morning.

In other news: still 3-4 Audouin's Gulls patrolling the beach, and every garden seems to have adopted a Spotted Flycatcher or two.

Comments

Factor said…
Cor! I didn't have time to walk along the bottom (Annie wouldn't have enjoyed that long a walk), but maybe next time. What a fabulous haul!
Steve Gale said…
Funnily enough Neil, this was the first time that I'd walked the bottom in maybe a dozen visits. The Stone Curlew was the prize.
Factor said…
Forgot to mention to say hi to Tank for me. Haven't seen him in a long while
Gareth said…
Worth looking closely at the Spotted Flycatchers....
See: http://www.biodiversityjournal.com/pdf/6%281%29_271-284.pdf

Gareth
Gareth said…
And here re balearic form: http://birdingfrontiers.com/2015/11/15/balearic-spotted-flycatcher-new-species/
Steve Gale said…
Thanks for reminding me of this Gareth - they do look different!

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