NORTH DOWNS & BEYOND

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...

During breakfast in the hotel gardens, a large butterfly flew past us, alighted on a nearby flowering bush, and my first Plain Tiger was safely logged! This African species had started to colonise the coastal fringes of Southern Europe in the 1980s, and is now established in Majorca. My butterfly day had only started - while spending the morning on the beach, a gentle 'pattering' of Painted Ladies headed purposefully northwards, and my afternoon wander up the Boquer Valley revealed up to six Striped Grayling, the second totally new butterfly of the day. Talking of the Boquer Valley, although the timing was poor (mid-July, mid-afternoon), the birding was with plenty of highlight. Great views were obtained of both adult and immature Booted Eagles, up to 6 Eleonora's Falcons spent most of the time in view, a male Blue Rock Thrush teasingly appeared but for a few seconds and a Raven 'kronked' onto the holiday list. Tomorrow I will head back up the valley earlier in th...