Mallorca................Part 3

The S'Albufera is a Natural Park and an internationally recognised natural area in Mallorca for its birds. A visit is essential but, like Pagham Harbour, some days are better than others and  on this occasion we were slightly disappointed.
Some species are almost certain to be present so here's a selection of those we saw during our all too short visits. There are a number of hides which can afford really close up views but unless you are early these can get too crowded with organised birdwatching trips and school field days. On the long track to the centre various herons can usually be seen at their roosts...

Cattle Egrets are the most numerous and only a few Night Herons were noted and these were  well hidden.

Night Heron

Once in the hide, which unfortunately facing straight into the sun, we noted a Purple Gallinule only a few metres away............

It was interesting to note how the bird used its foot to tear away the vegetation before eating.

Kentish Plovers were the most common wader.

Whilst a Little Ringed Plover was almost too close to capture with a big lens.

One of the reed beds held two pairs of Great Reed Warblers but they remained a fair distance away....they have a very raucous song not dissimilar to our own Reed Warbler but much louder and grating!

Great Reed Warbler.

Nightingales are everywhere but nowhere near as easy to photograph as at Pulborough Brooks!

In previous years we have had a wide selection of waders on view but this time waders were in short supply. A very distant Curlew Sandpiper, Greenshank and this lone Avocet and Spotted Redshank were the only non resident birds we saw.

Avocet

Spotted Redshank.

Red Crested Pochards are invariably present and the introduced Crested Coots appear to be doing well, some wearing neck rings as part of a monitoring program.

Crested Coot with I.D.

We really wanted to find Bee-eaters up close (my favourite bird), but although we saw several flocks flying high overhead it wasn't until we met a local birder that he showed us a place where we were likely to find some. We were successful but there were only two birds and their only post was a metal gate....not an ideal prop for a photo! However, here are a few pics....

At last the Bee-eater turned around to show off his back view!

 A visit to the Depuradora (water treatment works) is usually rewarding and in the past we have seen a variety of interesting birds...this time a Collared Pratincole was our only reward but even this was very distant on a man made raft.

A Cattle Egret taking a drink on the edge.


To be concluded...............