Spotting Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) in mid-April can be quite futile. By then, these falcons are still en route to their summer destinations in the Mediterranean, typically arriving in late April and May. Although I have never visited the island due to its popularity among tourists, a friend shared a memorable experience. During his visit, he was thrilled to witness a large flock of Eleonora’s Falcons, possibly around 30, soaring over the Albufera wetlands.
Our goals for our week in Mallorca this year were clear. We aimed to see the Balearic Warbler (Sylvia balearica), now recognized as its own species separate from the Sardinian Warbler. For years, I’ve also wanted to find excellent photo opportunities for the Balearic Shearwater and Eleonora’s Falcon. Unfortunately, we had no luck with the shearwaters. Although we spotted several from Cap de Formentor, the distance was too great for good photos. A boat trip might have been better, but those plans didn’t work out. However, we were fortunate to see many falcons up close. We watched them chase dragonflies near Albufera and fly beneath the towering cliffs at Cap de Formentor.
Cap de Formentor is located at the northern tip of Mallorca, where the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range meets the Mediterranean Sea. This area is famous for its windswept lighthouse on the promontory, where you can easily explore the rocky terrain and observe Eleonora’s Falcons nesting on the cliffs. It’s also a prime spot to see thousands of seabirds during migration periods.
Eleonora’s Falcons come in both light and dark morphs, as well as intermediate variations. We were particularly lucky to take a boat trip to the small islet of Sa Dragonera. Sa Dragonera, an uninhabited islet off Mallorca’s west coast, is now a natural park. It hosts a concentrated population of Eleonora’s Falcons divided into several colonies. The environment is similar to Cap de Formentor, but on a smaller scale. A path runs the length of the island, offering excellent views of the cliffs where the falcons reside. During our visit in May, we saw about ten birds playing in the updrafts near the cliffs. The falcons, being recent arrivals, were especially active as they competed for the best nesting sites.
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