Mallorca day 11 (part 2): all along the watchtower

After a successful day searching for vultures in the Serra de Tramuntana, there was just time before dinner to return to the Albercutx Mirador at the base of the Formentor peninsula. On my first visit there the previous week I enjoyed excellent views of several Crag Martin as they hung off the sheer cliff face just below me. This evening there were none to be seen, but I could just make out a few higher up, feeding around the Albercutx Watchtower, a well-known viewpoint for migratory birds. After a short drive and an even shorter walk I approached the base of the tower to find a small flock of birds feeding in something of a holding pattern around the summit. After some trial and error I found a good spot which the Crag Martins seemed to be passing regularly, and adopted the best available strategy for photographing small brown birds belting past at high speed: spray and pray!

Crag Martin at Atalaya d'Albercutx

An insect prepares to meet its doom

Crag Martin is a pretty distinctive hirundine with white 'windows' in the fanned tail

Crag Martin

The white windows vanish when the tail is closed

View towards Boquer Valley from Albercutx

Sightseers on the Albercutx Mirador

Cairns at the Albercutx Watchtower

Albercutx Watchtower

Crag Martin