Black Vulture Conservation Foundation and Cala Ratjada
We had read about the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF) just outside the town of Buger, a short distance from the motorway exit so we set off for there and when we arrived (parking can be tricky – not many spaces) there was already a group watching a video in German. There were sub-titles in English but they did not fit the screen that well so we took a wander around and looked in the nearby trees where I pretty quickly got a Firecrest.
When the introductory video was finished you went out the other door and down to a hide where we had a little talk and then went into the hide where we overlooked a bit of woodland with various logs on which were perched numerous Griffon Vultures and, at the back, a pair of Black Vultures. We spent so long looking at these fascinating birds that we had only just left the hide when the next group were coming in!
Just before we left the hide we also got a quick view of a Yellow Wagtail. I got the impression that there was a lot going on in the woods if you had the time – and skill – to find all the species that might be there.
We then drove back up north past Sa Coma to Capdepera and then Son Moll. From there we drove along the Cala Ratjada road and up to the Cala Ratjada Lighthouse, a rather winding and narrow road. It was a beautiful view from the top but perhaps the road down was testing – especially when other vehicles can’t be bothered to reverse in passing points. In the end it got so fraught we decided to head off somewhere for a drink and a cool down. Wherever we went, though, parking seemed impossible and we ended up going directly home where we could return the car to the car hire place (Formentor Hire) and both have a stiff drink or two.