As spring breathes new life into the landscapes of the Mediterranean, it also marks the return of one of the region’s most remarkable avian inhabitants: Eleonora’s Falcon. Named after Eleonor of Arborea, a 14th-century Sardinian ruler known for her progressive conservation laws, this falcon is not only a symbol of natural beauty but also of the delicate balance between wildlife and their habitats. In this blog, we will explore the fascinating journey of Eleonora’s Falcon during spring, its unique behaviors, and the conservation efforts crucial to its survival.
Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) is a long-distance migrant, wintering in Madagascar and other parts of the Indian Ocean and returning to the Mediterranean coasts in spring. The journey back spans thousands of kilometers, showcasing the falcon’s incredible endurance and navigational skills.
Useless it is, to see Eleonora’s Falcon in spring. Because when you are there in mid-April no falcons are there. The Falcons get to their summer in the Mediterranean, first in late April and May. I had never visit the island. Too touristic I thought. A friend remembered that during his visit by several Falcon solve the days suddenly stood and enjoyed a large flock Eleonora falcons chased the Albufera wetlands. Perhaps they were as many as 30!
I’ve wanted to find excellent photo opportunities for the Eleonora’s Falcon from Cap de Formentor. 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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