The Flight of the Starlings

This year, with the arrival of the cold in Mallorca, the starlings arrived as well. In winter, these birds, which spend their summers in northern and eastern Europe, migrate southward, settling in Italy, France, and, of course, Spain.

Until a few years ago, their presence on the island was limited to certain specific areas, such as the S’Albufera reserve. However, last year we began to notice that some of them were choosing the Mediterranean pines in the gardens of Hotel BonSol as a temporary home before setting off once again on their journey to their nesting grounds between February and March.

This year, something changed. Perhaps the same word-of-mouth (a pre-social media version) that has guided our guests to Hotel BonSol for decades has also led thousands of starlings to Illetas and, in particular, to “our” pines. The truth is that, almost overnight, our gardens transformed into a true sanctuary for these birds, which, for a few months, became guests of the BonSol.

Every day, from the beginning of 2025 until early February, their routine remained unwavering: they began singing at five in the morning and, between eight and ten past eight, took flight, creating in the sky those mesmerizing formations that define them. Experts say that these aerial dances help confuse predators, much like schools of fish protect themselves in the ocean. But we like to think of it as a gift from nature, a sublime spectacle that invites us to soar high, even as we keep our feet on the ground.

At sunset, after spending the day in the fields or gliding through the sky, the starlings would return to their “rooms” at the BonSol. Between five and six in the afternoon, our gardens became a stage for noisy disputes over the best spots in the trees. One of the most fascinating peculiarities of these birds is their remarkable ability to mimic sounds: starlings can reproduce the songs and calls of other species, transforming BonSol’s soundscape into a symphony worthy of a lush tropical jungle.

Of course, not everything is idyllic. These are highly social birds and, in many places, they are considered an invasive species. Some cities have implemented measures to prevent their settlement, such as installing loudspeakers that play the sounds of birds of prey or even using blank-firing cannons to scare them away.

In urban areas, the main issue lies in their droppings, which can accumulate and make the ground slippery, causing inconvenience to pedestrians and drivers. In rural settings, concerns focus on protecting crops.

Despite these challenges, we can only feel grateful that the starlings have chosen BonSol as a temporary refuge on their journey. We like to think they have found in our little corner of paradise the same oasis of peace and tranquility that our guests have enjoyed for more than seventy years (and, hopefully, for many more to come).

Throughout BonSol’s history, the starlings may not have been our most conventional guests, but we are ready to welcome them back each year with “open wings,” as loyal visitors, should they choose the biodiversity of our gardens for their season of rest (and ours). It is comforting to think that, by offering them the same trees that provide shade to our guests during the warm summer months, we are, in some way, giving back to nature a small part of all that it gives us.

Until next year, dear singing starlings!