On my return from Faro airport this morning, I noticed around sixty Griffon Vultures. They were flying in an Easterly direction between Lagos and Odiaxere, looking good candidates for a Gibraltar crossing in due course. Further on at Vale de Boi, a smaller flock of thirty Griffons may have roosted there last night. Some were in the air, but the remainder had taken a secure perch on two communications towers. Two of the Griffons in this flock. After a while observing this group, they moved off in the direction of Sagres. I decided to take 'Ellie the dog' to her favourite beach at Boco do Rio and we spent a good hour there, keeping one eye on the sky all the time! I returned to Sagres after midday and found a large flock of vultures, high over the apartment and preparing to move away. A couple of hundred birds in this flock I thought, but concentrated on what the flock consisted of. I began with the smaller birds accompanying the vultures seeing a small falcon which I had no chance of identifying, a pale Booted Eagle and at least three Short-toed Eagles. A very bright white bird which flapped its wings much more than any of the others, stayed on the outside of the general turmoil of circling vultures. Through the bins, I wasn't sure at all so having taken some images, I was amazed to find this was a Spoonbill! Watching the slowly revolving vultures, I found a Ruppell's Vulture showing its typical all dark body with light wing bars. Another swirl of the flock and I discovered a Black Vulture, with its huge broad wings held out straight. (Top of image). The juvenile Black Vulture - cropped!
Around 900 vultures were reported in the area today which was a substantial arrival. Although I saw some leaving this morning, I'm told that some are on the ground tonight and we may have them in the air to enjoy tomorrow. Comments are closed.
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