A visit today to a beautiful beach setting at Boco do Rio in the Western Algarve. Inland from the beach is a freshwater lagoon backed by a steep hillside, with exposed rock. Over the last couple of weeks, Crag Martins have arrived on the Algarve coast as short-distance migrants to spend the winter here. The vertical section of rockface shown in the picture above is being occupied by around forty Crag Martins at the moment. Crag Martins are a large martin having broad wings with pointed tips. The underwing coverts have distinct dark patches in contrast to the rest of the wing. Another interesting diagnostic feature is the white mirror pattern on the tail when spread, Preening and resting seemed to be the priority for these Martins. Occasionally some birds would come down to drink from the lagoon, scooping in water with open bills. An interesting time spent observing the Crag Martins, this same location was where I was yesterday birding on a larger scale! The estimated 1,400 Griffon Vulture flock was airborne again and I met with some of them, as they flew over Boco do Rio. This dark vulture (left) appears to be a 2cy Griffon and not a Ruppell's as I first thought (and hoped). Surprisingly, the entire flock doesn't have a Ruppell's Vulture with them, or at least one hasn't been seen. The flock does have a Black Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle with it, 4 Black Storks, Black Kites and this Short-toed Eagle.
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