It was an interesting start to the day in this part of the World, as not everyday, huge flocks of Woodpigeons make an appearance in the Algarve. Numbers do increase in Winter and this flock contained around 150 birds. The next hour belonged to the Crows as I first found a flock of 38 Jackdaws around a farm, on the way towards Cabranosa Surprisingly, mixed in with them was an equally large number of Choughs. At Vale Santo, the ever-present Ravens made up the rest of the 'likely' Crow members, a Carrion Crow here would be most unusual! Initially, I walked the wooded area of Cabranosa where thrushes were in good numbers. I was really pleased to see my first Redwing flying with a Mistle Thrush and showing its bright red undersides, in the morning sun. I began to photograph any flying thrushes and only now, it appears I may have caught an early Fieldfare, although I thought I heard a brief chack call on one occasion. On the raptor watch, a small number of Short-toed Eagles were about and a couple of Booted Eagles also. This adult Peregrine overflew me in spectacular fashion. I picked up a large raptor to the North which I soon assessed as a single Griffon Vulture. It was circling and losing height from time to time, a Booted Eagle annoyed it a couple of times before flying away. The Griffon continued to circle over the Northern edge of the woods, I had a feeling it was looking to land somewhere. The Griffon disappeared from view for some time and I felt it must be on the ground now. I had a strong feeling, I knew fairly well where the vulture would be and jumped in the car. Ten minutes drive and I found the Griffon in a farmyard by the roadside! A magnificent Vulture. Although this Griffon looks so powerful, it is separated from its flock, it is lost and it is exhausted. Within minutes of watching it, its eyes were closing and it began bowing its head as if unable to stay awake. I moved my car away for a while, so I wasn't attracting any unwanted attention towards the Griffon. After ten minutes or so, it lifted off just enough to cross the road and settled in thicker vegetation, more out of sight. I'm sure it is going to rest there, it has almost made a nest by the look of it. I will check on it in the morning, I hope it has gone - taken to the air again where it belongs.
It will have a few residents to put up with though! (Photographed while I was watching the Griffon). Comments are closed.
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