It's the last week of our long winter stay (thanks to the Visa) and I returned to where we had begun in September, now seeming a long time ago. In September, the chance of seeing Alpine Accentors at Cape St. Vincent would be very unusual. As the Winter hardens in the Pyrenees, these birds move a little further South and one or two individuals can been found regularly on the Cape cliffs, most winters. I was most surprised that one of these accentors was the first bird I saw on the cliff top, having not even left the car! I was able to take many close up photos of this confiding accentor, by sitting on the low car park wall until it edged its way back to the cliff edge. On the cliffs below, a second accentor was found showing a more distinctive white chin. After a little while, the first accentor returned to the cliff top again. A marvellous opportunity to have detailed views of these rare but regular winter visitors. Leaving the Cape itself, I returned towards Sagres where a Ring Ouzel spectacular was going on after recent rain showers. This area of bushes held at least eight Ring Ouzels, a Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrushes and of course, many Blackbirds. No 'cropping' on this Ouzel as it perched next to the car. Many other species were in this location and a Starling 'bath time' featured both Spotless Starling and their Northern relatives in glorious winter plumage. A Swallowtail butterfly was found on the headland at Atalaia.
Comments are closed.
|
|