Birding remains fairly quiet as the month of January draws out. The days are noticeably longer already and each time we go out, Swallows are becoming more frequent. Quinta da Rocha continues to be a popular walk past the feeding Flamingos, resting Spoonbills and large numbers of Grey Herons. The field by the car park always has magnificent herons like this adult bird. Among the regular wader species, I have seen a Ruff on most occasions and now a second bird is there too. My search for a winter Jack Snipe goes on. Common Snipe are feeding in the open on this marsh where I had a possible 'Jack' fly out with other Snipe, not calling and dropping a short distance further into the marsh. Unfortunately, I didn't get a second chance of viewing it. At Abicada, the Lesser Yellowlegs stayed for a couple of days. Distant views of it wandering through vegetation were had, while I looked for a reported Garganey. I mentioned Swallows at the beginning and here, not only Barn Swallows but two Red-rumped Swallows have arrived, along with this House Martin. One day was spent around the Barragem da Bravura and Pincho. I like the Pincho area where typical woodland birds are found such as Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper and Nuthatch. Even better when tiny Firecrests reveal themselves after a long wait. A quick visit to 'year list' a Purple Sandpiper took place one morning, at Praia da Mohle breakwater. A reliable place for them and three were seen on this occasion. We live a matter of metres from the beach in the large Alvor bay, but sea-watching reveals very little reward as a rule. Perhaps once during the Winter, a Razorbill arrives in the bay and remains for less than a full day. I picked this one out yesterday and lost it again within an hour! This morning I checked the bay once more, the sea was 'roughing up' in an East wind. There was no Razorbill to be seen so I spent a while with the handful of Gannets, usually present all Winter.
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