The afternoon has been spent dodging heavy showers and the birds have done the same, judging by their absence. Their has been a big clear out of Flamingos and Spoonbills, only ten of the former arrived back, late in the afternoon. The only marked exception was the arrival of a new Osprey which hunted the Abicada area, looking very hungry. Other raptors in the area were a male Marsh Harrier, a Common Buzzard, two Kestrels and the local Peregrine was scaring the Redshanks and Kentish Plovers off the saltmarsh. A smart Cormorant in breeding plumage, showing the silvery white head and white flash on the side was feeding close to Alvor town. One of three Little Grebes seen, acquiring summer plumage. The regular Sandwich Terns were struggling in a strengthening wind and occasionally rested on the dam walls. Birds on the increase include Barn Swallows and House Martins. Incredibly, I saw a Common Swift yesterday at Quinta do Marim. This afternoon I watched around ten Swallows with a House Martin and single Crag Martin, feeding over a pool. As I'm now beginning my final week of this winter stay, 'Ellie the dog' has already left and is due home at 8-30pm tonight. She has been on many beaches, spent hours with me at Cabranosa and explored forest trails and wetlands. She has been mistaken for a young Portuguese Water Dog many times and has cleared Sagres harbour of cats!! In a way, it's lucky that Ellie has left as yesterday, for the first time I came across the pine processionary caterpillar. This caterpillar is extremely dangerous to dogs as it has barbed hairs on its body, the hairs can cause damage and even loss of the tongue if ingested.
The caterpillar emerges from pine trees in late winter, the moth it produces is quite harmless. Comments are closed.
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