The Northerly wind which has been blowing for a few days now felt even stronger this morning. I wasn't very optimistic for a good raptor day, though 3 pale Booted Eagles were in the air fairly early. I knew one of them was the bird from the fields near the apartment, as it patrolled the same area again today. By 11-00 a.m. there were 2 juvenile Black Storks circling overhead and after lunch, I drove up to Cabranosa. Despite the wind, which was quite gusty on the watchpoint, Booted Eagles were picked up in various locations and the numbers were in the twenties. A similar number of Honey Buzzards began appearing all the time. As the afternoon progressed, all the raptors had circled the peninsula several times. Heading back into the North wind each time, little headway was being made and some of the Honey Buzzards were seen to drop into the trees, to rest. There were some wonderful colour variations in these juvenile birds, from the very dark form - ......... to the pale variants like this almost white individual seen at some distance. One of the two Black Storks which arrived today. Also noted this afternoon were a Short-toed Eagle, a Black Kite, a Peregrine, 5 Sparrowhawks and a Hen Harrier. 2 Ravens were in the area and a flock of around 40 Choughs flew over the watchpoint. 2 Mistle Thrushes were found in the woods.
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