Just a couple of hours at Cabranosa watch-point this afternoon, but a strengthening wind was blowing birds all over the peninsula. From the North, 3 juvenile Black Storks appeared on their own. The Black Storks leading a Black Kite out to the West. The Black Kite flock was still around today, an adult and two juvenile Bonelli's Eagles were also seen. A cracking example of juvenile Short-toed Eagle showing a good deal of barring on the underwings. A juvenile Goshawk showed, the rusty underparts indicate it is likely to be a Southern European bird, rather than the paler North European. The Goshawk then followed a Honey Buzzard for a time. The Honey Buzzard, free from the Goshawk.
An early start at the Cape revealed a considerable number of Cory's Shearwaters sitting on the sea, off the lighthouse. They were a fair way off but a Great Skua can also be seen in the image below. In the grounds of the lighthouse, Black Redstarts are usually to be seen. A female was perched on the outside wall this morning. The power lines to the lighthouse are always worth checking. A female Blue Rock Thrush was present and an increasing number of Ravens are about at the moment. On the drive up to Cabranosa, a Hoopoe flew across the road, one of two in the area first thing. The movement of raptors started early today with a Honey Buzzard, followed by 2 Hobbies, one of which shown below. The raptor count up to mid-afternoon was - 1 Bonelli's Eagle, 8 Short-toed Eagle, 4 Booted Eagle, 88 Black Kite, 4 Honey Buzzard, 9 Common Buzzard, 6 Sparrowhawk, 1 Goshawk, 2 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 3 Kestrel. Part of a Black Kite flock assessing their next direction! A smart juvenile Short-toed Eagle with only sparse wing barring. A dark Booted Eagle with considerable moulting in progress. Close to the apartment last evening, I located a Wryneck well concealed in a bush. This Common Redstart looked really good, with the sun setting behind me. This evening in the same field, a Short-eared Owl flew over the cliff and far out to sea!
The last few days have been quite difficult birding with little or no wind and ongoing high temperatures. The Sagres Bird Festival is on its last day today, Sunday and although there have been some excellent rarities reported, quantities of birds especially raptors seems low. Yesterday brought an amazing rarity in the form of a Lanner Falcon and an almost full adult Pallid Harrier hunted the fields around Cabranosa. The Lesser Spotted Eagle hasn't been seen for a few days, so maybe it has moved on. Early this morning I visited Cape St. Vincent for a short sea watch - adding Balearic and Cory's Shearwater to my year list quite quickly. In the woods at Cabranosa, a Yellow-browed Warbler had been seen by others and this juvenile Cirl Bunting also went on the year list. My raptor movements for this morning included - 1 Egyptian Vulture, 5 Short-toed Eagle, 4 Booted Eagle, 30 Black Kite, 1 Red Kite, 2 Hen Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Honey Buzzard, 5 Sparrowhawk, 3 Kestrel and a Bee-eater called nearby but wasn't seen. Dark form Booted Eagle. Black Kite. Dark form Booted Eagle moulting? At another location nearby, a Common Whitethroat feeding in bamboo makes for an unusual sight.
The further into October and temperatures are remaining high, with 30C forecast for the next few days. Raptor migration appears to have slowed right down at Sagres although, two mornings ago, I seemed to get off to a good early start with Short-eared Owl, a Tawny Owl calling and juvenile Hobby dropping into a nearby tree. As the morning went on, a few Booted Eagles came over accompanying 9 Black Kites. Two of the Black Kites, After a long quiet period, it was juvenile Honey Buzzards which showed various light and dark plumages. A paler variant of dark Booted Eagle. A Hen Harrier showed nicely overhead but didn't photograph too well into the sun. A juvenile Egyptian Vulture showed distantly as did a Short-toed Eagle and I later found a Merlin, taking Pipits off the cliffs at Sagres. A rather quiet day at Cabranosa altogether. What wind there is seems to be light and variable. This morning I used the cooler hours after sunrise for a walk near Figueira. I was lucky to see a Red-necked Nightjar making a few circuits of a eucalyptus tree just before daybreak. The smaller migrants are quite plentiful with Pied and Spotted Flycatcher showing in all the wooded areas and Whinchats are as numerous as Stonechats, sitting on top of pine trees. A female Blue Rock Thrush called as it flew along the hillside and my first Black-shouldered Kite of the Autumn was a welcome site. Many Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers are present, a Garden Warbler was a nice find but I'm struggling to find a Melodious Warbler! Willow Warbler. Waxbills.
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