The Pinhal do Ceramica wood didn't reveal many birds other than the odd Pied and Spotted Flycatcher. Surprisingly, although just after 8-00 a.m. an Osprey passed over head. With not much going on in the wood, I continued the walk along the track and interesting birds began to show. Firstly, a Common Buzzard was resting nearby and allowed me to circle it while trying to get the sun behind me. A little further down the track, I noticed a Blue Rock Thrush perched on a power pole. It's quite noticeable how the Blue Rock Thrush is adapting to more 'concrete' rocks these days and, is often seen on building roofs. A male Blue Rock Thrush. Moving forward, as they say, I was pleased to find the lingering Bee-eaters still about along the track. Two were on a power line but one was disturbed by a passing vehicle. I explored a scrubby area off the track and found Sub-alpine Warblers to be more evident then the occasional Sardinian which was also seen. I'm becoming quite hooked on this warbler, in the remaining time that they are here! Returning to the track, I came across two Jackdaws. They are not a numerous bird in the Algarve but there seems to be a small population around Sagres. The 'Sebe' or Hedge towards Cabranosa was busier with small migrants this morning. As well as the Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, new Willow Warblers were in good numbers. A Chiffchaff was noted and the ground around the trees was shared with Thekla's Larks. At the watchpoint at Cabranosa, raptors are just not appearing. It has been really quiet for a few days now which is disappointing, since the Sagres Bird Festival fell in this quiet period.
A few lucky observers saw a dark phase Eleonora's Falcon and, this afternoon we had to make do with a distant Egyptian Vulture, in company with three Short-toed Eagles. Fortunately for me, this Egyptian Vulture was a sub-adult bird and showing a large amount of white 'adult' plumage above. All the birds I have seen so far are dark, juvenile vultures. A poor image in view of the distance but an interesting record. I've been having a bit of time off, but never too far away from the camera. Yesterday, Castelejo beach on the West coast was the setting for a lovely walk. The beach was fairly quiet and a number of surfers were enjoying what I suppose were good 'beginners' waves. The cliffs behind the beach have fascinating rock formations and a Blue Rock Thrush was seen calling from the highest point. Later I made a visit to Pinhal do Ceramica to see if the Red-breasted Flycatcher was showing as, it hadn't been seen for a day. I didn't find it but I understand it has been seen today. The wood appeared quiet apart from the ever present Spotted Flycatchers. Two Pied Flycatchers were there with two Blackcaps and a Subalpine Warbler. Continuing the lane after the wood, I heard a Bee-eater calling and soon saw two birds flying together. I lost them for a while but could still hear birds calling. Scanning further away, I was completely surprised to find eight Bee-eaters sitting together in a tree. At least six of them were showing the green juvenile plumage. Late afternoon and I took another walk on Ponta da Atalaia, a flat area of ground on the cliffs at Sagres. At the right time, this can be a superb migrant holding area. I wasn't long in finding a cracking Blue Rock Thrush which wasn't at all elusive, flitting from rock to rock. There are a number of smart Northern Wheatears in late summer plumage, distributed over a wide area. Stonechat occurs regularly on this ground. One reason for the late afternoon visit was for a quick seawatch and there is a most suitable viewing platform, overlooking the sea.
I found Gannets, both adult and juveniles were passing fairly regularly and a Great Skua made a nice sighting too. I soon became aware of shearwaters a little further out. With decent binoculars, it is quite easy to make out the key features of Cory's Shearwater, passing East to West at regular intervals. Two small shearwaters were also seen but further out and I couldn't find them with the camera either. It is certainly worth seawatching from here and I wouldn't mind having another try, in some wilder weather!! For now, I was happy to watch a good number of Cory's going through. Another visit at first light to see a local Eagle Owl in his well concealed hideaway. A while later, I returned to Pinhal do Ceramica woods to look for the Red-breasted Flycatcher. I was pleased to see it there for its third day and it seems much more settled, perching for longer and still giving excellent views. Another excellent bird in the wood was this Western Bonelli's Warbler. Although really mobile, not keeping still for a moment, I had the best views of a Bonelli's that I have ever seen. A clean white underneath and the green tinge to the wings made it a really impressive small warbler. A Wryneck was in the wood and a Blue Rock Thrush was seen on the roof of an adjacent building. Around Vale Santo, I had been keeping an eye out for a nice Spotless Starling and this one remained perched just long enough. While our spreckly Starlings can be colourful, especially in fresh winter plumage, the glossy sheen on this species is certainly worth observing, in the right light. Late this afternoon, the field at the back of the house was invaded by thousands of these dragonflies passing through.
Comfortably settled in to the house in Vila do Bispo, I spent a while compiling a new 'garden list' this morning for this location and, it makes quite interesting reading so far:- Fan-tailed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Corn Bunting, White Wagtail, Hoopoe, Stonechat, Spotless Starling, Sardinian Warbler, Crested Lark, Raven, Chough, Peregrine, Kestrel and Black Kite. Not bad for a little while leaning on the garden wall. With the excitement of my Red-breasted Flycatcher yesterday, which is still present, I omitted to include a young Egyptian Vulture at Cabranosa seen in the afternoon. Cabranosa was a little quiet again today, in the time I was there (3 hrs), I recorded 3 Short-toed Eagle, 4 Booted Eagle, 3 Sparrowhawk and a Honey Buzzard. Non-raptor interest included a Bee-eater, a Pallid Swift and a Swallow. Juvenile Short-toed Eagle. A lone juvenile Black Stork made three circuits of the Sagres peninsula, before heading off. Both Crested and Thekla's Lark occur here, this Thekla's sang over us all the time.
This morning around 8-00 a.m. I visited the Pinhal do Ceramica (Pinewood near the pottery) just outside Sagres town. I left my car by the roadside and in the very first trees, I noticed what I thought would most likely be, a flycatcher on a low branch. My first impression was that this bird seemed small and, it was perched with its tail cocked high which got my heart racing a bit! It began moving through the trees quite quickly, keeping low down and always ahead of me which meant I was only getting rear views and constantly seeing the tail cocked. When I eventually obtained side views, I couldn't see any white barring on the sides and the bird seemed all browny grey above and clean white underneath, but buff towards the throat. The other striking impression was of the eye, made large by the white eye ring. At this point, I felt I had found a Red-breasted Flycatcher and made all attempts to get some helpful images. Under tail pattern. White outer tail feathers. Enhanced the light on this image to try and show 'kind' face that R B Fly's possess. Sadly, in the process of checking my shots, I lost the flycatcher and despite making three circuits of the trees, I was unable to relocate it. I then made some effort to get the sighting known to others. Also in the pines, I was pleased to catch up with some Turtle Doves and felt I had at least four, although I seemed to be moving them around the trees as I walked. Overhead a juvenile Honey Buzzard passed over very early. Look at the yellow cere on that bill!
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