A few more images from around this spectacular coastline. Several Blue Rock Thrushes were seen flying from cliff to cliff. Managed to get one on the ground, pity he was in the shade of a small bush.
Five Black Redstarts were seen in all but very mobile. There were some superb black males about but they seemed to skulk on the ground. The females tended to sit atop the bushes for longer. The female Hen Harrier was the second of the trip and was found nearer Vila do Bispo. The vague title rather sums up the fact that we found ourselves in an interesting area of salt-pans, to the west of Alvor marsh. Across the road from a vineyard were half a dozen or so pools of brackish water, which we were passing in the car, on our way to Maia Praia beach. My attention was drawn straight away to a Marsh Harrier hovering over the ground. A Kestrel was also in hovering mode and as I scanned the entire area for other raptors, I was delighted to see a Black-shouldered Kite perched on a distant pylon (heavy cropped image!) Unfortunately, it didn't come any nearer but I had some good views of a female Hen Harrier towards the estuary which was an addition to the trip list. Waders on the pools comprised 4 Green Sandpipers, 2 Redshank, 4 Common Snipe and 11 Black-winged Stilts - all juvenile birds. In the very shallowest water, wagtails kept arriving including some smart White Wagtails and occasionally a Water Pipit (another List addition) The saltmarsh vegetation was alive with Chiffchaffs and a few Fan-tailed Warblers. After a while, a flock of three Waxbills flew in - note the Chiffchaff feeding with them on one image! Throughout my searching, I saw Bluethroats flying on two occasions and luckily, one perched fairly close and is one of my favourite birds. An excellent day and on the way back to Alvor, looked at these White Stork nests, which are unusually low down in a field.
Some of our family have spent a long weekend with us, fortunately in glorious sunshine. As well as walking the superb beach nearby, it was easy to spend time around the apartment and a few images reflect the peaceful environment. Bird life around the gardens consist mainly of numerous Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. A female Black Redstart was on the lawn yesterday and an occasional Robin. More likely in the bushes would be a noisy Sardinian Warbler, in this case a female. Over the garden are ever present Yellow-legged Gulls, parties of Azure-winged Magpies and Waxbills. A Grey Wagtail often flies through and Meadow Pipits call also. Blackbirds are common and Song Thrush are becoming more noticeable. The Hoopoe is one of three I've seen around the gardens. The area around Alvor is quiet on the bird front at the moment, but is a beautiful walk along the estuary, dunes and sea shore. A late afternoon visit to Alvor Marsh, we found one Little Owl, two Common Redstart and one Black Redstart. On the marsh itself were a few waders - Greenshank, Whimbrel, Redshank, Turnstone, Ringed, Grey and Kentish Plovers.
Many Grey Herons winter here and some were found amongst the Spoonbill flock. Five juvenile Flamingoes were feeding in the channels. One Spoonbill was feeding close by and I took some images of it, annoying a Little Egret! Little change on today's visit to Pera Marsh. One of the Northern Wheatears was still showing near the car park and there were plenty of Glossy Ibis, all looking very glossy! Sardinian Warblers and Fan-tailed Warblers were in all the scrubby areas however, Chiffchaffs are the most numerous warbler and seem to be everywhere. The local shepherd brought his sheep/goats (?) through the reserve, which provided an excellent opportunity to photograph the Cattle Egrets. They alight on the backs of the sheep and no doubt remove ticks and other unwanted insects. In the afternoon, a tour of the area around Falesia, near Vilamoura proved very successful for Booted Eagles. I have seen several wintering in this area before and today was no exception. In all, 3 pale and 3 dark phase Booteds were in the air and a Marsh Harrier also hunted the reed beds. Two other species I've come across in this location before are Black-shouldered Kite and Penduline Tit.
The kite didn't show, although I noticed one perched on a power line on the way home which was a good bird to get. Penduline Tit weren't about either but I did get a Waxbill to keep still momentarily! A trip to the South-western tip today to see if any remaining raptors from the Autumn migration were passing through. On arriving at the cliffs, the numbers of Crag Martins were in the hundreds as they winter on the Algarve coast. The cliff tops had many Stonechats and a couple of smart male Black Redstarts were seen, along with Crested Larks, Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits. Before long, the usual Kestrels and a Peregrine were in the air, a small greyish falcon flew past me at lightning speed and disappeared as quickly. Two Booted Eagles appeared and spent most of the morning hunting around the Sagres area. After a little wait, three eagles were seen flying together to the East of us. Eventually one turned more in our direction and confirmed them to be Short-toed Eagles. Small migrants seen included a Redstart and a Whinchat, two Song Thrushes flew about and Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were everywhere.
Three Choughs called noisily and are always good to see at Cape St. Vincent. There was no more movement of raptors during our stay, but as is often the case when driving back, a possible Bonelli's Eagle flew parallel to the road over tree tops and, an Osprey was at the North end of Alvor Marsh. For the first time in years of visiting the Algarve, we have been held up for days by heavy rain. Desperate to get out with the camera, it was possible today to spend the late afternoon at Salgados or commonly known as Pera Marsh. On our last visit (June), much environmental work was being carried out and there was little bird activity. The separation of areas by banking has made way for a much larger area of shallow water and extensive mud, whilst keeping a substantial area of deeper water for wildfowl at the western end. The result seemed very pleasing. Although winter numbers should be building anyway, the sheer number and species of birds present was very encouraging. Commencing at the parking area, a good start was 2 Northern Wheatears in nearby trees, possibly feeding up for their Atlantic hop! In another nearby tree, a Kestrel was perched and it seems strange seeing them in fig or olive trees! Amongst the larger species were a couple of White Storks, around 40 Spoonbill, 10 Grey Heron and 34 Glossy Ibis. The images below shows an area close to a viewing screen, giving excellent opportunities to see Spoonbill and Ibis. Other birds in range are White Stork, Coots (many), Shoveler, Mallard and a Black-winged Stilt. I mentioned wildfowl numbers earlier and species seen included Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, two Pintail, Pochard AND for me, my first Ferruginous Duck on the Algarve. I was searching through the Pochards when I saw the distinctive white rear of a Ferruginous Duck heading for a reedbed at speed. I have looked for them here before, and at Quinta do Lago and Falesia without success. The bird was as far away as possible and with fading light, the image below is no more than a personal record of the sighting. The other reason apart from the rain for our delayed arrival, was to see the Glossy Ibis roost at dusk. Quite an impressive sight as one small flocks drops onto the wetland, accompanied by several Little Egrets.
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