Today's nice find was this female Dartford Warbler. I have previously found them on the coastal heath of the Western Algarve however, they can also be found in the higher hills and this one was at Monchique's summit.
Alerted by its drawn out 'cherrr' call, I found it easily in the undergrowth. Unlike the Sardinian Warblers which nearly always dive for cover, the Dartford tends to feed in the open and on top of bushes. They aren't too wary either and can be approached carefully. Furthermore, there isn't any confusion with Marmora's Warbler as it doesn't occur here. There didn't appear to be a male around which are even more colourful but a Dartford Warbler is always a pleasing find, wherever it occurs. I arrived in the Vale do Telheiro area of the Sagres peninsula this morning and found good numbers of Meadow Pipits and various lark species feeding on the ground. With Kestrels and Ravens also patrolling this patch, the pipits in particular were extremely mobile. During one flush, I noticed three large slim pipits flying apart from the Meadow Pipits and settling on a nearby slope. A 'shreep' call told me straightaway they were Richard's Pipits and I managed to keep two of them in view, as I approached a little closer. Clearly standing much more erect than the other pipits I had been watching, this individual looks like an adult. The Pipit below looks to be a 1st winter, judging by the white edging to the secondary coverts. I was pleased to add this Pipit to my Algarve list, having dipped last year and, to see the differing plumage between the adult and 1st winter age groups. I've previously only seen Richard's Pipits in flight or, a head standing up in long grass at best! It was good to be able to have prolonged views of this winter rarity.
I had a couple of hours before the first significant rainfall since May began to fall and drove out to a wooded area near Lagos. I'm often aware of Crested Tit calling high in the pines when I'm in woodlands, they are a well distributed resident species in the Algarve but not always easy to see. Depending on how dense the pine needles are, getting a decent photo of one of these secretive little birds requires setting time aside and, accepting that most images will fail miserably. They are a very busy bird, rarely still for a moment and usually at high level in the pine trees. A first glimpse often looks something like this...... Watching their behaviour for a while is useful in anticipating how they may move as you attempt some shots.
In time, they will show well and give some very rewarding views. |
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