I would like to thank all the friends and visitors who have looked at my Site this year
and wish you all, a very Merry Christmas and a birding New Year! Carl's pond at Cabranosa has become a great venue for Ring Ouzels, with a source of clean drinking water.
There are a good number of Ring Ouzels wintering in the Western Algarve at the moment. This morning I was able to photograph at least six different birds as they came to the pond. Some were males with a prominent white crescent on the breast and some were browner female birds with a less showy crescent. The amount of vermiculation or patterning on the body varied between different birds, as did the bill colour. The Ouzels are perching in pine trees and can be heard giving their 'chek chek' calls, often flying down to open grassy areas to feed. There are also many Song Thrushes feeding on the ground, a lovely sight to see, together with Mistle Thrushes which tend to stay in pairs. I spent a fair amount of time watching two of my favourite Southern Portugal species - Southern Grey Shrike and Black-shouldered Kite. Both have amazing feeding techniques in the way they catch their prey. The shrike wasn't in the mood for feeding but the kite performed admirably, hovering over its prey. Southern Grey Shrike. Black-shouldered Kite.
Around this small airfield are a number of old saltpans which appear to be redundant, but retain a sluice which means the water level is dependent upon the nearby estuary. One pool is easily accessible being on a roadside, allowing easy watching from the car and the birds are not disturbed. The view above was of this afternoon's visit and at first sight, there didn't appear to be much going on. It does however become a favoured roosting place and in a matter of minutes, can fill up with a variety of species. My attention was first drawn to 4 Avocets, a species I don't normally see there. Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher are frequently seen here and, along the narrow shoreline Bluethroats are almost guaranteed, given a little time. Two more visitors were roosting Black-tailed Godwits which commenced feeding after a while. Gulls started to come in steadily, mainly Black-headed but invariably some Mediterranean Gulls arrive with them. A smart adult Mediterranean dropped in with 4 Black-headed Gulls. Among some young Black-headeds was this 1st winter Mediterranean Gull. 1st winter (left) and adult (right) Mediterranean Gulls. I have seen Caspian Tern roost here but not many large gulls. I was surprised to see a 2nd winter Greater Black-backed Gull sweep in and land on the island. Lesser Black-backed Gulls are quite common, unlike the Greater and this 3rd winter Lesser Black-backed only stayed for a short time. White spots on primary tips and a trace of black tailband still visible. A Greenshank was on the far bank and this one of two Redshank was much closer. 10 Dunlin with 1 Ringed Plover stayed only momentarily and on the field behind this pool, a substantial flock of around 70 Northern Lapwing took to the air, with several Common Snipe.
An excellent little site, well worth watching. A snap decision this afternoon to re-visit Salgados (Pera Marsh), only to see if I could find the Sociable Lapwing.
Although there haven't been reports for a couple of days, I was optimistic that it could still be around and was keen to see the Lapwing again being an incredible rarity for me, as well as the Algarve. The fields where the Lapwings had been feeding previously held only Meadow Pipits, Thekla Larks and 2 Hoopoes. A quick inspection of the marsh showed a flock of Lapwings on the water's edge. It was going to be a case of waiting for a harrier to put the birds up, and see if the Sociable was among them. Several passes were made by two Marsh Harriers and a number of Lapwings took to the air, two Golden Plover were seen and a Common Snipe. In the swirl of gulls, Teal, Avocets and everything else, it wasn't an easy task. Surprisingly, as I was packing up and had put the camera away in the car, the Lapwings alone took off and flew North to a distant field. I was alerted by their calls and a scan of the loose flock showed the Sociable Lapwing to be there. As I had previously seen the bird on the ground, I was now able to see the black wing tips and grey mantle, together with the black band on uppertail. The contrasting colours in flight make it a spectacular plover and I was delighted to have the chance to see it again. Good sightings are still to be had at Cabranosa, but more patience is required as fewer raptors are about now. A juvenile Egyptian Vulture showed on two days and a female Hen Harrier is remaining in the area. Two Bonelli's Eagles have shown distantly on each recent visit, they appear to be an adult and a sub-adult bird. I tried to capture some records two days ago. Several Short-toed Eagles have shown this week too. Common Buzzards are in good numbers - 20 to 30 birds around, most days. Plenty of thrushes in the woods around Cabranosa, Song and Mistle but no sign of the elusive Fieldfare which has been seen on a couple of occasions. Ring Ouzels are much more showy. Over at Sagres harbour, a rarity (in Portugal) such as Rock Pipit has attracted some attention this week. I haven't connected with it at all, despite a couple of visits. I've had more luck finding another of their rarities - the Purple Sandpiper. The harbour held many Yellow-legged Gulls and one adult Lesser Black-backed Gull. Four Cormorants were sitting on various buoys and fishing boats. This little one appeared briefly. Yesterday, in the cork oak woodlands around the hamlet of Pincho, I found a species I am always on the lookout for in the Algarve - Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. I have never seen a Lesser for sufficient time to study it well and haven't had one in England for five years! Regrettably, this sighting was all too brief and the bird was about 50 metres away too. Great to find it anyway and add to my year list.
I have found the area between Alvor and Lagos good for Black-shouldered Kite, particularly as winter begins. Today I came across not one, but two Kites hunting successfully over a field. These small Kites hover for quite long periods, the 'black shoulders' visible on the upper wings and when perched, the orange-red eye and yellow feet are easily seen. A mouse caught. The magpies weren't too happy.
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