My first day back after Christmas in the UK and a real need to be under that big blue sky, in warm sunshine. It was great seeing the family and having a wonderful time, but I don't remember it getting really light and the temperature only hovered around 6C at best.
Abicada looked splendid this afternoon. I arrived as Artur was packing up from his Osprey watch and I saw three Ospreys leaving, each carrying a fish. With a low tide on the estuaries for most of the daytime this week, the large lagoon above the dam will provide a good feeding place for the Ospreys. There are some sizeable fish to be found here and it doesn't take the Ospreys long before finding a suitable catch. Having seen them depart, I watched the waders on the incoming tide. I found a Spotted Redshank but sadly, not the Lesser Yellowlegs I had hoped for. I was surprised to see the Ospreys return in a short space of time and although they were not in need of more fish, they flew around the lagoon for a while, giving me some excellent views of them. There were a large number of gulls on the northerly lagoon and at first sight, most of them were winter plumaged Black-headed Gulls. Looking closer, a number of Mediterranean Gulls were there with Yellow-legged Gulls of various ages, bathing at the far end. Continuing with scanning, a small well-marked gull was picked up along the far edge and was clearly a 1w Little Gull. This is a scarce but regular visitor to Salgados, this one flying in exactly the same area where I've seen them before. Nothing too significant among the regular sightings today, though this Common Snipe showed very well off the boardwalk at close range. Overhead were many Crag Martins, even the sight of four Swallows and a House Martin with them, is not too unusual at Salgados in Winter. Barn Swallow.
Now familiar territory, it didn't take long walking a tree lined street before I was looking up at a Long-eared Owl, fast asleep. I took quite a few images but, as the Owl remained asleep and undisturbed, all the images look much the same! It's good that they appear content, roosting in this street and I have seen them here for some years now. Moving on to Horta da Nora on the outskirts of Castro Verde, the lake here always holds some interesting birds. I walked cautiously up the bank to the lake, but even so, startled an adult Black Stork which was on the lake side, just below me. Having watched the juvenile Black Storks at Cabranosa, it is interesting to come across adult birds for a change, in quite different plumage. The Stork soon resumed its feeding on the opposite side of the lake. There were many species here including a large flock of Lapwing numbering around sixty birds. Carrion Crows were seen in the fields, taking care separating them from Ravens which are also present. Mallards and Little Grebes were on the water, with Common Sandpiper and Common Snipe on the shoreline. No Great White Egret this time, but Little Egrets and Cormorants rested on the banks along with two wading Spoonbills. There is a small reedbed along the lake side where I was very surprised to hear the thin 'wheeze' of a Penduline Tit. There were three altogether feeding on the bulrush heads. This was the first time I have seen Penduline Tits in the Alentejo. Remaining at the lake a little longer, a Southern Grey Shrike hunted a nearby field. A Black-winged Kite flew the length of the lake and perched on a power line. Two Common Buzzards sat on fences along with this Red Kite, across the lake. Eleven Red Kites were in the air at this time, frequently passing overhead. The remainder of the day in the Alentejo was sadly uneventful on this visit. No sign of any large eagles or the vultures which had been reported in the area. Buzzards and Kites continued to show everywhere, some nice Calandra Larks were found among many pipits.
We came across two small groups (5+3) of Great Bustards and I still can't find a reliable place to watch Little Bustards. Wonderful to be in this spacious countryside again, enjoying its wildlife. Kingfishers do well on the estuaries at Alvor. Although unseen by many passers-by, the high pitched "zi" call gives them away to the tuned ear and they can be seen skimming low over the rivers and around the harbour. A strategically placed cane over the water, often works wonders, with a little patience. A Water Pipit in the same location. I have found a couple of Grey Wagtails this week and it hasn't struck me until now that the grey throat is lost in Winter and appears pale, as in these two birds. Yesterday at Foia, above Monchique, birds were scarce with no Alpine Accentors found despite a good search of the rocks. There were three Blue Rock Thrushes which were fairly mobile around the summit. Finally, a nice adult winter Mediterranean Gull on the estuary at Alvor.
Just a short summary of the last few days birding which has at times, been interrupted by passing rain showers. On the ricefields, the Great White Egret is still in residence along with a couple of hundred Glossy Ibis. There are plenty of Purple Swamphens here and Bluethroats were getting in song, out on the reedbeds. I spent a good while waiting and watching for a Water Rail but didn't manage one on this occasion. I came across a flock of Waxbills on the ground and soon realised they were all juveniles. The bills are dark instead of bright red and curious white blobs are either side of the bill. The tails on these birds were quite short and it made me wonder whether they have bred recently. Finches in captivity will breed continuously and perhaps Waxbills do in the wild - I don't know! Continuing the introduced species, the Scaly-breasted Munias were in their favourite fig tree, but keeping low down and not showing well at all. In the garden where I am now, I'm lucky to have a couple of pairs of these beautiful Black Redstarts. The two males are often chasing each other about and showing off their brilliant plumage. Also close to home, there is a Black-winged Kite showing up every day to hunt an area of land. It is one of the most graceful raptors in flight, often taking up a hover, as it watches its prey. .......and finally, a Hare we came across yesterday.
|
|