Between Quinta do Lago and the airport is the area known as Ludo Farm. Many salt pans can be seen here which are good for waders and had my first Little Stint of the year. The Ribeira de Sao Lourenco works its way through the salt pans and finds its way into the Ria Formosa channels. To the North of the bridge at Ludo in the tall trees, Cormorants and White Storks are found in large numbers. This is also a roosting area for Booted Eagles and, it was these I had come to see this morning. It was approximately 0830 when I arrived, having walked from Quinta do Lago and following the trail along the golf course edge. I first came across a pale form Booted Eagle flying low over the trees, followed by my first sighting of a relatively close eagle, preening and 'waking up' in the trees. My timing couldn't have been better, as in the space of half an hour, Booted Eagles were taking to the air from a variety of locations. I counted fourteen eagles, one dark form and the remainder were all pale form Booteds. They soon dispersed in all directions, presumably to their hunting grounds and I was pleased to have caught them, leaving their roost. I would imagine early evening would see their return and the possibility of watching these small eagles at fairly close quarters. The one 'dark form' Booted Eagle. Caspian Tern (adult) over the river. Nesting Great-crested Grebe and mate. This Cetti's Warbler was singing, two metres away from me! Makes a change from the usual hidden song. UPDATE ON THE GRIFFONS AT RAMALHOS. For the first time, I saw the two Griffons had become more aware of each other and have seemingly made a home, on one of the stork nests. They are definitely more 'in company' with each other. When one bird left the nest, it was soon joined by the other and flew together for quite a while. This is the Griffon which carries a metal ring on the right leg.
Comments are closed.
|
|