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.
martin hughes
11/1/2018 11:52:39 am
I am so pleased to come across your website/blog. I am by no means an active birder but do take an interest in what I can see all around me, particularly when walking the dogs. I, like you, love the raptors but always struggle to identify what I see. Your extensive picture gallery will help immensely. Keep it up! Comments are closed.
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