Today was one of my favourite trips, out of the Algarve to the Alentejo Region, vast areas of grasslands and 360 degree vision for raptor watching. We start from the town of Castro Verde and work along the N123. The roadside wires are good for Southern Grey Shrike and a total of twenty three birds were seen along this road. The roadside fields held hundreds of Lapwing and small flocks of Golden Plover. Corn Buntings were in flocks of 40-60 birds, an impressive and noisy spectacle. We made a short stop at the Ribeira da Maria Delgada, a pretty river teeming with birdlife at this time. Along the sides of the river, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were feeding on insects. Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Spotless Starlings were in the trees. Surprisingly, a Little Grebe was on the river too. Raptors had been rather short with only 2 Red Kites and 2 Kestrels, but it was still only mid-morning with no breeze and only slightly warm in the hazy sun. I decided we would turn off the N123 to an area I have known to hold Great Bustard. Driving over the brow of a small hill, I immediately saw a flock of Great Bustards at about 200 yards off. In total, there were 32 birds the largest (and nearest) flock I have come across. We watched from the car as the Bustards mostly preened, one or two rested on the ground. After forty minutes or so, they decided to take flight into the next field. We moved on from this location and stopped again 1km East of Viseus. Behind a near hill there was possibly a carcass of some sort as I noticed 2 Ravens and a Red Kite arguing in the air. In a short space of time, there were 5 Red Kites, a female Hen Harrier and 2 Common Buzzards, all visiting this hillside. I then saw a large eagle being mobbed by a Raven. It didn't look right for a golden eagle and to my delight, turned out to be my first Spanish Imperial Eagle in Portugal. This was a magnificent bird and really made my day. Other raptors in the area were a Griffon Vulture at great height, a Sparrowhawk through and, as we were leaving, this distant raptor which I would like some help with as I haven't reached a conclusion.
Comments are closed.
|
|