After the surge of Griffon Vultures and some following days with substantial eagle numbers, I have a feeling the raptor movement is coming to a close for another season. The last week has revealed a single Black Vulture which remained distant over Sagres one afternoon. Two juvenile Egyptian Vultures having been looking very forlorn as they continue to patrol the landscape and make little attempt to leave. I found one individual flying around Atalaia headland this morning and both birds settled at Cabranosa late this afternoon. More of a surprise was an almost adult Goshawk which flew in two days ago, much to the annoyance of the many Crag Martins which are making the most of the insect life at Cabranosa. This juvenile Short-toed Eagle had very little 'barring' on the underwing and an almost white head. There can be extensive 'variations' in juvenile birds but this made for a very white eagle! Away from Cabranosa, the young Common Tern shows at times on the black mooring buoys in Sagres harbour. It shares the buoys with up to four Sandwich Terns. The Polish ringed Tern hasn't been seen since and I still have no information back from the ringing team concerned. The first returning Purple Sandpipers have arrived on the harbour breakwater, two were seen yesterday. Also here were four Turnstones, two Common Sandpipers, a Whimbrel and a Kingfisher. This flock of Rock Doves were put to flight by the Osprey which frequents the bay and harbour around Sagres. Showing their diagnostic white rump patches clearly, these birds live almost entirely on the islands here and are probably as 'pure' as they come in respect to Rock Dove species. A new arrival on the lagoon at Martinhal (adjacent to Sagres) was this smart Little Stint. Dwarfed in comparison by four Dunlin, it fed happily with the Dunlin all afternoon. A new record for me at this site. Having swatted up on the weather forecast last night, I met the cold North wind on Cape St. Vincent for a couple of hours this morning. The result was an intriguing number of Razorbill flocks of between four and thirty three birds during that time. As always, these auks are well out to sea but thanks to my new camera, we can now ascertain that Puffins fly within these flocks quite regularly. The image below shows the three leading birds to be Puffins ( a feature seen quite often where Puffins led the auks along). The Puffins were identified by their extensive 'greyish' face (no breeding bill colour now), a black collar virtually circling the neck, a greyish underwing when seen and short, blunter wing length. Above, a flock of five Puffins with two Razorbills on lower right of group.
Gannets passed constantly, but not in the large numbers seen a while ago. One Great Skua and six Balearic Shearwaters flew South as did small numbers of Audouin's Gulls. I picked out four Grey Phalaropes with my binoculars, all flying together in a southerly direction. Back at Cabranosa this afternoon and some of you have kindly asked how I am finding my new camera/lens equipment. In short, it gives an improved means of studying detail - as could be seen with the 'white' short-toed eagle mentioned earlier. That in turn, makes you more aware of potential differences and how attention to detail will aid more accurate identification. Do I understand half the functions and technicalities? - No. Do I really need to? - I doubt it. It does what I expect it to do, it produces pictures such as this Crested Tit, swaying in that north wind with no post-editing carried out whatsoever. Just brilliant!! The Western Subalpine Warbler continued to show around the hilltop today, making it the second latest record in the Algarve. I watched a lone Griffon Vulture between Vila do Bispo and Sagres this morning and this was confirmed by the recorder at Cabranosa, as the bird made an appearance there. The Griffon left Cabranosa after a while, taking with it an incredible 28 Short-toed Eagles which had arrived on the peninsula earlier. I began my watch after midday when five Short-toed Eagles were in the air. This next juvenile was remarkably unstreaked on the underwings, the streaking can vary to an extent. A fabulous Peregrine Falcon perched for a long time in trees close to my car. The temperature this afternoon was at least 24C. The air was filled with ruddy darter dragonflies and red admiral butterflies were seeking out late flowers. It was more like early September than mid November. Booted Eagles began to show in increasing numbers, flying up from the Sagres direction. Seventeen Booted Eagles came through giving a spectacular show for quite some time. My session ended after a Marsh Harrier had been tracked through. For some reason, this bird seems to have some string or perhaps fishing line tangled on its body. Two or three Common Buzzards were seen in the woods, the resident Kestrels were active as were some Ravens and the Choughs. All in all, a very good afternoons' birding.
After the huge movement of Griffon Vultures, there have been some interesting raptors over the last week. Some Griffons did linger for another day or so, these were seen from Raposeira. Fresh arrivals of eagles began to take place, notably Booted and Short-toed Eagles. A top view of the Booted Eagle showing the white 'headlight' feathers on the shoulders nicely. This Short-toed Eagle settled in a tree a short distance from Cabranosa. The last two days have seen a juvenile Iberian Imperial Eagle between Vila do Bispo and Cabranosa. Flying very high all the time, he wasn't an easy subject to observe and left to the North this morning. As the Imperial Eagle departed, a flock of twenty Short-toed Eagles arrived from the North over Vale Santo and flew to the Cape. Turning around quickly they came over me a second time and I saw what I believe to be a female Hen Harrier (top right) with them. Again, all the birds were incredibly high today. Returning to Cabranosa this afternoon, at one point I counted 32 Short-toed Eagles leaving to the East and ten Booted Eagles also. I cannot recall seeing so many Short-toeds together and certainly, never in November! Speaking of late departures, this Western Subalpine Warbler at Cabranosa, late this afternoon was also a bit of a surprise. More playtime with the new camera and I couldn't resist this handsome Cormorant in Porto da Baleeira. I'm always pondering over some gull or other and can't make my mind up as to whether this is a 3rd winter Yellow-legged Gull or 3rd winter Herring Gull (argenteus). Help me out somebody?? There are often Sandwich Terns in the harbour and today I found the juv Common Tern had come back and was sharing a mooring buoy with a Sandwich Tern. I noticed one of the Sandwich Terns was carrying a 'flag' on its right leg marked JO213. So far, I have found that this Tern was ringed in Gdansk in Poland and hope to have more information on its travels shortly. ....... and finally, that Cormorant again!
I have commented previously on how it has been a strange and quiet Autumn, down here in Sagres. Yesterday, nature struck back in spectacular fashion, bringing around 2,000 juvenile vultures into the national park. This great show of strength probably answers two of our previous questions - yes, it has probably been adverse weather that has bottled up all these raptors somewhere, and no, there hasn't been a change to the migration route taken by these juvenile birds. It was around 0930hrs when looking towards the windfarms at Barao, one flock of vultures could be seen, lifting off in the heart of the windfarm. We knew from yesterday's movements that large flocks had settled overnight, throughout the park from Barao down towards Cabranosa. It wasn't too long before the huge movement commenced again today. There were many different flocks taking to the air and numbering 4,5 and 600 birds easily, counted by our environmental recording team operating in the park. At times, birds would fly lower and we could check among the Griffons for a Cinereous or Ruppell's Vulture. Unbelievably, there wasn't a single Ruppell's Vulture seen by anyone in the 2000 or more birds. We had more luck with Cinereous Vultures, a few were recorded and I was lucky to pick one out, in a flock this afternoon. The next image shows some of this morning's vultures, clearly having to flap their wings as they search out areas of warm air, in order to gain height. The number of Griffons increased through the day and at times we had the most superb views. This is the moment I discovered a Cinereous Vulture, it is flying higher than the Griffons which is why it appears smaller. It is actually larger than a Griffon Vulture. A few other raptors appeared during the day including Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles. Two Common Buzzards and this colourful Red Kite flew over our watchpoint. My first raptor of the day was this dark form of Booted Eagle which I realised was perched nearby, whilst watching an Iberian Grey Shrike. ..... and a very nice Shrike!
While birding has been very quiet recently, there is one species which shows up regularly on the Sagres peninsula each autumn, that is the Richard's Pipit. A large pipit, having long legs with which it stands very upright (except today!) The Richard's Pipit makes a long journey from Siberia each year and is found in two or three places around Sagres. The sides are a warm brown and the breast (seen in later images) is mainly white. The red mark on the next image indicates the 'pointed' median covert feather which is diagnostic on a Richard's Pipit. The above shows the white outer tail feathers. The same pipit in different light. Chiffchaffs are becoming more noticeable this week, this one on a Aloe Vera leaf. Fan-tailed Warblers were the most numerous warbler on my early walk. After breakfast, we set off for Carrapateira with Chris and Sue to a most beautiful beach on the West coast. A coastal lagoon there had only a Little Egret this morning, sometimes a variety of small waders can feed here. Ellie the dog enjoyed the largest expanse of sand dunes ever, now a crazy ten year old. The rocks at one end of the beach had a very disguised pair of Grey Plovers, watching the incoming tide. From the beach we made our way up and onto the headland where there are excellent sea-watching viewpoints. Although it was already mid-morning, a steady stream of Gannets were still passing South. There are very few juvenile Gannets this year however, the sheer number of adults and sub-adults that have passed through here and Sagres over the weeks is very encouraging. Chris picked out our first and only Razorbill rocketing through and Cory's Shearwaters glided along fairly regularly. This image shows the locals enjoying their fishing pastime, as they have done for a century and more. Standing precariously on the cliff edge, they cast lines a long way down into the crashing sea below. After a fabulous lunch in Carrapateira, we made our way back via the windfarms, on the lookout for passing raptors. The skies here were empty unfortunately and it wasn't until reaching Vale Santo that we found a small number of Booted Eagles. Here are a few gulls from around this week. Firstly an adult Audouin's Gull ringed in Portugal as one of a hundred birds studied in 2010, making this gull - thirteen years old!! It carries a blue ring on the left leg, with the notation PH76 and a metal ring on the right leg also. It was seen in the Porto do Baleeira. A winter adult, or near adult Greater Black-backed Gull was found among the Yellow-legged Gulls at Porto do Baleeira. ......... and lastly, more camera testing (eye focussing) on a smart Yellow-legged Gull.
The clocks went back in the early hours, signalling the beginning of the winter months and what the weather will bring is anybody's guess. This has been by far, the quietest Autumn for bird migration that I have experienced down here on the Sagres Peninsula. Days have been spent with hardly a raptor showing up at Cabranosa which is quite unprecedented when it continues day after day. Our weather has been very changeable and it is also necessary to look at weather conditions further north. Temperatures have been very high, followed by rain, a considerable storm and the general feeling is that the birds may have chosen another route in which to migrate south. I encountered some atrocious weather recently which destroyed my camera gear as I was taken completely by surprise in a deluge of rain. The outcome of that is I have acquired the Canon r7 mirrorless camera and the 100-400 is usm lens to suit. While most of the camera menus are familiar, the actual camera operation is a complete change and will require a lot more practice to get the very best from this equipment. I visited a small wood not far from Vila do Bispo for my first tryout, picking small birds out in the tree canopy. Nuthatch. Long-tailed Tit. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male). Today we visited Alvor marsh where a pale-bellied Brent Goose (juv) has been seen on several occasions in the last week. Any goose is a rarity in the Algarve and this one is hundreds of miles further south than usual for this species. The Brent Goose with Bar-tailed Godwits. Two feeding Whimbrel. One of the regular Ospreys. The German-ringed Ruff continues its long stay on the marsh.
A little more camera practice in Sagres harbour. This falcon was first seen at high level together with two other raptors. After disappearing from view, it later approached at speed, braking at the last moment to perch in a nearby dead tree. The Eleonora's Falcon is a regular Autumn visitor here, but only two or three sightings most years. This was a nicely marked juvenile Eleonora's and the first seen this Autumn since my arrival at least. Yesterday, we had a rarer sighting of a Golden Eagle, somewhat distant but possible to identify it as a first year bird with large white patches on the underwing and an extensive white tail, tipped with a black band. Golden Eagles are not seen here every year and this was a nice addition to the list of migrating raptors. Perhaps the most numerous raptor this week has been the Short-toed Eagle with twelve seen today and seventeen yesterday. Two Bonelli's Eagles have shown up, often harassing other raptors. Another single Egyptian Vulture flew with two Black Kites before leaving the area.
The first full day back on this 'hallowed ground', the hill at Cabranosa. It was a hot, sunny day spent in the company of our friends and the migration recorders, with only a few birds flying very high in the still conditions. The day finished in spectacular fashion with the arrival of a juvenile Spanish Imperial Eagle. This raptor was picked up distantly and approached from the east, before dropping into the wood just before the hill. It remained there for about half an hour before lifting off again and giving spectacular views, as it flew past our cars as we were leaving. It had been a day when Sparrowhawks and Peregrines showed frequently, four or five in the air at times. Other arrivals included 6 Honey Buzzards, 1 juv Bonelli's Eagle, a Hobby, Booted Eagle and both Black and Red Kite seen flying together at one point. A distant Montagu's/Pallid Harrier failed to come close enough for an accurate identification. Some awakening birds on Atalaia from just after sunrise. Chough, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart and Whinchat.
On its third day at Sammy's Point just up river from Spurn NNR, it took me three hours to relocate this superb vagrant and only my fourth record since seeing my first in 2007. Normally found from Finland through Siberia and wintering in SE Asia, this 1st winter/female bird has migrated in a westerly direction and found itself gracing our east coast. Last week I was pleased to see a Red-breasted Flycatcher around here and this was quite an exceptional show from what was a very elusive bird, most of the time. There was more excellent migration going on in terms of Meadow Pipits, where 11,000 birds passed through Spurn before midday. Every fence line had considerable numbers of these small pipits making their way South for the winter. Small numbers of Northern Wheatears were found, these were on the Humber bank at Sammy's Point. Pied Flycatchers were in very small numbers but showing well wherever they were found. A single Common Redstart was feeding in the horse paddocks. The morning's high tide saw a pale Arctic Skua hunting along the estuary. There are always raptors to be seen at Spurn, here a Common Buzzard and a juvenile Sparrowhawk. A timely warning of an approaching winter when Pink-footed Geese drop in after their journey from the far North. Note: Following the recent hurricane in America there is an unprecedented number of American passerines in the U.K. particularly in Wales. Birds such as Magnolia Warbler, Bay-breasted Warbler, Black and White Warbler, Baltimore Oriole to name but a few are now on our shores. I won't be travelling to the west coast but there's always a chance something may drift over here.
Today was going to be the best day for weather this week and I decided perhaps we should make the trip to Teesside, to see the Brown Booby which has settled in the Tees estuary. First seen ten days ago in this location, the Brown Booby is found in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico as a rule. This bird has found a new home on the no.5 buoy (green) at the entrance to the river Tees and far out in mid river. You may see the green buoy on the image below. For the duration of our visit, the Brown Booby remained on the buoy, only moving around to preen occasionally. The images below reflect the best I could do, given the distance from the shore, however I'm delighted to see the bird on our east coast. The Tees estuary is a great venue for birding as I found out on a previous visit, to watch Arctic Skuas here. There was no shortage of seabirds on the river today. Within the estuary there were many terns, mostly Sandwich and Common, with one Black Tern going out to sea. A few Gannets passed by and this Kittiwake was unusually close to the shore and alone. Both Razorbills and Common Guillemots were in large numbers, feeding and resting on the river. A walk along the beach south of the river produced several wader species, including Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Turnstone, Ringed Plover and eight very smart Bar-tailed Godwits. An excellent day with a great rarity and a wonderful area for birding.
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