I have very few records of seeing this unusual family of waders - the Pratincoles. My first record of Collared Pratincole was at Castro Marim in the late 1990's when two flew over me as I watched a Rufous Bush Robin. Today's sighting was of no less than twenty birds which were arriving as we watched. What was all the more remarkable from a viewing point was that all the birds were on a bare saltpan, with not a single piece of vegetation to obscure them. Returning from wintering in Africa, the pratincoles settled down to survey their new surroundings. The next image shows a possible courtship display, seen performed by one or two individuals. In flight,the Collared Pratincole appears rather tern-like with long slim wings and a markedly forked tail. In good light and at close range, the underwing coverts have a reddish colour, the trailing edge of the wing has white line. The face pattern is quite remarkable with a conspicuous red marking on the bill. A truly memorable encounter with these Collared Pratincoles. Continuing on the walk, more waders were found including various plover species, Black-winged Stilts, Greenshank and Avocets. Later in the afternoon, a harrier coming from the South looked interesting. Very slim wings and an orangey colour to the entire underparts. As the harrier soared a litte closer, the four fingers on the 'hand' indicated this was likely to be a young Montagu's Harrier, although there is some damage/loss of fingers on the left hand.
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