Spending our last few days now around Cabranosa, before moving to Alvor for the rest of the Winter. Once again this area has provided some superb birding days, not only with the migrating raptors but also exceptional finds in the Pin-tailed Whyder and Red-breasted Flycatcher. Yesterday morning started well, being able to locate the two Richard's Pipits on Atalaia for Chris and Sue before going up to Cabranosa. Both Chris and myself have been keen to get a look at Redwings, as the Winter thrushes are arriving now in large numbers. A bird so easily seen in the UK each Winter feeding on the ground or in hedgerows, it can be a little more difficult here. The Redwings accompany the Song Thrushes sitting in the pine trees, remaining unseen until flushed by the slightest disturbance. The 'seep' call as they fly helps to separate them from the Song Thrush when the red underwing is not clearly visible. We were very pleased to see the Redwings as clearly as the one above and a good number were in a large thrush flock close by. A single Ring Ouzel called and flew out also. The last few days has seen a small trickle of raptors including Red and Black Kite, Short-toed and Booted Eagle, Common Buzzards, Hen Harriers and a juvenile Bonelli's Eagle showed distantly, two days ago. One of six Short-toed Eagles lingering for two days. An occasional Black Stork still showing up. Yesterday afternoon, a timely shout from Sergio and Carlos on the watching team gave us incredible views of a further Black Vulture sighting at Cabranosa. Flying quite low, this vulture showed well, remaining in view for a good while and not showing any sign of moving out. It was by this time quite late in the afternoon, the Black Vulture began to circle an area about a kilometre away, losing height and looking for somewhere to roost. The approaching Black Vulture with a Common Buzzard following slightly behind and above. A great close fly around performed two or three times. A short while later I located the Black Vulture, making itself fairly obvious on the crest off a hill! What a character with its feathery neck collar and a much browner bird than I had anticipated.
** We cannot leave Sagres without mentioning our stay at 'Sagres Time Apartments'. We have been extremely comfortable in a first floor apartment with views to the hills and Cape St. Vincent directly in front of us. I think I have watched the sun set every evening for the whole two months. The manager and his staff are very welcoming, any request is treated with immediate action and nothing is trouble for them at all. The cleaning staff performed an excellent job on each visit. 'Sagres Time' has excellent accommodation and ideally situated for the town, market, the harbour and walking. ** Comments are closed.
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