The Autumn migration is drawing to a close now and my time in Sagres is almost over. At the weekend, we will move across to Alvor, remaining there until March. Once again, the raptor movements proved a wonderful experience. There were many days offering valuable sightings of lesser known raptors and certainly those I wouldn't see, without visiting places like Cabranosa. To summarise two months raptor sightings here is not practical and is fairly detailed on previous blogs. A range of species encountered can be given and numbers in ( ) denote they are significant for the area. Griffon Vulture (1000+), Ruppell's Vulture (3), Egyptian Vulture, Black Vulture (4), Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Golden Eagle (1), Spanish Imperial Eagle (2), Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Hen Harrier, Pallid Harrier (1), Red Kite (6+), Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Common Buzzard, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel, Merlin, Hobby, Eleonora's Falcon (3), Peregrine Falcon, Red-footed Falcon (1)** ** Not seen by me. I achieved more sightings of both Black and Ruppell's Vulture here this year, compared with previous years. Black Vulture. By far the most exhilarating and rare sighting at Cabranosa was the juvenile Golden Eagle which passed over us on the 27th October and was seen again briefly on the morning of the 28th. Harriers were not too often seen throughout the migration period. Perhaps the best encounter, on the 21st September, was while watching the Lesser Grey Shrike which was in itself a 'first' for Portugal. Over the same field, a juvenile Pallid Harrier flew through as I was photographing the Shrike. The woodland surrounding the hill at Cabranosa had many interesting small birds, also passing through on their migration. An Olive-backed Pipit, found on the 23rd October was a 'first' for me. Other highlights in the woods were Rock Sparrows, Fieldfare and two Yellow-browed Warblers. Ring Ouzel and Wryneck were also found, Bramblings were heard flying over when Siskin flocks arrived in October. At the end of the raptor movement, another rare sighting at Cabranosa was the appearance of at least two Spanish Imperial Eagles. Only slightly smaller than the Golden Eagle, they made an impressive sight when showing well for the observers. Away from Cabranosa, I won't forget the two pelagic trips I made, out into the Atlantic to find my first Wilson's Storm Petrel. I know I won't forget the smell of that 'chum' going overboard, to attract the Petrels!! Excellent trips with close views of Storm Petrels, Shearwaters and Great Skuas. Some close encounters with dolphins too. Seawatching can be achieved from the cliffs at Cape St. Vincent and it was here I added Arctic Skua, to my Algarve list. Finally, a great thank you to all those I've spent time with out here - friends, visitors and resident birders.
Alan Cripps
14/11/2019 03:46:20 pm
That's a great list Nigel. Well done.
Carl Mason
16/11/2019 07:42:54 am
Nigel Comments are closed.
|
|