Woodland birding was the object of today's outing, picking a track at random off the N120, a few kilometres North of Bensafrim. The fact that this track was surrounded by a good mixture of pines, cork oak and tall shrubs meant I should have a reasonable chance of finding most of my objective species. With warm sunshine and no wind rattling the branches, it was a lovely spring like morning and Robins, Blackcaps and Song Thrushes were singing well. Rock Bunting is always a great bird to find, usually at a moderate elevation I was surprised to find one so close to Bensafrim. Great facial markings - male and female are alike. Some of the more expected species began to show - Blue and Great Tits, then a couple of Crested Tits which refused to be photographed, staying high up in dense pine trees. The first of three Firecrests found was being equally difficult at times, feeding constantly through the trees. A Jay flew through, calling noisily and Great Spotted Woodpecker was close by but not seen. I then had a far too brief view of a Short-toed Treecreeper, a bird I've been struggling to find this winter. A few Siskins flew over as did small numbers of Serins occasionally, dropping into the smaller shrubs. I returned to the car and carried on to the village of Pincho, I found Lesser Spotted Woodpecker there a while ago and thought I'd try again. Only Azure-winged Magpies and Chaffinches around the trees there today though this had me worried for a moment! A pair of House Sparrows have taken over an old woodpecker hole. After a spot of lunch, I returned to my earlier walk which was now extremely quiet - most of the birds had moved on. I was planning my next move when I noticed a large raptor over the far hills. There had been none all morning and this was a welcome sight. I was not expecting to focus on a Griffon Vulture at this time or, in this location. As I prepared the camera, more birds appeared over the hill until there were seven Griffons beginning to circle about. They were a long way off but all appeared to be adults. Where they had come from, I'd no idea and after circling several times, they headed off in an Easterly direction.
martin hughes
19/1/2018 10:11:10 am
I am loving your blog Sir! I would call myself a conservationist rather than a birder, but actively look out for and try to identify birds when I am out with the dogs in the woods behind Meaia Praia most mornings. Raptors are of special interest and I am using your notes to try to identify what I am seeing. Kites and buzzards and kestrels mostly I think. Keep it up! Comments are closed.
|
|