We are now settling in at Vilamoura, for what may be the last two weeks of our Winter stay. As the Spring migration continues to get underway, this is a great location for a variety of incoming species to occur. Around the apartment, we have already found Crested Tit, Wryneck, Green Woodpecker and Mistle Thrushes. Located two minutes from the Parque Ambiental, my first walk took me to a great venue for the Purple Heron where I was lucky to watch three of these colourful birds. A heavy rain shower passed through which didn't deter this Great-crested Grebe from continuing to feed in front of me. After the rain passed, a slightly damp looking Reed Warbler began singing from the reeds. There were at least three Reed Warbler that I could hear in the vicinity. This is a wonderful place to hear and perhaps see the Nightingale. I found six in around 100 metres of the ditches and surrounding bushes. The sound given out by these birds is incredible, so musical and unmistaken. With a little patience and close scanning, they can be located if not too deep in the bushes. Yesterday evening, I met with Carl for a first attempt at finding a Red-necked Nightjar. We didn't find one and perhaps it is still a little too early. Hopefully I may just get lucky before we have to leave. Waiting for dusk, we watched all the other birds around. A stunning Marsh Harrier made a final tour of the reed beds. That day's new migrant appeared in the form of our first Sedge Warbler, creeping very low in the reeds. As it began to get dark, we experienced many birds flying to roost. Cattle Egrets passed over in small flocks and three Night Herons were nice surprise. We heard Bee-eaters approaching and when we first saw them, it was a large flock numbering 45 birds. Easily the largest Bee-eater flock I have seen. They passed through continuing in a Southerly direction, no doubt coming down somewhere before the coast. Just before dark, a huge roost of Starlings appeared, before quickly settling in the reed bed. This morning in the same field, Quails were calling frequently. Below is the habitat the Quails are found in, the most colourful country meadows. Back at the lake, this Black-headed Weaver male has lost its previous nest, perhaps in the recent strong winds. Today, it set too making a new nest, without hesitation. Today's new migrant was a pair of Common Whitethroats, keeping close to each other and feeding often on the ground. There are many other species passing through all the time - Glossy Ibis, Black-shouldered Kite, White Storks and Booted Eagles have been seen on each visit.
Comments are closed.
|
|