I have commented previously on how it has been a strange and quiet Autumn, down here in Sagres. Yesterday, nature struck back in spectacular fashion, bringing around 2,000 juvenile vultures into the national park. This great show of strength probably answers two of our previous questions - yes, it has probably been adverse weather that has bottled up all these raptors somewhere, and no, there hasn't been a change to the migration route taken by these juvenile birds. It was around 0930hrs when looking towards the windfarms at Barao, one flock of vultures could be seen, lifting off in the heart of the windfarm. We knew from yesterday's movements that large flocks had settled overnight, throughout the park from Barao down towards Cabranosa. It wasn't too long before the huge movement commenced again today. There were many different flocks taking to the air and numbering 4,5 and 600 birds easily, counted by our environmental recording team operating in the park. At times, birds would fly lower and we could check among the Griffons for a Cinereous or Ruppell's Vulture. Unbelievably, there wasn't a single Ruppell's Vulture seen by anyone in the 2000 or more birds. We had more luck with Cinereous Vultures, a few were recorded and I was lucky to pick one out, in a flock this afternoon. The next image shows some of this morning's vultures, clearly having to flap their wings as they search out areas of warm air, in order to gain height. The number of Griffons increased through the day and at times we had the most superb views. This is the moment I discovered a Cinereous Vulture, it is flying higher than the Griffons which is why it appears smaller. It is actually larger than a Griffon Vulture. A few other raptors appeared during the day including Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles. Two Common Buzzards and this colourful Red Kite flew over our watchpoint. My first raptor of the day was this dark form of Booted Eagle which I realised was perched nearby, whilst watching an Iberian Grey Shrike. ..... and a very nice Shrike!
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