It felt warm quite early this morning, not a breath of wind and in a blue sky the hills of Monchique made a superb backdrop when viewed from Alvor. (Image taken earlier this month). After driving along to Portimao, a turn on to the N124 is the start for a leisurely and colourful drive , slowly gaining height towards the foothills of Monchique. The road leaves Portimao at the side of the estuary and follows the River Arade for quite some distance. Any chance to pull over near the river can be rewarding. I once saw my only otter along here and now, frequently find Kingfisher, Common Sandpiper, Cetti's Warbler and Grey Wagtail. Chiffchaffs are just beginning to sing their 'chiff-cheff' song after being silent all winter and Blackcaps are getting into song too. A little further along is a length of road with many White Stork nesting. Several just cleared the car roof this morning, as they glide in to settle on their telegraph pole nests. After the turn off to Silves, the road becomes the N266 and climbing steadily, an area of acacia mimosa trees provides a stunning array of colour in February. Believe it or not, the acacia mimosa is an invasive and undesirable species. I can think of more undesirable things to get rid of first - the fire-fuelling eucalyptus trees, which birds seem to neither nest nor feed in much. At Caldas de Monchique which I have covered in my blog several times, I noticed the hazel catkins were out and a number of Siskins were in those trees. There was a tremendous amount of colour in all the trees in this valley. Having passed through the town of Monchique, the road rises through a small area of cork oak woodland. A Green Woodpecker was calling as was a Great Spotted Woodpecker. These trees are an excellent habitat for many small birds including the Short-toed Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Great and Crested Tit and finches. The cork bark has been removed some years ago on these trees and now look a little eerie. The next rise in elevation passes through a eucalyptus belt and then, out into open heathland with rocky crags, just before the summit. Not looking like a birder's dream, complete with radio masts, cafe and craft centre, the views from here are stunning. Looking South (always into the sun!) the expanse of Algarve coast, to the West coast and to the North is unspoiled countryside. The terrain here is excellent for the Rock Buntings and are usually found with little difficulty, check any overhead wires. The scrubby heathland has Stonechats, Robins and Black Redstarts, together with Sardinian Warblers and this little gem, the Dartford Warbler. The other target bird up here at Foia has to be the Blue Rock Thrush. They sometimes show really well and it's worth checking the radio mast towers as they will perch on them. If there are many tourists, they will be elusive. Today I found a female showing very well. If there is much disturbance at Foia, take the road over the summit and check out this outcrop. Blue Rock Thrush can be here and I've seen Alpine Accentor here last winter.
Lucy Woodward
16/3/2018 10:59:16 am
Superb of the Dartford warbler...well done Comments are closed.
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