It is early days with the raptors, numbers being low however the variety is showing already. In the last two days we have seen the arrival of Booted, Short-toed and one Bonelli's Eagle. Black Kites and Honey Buzzards trickling in small numbers and the occasional Goshawk, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine have passed through. After yesterday's first Black Stork, this afternoon five arrived, making hard work of the fresh wind blowing at the moment. A dark Honey Buzzard. The small migrant birds are keeping us nicely busy, with the Pied and Spotted Flycatchers showing very well in all locations. Early this morning at Atalaia, there had been a good 'fall' of Willow Warblers, five or six birds in every bush. Several Willow Warblers kept closing their eyes, even as the sun rose. I was quite surprised to see a juvenile Yellow Wagtail roosting in the bushes here. More birds were picked out as it became lighter - 3 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, Garden Warbler, Whitethroat and more Spotted Flycatchers. The scene was much the same as I checked the pottery pinewood (pinhal ceramica). Large numbers of Willow Warblers and in a tree containing five of them, I saw a warbler having very white underparts. This was a Western Bonelli's Warbler looking nice and green on the wings and well marked altogether. I alerted Chris and Sue who came down and also found the bird, thankfully in the same place. In the same pinewood, I am finding many more Turtle Doves than in previous years. I can't imagine the recent ban on hunting in some countries is effective yet but, there are flocks of ten to twelve birds here most mornings and we are seeing them at Cabranosa too. Up at Cabranosa it is hot out of the wind. 'Ellie the dog' enjoys her walks here and when too hot, rests under a bush where she can see us!! On Carl's pond, this individual had us puzzling for a while. We decided on a very young Cirl Bunting in the end. This afternoon's raptors comprised 5 Black Kites, 2 Honey Buzzards, 1 Booted Eagle, 1 Hen Harrier and a Peregrine.
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