The morning began quite foggy and I was hoping to meet with Chris and Sue for a walk around Boco do Rio at 9-30 a.m. Luckily it was only 8-00 a.m. and I had time to look for the reported Yellow-browed Warbler across the road from Beliche Fort (fog permitting). I joined up with Guillaume and the tiny warbler was seen for very brief moments as it searched out food in a dense pine bush. It showed once more before becoming very elusive and I left it, to start my planned day. Meeting Chris and Sue, Ellie the dog and I set off to walk the open fields and lanes in the valley behind Boco do Rio beach. There was a noticeable increase in Robins and Blackcaps which have arrived for winter in good numbers. Both species were calling, if not seen, throughout most of the route. Three Garden Warblers were found in one bush which was unusual. A Cetti's Warbler was seen and a Water Rail was heard squeaking in the reed bed. The fog lingered on the nearby hills for a while which deterred any raptors, other than three Kestrels flying lower down. Two Ravens were seen in the distance and a Common Snipe got up from the fresh water stream. Towards lunch-time, we all returned to Fort Beliche for a chance to get the Yellow-browed on Chris and Sue's list. The warbler had moved behind the restaurant, again in pines and equally difficult to see as before. Fortunately, it did show quite well on occasions. The afternoon was spent at Cabranosa where raptors were few and infrequent again. Two Egyptian Vultures passed over as I arrived and a small number of Booted Eagles toured the area. We were fortunate to see the male Ring Ouzel which arrived yesterday. It was seen in several trees around Cabranosa and visited Carl's pond on two occasions. We left around 4-00 p.m. and I made a last minute decision to follow Brian and Pam to the Fort, for one last crack at the Yellow-browed Warbler. We found it in the same bushes, together with a couple of Sardinian Warblers two Willow Warblers and this Nightingale made a surprise appearance, sitting out nicely on some dead branches. One more look at the Yellow-browed Warbler. Fascinating how this Siberian breeding warbler which winters in South-east Asia, finds its way to the most Western tip of Europe. (my second Algarve record for this species).
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