It felt good to be back on the rugged coastline around Sagres this morning. A short walk on the Atalaia headland gave us our first Richard's Pipits of the year, though no doubt they were the same birds as seen before Christmas. One of our targets for today was to be the Alpine Accentor, the small alpine country breeder which finds its way to the cliffs of Sagres, to spend the winter months. At the Cape, there are but a few slopes covered in alpine-like vegetation before the cliffs plunge vertically down to the sea. A fair amount of time was spent scanning these isolated areas without success, the presence of the cliff edge fisherman made me think the bird(s) had maybe moved further away. Eventually and as if by pure chance, an Alpine Accentor appeared on the cliff top and only metres away from our cars. There were a good number of tourists present with their cars and campervans, together with the fisherman, I would not have expected to see this little beauty hopping around quite unconcerned. Having said that, it's presence was rather short lived before disappearing over the cliff edge and vanishing once more. The day continued on the Cape and surrounding farmland. Black Redstarts and Meadow Pipits were found while looking for the accentor and interestingly, we noted that Gannets were now making a northerly passage at the Cape, returning eventually to their breeding grounds. The Vale Santo farmland was fairly quiet. Two Common Buzzards and two Peregrines were all on the ground and four Common Kestrels in a group passed over us. The afternoon culminated in an incredible find of some twenty or more Stone Curlews. Initially they were put to flight by some nearby machinery, but soon resettled in some thick scrub making their re-finding something of a challenge. What else has happened in the last week? The water in the lagoon at Salgados has been let out to the sea, after being at a high level for a long time. Given the presence of extensive muddy areas, the birds are busy again - 4 Purple Swamphens were seen in one place and even a Water Rail was caught off guard. A Cormorant and Little Egret were among many birds feeding in the channel. These birds were joined by Grey Herons, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis and White Storks. Hopefully, more waders will come in this week. Black-tailed Godwits, Avocets and this flock of Golden Plovers have been present for some time. At Quinta da Vala, the Tree Sparrow flock remains around the greenhouses. The long-staying Rustic Buntings spend long periods in the field but three birds are still being seen. Female Kestrel at Quinta da Vala
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