Algarve Birds, Butterflies, Bits & Bobs. Spring 2018.

 

A few odds and ends to finish off my Algarve holiday post.

 

Whilst sitting outside at a café and enjoying a coffee and cake this meadow was a pleasure to see, such delightful Spring colours. Unfortunately a couple of days later the whole of the meadow had been ploughed up. I understand why though as I was told that the field was needed for growing vegetables. Still, it was a joy to behold when in flower.

 

 

                                                   
                                                      Spotless Starling

                                                           Red-legged Partridge

 

Market hall at Silves It is lovely to see such fresh and varied produce.

                                                
                                                            Large White butterflies.
Numerous were sighted along the riverside embankments at Silves.

The stunning Monarch butterflies were also seen but in smaller numbers.

                                  
                                                      Who lives in a house like this? Maybe a look through the keyhole would give a clue as to who lives there! ;-)

                                               
                                         Barbary Nut, one of the native irises, with a carpet below of Paronychia argentea, of the carnation family.

 

Unidentified Insect!

                                    
                                   I have yet to ID the following Wildflowers.

                             The  Corn Buntings sighted were singing beautifully!

 

Crested Larks were also singing sweetly!

 

                                         
                                       Quick march! Cattle Egret in a hurry.

                                                        Spot the Shepherd.

A tasty grub!!!

                               I like this image a lot, simple is good sometimes.

                                                    Another tasty grub!! Hoopoes were often sighted on this trip.

Kestrels were also often seen hovering over the scrubland.

 

There were four in the bed and the little one said..roll over!

                              There were three in the bed and the little one said....roll over!

                            There were two in the bed and the little one said....roll over!

                        I hope they all come back, it is lonely up here on my own!

 

If you can't beat them....

                                Corn Bunting and a Greenfinch enjoying a rest!

 

Finally a Woodchat Shrike! A bird that gave super views as it perched on the shrubs and swooped in the air after an insect or dropped to the ground after a grub!

An awesome bird is the 'butcher bird'!

 

 

Update: North Norfolk Coasthopper bus service saved!

Great news for visitors and residents!

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-coasthopper-bus-service

White Storks nesting in Silves, Algarve, Portugal.

It was great to see so many White Storks in the town of Silves busily flying to and fro over the town and the Arade river, in the main gathering nesting material. They lack the ability to sing or call, they can make a quiet hissing sound though bill clapping is their main method of communication used as a greeting or a threat.

A large building adjacent to the market hall had been demolished except for some reason one of the walls of the building, scaffold had been erected along it. The storks could be seen along the top of the wall in pairs, some had already made a nest!! If there is a vacant space, be it a chimney, rooftop  or wall  they will use it! :-)

This nest is above the vegetation alongside the river and is used presumably by the same pair of Storks as they are a monogamous bird, though no doubt there are exceptions to the rule! It has been good to return occasionally in the Spring to see the nest inhabited!

 

 

The 'wall' nesters!

What a fabulous view the occupants of the building next to the 'wall' would have of the nest!

                                               
                                                A nest on the tree canopy!

                                             A nest on the end of a crane!

 
                                        Bringing home the nesting material!

                                                       
                                                        Sorting it out!

                                               
                                               The image speaks for itself!

 

 

 

 

Happy nesting Storks and stay safe!

 

Yarn Bombing in Silves, Algarve, Portugal.

Well this was a new one to me...Yarn bombing! After researching with Google I see that it is a worldwide practice and is believed to have originated in the United States.

During my recent holiday in the Algarve a visit was made to Silves.
The town of Silves was the capital of the Algarve during Moorish rule, from 700 until 1200 ad. The remains of it's Medieval Castle, Cathedral and ancient buildings are well worth visiting. White Storks are a delight to see as they fly to and fro over the town carrying nest building material or food to take to their nests which are on chimney's and high buildings.
A stroll across the waterfront that is alongside the Arade River is always a pleasure looking for Common Sandpipers, Wagtails, Gulls and Kingfishers and whatever else might be along the riverside. Common Waxbills, Cetti's, House Sparrows are normally to be seen or heard in and around the vegetation on the riverbank and a few years ago a Black Redstart sighting was a highlight!

Now back to 'Yarn Bombing'!
The Olive trees along the waterfront were adorned with knitted and crocheted displays wrapped around the tree trunks and lower branches, a sight to see and a surprise.
I was informed by a local that the displays had mainly been done by local 'Pensioners' as a means of occupying their minds and helping to keep them active! What a great idea!

A few images, well a lot actually, of the trees in question.

 

 

 

 

All for now as I am off to the shops to purchase wool and knitting needles, I have an idea for decorating my apple trees for the summer.;-)

 

White Storks in Silves to follow in Part 2.

 

Seth Somers Park re-visited. 25/03/2018

It was good to see the bright sunshine early in the morning, though it was deceiving as it was quite cool in the shade.
I still have yet to connect with the Hawfinches that had been reported again during the last week, maybe they have moved on now.
Highlights were: Great and Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Nuthatch, Wren, Blackbirds in good numbers, Jay, Redwing 10+, Common Buzzard x4 and being informed by a gentleman out walking that he had just seen a Badger make haste when it spotted him!
I wonder if it is struggling to find food during the cold weather we have been enduring.

 

Let's hope the Easter Bank holiday weekend will be at least a dry one if not a warm one, enjoy!