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'!