The last post...........of my Algarve hol!

The last few photo's of my holiday were taken in various locations but in the main at my favourite reserve Pera Marsh. A Sacred Ibis turned up there and stayed for a few day's, I was fortunate to get a (not too bad) photo as it was quite a distance away. A strange looking bird and great to see. Spoonbills were a pleasure to watch as they 'spooned' close by, their numbers as with the Lapwings and Godwits increased greatly as the days went by.

It feels a bit surreal now posting holiday photo's that were taken in hot sunshine when there is at present freezing temperatures, snow lying on the ground, foggy and a hoar frost!

I am counting the days to my next 'Algarve' holiday!

Vale do Bispo & Cape St Vincent....06/10/2010

Raptor day today!!
Vale do Bispo & the headland at Cape St Vincent are great places to go to see bird migration in Spring and Autumn. At Vale do Bispo there is a Raptor watchpoint. Fortunately there were several birders already at the point, one person being a Bird Guide who I had met on a previous holiday! I love to see the Raptors but struggle with species ID so I knew that the species would be called out when they appeared! Everyone was friendly and waiting in anticipation. A Swallowtail butterfly passed us by several times, the only one I had seen throughout the holiday. The Raptors started to come into view and then the spectacle began. Raptors seen were Bonelli's, Short-toed and Booted Eagle, Black-winged kite, Honey Buzzard (being mobbed by a Sparrowhawk) and Hen Harrier. Other species seen were Black Stork, Raven, Chough, Sardinian Warbler, Crested Lark, Skylark and Mistle Thrush. It was exhilarating watching the Raptors...masters of the sky!!

On the way to Cape St Vincent, Raptors were spotted again, eleven of them were circling fairly low. It was quiet at the Cape. I was expecting to see plenty of Chough and Jackdaws but not today. I had seen 2 Chough at the raptor point so was quite happy with that sighting. A Kestrel was seen perched on a telegraph wire looking for it's lunch, I think it found something as it soon swooped down into a field and out of view! It was relaxing just to sit and watch the world go by and take in the spectacle of the surrounding cliffs and sea!

Monchique and Foia....04/10/2010

A mountain climbing day today...well by car! Monchique is a good place to visit if the weather is kind, today it was a sunny and slightly windy day so all should be well for views from Monchique!!!! After stopping off at the Spa 'resort' of Caldas de Monchique for a coffee it was time to head for the highest point in the Algarve, Foia! This was the first visit to Foia and on the next visit I will take my thermals...it was blowing a gale and feeling decidedly cold with the temperature being 16c compared to 24c at the start of the journey up the mountain! Nevertheless Rock Buntings were the target bird so onwards and upwards in search of them. A Wheatear was the first bird seen, also Whinchat, Goldfinch and superb views of Kestrels as they soared over the fields, it seemed strange being at almost eye level with the Kestrels! Finally a Rock Bunting.....just the one! A super little bird that could have passed for a House Sparrow at a distance. Hardy little birds nonetheless to breed at such high altitudes! I had read that they move to lower altitudes in Autumn/Winter and who can blame them, so I was pleased to have seen just this one! The ride back down the mountain was a little scary if you thought too much about it though there were several viewing points for parking up and taking in the wonderful views of part of the Algarve, even though it was little misty the views were spectacular!

Silves and the Odelouca Valley...03/10/2010

A trip to Silves is always pleasurable the only disappointment today was that the best cafe for Chicken piri-piri for lunch was today closed!!

Silves is the former Moorish capital of the Algarve. A walk along the River Arade is one of the main features of the town along with the Castle and Cathedral. Today there was in all honesty 'not much about', it was an overcast day so maybe the birds were keeping their heads down. Not so the White Storks though as the 'bill-clattering' of a Stork on it's nest echoed around the small town as it's mate joined it on the nest that was on one of the buildings in the town. Large flocks of White Storks can be seen around the area of Silves at this time of year as they prepare to migrate, an impressive sight to see! Pied and Grey Wagtail, Fan-tailed Warbler, Common Waxbill, House Martin, Sanderling, Black-headed Gulls , Grey Heron and House Sparrows were the species seen on this short visit. The House Sparrows are numerous around the town and in the trees along the embankment. A resident puts rice out daily on a wall for the House Sparrows, I have yet to visit Silves and not see the Sparrows enjoying the rice, a nice touch.

The Odelouca Valley which is a short ride away from Silves was also quiet today with Azure-winged Magpies, Kingfisher and Sanderling being the only birds seen, though again it was a short visit today.

Quinta Do Lago....05/10/2010

Quinta Do Lago is a productive area for birdwatching. The Causeway, Bridge (that leads to the beach), Lake and Golf Course are the main areas to see a variety of species. Highlight birds seen were Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Purple Gallinule, Whimbrel, B-t Godwit, Redshank, Ringed and Kentish Plover, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Black and Little Tern, Knot, Little Egret, Kingfisher, Pied Flycatcher, Black-headed Weaver, Crested Tit and Chiffchaff! The best highlights being a pair of Sardinian Warblers that were perched in a tree by their empty nest, the nest was so low and exposed to the pathway and predators, quite surprising really! A Great White Egret feeding in the estuary as the tide was coming in was a joy to see, a Lifer!!Also, a Water Snake was spotted in the lake slithering towards the embankment and the absolute highlight of the holiday was a Little Bittern that flew from a reedbed just as we were about to leave the Lake hide! It was at a distance but still great views were had of it with bins and scope!!

Quinta Do Lago.....is a magical birding site!!