TonyQ Big Year 2022 - We go again

[TonyQ]

182.P34 Red-rumped Swallow  Cecropis daurica                            

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

[TonyQ]

183.P35 Whimbrel  Numenius phaeopus                              

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

[TonyQ]

A few duplicates, already seen in UK

 

P36 Spotted Flycatcher  Muscicapa striata                           

There were lots of Spotted Flycatchers about, Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

 

P37 Common Stonechat  Saxicola torquatus                                   

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

 

P38 Eurasian Spoonbill  Platalea leucorodia   

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

[TonyQ]

184.P39 European Bee-eater  Merops apiaster                               

The first time we have seen a Bee-eater in Europe, Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

[TonyQ]

185.P40 Iberian Azure-winged Magpie  Cyanopica cooki                            

Quinta de Marim, Olhao         19.09.22

This is a stunning bird, and many were present on this site. They were often in the shade, but this one had some sun to light up the Azure

[TonyQ]

P41 Osprey  Pandion haliaetus                                 

Olhao Salt Pans          19.09.22

Olhao Salt Pans          19.09.22

A duplicate. There was a sudden commotion as hundreds of Waders suddenly took to the air from one of the distant pools. We checked for a raptor and saw this osprey being chased by godwits and Avocets

[TonyQ]

186.P42 Purple Heron  Ardea purpurea                                

A quick fly over, Olhao Salt Pans          19.09.22

[TonyQ]

187.P43 Common Greenshank  Tringa nebularia                            

Olhao Salt Pans          19.09.22

[Galana]

Nice indeed. Closing in on the Double Century too.

[TonyQ]

@Galanathank you Closing in but I won’t reach it!

[Zim Girl]

Nice additions, Tony.  The Iberian magpie is a lovely bird!

[TonyQ]

thank you @Zim Girl

So onto the last day in Portugal (though I will have a couple of birds after this where I am asking for help)

 

Our visit was to Quinta Do Lago, there is a golf course with some woods at the side, but the best feature is a hide overlooking a pond - it was really productive and very enjoyable. (One of the Purple Swamphen photos posted earlier was taken from the hide). We took a break at lunchtime to visit a local restaurant and returned in the afternoon.

 

188.P44 Melodious Warbler  Hippolais polyglotta                            

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

 

 

[TonyQ]

189.P45 Honey Buzzard  Pernis apivorus                            

High up and a brief fly past, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

190.P46 Audouin's Gull  Larus audouinii                              

with the red and black beak, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

191.P47 Black-headed Weaver  Ploceus melanocephalus              

An introduced species, but now widespread, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

P48 European Reed Warbler  Acrocephalus scirpaceus  

Already posted from UK, but I like them

    

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

192.P49 Little Tern  Sterna albifrons                         

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

193.P50 Common Hoopoe  Upupa epops                            

They like the close cut grass of the golf course, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

[TonyQ]

The last of the birds from this day. I am going to go overboard because the behaviour at the end I find fascinating.

 

194.P51 Little Bittern  Ixobrychus minutus                            

Female, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Male with a little fish/shrimp, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

With a dragonfly, Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Then the behaviour I have never seen before

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

Quinta Do Lago          20.09.22

I presume it is some sort of display behaviour -it was fascinating to see!

[michael-ibk]

Great photos from Portugal Tony. Love the Bittern sequence - could it just be camouflage? Stretching out and all erect like this, trying to look like the reed. We call it "Pfahlstellung" in German when Bitterns do this. "Pole Position" would be the literal translation but I guess that would not make much sense. Spectacular Swamphen pictures. Funny you were "desperately" looking for Yellow-Legged Gulls - normally I try to get away from them.

[PeterHG]

Lovely to see so many great birds and photos from familiar places! I agree on the Bittern sequence, wonderful!

[Galana]

Excellent. Yes, the Bitterns adopt this sky pointing stance to avoid detection. Either that or they are into plane spotting.

[Kitsafari]

i enjoyed the bittern shots too. amazing how long they can stretch that neck. 

[Zim Girl]

Really interesting bittern pictures, great sighting!

[TonyQ]

@Zim Girl@Kitsafari@PeterHGthank you

@michael-ibk@Galanathank you - and thank you for the explanation!

 

Now a bird - a warbler - from Portugal I am struggling with! (Lagoa de Salgados 16.09.22)

Strong pale stripe above eye, fairly dark stripe through the eye, fairly big beak, legs orange/pink, wings relatively short (?)

 

 

Any suggestions are welcome

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2022 by TonyQ