Zvezda & Alex BY2022: Back on track

[xelas]

... and gulls shared the sky with the terns.

 

BY 141 / PT 022

Audouin's Gull - Ichthyaetus audouinii

 

 

 

 

BY 142 / PT 023

Yellow-legged Gull - Larus michahellis

 

 

 

 

BY 143 / PT 024

Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia

 

 

Fuseta, 20-May-2022

 

[xelas]

We then drove all the way to Quinta do Lago just to find our way there for the next day early morning visit. On our way back we have stopped at Environmental Education Centre of Marim just outside of Olhao. Here we got this duck.

 

BY 144 / PT 025

Gadwall - Mareca strepera

 

Olhao, 20-May-2022

[xelas]

Second day in the area we woke up really early to get to Quinta do Lago early. This is a sprawling urbanization for rich people with manicured lawns and golf courses, within Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. To my eyes, birds were much happier users of the place then those we have met either on trail or watching them on the golf course. All folks with sad look in their eyes ... too much money does not get them happiness in life.

 

But we were there for birds, and birds were plenty on the golf courses leading by Iberian Magpies and Eurasian Hoopoes. On the sea side are marshes with only a few waders around. But we did get one for the BY.

 

BY 145 / PT 026

Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres

 

 

Quinta do Lago, 21-May-2022

[xelas]

There are two hides/observation towers. The one looking into the lagoon was unproductive. Yet the fresh water pond (almost the size of a small lake) was more productive. Already the first sighting was excellent find. Same bird was also our last sighting there.

 

BY 146 / PT 027

Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus

 

first

 

last

Quinta do Lago, 21-May-2022

[xelas]

I did not expect to find this south African bird here!

 

BY 147 / PT 028

Black-headed Weaver - Ploceus melanocephalus

 

female

 

male

Quinta do Lago, 21-May-2022

 

 

 

 

Edited June 21, 2022 by xelas

[xelas]

A difficult to ID bird, specially as it was silent. I hope I ID it correctly.

 

BY 148 / PT 029

Eurasian Reed Warbler - Larus cachinnans

 

 

Quinta do Lago, 21-May-2022

[xelas]

And to wrap up this location, a much easier bird to photograph and to ID.

 

BY 149 / PT 030

Common Pochard - Aythya ferina

 

female

 

male

Quinta do Lago, 21-May-2022

[xelas]

With Fuseta we have ended the first week of our birding in Portugal. It was Sunday but no late breakfast for us as we had a rendezvous with Pedro and his friend Joao in Castro Verde. Alentejo, where Castro Verde is the main town, is an agricultural landscape with golden rolling hills, equally fascinating in cloudy or sunny weather. Home of the raptors and Corn Buntings. Indeed the Corn Bunting in Portugal is my new bulbul .

 

 

[xelas]

The birding started right away as Pedro knows all the right spots and side roads. This one has recently arrived from the south and is not yet accustomed to local weather.

 

 

BY 150 / PT 031

European Roller - Coracias garrulus

 

 

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by xelas

[xelas]

And this one is a little gem Pedro knew exactly where to find it!

 

 

BY 151 / PT 032

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin - Cercotrichas galactotes

 

 

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

[xelas]

While scanning the distant hills for Greater or Lesser Bustard Zvezda has spotted a different bird. Well done, Zvezda!

 

BY 152 / PT 033

Imperial Eagle - Aquila heliaca

 

 

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

 

 

[xelas]

No shortage of raptors up in the sky.

 

BY 153 / PT 034

Booted Eagle    Hieraaetus pennatus

 

pale morph

 

dark morph

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

 

 

P.S.: thanks @michael-ibk for correcting my wrong ID. The pale morph does look very similar to juvenile European Honey-buzzard.

 

Edited June 22, 2022 by xelas

[xelas]

Driving slowly by one of many farms I have started to yell: "Turkey, turkey, ...". Later on I tried to get out of the "birding pit" by claiming that my call was short for Turkey Vulture ... . In fact there were two vultures feeding on a lamb. Fantastic sighting, specially for Pedro who loves Black (Cinereous) Vulture. They are quite awkward when on the ground but majestic in flight!

 

BY 154 / PT 035

Griffon Vulture - Gyps fulvus

 

 

 

 

 

BY 155 / PT 036

Black (Cinereous) Vulture - Aegypius monachus

 

 

 

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

[xelas]

Quite the opposite, the little sparrow, but we do not see this one in Slovenia. On the left of the photo, while on the right is a House Sparrow for comparison.

 

 

BY 156 / PT 037

Spanish Sparrow - Passer hispaniolensis

 

Castro Verde, 22-May-2022

[michael-ibk]

Great sightings and photos, especially jealous about the Cinereous Vulture - have yet to see one. I think that´s a Booted Eagle, not a Honey-Buzzard btw.

[xelas]

The birding with Pedro and Joao was a complete success! We have seen many other birds, most of them were bulbuls ..., eh, buntings . This was our first full day, and we have had two more in the area, and weather was better on later days so much of the birds will be presented on next two.

 

The dedication of the birding team was obvious as even at the lunch time they were more interested in the book then in the food. BTW, porco preto was delicious and so was the red wine. Many thanks, Joao!!

 

From left to right: Joao, Pedro and Alex

 

From top to bottom: secretos and plumas (Joao will correct me)

[PeterHG]

Great sightings and photos! It must have been a wonderful day. That restaurant looks familiar, by the way…

[Galana]

3 hours ago, xelas said:

The pale morph does look very similar to juvenile European Honey-buzzard.

Similar but not the same.

Your words confused me and had me scatching my head until I actully continued to then read what @michael-ibkactually said.

NOW I understand.

Well done with your and Zvezda's photos. I could use her rapid fire tecnique here.

[xelas]

1 hour ago, PeterHG said:

That restaurant looks familiar, by the way…

 

I am quite positive that we have eaten at Restaurante Castro.

[xelas]

28 minutes ago, Galana said:

Similar but not the same.

 

Indeed. I was a bit hasty and have not looked at the eye of the bird (not that it is visible, hahaha).

[pedro maia]

10 hours ago, PeterHG said:

Great sightings and photos! It must have been a wonderful day. That restaurant looks familiar, by the way…

 

I wonder why .

[pedro maia]

Great to revisit that day in Castro Verde through Zvezda´s photos, I´m looking forward for the pictures of the other days.

 

João also liked a lot to see the pictures.

[xelas]

With 3 nights at an excellent accommodation in the tiny hamlet of Guerriero (literally at the end of the road - thank you for the tip, Pedro!), we have had 2 full days and one morning to do what I like the most: to cruise the narrow roads with almost no traffic in search of any bird, close or afar, and to take the photos of every bulbul, eh bunting . This is the selection of the first full day. 

 

 

BY 157 / PT 038

Stone-curlew - Burhinus oedicnemus

 

 

 

BY 158 / PT 039

Black-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles orientalis

 

 

 

BY 159 / PT 040

Montagu's Harrier - Circus pygargus

 

female

 

male

 

 

BY 160 / PT 041

Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni

 

 

 

 

BY 161 / PT 042

Black Kite - Milvus migrans

 

 

Castro Verde, 23-May-2022

[xelas]

The second day we have more or less copied the first. With more or less the similar results.

 

 

BY 162 / PT 043

Collared Pranticole - Glareola pratincola

 

 

 

 

BY 163 / PT 044

Woodchat Shrike - Lanius senator

 

 

 

BY 164 / PT 045

Eurasian Crag Martin - Ptyonoprogne rupestris

 

 

 

BY 165 / PT 046

Short-toed Eagle - Circaetus gallicus

 

 

 

BY 166 / PT 047

Black-winged Kite - Elanus caeruleus

 

 

Castro Verde, 24-May-2022

Edited June 22, 2022 by xelas

[xelas]

On both days we have visited Vale do Guadiana nature reserve in search of a Golden Eagle and/or Black Stork. The canyon itself is a very picturesque place but we have only been able to photograph the Crag Martin. Whoever will decide to drive there, the road is very steep and in or after the rain, I do not recommend to drive it.