Portugal, Western Algarve 18-26 July 2007

The Algarve, Portugal 18-26 July 2007 Just over a week based in the Western Algarve was a much needed relaxing family break but I did go out a few times to go birding although most of any allocated 'my time' was spent searching for dragonflies. A full report will appear on the dragonflies in due course but here are a few bird images from the area with bird list and other sightings. I did very little birding really but there is plenty to see and do here.

Bee-Eater in the Northern Part of the Alvor Estuary. Many were in the area but at least four pairs were still feeding young in holes out of flocks of 30 plus.

Occupied Bee Eater holes were in the sand quarry on the western penisula of the Alvor estuary mouth and the entrance to the northern part of the Alvor marshes. The parents were trying to coax the young out of the holes by landing with insects at the entrance and then flying to a nearby perch.

Zitting Cisticola, Alvor Estuary

Juvenile Black-winged Stilt, Armacao de Pera lagoon

Greater Flamingos, Armacao de Pera

White Storks resting in a field en-route to Silves
Glossy Ibis at Quinta de Lago

Bird list with my personal highlights in bold.

Little Grebe- seen at Armacao de Pera lagoon and Quinta de Lago Golf course lake. 20th and 26th.

G C Grebe- nesting at Quinto de Lago 26th.

Cory's Shearwater- at least 20 seen in a 20 minute seawatch from Cabo de Sao Vicente 23rd.

Mediterranean Shearwater- 2 seen from the above site 23rd.

Gannet- five off Cabo de Sao Vicente

Cormorant- one past the above site.

Little Bittern- 2 juveniles at Quinta de Lago lake seen taking Scarlet Darters from rushes.

Cattle Egret-commonly seen daily.

Little Egret-common around all wetlands.

Grey Heron- as above.

White Stork- common, gatherings of 200 on the minor road to Silves from theMonchique road and 50 at the Abicada lagoon.

Glossy Ibis- 2 at Quinta de Lago lake 26 July (Harriet spotted them first!) Not sure of the status in Portugal, I have never seen them in 4 visits.

Spoonbill- 8 at the Abicada lagoon, 24 July.

Greater Flamingo- 350 at Armacao de Pera lagoon, 2 in the Alvor saltmashes on 24th.

Mallard-common.

Gadwall- many at Quinta de Lago

Pochard- 30 at Quinta de Lago

Red-crested Pochard- 20 at Quinta de Lago.

Short-toed Eagle- a low flying individual at the Abicada lagoon on 24th July.

Black Kite- one near Faro Airport on 18th.

Black-winged Kite- a single seen on 20 and 24 July and a pair on 25th on territory at the same site. Due to the very nervous behaviour of these birds and apparent sensitivity I will withold the site.
Kestrel- seen on a few occaisions.

Lesser Kestrel- one probable at Alvor.

Red-legged Partridge-15 near Caldas de Monchique on 2 dates.

Quail-one heard calling at the Abicada lagoon on 24th from the other side of the estuary creek.

Water Rail-one in the Alvor saltmash on 22nd.

Coot-common.

Moorhen-common.

Purple Swamp-Hen- one seen very well and heard at Quinta de Lago lake 26th.

Oystercatcher- 3 Alvor estuary-22nd.

Avocet-many with young at Armacao de Pera lagoon.

Black-winged Stilt- many with young at Armacoa de Pera and Alvor.

Ringed Plover- 2 at the Abicad lagoon on 25th.

Kentish Plover- 20+ Alvor estuary and Armacao de Pera.

Dunlin-50 Alvor saltmarsh, 100 Abicada lagoon and 30 Armacao de Pera.

Green Sandpiper- one flushed from a stream near Caldas de Monchique.

Common Sandpiper- 20+ around Alvor and 15 at Armacao de Pera. Singles seen at a few other sites.

Redshank- Aramcao de Pera lagoon, Alvor and the Abicada marsh (100+ at latter site).

Greenshank- 10 at the Abicada lagoon.

Black-tailed Godwit- only 7 at Aramcao de Pera lagoon 21st and 1 at the Abicada lagoon on 25th.

Whimbrel- up to 10 in the Alvor estuary.

Arctic Skua-one off Cabo de Sao Vicente hassling Cory's Shearwater on 23rd.

Black-headed Gull-common.

Mediterranean Gull- a few seen around the Alvor estuary as well as a few other sites.

Yellow-legged Gull-common.

LBBGull-common.

Audouins Gull- a third summer at the Armacoa de Pera lagoon on 21st.

Little Tern- up to 60 in the Alvor estuary and seen at Ria Formosa and Armacao de Pera.

Sandwich Tern- 2 in the Alvor estaury and one at Quinta de Lago.

Turtle Dove-seen at many locations.

Swift- common

Pallid Swift- seen very well over saltmarsh in the Alvor estaury as well as a few other places.

Hoopoe-common.

Kingfisher-seen in three different locations, Alvor, Silves and Quinta de Lago.

Bee Eater-common.

GS Woodpecker- heard.

Crested Lark-common.

Short-toed Lark- Armacao de Pera lagoon.

Sand Martin

Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow-seen in many locations with one over the apartment swimming pool a treat.

House Martin

Spanish Wagtail-one Rio Formosa

Grey Wagtail-near Caldas de Monchique

Stonechat

Blue-rock Thrush-a female at Cabo de Sao Vicente

Blackbird

Blackcap

Sardinian Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Great Tit

Crested Tit-singles near Caldas de Monchique

Woodchat Shrike- seen around Alvor

Azure-winged Magpie- common around Alvor and very common at Quinta de Lago

Jay

Goldfinch

Greenfinch

Serin-common

Common Waxbill- a flock of 20-30 at the Abicada on 20th and 4 at the Alvor salinas on 25th.

I also saw a Water Vole downstream of Caldas de Monchique, my most southerly record ever.

About 30+ dolphin sp off Cabo de Sao Vicente on 23rd.