Thursday, 5 April 2018

Thursday 5th April - Portugal, Vilamoura Parque Ambiental

I revisited the site I went to on Sunday at Vilamoura from the arched gate, and although I was there early the theme was more of lots of joggers and barky dogs and as a result I feel I lucked out a little on the birds. However, there was still plenty of activity, including at least 4 Nightingales, which I assume must have arrived since Sunday as I heard none then. More Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Serin and Zitting Cisticola dominated the scrubby field edges and Sardinian Warblers held territory wherever possible. There were 2 very vocal Quail in the fields of course remaining unsighted. I walked as far as the hide which bordered the golf course, the pool itself held 12 Pochard, 2 Little Grebe a Coot and a Moorhen, with the Coot trying very hard to drown one of the Little Grebes and to reduce the wildfowl even further. A couple of Barn Swallows were hawking and a Reed Warbler, Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff and some Black-headed Weavers were in the reed edges. The return walk offered similar birds , in addition 3 Grey Herons flew over as did 12 Yellow-legged Gulls, a Kestrel and Buzzard and 2 White Stork nests were showing 4 birds. A Green Woodpecker was calling, but again didn't show but a Great-spotted Woodpecker was on view. I stopped a while at a patch of dense wood and scrub, I was sure I heard the call of a Short-toed Treecreeper, but it did not call again and I saw no movement. I did find a single Turtle Dove, preening itself high in a tree. Again back for breakfast.

Cetti's Warbler
Pool from the hide
Black-headed Weaver
Sardinian Warbler
White Stork 

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