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| Recent Sightings |
| Records from the Algarve and nearby |
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Please scroll down the page for latest news
Welcome to my monthly recent sightings page. Here is a selection of interesting sightings, such as unusual concentrations, early or late migrants or rarities etc. Not included are sightings of “regular species” even though many are highly sought after by the birding visitor – for information about these, please see the various pages on this website about the different regions and habitats. Every effort is made to include only reliable information; mainly from Portuguese and foreign birdwatchers that live here in Portugal as well as many of my own records either during guided tours or other fieldwork. If you have any interesting sightings from this region for inclusion here they would be very welcome indeed – please send them to simonwates@sapo.pt (any relevant sightings will be passed on to the service detailed below)
Special thanks to SPEA for permission to include observations from their excellent news service Noticiário. This is a freely available service, which is sent regularly to members and non-members anywhere completely free of charge. It is also the place to submit any recent interesting records from Portugal, Azores or Madeira (including photographs if you have them). To subscribe simply send a blank email to noticiario@spea.pt and write Subscrever in the subject box of the message. Any relevant sightings should be sent to the same address.
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| SPEA |
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SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves), the official Birdlife International partner in Portugal (including the Azores and Madeira) welcomes the support of non-Portuguese members from home and abroad. See their very informative website; http://www.spea.pt/ which details many projects and activities as well as up to date news.
The Portuguese Rarities Committee (CPR – Comité Português de Raridades)
If you should be fortunate enough to find a Portuguese rarity an easily downloaded form for submitting them is available at this link: http://www.spea.pt/index.php?op=raridades Here you will find versions in Portuguese or English.
Remember that the reporting of rarities or interesting sightings to the relevant authorities is a real contribution to the knowledge and ultimately the conservation of birdlife and helps to filter out misleading information. |
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| JULY 2008 |
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Note: As I was away during most of May, June and July I was only lucky enough to witness or collect only very few of these records
A rather early juv. Night Heron was at Ribeira de São Lourenço, near Ludo on the 31st. At the salinas of Santa Luzia on the 19th 2 adult Common Shelduck were in the company of 2 flying juveniles and must have surely bred not too far away. A single Black Kite close to the city of Faro on the 24th was probably a very early passage migrant. Near Serra de Monchique the breeding of Northern Goshawk was confirmed on the 15th July (I have witnessed this species displaying over the Lagos/Monchique county border previously in April 2007 so this comes as very welcome news as this elusive raptor is an extremely scarce breeding bird in southern Portugal which, as far as I can recall, has never before been proven to breed in the west Algarve). A juvenile Hobby was seen hunting over Ribeira da Menalva, Querença on the 29th a date well over a month earlier than “normal” for this scarce passage visitor. A Red-knobbed Coot with a white collar from the Spanish re-introduction programme was at Quinta do Lago from the 14th until at least the end of the month. A Common Redshank was seen with a chick on the 19th at the Salinas de Santa Luzia – the first breeding recorded in the Algarve outside Castro Marim where it is an occasional breeder. Slender-billed Gulls continued to be reported with as many as 19 inds on the 16th at Salinas de Santa Luzia; an adult and juvenile at Salgados do Fialho, Faro on the 5th was notable. Audouin’s Gulls at salinas in the Tavira area increased their numbers through the month with a high of 214 adults reported on the 19th at the Salinas de Santa Luzia. Unusual was an unseasonable Caspian Tern at Ludo on the 26th at Ludo, which was either a very early winter visitor or a summering bird. 10 Ravens seen together on the 31st at Quinta das Choças, Azinhal just north of Castro Marim was also unusual as this species is rarely observed out of the far western Algarve and the Baixo Alentejo/Algarve borderlands. My first contact with autumn passerine migration this year came in the form of an Iberian Chiffchaff on the 29th July near Portimão, well out of breeding habitat.
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| JUNE 2008 |
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An influx of Glossy Ibises occurred in early June with 10 inds. seen on the 4th at Lagoa dos Salgados while on the same day 12 were present at Tavira’s salinas. An imm. Golden Eagle was reliably reported from near Serra de Monchique on the 8th – this species is practically accidental in the Algarve away from Sagres where it is a rare late autumn visitor. 3 Gull-billed and 2 Whiskered Terns were seen at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 4th while on the 10th 4 Whiskered Terns observed displaying breeding behaviour were reported by the site’s IBA caretaker. Black Terns continued their passage through the Algarve wetlands in early June with 24 inds. at the Salinas do Cerro do Bufo in Castro Marim, 22 near Faro and 10 at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 4th and 5th. A single flock of 218 Red-rumped Swallows on the 8th at Serra de Monchique is notable, especially considering the very late date for movements of this species. |
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| MAY 2008 |
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| Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin in the Alentejo, always a special bird. Although not difficult to find (for the initiated!), rarely has it been photographed showing its characteristic raised tail. Photograph by Dinis Cortes (see “Photograph credits") |
An adult Night Heron stopped off at Ria de Alvor on the 7th, a species rarely observed in the Algarve in the spring. From the 3rd until at least the 13th a superb adult male White-headed Duck at Lagoa dos Salgados, only about the 2nd record for the site and perhaps surprisingly, only the 7th for Portugal. A pair of Common Shelducks continued their presence into June and were suspected to be breeding, although proof hasn’t been obtained due to the inaccessibility of the east side of the marsh. The probably escaped male Mute Swan also stayed into June. Small numbers of Slender-billed and Audouin’s Gulls near Tavira in May showed no signs of breeding but included birds in adult plumage. Black Terns were seen in small numbers at most wetlands throughout the region during May with largest groups reported being 35 inds. at Tavira salinas and 32 inds at the Salinas do Cerro do Bufo in Castro Marim.13 inds at the “Docapesca” fishing port at Portimão on the 3rd was more unusual. A fine single adult summer-plumaged White-winged Black Tern on the 9th, a species that has hardly ever been seen in this plumage in Portugal was an exciting find for the caretaker of the IBA Lagoa dos Salgados.
My only visit to the Baixo Alentejo in May was on the 18th in the privileged company of the director of RSPB Northern Ireland, Aidan Lonergan and despite only having a long morning we managed to see most of the specialities of the area; like Great and Little Bustards, good numbers of Black-bellied Sandgrouse, European Rollers, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin as well as 13 species of raptors which included Eurasian Black and Eurasian Griffon Vultures, Booted Eagle, 2 imm. Bonelli's Eagles, Short-toed Eagles and a super 1-2nd cal. yr Spanish Imperial Eagle. Also seen were Lesser Kestrels and Black-shouldered Kite while 2 female/imm. Western Marsh Harriers were interesting as this, normally a wetland raptor, were in an area of extensive cereals where they have bred in the past.
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| APRIL 2008 |
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| Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus (Simon Wates) at Vale Santo, Sagres at the end of the month – one of 3 inds of this extremely scarce passage migrant in Portugal |
Belated news from March included 7 Purple Herons at Lagoa dos Salgados and a further 2 at Ria de Alvor on the 21st. At Ludo, 2 Black Kites were seen on the 22nd – a rather uncommon spring passage migrant in the Algarve.
In April at Castro Marim an adult summer-plumaged Black-necked Grebe was seen on the 12th as were 2 Glossy Ibises on the 13th. Visible migration in the form of a Squacco Heron seen at over 1 km arriving from the south over the sea near Sagres was an unexpected surprise on the 16th. 7 imm. Eurasian Spoonbills continued their long-term presence at Paul de Lagos throughout the month. A male Mute Swan was seen on the 3rd and 5th at Lagoa dos Salgados, although quite probably an escape the possibility of this being a wild bird cannot be ruled out and all observations are reportable to the Portuguese Rarities Committee (CPR). After good numbers of Garganey in March 3 pairs were still present at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 6th April. A Black Kite over the city of Faro on the 11th was an unusual sighting. A 2-3rd calendar year Bonelli’s Eagle just 6kms north of Portimão on the 5th was slightly out of their normal areas of occurrence. An Osprey seen close to Tavira on the 13th was probably a migrant and another bird observed on a roadside telephone pole with a fish close to Sagres on the 28th most certainly was (Interestingly, an Osprey was seen last year in this area on a similar date). Also near Sagres an imm. Marsh Harrier in the company of a female Montagu’s Harrier were at Vale Santo on the 30th. 15 Collared Pratincoles at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 3rd was a good number for the site where 2 or3 pairs have bred in recent years. A Wood Sandpiper at Paul de Lagos was a good record for this site on the 28th, although occuring in fair numbers further east in the Algarve. A very nice find was a summer plumaged Red-necked Phalarope close to the Castro Marim reserve headquarters on the 17th. 24 mainly adult Audouin’s Gulls were at Ria de Alvor on the 2nd, an almost unprecedented flock for the western Algarve. Similarly, 15 (14 adults) Slender-billed Gulls at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 3rd was very unusual. Slender-billed Gulls at Castro Marim, where they have become a regular visitor, reached a maximum of 18 inds on the 2nd with slightly fewer seen throughout the remainder of the month. Common Terns seem to have been scarce this spring with only 1 ind reported, an adult near Castro Marim on the 12th. 4 Whiskered Terns were at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 3rd and 2 Black Terns were observed arriving off the sea at Sagres on the 1st May. A late or migrating Short-eared Owl was observed hunting on the periphery of the Parque Ambiental at Vilamoura on the 8th April (a rare winter visitor to the Algarve). By the 24th April Red-necked Nightjars had returned to call at sites throughout the region. A Wryneck in scrub near Sagres on the 16th was obviously a migrant (this species seems to be declining as a breeding bird in the Algarve, although has always been scarce).
Spring passerine migrants are usually thin on the ground and often require persistence from those interested in finding them in the Algarve (contrary to the autumn!) Records have included small numbers of Tree Pipits near Portimão and Sagres throughout the month. A single, rather late and skulking Meadow Pipit near Sagres on the 16th caused a minor panic only to be compensated on the 30th by the finding of 3 Red-throated Pipits at Vale Santo, Sagres. These birds were still present on the 1st May. (There are only 13 previous records of this species from continental Portugal and all records are reportable to the CPR). Also, at the same site on the same day, were at least 6 Yellow Wagtails apparently all of the race thunbergi, although at least one male presented a rather interesting head pattern (any feedback/comments on this bird are very welcome! – see photo).
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| At least 6 Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flava of the race thunbergi (Simon Wates) were in the company of the Red-throated Pipits – this individual however raises some doubts over its origin – any ideas? |
Whinchats were present across the Sagres peninsula at the end of the month, with up to 4 inds being seen together. A male Common Redstart near Portimão on the 4th was a cheering sight as was a Willow Warbler also on the 4th and a singing Garden Warbler on the 21st. Much more unusual was the finding of an extremely confiding (probably a tired migrant) Wood Warbler near Sagres on the 28th, a species with no ratified records (yet!) in Portugal (although I reported two further birds near Sagres last spring and friends ringed another two very recently). A male Pied Flycatcher of the iberiae race near Sagres on the 16th was followed by at least 3 Pied Flycatchers of the nominate race at the end of the month. (Pied Flycatchers are an abundant autumn migrant but a scarce spring migrant in the Algarve). Ravens continue to be seen regularly just north of Portimão and seem to be establishing a new nucleus here (close to Sives rubbish tip), in the Algarve they are not normally found out of the far western or far eastern areas.
7 visits to the Baixo Alentejo through April were extremely rewarding, especially for raptors, producing 14 or 15 species on each visit (except one visit where “only” 7 species were observed due to drizzle). On 2 of the day trips all 5 Iberian eagle species were seen – a remarkable achievement for anywhere in Spain or Portugal! Particularly notable were the continued presence of Spanish Imperial Eagles and a 1st-2nd calendar year Golden Eagle away from the regular breeding site. At least 3 imm Bonelli’s Eagles were hunting over the plains, also away from their breeding areas. More predictably, both Booted Eagles and Short-toed Eagles were seen regularly through the month across the region. A1st-2nd calendar year Egyptian Vulture on the 29th over Ribeira de Cobres was a welcome sight (Extinct as a breeding bird in the region) while on the 2nd a group of 45 Eurasian Griffon Vultures were feeding on carrion near São Marcos de Atobeira in the company of 4 Eurasian Black Vultures. Two of the Eurasian Black Vultures were sub-adult or adult birds and appear to be residing in the general area. Montagu’s Harriers were displaying in good numbers through April and by the end of the month few females were to be seen, presumably because of incubating. Unusual were 2 female/imm Marsh Harriers seen throughout April (One pair has bred in cereal feeds in recent years). Lesser Kestrels appear to be continuing their remarkable increase in the region (thanks to the work of the LPN!) and can be seen across the plains hunting in groups of often over 30. An adult Peregrine on the late date of the 14th April was quite unusual for this winter visitor as was a female/imm Merlin on the 2nd. Apart from raptors there were plenty of other birds to entertain; groups of Great Bustards scattered over the plains and the solitary displaying Little Bustards were always visible as were good numbers of Black-bellied Sandgrouse in their favoured locations (groups of up to 40 birds at feeding sites). Up to 13 Gull-billed Terns were present all month at a local reservoir while 6 Collared Pratincoles seemed only to be passing on the 11th. By mid-month European Rollers were arriving but were more easy to find by the end of the month (less than 100 pairs breed in Portugal, where this is considered an endangered species – almost half of them breeding in the SPA Castro Verde). Great Spotted Cuckoos became rather silent through April having committed their “dirty deeds” and consequently rather more difficult to find. Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, usually the last of the summer visitors to arrive, was back in one of its territories and singing on the 24th. Golden Orioles increased from mid-April and were fairly easy to see by the end of the month when Melodious Warblers also became evident, these last two also throughout the Algarve. The only breeding summer migrant that hasn’t arrived yet is the extremely rare White-rumped Swift.
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| MARCH 2008 |
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A Great White Egret on the 9th at Ribeira de Cobres near Castro Verde was rather unusual as were 2 Eurasian Spoonbills on the 1st at a nearby reservoir. A presumed hybrid Little Egret x Western Reef Egret seen near Tavira on the 10th was likely to be the same individual seen during past winters. The regular 2 Glossy Ibises remained at Quinta do Lago and on the 13th, a further 2 birds near Vila Real de Santo António were more unusual. A fairly early Purple Heron on the 6th in Coto Doñana completed 7 species of herons that day, while another Purple Heron was found on the 11th at Carrapateira, 10 kms north of Sagres in the Algarve. On the 1st an imm Eurasian Black Vulture was in the company of 1 imm and 1 adult Spanish Imperial Eagles in an undisclosed area in the Baixo Alentejo. A count of 44 Griffon Vultures on the 5th was an unseasonable sighting over the mountain of Mú, north of São Brás de Alportel, while 20 Common Cranes still lingered on the 1st near Castro Verde.
A total of 78 Garganey at Ria de Alvor on the 3rd was an exceptional number for the Algarve while 5 at Lagoa dos Salgados were seen on the rather early date of 24th February. An adult Spotted Crake was a nice find (a species only irregularly seen in the Algarve) at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 1st. Another very scarce bird for the region, Temminck’s Stint, was recorded at 2 sites - a single adult at Ria de Alvor on the 1st and far inland, a group of 3 close to Rolão near Castro Verde on the 9th. Following this theme, 3 Jack Snipe were at Castro Marim on the 12th and a Eurasian Woodcock was nearby, close to Azinhal on the 7th. The 1st winter-plumaged Glaucous Gull was still present on the 23rd at the fishing port at Portimão (first seen on 14th January this year) and a single 1st winter and 3 adult Slender-billed Gulls were at Castro Marim on the 29th February. 48 adult Audouin’s Gulls were counted on the main saltpans at Castro Marim on the 15th – hopefully the arrival of breeding birds to the area.
A single Alpine Swift over Lagoa dos Salgados on the 9th was quite early while sightings of this species and Common and Pallid Swifts increased throughout the region as the month progressed. (Clear evidence of migration on the 6th in Coto Doñana included large movements of hirundines and Common and Pallid Swifts). In the last days of March the welcome sound of groups of European Bee-eaters overhead marked the beginning of the main arrival. Meanwhile, numbers of wintering Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Robins, Song Thrushes and Common Chiffchaffs and had dwindled to the occasional bird by the month’s end. 2 migrating Tree Pipits were near Castro Verde on the 16th while a single was heard overhead near Portimão on the 25th. On the 11th, 2 Ring Ouzels were seen on the eastern slopes of Picota - the neighbouring mountain to the east of Monchique. Singing Nightingales had arrived in small numbers throughout inland Algarve by the end of the month as had Woodchat Shrikes. A few Sedge Warblers were in reedbeds in Coto Doñana on the 6th and 3 others were singing at Paul de Lagos, Algarve on the 11th where, on the same date, at least 6 wintering Eurasian Penduline Tits were still lingering. A pair of Firecrests on the 11th at a regular site in the north of the county of Lagos provided more clear evidence of the first breeding for the county. A high of 32 Siskins were counted on the 6th at Tunes, with small numbers still being noted until close to the end of the month across the Algarve.
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| FEBRUARY 2008 |
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| The adult or 4th winter-plumaged Herring Gull Larus argentatus/smithsonianus (Simon Wates) at Portimão’s fishing port |
Up to 40 Cory’s Shearwaters off Sagres on the 15th were the first groups of the year; numbers increase substantially by the month’s end. Upstream from the reedbeds at Vilamoura on the 9th, 8 Night Herons flying south from a roost was a good number and an early date for this, a scarce visitor to the Algarve. 2 or 3 Glossy Ibis and an adult male Little Bittern remained at Ludo with another seen at Lagoa dos Salgados. An extraordinarily high count of 1400 Cattle Egrets at Silves rubbish tip was made on the 12th and a single Eurasian Griffon Vulture resided in the area all month. Much more unusual at this time of year was a Eurasian Black Vulture nearby on the 12th. An adult Lesser Flamingo was again at Castro Marim on the 16th, a species now considered to be occurring in a wild state in Spain – although their true status is clouded due to occasional escaped birds. At Castro Marim a count of 60 Common Shelduck on the 16th was high for the Algarve, while the long staying female Long-tailed Duck remained there until at least the end of the month. On the 13th, 3 Ruddy Shelduck were seen over Stone Pine woodland inland at Barão de São João, near Lagos but these were certainly birds wandering from a nearby zoo. At Ilha de Faro a female Red-breasted Merganser was seen on the 21st.
A Black Kite appeared at Lagoa dos Salgados on the 21st and Short-toed Eagles took up residence in their breeding areas throughout inland Algarve. A Merlin was seen near Barão de São João on the 13th, while Hen Harriers were reported from a number of locations in the western Algarve all month. A 2nd cal. yr. Montagu’s Harrier seen near Castro Verde on the 13th was very early indeed. A Jack Snipe on the 13th at Lagoa de Budens, north of Vila do Bispo was possibly the first record for the county.
Some evidence of movements of Audouin’s Gulls was apparent with a number of records involving 2 adults at Lagoa dos Salgados, 1 at Ria de Alvor and a 3rd cal. yr. past Sagres in the middle of the month. Late news of a Gull-billed Tern reported from the Ria de Alvor on the 16th January was highly unusual – a rare species in the western Algarve at any time. The 1st winter-plumaged Glaucous Gull remained at the fishing port at Portimão until at least the end of the month and an adult/4th year Herring Gull (or American Herring Gull?) was found on the 20th. On the 29th a second Herring Gull, this time in 2nd year plumage was present at the same site. (Note that Herring Gull is considered a rarity in Portugal).
The first Common Cuckoo of the year in Portugal was singing at Ludo on the 21st and a few single Wrynecks appeared at coastal sites also. Early in the month at least 10 Ring Ouzels were spread along the west coast of the Vila do Bispo and Aljezur counties in their regular feeding habitat of coastal Phoenician Juniper scrub, while an adult female on marshes at Ria de Alvor from the 4th to the end of the month was much more unusual in its habitat choice. Near Faro a Pied Wagtail was reported, rarely recorded this far south. Bullfinches continued their good winter here with small groups being seen inland from central Algarve westwards, while wintering Siskins became obviously less abundant as the month progressed. Iberian Chiffchaffs had just arrived at breeding areas north of Vila do Bispo on the 14th, while Common Chiffchaffs were still abundant throughout in the last days of February. Red-rumped Swallows became fairly common throughout the Algarve by the last days of the month and Sand Martins were passing regularly. Wintering Crag Martins had vacated their costal regions in the west to go north while Barn Swallows and House Martins were busy building nests everywhere.
In the Castro Verde region, Great Bustards were already displaying at leks in good numbers by the 27th and the first male Little Bustards were occupying their chosen displaying ground. A few Black Kites and Short-toed Eagles had returned to the area at the end of the month while both adult and imm. Spanish Imperial Eagles continued their welcome presence in a confidential area. One or two Merlins remained as did Hen Harriers and good numbers of Red Kites at the end of the month. Meanwhile Common Cranes had dwindled to less than 30 birds at their roost, the majority having left for the north. Great Spotted Cuckoos were conspicuous and very vocal while busy with mating and being harassed by Black-billed Magpies and also on the 27th, an early male Black-eared Wheatear was a welcome sight. A Woodchat Shrike reported near Castro Verde on the 25th was very early, although 8 days later than the earliest ever recorded in Portugal in 1996.
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| JANUARY 2008 (including some records from late December 2007) |
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| Glaucous Gull Larus hypoboreus (Simon Wates) at Portimão, present from Jan 11th to at least the end of the month |
The last days of December 2007 brought the first Great Spotted Cuckoos with 2 or 3 birds seen around the Ria de Alvor while others were recorded at scattered locations through January in central and eastern Algarve and in the breeding range proper in the Baixo Alentejo. This rather uncommon species is an extremely early summer migrant and arrivals at this time coincide with the established pattern; migrating southbound Great Spotted Cuckoos appear as early as mid-June on the Algarvean coast. Late December also produced unseasonably high counts of hirundines in drizzle at Dehesa de Abajo, Coto Doñana in nearby Spain with over 300 House Martins, 100 Barn Swallows and in excess of 50 Sand Martins as well as 1 Red-rumped Swallow. Whether these birds were winter visitors, residents or very early or late migrants remains a matter of pure conjecture. A one day visit on the 29th January to the eastern marshes in Coto Doñana produced 3 Spanish Imperial Eagles, a 1st cal. yr Golden Eagle, a 1st cal. yr Bonelli’s Eagle and an early Short-toed Eagle, 2 Merlins and 3 or 4 Black-shouldered Kites amongst the high numbers of Common Buzzards, Red Kites and Hen and Marsh Harriers. A 1st winter-plumaged male/female Northern Wheatear was a very early surprise, in fact it could possibly have been a wintering bird.
Back in Portugal, in the Castro Verde region Lesser Kestrels returned over 2 weeks earlier than normal to one of their breeding sites at the LPN environmental education centre “Vale Gonçalinho” on the early date of the 25th and more appeared at other sites during the following week. In late December 2007, and throughout January, Red Kites were present in good numbers with a day trip producing in excess of 30 inds. Other raptors included a 1st cal. yr Golden Eagle and a 1st cal. yr Bonelli’s Eagle. More typical were 100’s of Calandra Larks and in excess of 40 Black-bellied Sandgrouse as well as more than 50 Great Bustards and at least 400 Common Cranes. Elsewhere in the Baixo Alentejo as many as 4 Spanish Imperial Eagles that have been resident for a year or more are still present and two of the older birds have formed a pair. Since this Iberian endemic became extinct as a breeder in Portugal 2 pairs have re-colonised successfully in recent years in Portugal some 250 kms North of this area in Spanish borderlands; if this new pair were to set up here in the South it would be a long-awaited and valuable contribution to the region’s already rich birdlife. Surely now a worthy candidate for an English name change; Iberian Imperial Eagle! (Incidentally – its Spanish name is Aguila Imperial Ibérica).
During January, in the Algarve, national rarities were evident in the form of a long staying female Long-tailed Duck at Castro Marim first seen on 23rd December 2007 and still present on the 26th January. A Forster’s Tern was reported from there on the 28th (only the 3rd record on mainland Portugal if accepted) and a Marsh Sandpiper was reported on the 24th from the nearby Vila Real de Santo António in the port. A 1st winter-plumaged Glaucous Gull appeared at Portimão’s fishing port with the 1000’s of Lesser Black-backed and Yellow-legged Gulls on the 11th, staying until at least the 30th. Other notable sightings around Castro Marim included a Common Tern and small numbers of Little Terns throughout the month, a Greylag Goose of the race rubrirostris on the 19th, 3 Richard’s Pipits on the 26th and on the 29th 2 early Blue-headed Wagtails (flava not iberiae). After counts in excess of 70 through the last autumn a maximum of just 3 Slender-billed Gulls were reported and Audouin’s Gulls were down to single figures after achieving highs of close to 500 birds last autumn. At Ludo on the Ria Formosa wintering Booted Eagles have become a feature of recent years and this winter has been no exception with 8 birds counted on the 16th. Nearby at Quinta do Lago a single Glossy Ibis remained at this the most reliable site in the Algarve for this species while at Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura a Squacco Heron was seen on various dates throughout the month. (Note: Counts of as many as 600 Glossy Ibises have become a feature this winter on the Tejo Estuary close to Lisbon). Black-shouldered Kite was recorded close to the eastern marsh of the Ria de Alvor and near Morgado de Reguengo on many days throughout the month, while nearby associated with the Silves rubbish tip were over 370 White Storks and 2 Griffon Vultures with singles being seen at other locations across the Algarve. Especially good news is welcomed from the one of the two new and undisclosed breeding sites of Eagle Owls in the western Algarve where they showed clear signs of breeding again after last years’ success. Regular Algarvean wintering species included records of Penduline Tits at most of the limited number of reedbed sites in the region while up to 5 Alpine Accentors remained at Cabo de São Vicente. Bluethroats seemed to be present in lesser quantity than normal throughout their winter stronghold on coastal saltmarshes and Redwings also appear to be thinner on the ground this winter (especially compared to winter 2005-6 when they were abundant) with no flocks in excess of 20 inds reported. Siskins, on the other hand, are present in all areas this winter, albeit in small groups while small numbers of Bullfinches, a scarce species in the Algarve have shown at various inland locations in the southwest. Bearing in mind that Brambling is normally only a scarce autumn passage migrant in very small numbers in the Algarve and almost always seen on the Sagres peninsula, a male seen in summer plumage seen near Alferce, Monchique on the 29th was quite a remarkable record.
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