Final Short Session In Tavira

As expected I found myself out in the salinas after breakfast this morning. Fortunately I still have a modicum of common sense left and was able to keep it down to an hours slow stroll.

Because there is a lot of work going on in on of the larger salt pans a lot of birds had no option but to feed on a lake that is covered in green 🤢 algae. To my benefit this included 2 Spoonbill 😁. 5 Little Egret there also.

A Woodchat Shrike posed long enough for some photos as did the Blue-headed Wagtail 👍.

Bye bye birdies 🥲.

Final Long Algarve Trek

Put in the effort to do a long slog today as I have to ready myself for the return home Friday. Of course being obsessed with birds I may try slipping in a Little Stint tomorrow 🤓.

Newbies: 1 each Red-rumped Swallow, Blue-headed Wagtail.

A few more Curlew Sandpiper turned up and a White Stork didn’t appear too bothered about the nearby footfall.

Good to get another Bar-tailed Godwit and a freshly laundered Grey Plover.

Another Day In Tavira 🙄

Another fine day. I decided to walk the salinas edge/scrubland route and although not quite as busy as the first visit it was worthwhile.

I couldn’t believe my senses when one of the many Zitbags had the temerity to land on a wire and sing for a couple of minutes 🤪.

A Willow Warbler was in a bush - another holiday ✅.

5 Sardines, 3 Stonechat ditto Crested Lark. Singing Cettis Warbler and Nightingale.

34 Flamingo 🦩, 1 Spotted Redshank ditto Kentish Plover and the other players. Oh how could I forget the Whimbrel and a  furry Weasel.

Taking It Easy In Tavira

Another dry warm sunny Algarve day. Got to be honest I’ve got to a stage where boredom is setting in. I long for a Starling nay I could murder a juicy Ogden Dunnock 🤓.

Only one newcomer today Monday a Common Sandpiper.

Spoonbill now up to 8 birds. The Slender-billed Gull showed again at distance and flighty.

Copped a few more Little Stint in among Dunlin and a Ringed Plover.

Tavira Still Delivering Birds

Today was dry and cool to start with but the Sun came out and temperatures rose. I decided to walk the edge of the salinas where there was some scrubland and it brought rewards. 1 each Nightingale and Hoopoe 😃. A Buzzard flying over drove a load of waders into a frenzy. When they landed I noticed a cracking pair of Spotted Redshank 👍 still in non breeding plumage.

The place was crawling with Zitbags and I copped for a pair of Stonechat. 2 singing Cettis Warbler, 4/5 Crested Lark. On the return leg a Little Ringed Plover showed at distance 😊.

A flock of 12 Glossy Ibis flew over > SE.

At the back of the hotel a YLG provided some light entertainment.

Day Six In The Algarve

Started off cloudy and windy but remained dry then gradually we got us some sunshine.

A pr Linnet near the River Gilao bank was unexpected and I’m sure I never got the species here last time.

Other ticks for the holiday were: singing 🎶 Sardinian Warbler, Grey Heron & singing Greenfinch.

A Caspian Tern took off and was seen flying around the salinas frequently.

An Iberian Chiffchaff was singing.

A Grey Plover kindly got within camera range as did Blacktailed-Godwit & Black-winged Stilt.

 

11 Shelduck 12 Great Flamingo 🦩. 4 Spoonbill, 1 Whimbrel and the supporting cast.

Tavira Split Sessions

Morning short walk around the old town. A Whimbrel flew over the River calling. The Gulls here are used to people and don’t take flight too readily. 1 Cormorant.

Afternoon on the Salinas: 6 Flamingo 🦩 in flight. 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Usual Suspects.

A juvenile Gull on the floor remained motionless until the second time I encountered it a couple of hundred yards away. It had walked and I noticed there were a few primaries on the right wing missing so flight was out of the question😢.