Portugal Birding Trip Report (14th February – 16th February 2016) - Species List and Locations

Day 1 – Faro to Aljezur

Iberian Magpie – 14th February – North of Aljezur on the N120, Rua 25 de Abril. (40+ travelling flock moving through the trees. Common and numerous throughout.)

Spanish Sparrow – 14th February – Ria de Alvor, small dirt track (Caminho da Espargueira). (A small number of males interspersed with House Sparrows. Only ones of the trip.)

Day 2 – Aljezur, Monchique and Lagos

Bonelli’s Eagle – 15th February – East of Maria Vinagre off the M1002 Estrada do Carrascalinho. (Two seen in total, soaring high)

Black-shouldered Kite – 15th February – South of Mexilhoeira Grande on the Rua 25 de Abril (north of the N125). (Seen well hovering and hunting. Only one of the trip)

Day 3 – Castro Verde to Faro

Great Bustard – 16th February – Castro Verde, west of Gueirero and east of Alcaria do Coelho, in fields north of the road. (Three individuals seen, though distant. Only birds of the trip.)

Black-headed Weaver – 16th February – Pools at Quinta do Lago at the San Lorenzo Golf Club (off Rua Douro). (Male and several females seen well in the reeds. Male paired up and singing. Only birds of the trip.)

Also of note: Probable Spanish Imperial Eagle - Castro Verde, south of Corte Pequena. Too distant to confirm but pale underside, apparent white rump and dark tips to the wings.

Notable Species:

Cattle Egret - Frequent all over and very common
White Stork - At many sites and common throughout
Greater Flamingo - Several individuals at Ria de Alvor
Purple Swamphen - Numerous on the golf course at Quinta do Lago
Little Bustard - Large flock seen at Castro Verde, south of Corte Pequena. 
Black-winged Stilt - One seen at Ria de Alvor
Kentish Plover - Three seen on the salt marsh at Quinta do Lago
Audouin’s Gull - One seen on the pool at Quinta do Lago
Black-bellied Sandgrouse - A handful seen in the fields at Castro Verde, north of Sao Marcos da Ataboeira
Pallid Swift - Several individuals flying around the pools at Quinta do Lago
Hoopoe - Several seen throughout the trip
Crested Lark - Numerous and several seen throughout the trip
Crag Martin - Numerous and several seen throughout the trip
Red-rumped Swallow - A couple seen at Castro Verde, north of Navarro
Sardinian Warbler - One seen in the scrub surrounding the fields at Ribeira de Aljezur 
Fan-tailed Warbler - A handful seen throughout the trip. More often heard
Iberian Grey Shrike - Numerous throughout the trip
Spotless Starling - Several seen throughout the trip
Serin - Several seen throughout the trip

Additional species:

Mallard
Gadwall
Shoveler
Teal
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Red-legged Partridge
Little Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Spoonbill
Red Kite
Marsh Harrier
Hen Harrier
Common  Buzzard
Kestrel
Peregrine
Moorhen
Coot
Ringed Plover
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Turnstone
Dunlin
Redshank
Greenshank
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Yellow-legged Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Rock Dove
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Common Swift
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Barn Swallow
House Martin
Water Pipit
Meadow Pipit
White Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Robin
Black Redstart
Stonechat
Song Thrush
Blackbird
Blackcap
Dartford Warbler
Cetti’s Warbler
Chiffchaff
Firecrest
Wren
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Magpie
Jay
Raven
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Corn Bunting

Portugal Birding - Monday 15th February 2016 (Day 2 - Aljezur, Monchique and Lagos)

With the weather forecast to be considerably more promising for our second day in Portugal, we decided to head back up to Aljezur to see if the sun would tempt out the Snowfinch. Arriving back on site early the next morning, the conditions were a huge improvement on the day before – glorious blue skies and puffy white clouds met us as we pulled up at the side of the fields. Several Hoopoes soaked up the sun on the sandy banks lining the road, while the Iberian Grey Shrikes from Sunday again gave excellent views perched out in the open.

Hoopoe - always a welcome sight in the Med

Iberian Grey Shrike

The increase in bird life from the day before was soon apparent, with a greater number of Crested Larks happily feeding in the short grass at the side of the road, along with the familiar Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches. On closer inspection, we managed to unearth a Thekla Lark amongst them, the white eyering, distinct dark lores, and shorter bill distinguishing it from the similar Cresteds. 

Thekla Lark - note the clear black lores and distinct eyering

Several Corn Buntings foraging amongst the straw in one of the fields were also new in from yesterday, offering some hope that the Snowfinch may still make an appearance. Sadly it wasn’t to be, and a rather confiding male Sardinian Warbler was the best new bird we could manage.

Male Sardinian Warbler - one of my favourite Mediterranean warblers

With the Snowfinch having been present for around a week prior to our visit and apparently favouring the field where a large bull had been kept (according to reports it liked to feed in the straw), the fact the bull had now been taken away may have played a factor in the Snowfinch’s untimely departure. Disappointing to say the least, but after searching the entire surrounding area it was clear that the Snowfinch had most definitely moved on.

The dreaded Snowfinch fields

With the rain threatening to dampen our day once again and having seen enough of the same patch of daisies to last a lifetime, we decided enough was enough and headed out further in to the Portuguese countryside in an effort to locate some of our other targets for the trip. Travelling east inland towards the Serra de Monchique mountain range, we scanned the wires, fences and trees scattered throughout the lush green farmland in an effort to locate any Black-shouldered Kites, a species I was especially keen to see.