Spring Watch on the Algave Portugal 2012 part 2

Part 2

We arrive on the Ilha de Faro southwest of the town itself. It is a good base for us, being able to cycle, walk out onto the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa. There is only one problem, yes the weather, a very strong easterly (Levante) is blowing and rain threatening clouds racing across the sky, not what you want in late March. Saturday morning we decide, despite the gloomy weather to visit the Lakes at Quinta do Lago at least we can shelter in the two storey bird watching hide! 

Not long after our arrival this pair of Purple Herons try leaving the cover of the reeds to continue their migration. The easterly wind was now so vicious they were lucky not to suffer injury before crashing back into the reeds.

Purple Heron

Wood Chat Shrike

The wind just continued to blow during that last week of March, blowing lots of migratory birds off their normal routes. Early on one of these mornings I counted no less than twenty two Wood Chat Shrikes sitting on any conceivable perch the normal here would be two or three as they make their way up from Africa to breed in lower Europe.

On the thirtieth I had the pleasure of watching a mixed flock of Yellow wagtails, seventeen in total bathing in a left over puddle.

Probably washing off the salt after the rough crossing.

Yellow Wagtail

For us this is a first to see a Greater Crested Grebe carrying the nestling, they also carry them in flight.

Parent having a early morning snooze. 

Time for a preen as male keeps watch for unwelcome visitors.

Sorry could not resist it, Click Click!

Proud parents.

Another lovely little arrival a Bonelli's Warbler

So smart this male Black- Earded Wheatear sitting in the pouring rain (should have stayed in Africa).

Male Redstart looking splendid

Love is in the air! twenty five pairs of Common Waxbills were shading in this conifer all paired off,at times one would rest, eyes closed while the other watched for danger.

Stealthy hunter a Little Bittern female.

Now we know why we could not find the Ferruginous Duck earlier in our trip, all on holiday at Vilamoura on the Algarve. 

Sedge Warbler may be small but he can imitate one hundred and forty bird calls to impress a mate.

Squacco Heron looking magnificent in breeding colours.

Little Crake at Vilamoura

By early April good numbers of European Bee-Eaters were arriving back at their nesting sites along the Algarve.

Spring Watch on the Algarve Portugal 2012 part 1

Part 1

On the journey south to the Algarve we made a few selected stops in the hope of some nice bird 

photos.That was the hope but the weather had other ideas! the countryside and views were a pleasure.

Our first stop was at Vila Vela de Rodao to try and see a Ruppells vulture,on arrival we had trouble seeing a sparrow let alone a exotic species.

Castelo de Belver. During the time of the Moors the rio Tejo here and abouts marked 

the Portuguese border, with the Moors reclaiming most territories to the south.

Lovely historical countryside, shame about the rain.

Our destination for the day the "Portas do Radao"(Gates of Rodao)This picture taken the next morning shows the little train passing through the striking rock faces on the way down river to Abrantes.

Further up river no vultures but we chance on a lot of feeding crag martins.

Just south of Nisa we make a stop at the beautiful barragem da Povoa a haven for 

Sylvian warblers.

This little Sardinian warbler watching their nest site.

From rain to overnight heatwave as we arrive in Castro Verde the temperature has sored so much so it is now not possible for long distant photography using a large lens, as you can see it magnifies the heat haze. Unfortunately that puts an end to any more Great Bustard shots as it is nearly impossible to get near them

Walking back across the fields we pass a old farm and feel that we are being watched, then spot this Little Owl, only the head turning as we pass by.

Crested lark enjoying the sun

Cattle egret wandering through the endless wild flowers.

Northern Portugal and heading south

We slip out of Galicia in Spain and into Portugal late in the day. Some years ago, going in the opposite direction, we used the ferry boat across the Rio Minho from Caminha to La Guardia in Spain. This time, it is the road straight to Ponte de Lima, a charming little town built along the Rio Lima.

The riverside Alameda (promenade) at Ponte de Lima and

the Torre de Cadeia, which for a time served as the towns

prison.

Early the following day, we have a lovely view of the old Roman

bridge, which the town is named after.

We had heard that the bridge formed part of the military route 

from Braga to Astorga in Spain but had not expected to see a 

Roman legion about to cross!

Prominent bronze statues adorn the town, and you know, kids!

We buy lovely cakes (bolos), serious business here, and say

Goodbye.

The protected wetlands, Lagoas de Bertiandos e Sao Pedro de Arcos, are west of Ponte de Lima.

We stop for coffee and leave twenty-four hours later. There is a good campsite, and they sell homemade cider!

In truth, we did not see much but a beautiful day for a cycle ride and walking.

Male Serin singing for a mate. 

While we enthuse over our cakes, this female Blackcap does the same to little Berry's.

Linda spotted Lamprey swimming and this little weasel spying on us as we walked the peaceful river. It's a good day out and about!

ASTURIAS & GALICIA.... (Spain)

After we left the Fuente De, we drove the route Gargantas, the AS114 following the Salmon river, Limestone ridges around us, stunning scenery.

Mike photographed this little Nuthatch there.

The glacier waters so blue here,  tumble over rocks, through the river gorge.

From there we drove on to Covadonga, arriving at dusk, to see the Basilica, all pink in the evening light.

The following morning was sunshine and Mike photographed the Basilica, lit by the morning light. It is beautiful and tranquil here where Christianity was kept alive, in the caves, during the rule of the Moors,

who were driven out in 718ad by the Visigoth King, Pelayo, his sarcophagus is still sited in the shrine (now a chapel) in the caves in the mountain side, with waterfalls and a pool below.When you walk through into these caves, hew out from the rock, it is not difficult to imagine those Christians of long ago

meeting there in secret. There is a daily mass said here and Covadonga is a huge focus of pilgrimage.

All over this area you will see these strange buildings, so quirky, perched high on stones, for storing grain or maize.

From Covadonga we drove to the coast, where we spent that night at the delightful little port of Cudillero, where the houses are piled upon each other, all brightly colored, a busy bustling place, but so pretty. Asturias is a wonderful area, with its own language, full of diversity and beauty.

Close by a little Black Redstart joined us, calling for a mate, Spring is in the air!.

So we bid fare well to Asturias and voyage on to Galicia, ( the wild coast) Its early March and the weather is fantastic. Passing Ortigeira, we see the many Rias that this area is famous for, below is the Ria de Cedeiria.

We stopped at the Playa Frouxeira, that has the most wild and windswept beach, with great Atlantic rollers crashing in. Behind is a hidden world of salt marshes and scrub land, fantastic for birding.

Mike photographed me, photographing the sea, totally oblivious to the the danger of

"the seventh wave" the huge one that sweeps many an unsuspecting fisherman to his death.

I was lucky, it was only the sixth! I only had wet feet!!

(Mike did tell me all about it, but I in typical fashion ignored it)

Mike photographed this little Dartford Warbler the next morning.

and this Zitting Cisticola enjoying an early morning breakfast.

I photographed some of these extraordinary and beautiful plants growing on the dunes and so important to stabilise them. The colors and shapes against the sky, just stunning.

This is one of my favorite photographs Mike has taken of a female Stone Chat. 

She looks as though she is perched on lace!

 

Male Linnet guarding his wife, whilst nest building.

Mrs Linnet, with nest building materials.

Mr Cirl Bunting.

The next morning we drove up to the Punta Frouxeira, with its lighthouse perched high on the cliffs and what a sight awaited us! We were blessed with sunshine and good weather, it would have been a very different place with a storm brewing! The view was amazing of the surrounding coastline, as below us the huge waves crashed against the rocks.

A place like this makes you feel very small in the world of nature.

 

We bade farewell to this rugged coastline and traveled on, passing Santiago De Campostela, as we have been there before and are on a different exploration, arriving just north of Ribeira at Porto do Son, where we found a delightful campsite from which to explore the area. We were very lucky to have some excellent warm weather, unusual for this time of year.

The beach, with tidal lagoons behind and the huge Natural Park is a wonderful place for birds.

Below is a  beautiful Golden Plover   

More Golden Plovers, taking flight. These birds are some of many passing through this area

on migration.

Some of the beautiful wild flowers growing in the sand.

Mr Stone Chat advertising for a mate. 

I did my usual thing and wandered around the rock pools, looking for treasures

 and photographed these Star Fish. I have never seen so many! 

and these Sea Anemones, like jewels in the glistening water.

This cross among the stones, is a reminder of the those who have lost their lives to the

power of the sea and the forces of nature.

As the sun sets over the sea, we will remember this place, this Galicia, wild and beautiful, with untamed coastlines and its people and we will return.