 |
 |
|
| Trip reports | Birding magazines | Bird names | About us | Links | ||
Birdwatching trip report - PortugalPeriod: 10.10.2009-17.10.2009Author(s): Richard Powell Key sites visited: Algarve Portugal, The Algarve. 10th – 17th October 2009. Itinerary. 10th – Ludo Farm Brackish Lagoons, Carvoeiro Headland. 11th – Carvoeiro Headland, Pera Marsh, Armacao de Pera. 12th – Cape St. Vincent. 13th – Castro Verde. 14th – Ludo Farm, Quinta Da Lago, Pera Marsh. 15th – Foia Mountain, Alvor Estuary, Carvoeiro Headland. 16th – Castro Marim, Santa Luzia Salt Works, Pera Marsh. Travel Tips/Research. We found the use of a SatNav device, with a map of Iberia uploaded onto it, a godsend. It is possible that once arrived at a particular site, one’s position can be saved into the SatNav. This means the device could be able to return us back to the same site another time. With the SatNav that we used (TomTom), it was possible to enter latitude and longitude co-ordinates directly into the device. Instead of providing directions in this report which can be found in other birding trip reports and site guides, by using Google Earth to retrace our steps, I will be including latitude and longitude co-ordinates of all the birding sites that we visited, in a “degrees, minutes, seconds” format. The co-ordinates can then be entered into a SatNav device whilst in the field. Two birding site guide books were using during our trip: “Finding Birds in Southern Portugal”, Dave Gosney, ISBN 1-898110-18-2. Although most reports of sightings are from the 1990’s, this is still a very accurate guide. We found it of particular use for covering Castro Verde, Ludo Farm, Alvor Estuary and Castro Marim. The one thing that makes this book out of date is the N123 road, between Castro Verde and Mertola has been completed resurfaced, leaving no places to stop the car, pull over and scan. “Summer Birding on the Central Algarve”, Jon Hardacre, ISBN 0-9552302-0-9. We found the detail of Carvoeiro Headland and Pera Marsh most useful in this book. However, this does mention the author’s frustrations at being asked to leave Ludo Farm, on various occasions, by the landowner. We failed to see how this could happen while sticking to the main tracks on our visits to the area, which were also used by local joggers and cyclists. We also found the following trip reports on the web of use: David and Nancy Massie, March 2001. We also found useful information from the website of Algarve birding guide, Simon Wates. In particular for the Cape St. Vincent and Sagres area. Saturday 10th October. A single Swallow flew past while in the Faro airport complex, waiting for the hire car. This in fact turned out to be the only Swallow we saw all week. Ludo Farm Brackish Lagoons (Latitude: 37° 0´57.89"N, Longitude: 7°59´17.93"W). A gentle introduction to birding on the Algarve, adjacent to the runway of Faro airport. Park by the roadside and walk along a track heading west towards the Ludo Farm complex, and eventually to Quinta Da Lago. The tide was receding during late morning. Birds seen include: White Stork, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Booted Eagle, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover (2), Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Greenshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Sandwich Tern, Crested Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Azure-Winged Magpie (3), Magpie. Carvoeiro Headland (Latitude: 37° 5´15.29"N, Longitude: 8°26´34.66"W). After locating our apartment in Carvoeiro, dropping off the bags and some lunch, the afternoon was spent exploring the headland that surrounds Carvoeiro lighthouse. The afternoon heat made birding rather quiet going. Birds seen include: Gannet, Yellow-legged Gull, Crag Martin (1), Northern Wheatear, Stonechat, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Azure-Winged Magpie (circa 40). Sunday 11th October. Carvoeiro Headland. Much more activity around the headland first thing in the morning. Birds seen include: Kestrel (5), Skylark (2), Meadow Pipit (3), White Wagtail (1), Yellow Wagtail (1), Northern Wheatear (3), Stonechat (4), Blackcap (1), Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff (10), Spotless Starling (5), Linnet (7). Pera Marsh, aka Lagoa Dos Salgados, (Latitude: 37° 5´47.47"N, Longitude: 8°20´6.17"W). A very impressive site, consisting of a freshwater lagoon with marshy edges, scrub, open short grass and sand dunes. However, it should be mentioned that this site faces an uncertain future. It came to light that the week after we visited, the lagoon was drained into the sea, by the owners of the golf course next door. Birds seen include: Black-necked Grebe (1), Great Crested Grebe (1), Great White Egret (1), White Stork, Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo (7), White-headed Duck (1 female), Purple Gallinule (6), Mediterranean Gull (1 1st winter), Caspian Tern (1), Whinchat (1), Bluethroat (1), Sedge Warbler (1), Willow Warbler (2), Southern Grey Shrike (1). Armacao De Pera (Latitude 37° 6´1.53"N, Longitude: 8°21´14.62"W). Nearby to Pera Marsh, to the west, is the small town of Armacao De Pera. The eastern edge of town, next to the beach, lies a small tidal estuary with saltmarsh. Birds seen include: White Stork (7 circling), Spoonbill (2), Black-Shouldered Kite (1), Caspian Tern (1). Monday 12th October. The whole day was spent birding in the area between Cape St. Vincent and Sagres. Cape St. Vincent Raptor Watchpoint at Cabranoso (Latitude: 37° 2´14.93"N, Longitude: 8°57´22.02"W). The whole morning was spent in this area. First exploring the track on foot at first light, reaching as far as the Pine hedge. Then heading to the watchpoint from 9am till around noon. The first hour didn’t produce many raptors at all, but did produce more traditional visible migration fodder, as one would find back home during the autumn (Larks, Pipits and Wagtails). The birds of prey started to appear from 10am onwards. Birds seen include: Black Stork (6), Egyptian Vulture (5), Booted Eagle (6), Bonelli’s Eagle (2), Black Kite, Red Kite (1), Hen Harrier (1), Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Sparrowhawk (10), Hobby (1), Peregrine, Lapwing (5), Thekla Lark, Woodlark (10), Tree Pipit (1), Grey Wagtail (2), Black Redstart (1), Blue Rock Thrush (1), Crested Tit (1), Azure-Winged Magpie (8), Spotless Starling, Chaffinch (2), Corn Bunting. The afternoon was rather a struggle, definitely the hottest temperatures we experienced during the week. A large flock of Choughs, which contained a few migrant Jackdaws, were found at a farm near the cape (Latitude: 37° 2´56.20"N, Longitude: 8°58´5.60"W). Also in nearby farmland, we found a Stone Curlew and a Whinchat. Fig Grove (Latitude: 37° 1´18.59"N, Longitude: 8°56´33.08"W). The best site we found during the afternoon was a Fig grove on the outskirts of Sagres, off the road between Sagres and the Cape, where a “Campismo” is signposted. A lot of bird activity here included Common Redstart (1), Garden Warbler (2), Reed Warbler (1). Finally, a short seawatch at the Cape itself in the late afternoon produced Cory’s Shearwater (15), Gannet (loads), Great Skua (4). Tuesday 13th October. Another full-on day’s birding, but this time heading north into the plains around Castro Verde. We followed the Gosney guide to cover all sites. The first stop was known as “Chimney Pot Hill” in Gosney’s book. Latitude: 37°46´54.81"N, Longitude: 8° 3´3.38"W. This site is situated to the north-east of Castro Verde itself, and west of the village of Entradas. Birds seen in this area include: Lapwing, Black Kite, Red Kite, Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Great Bustard (3), Little Bustard (37), Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Southern Grey Shrike, Corn Bunting. Heading back towards Castro Verde and still to the north-east, lies a farm with a small reservoir. Latitude: 37°43´45.41"N, Longitude: 8° 2´37.36"W. Birds seen in this area include: Little Grebe, Little Egret (1), Black-Shouldered Kite (1), Red-legged Partridge, Quail (1), Little Ringed Plover (2), Green Sandpiper (1), Greenshank (2), Hoopoe, Thekla Lark. Heading back into town and east towards Mertola. The most productive area we found was along the road heading south towards Rolao (Latitude: 37°41´6.79"N, Longitude: 7°58´13.48"W) and east towards Guerreiro (Latitude: 37°39´44.30"N, Longitude: 7°55´31.48"W). Sometimes birds were difficult to find while covering a large area in warm temperatures during the afternoon. But persistence gave our reward, with 7 Black-Bellied Sandgrouse flew distantly past, along the Guerreiro Road, at 5:30pm. Birds seen in this area include: Griffon Vulture (30), Booted Eagle, Great Bustard (8), Little Bustard (17), Stone Curlew (c30), Black-Bellied Sandgrouse (7), Black Redstart (1), Southern Grey Shrike, Azure-Winged Magpie (10), Raven (2), Spotless Starling. Wednesday 14th October. Ludo Farm (Latitude: 37° 2´7.53"N, Longitude: 7°58´55.34"W). A shorter trip out today, back towards Faro airport. The habitat mainly consists of salt pans, but also reedbeds, scrub and woodland. As mentioned previously, contrary to Hardacre’s comments, no-one asked us to leave the site while walking along the main tracks of the farm. Birds seen here include: White Stork, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo (c200), Marsh Harrier (1), Booted Eagle (3), Avocet (18), Kentish Plover, Spotted Redshank (10), Whimbrel, Mediterranean Gull (9), Crag Martin, Cetti’s Warbler, Azure-Winged Magpie (c50), Spotless Starling. Quinta Do Lago (Latitude: 37° 1´42.81"N, Longitude: 8° 1´15.67"W). The main point of interest for birding is the hide that overlooks a lagoon at the edge of the Sao Laurenco golf course, east of the car park (co-ordinates are base for here). Birds seen here include: Glossy Ibis, Purple Gallinule, Mediterranean Gull (2), Kingfisher, Crested Lark, Serin (7). Heading back towards the motorway, between here and Almancil, we noticed some watercress beds (Latitude: 37° 3´55.03"N, Longitude: 8° 0´25.87"W) where we managed to find Snipe (4) and Water Pipit (10). Another check of Pera Marsh on the journey back to Carvoeiro produced Glossy Ibis (40), Greater Flamingo (11), White-headed Duck (1 female), Sand Martin (3), Common Whitethroat (1). Thursday 15th October. Foia Mountain (Latitude: 37°18´58.97"N, Longitude: 8°35´34.85"W). A change of habitat first thing in the morning, at the radar station on the top of the Foia mountain, west of Monchique. Birds seen here include: Green Woodpecker, Woodlark, Wren, Black Redstart (numerous), Blue Rock Thrush, Dartford Warbler, Rock Bunting. Heading back down the mountain towards Monchique, we found a productive area of native woodland (pine and cork oak) off the road where there is a signpost towards “Restaurante Jardin das Oliveiras” (Latitude: 37°18´44.89"N, Longitude: 8°33´59.18"W). Birds seen here include: Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (heard only), Song Thrush, Firecrest (1), Great Tit, Blue Tit, Crested Tit, Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Chaffinch. Alvor Estuary (Latitude: 37° 7´56.65"N, Longitude: 8°36´42.54"W). The afternoon was spent at the Alvor Estuary. A good network of footpaths led to lots of good views around the estuary, saltmarsh and disused salt pans. Birds seen here include: White Stork, Greater Flamingo (4), Oystercatcher (11), Golden Plover, Knot, Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Arctic Skua (1), Slender-billed Gull (1), Mediterranean Gull (16), Sandwich Tern (20), Common Tern (1), Bluethroat (1), Southern Grey Shrike, Corn Bunting. This was also the first day of the trip where there was an onshore breeze onto the Algarve coast. Heading back to Carvoeiro, a late afternoon seawatch at the headland produced Cory’s Shearwater (20), Balearic Shearwater (18), Mediterranean Gull (1) and a pod of about 20 Bottlenose Dolphins. Friday 16th October. Castro Marim (Latitude: 37°13´51.68"N, Longitude: 7°25´33.84"W). Our final day’s birding took us right towards the Spanish border, at Castro Marim. The co-ordinates are placed for the nature reserve car park, where there is a visitor centre, footpaths and a viewpoint over the lagoons, saltmarsh and the Rio Guadiana, the river that forms the border between Portugal and Spain. Birds seen here include: White Stork, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Greylag Goose (44), Osprey (1), Marsh Harrier (1), Little Bustard (1), Kentish Plover, Spotted Redshank, Little Tern (3), Caspian Tern (12), Crested Lark, Lesser Short-toed Lark (9), Spotless Starling, Corn Bunting. Heading south of Castro Marim town itself, on the outskirts of Vila Real de Santo Antonio, lies a small estuary and freshwater lagoons (Latitude: 37°11´52.15"N, Longitude: 7°25´37.06"W). This area produced Great Crested Grebe (2), Curlew Sandpiper (7), Hoopoe, Magpie (2). While at the Castro Marim viewpoint, we met a pair of German birders who told us about the salt pans at Santa Luzia. As we had some time to spare we decided to check it out. Santa Luzia Salt Works (Latitude: 37° 6´26.89"N, Longitude: 7°39´4.05"W). Situated to the east of Santa Luzia, it’s more of your typical salt pans that I have seen at other places during the week. What was the surprising was the fact that during the whole trip, each coastal wetland site always had some different birds to offer. This site was no exception. Birds seen in this area: Spoonbill (c100), Greater Flamingo, Booted Eagle (1), Oystercatcher, Avocet (55), Kentish Plover, Curlew Sandpiper (14), Little Stint, Ruff, Slender-billed Gull (c10), Mediterranean Gull (3), Audouin’s Gull (71), Spanish Sparrow (c20). To finish proceedings, one final check of Pera Marsh on the way back to our apartment produced Little Owl (1) and Subalpine Warbler (1 1st winter).
 Ludo Farm Brackish Lagoons  Lighthouse at Carvoeiro Headland  Pera Marsh  Cattle Egret, Pera Marsh  Black-winged Stilts, Pera Marsh  Great White Egret, Pera Marsh  Caspian Tern, Armacao de Pera  Yellow-legged Gulls, Carvoeiro Headland  Azure-winged Magpies, Carvoeiro Headland  Cape St. Vincent Raptor Watchpoint, looking towards Sagres.  Cliffs at Cape St. Vincent  Calandra Lark, Castro Verde  Castro Verde Plains  Great Bustards, Castro Verde  Little Bustard, Castro Verde  Salt pans at Ludo Farm  Serin, Quinta Do Lago  Quinta Do Lago lagoon, from the hide.  Purple Gallinule, Quinta Do Lago  Glossy Ibis, Quinta Do Lago  Rock Bunting, Foia Mountain  Zitting Cisticola, Foia Mountain  Black Redstart, Foia Mountain  Foia Mountain Radar Station  Old salt pans on the western side of Alvor Estuary  Slender-billed Gull, Alvor Estuary  Slender-billed Gull, Alvor Estuary  Castro Marim Castle  Rio Guadiana  Santa Luzia salt works  Audouin's Gulls, Santa Luzia salt works |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
  |