Not Another Blogging Birder

Thursday, 10 March 2016

Portuguese Raptors

Black-winged Kite, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Marsh Harrier, Portugal, Nov.2015 (Copyright T D Wright )

Booted Eagle, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

I was fortunate that, on my last day, this Booted Eagle finally came close enough for some photos. I was within walking distance of my accommodation too! This area was very good for raptors, Montagu's and Marsh Harriers were present but difficult to photograph. More of a surprise was the Black-winged Kites on my doorstep which I thought I'd have to travel to see. By leaving my visit so late in the year, I'd given them the chance to leave their breeding grounds and wander to my coastal location. However, there were some benefits of going to Alentejo where Red Kites were common and to Sagres where I had 2 Ospreys fishing offshore. I also saw Griffon Vultures in several locations but usually quite distant. A male Hen Harrier at Castro Verde was also nice to see, especially when it flushed a couple of Black-bellied Sandgrouse! Of course, there were also Buzzards, Kestrels and Sparrowhawks and, very briefly, a male Goshawk just South of Beja. I failed to see Spanish Imperial Eagle which is present but not at all common. I need to go back for that and Bonelli's...

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

More Portuguese Capers

Spotless Starlings, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Zitting Fan-tailed Cisticola Warbler!, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Fan-tailed Warbler or Zitting Cisticola, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Zitting Cisticola or Fan-tailed Warbler, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Zitting Cisticola ( Fan-tailed Warbler ), Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Zitting Cisticola, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Spotless Starlings, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Choughs, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Spotless Starlings, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Choughs, Portugal, November 2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Chough,Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright TD Wright )

Chough, Portugal, Nov.2015 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Now that I've got my rant off my chest, I thought I'd show you some of the birds of Cape St. Vincent!

More Firecrest Pics

Firecrest, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Firecrest, Seaton, 05/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

The question is - are these all just one bird?

Tuesday, 8 March 2016

Seaton sightings 08/03/16

American & Eurasian Green-winged Teal, Seaton Marshes, 08/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Glossy Ibis, Seaton Marshes, 08/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

The 2 main overwintering rarities are still present. I took the above pics from SM hide this afternoon. No sign of Firecrest nearby but it was drizzling persistently so I didn't look for too long. There are still some nice Shovelers though...

Shoveler, Seaton Marshes, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Song Thrush & suchlike

Chiffchaff with ring, Borrow Pit, 05/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Song Thrush, Seaton, 06/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

I've been cycling around with bins & DSLR but no scope. The result has been less gulling and more bushing. I managed to take snaps of some passerines as a consequence.

Firecrest, Seaton, 05/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Sparrowhawk, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

And flyovers...

Glossy Ibis, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Chiffchaff with prey, Borrow Pit 05/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Everything seems to be feeding OK just now...

Monday, 7 March 2016

Carless Birding

Firecrest, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

With no car and no offers of a lift from the massive convoys of Axe Birders who've been to see it I'm afraid I can't join in the Pallas's fest which is a shame. However, by cycling locally I've stumbled upon a bird or two that might give Pallas's a run for its money aesthetics-wise. Chief amongst these would be the Firecrest ( or possibly 2 ) that's been frequenting the St. Gregory's Church area South of Seaton Marshes car park. I also had this pale-legged Chiffchaff from the Hide which also has a very yellow lower mandible. With rumours of Willow Wblr. overwintering in Devon I got a bit interested in it but I think its primary projection says Chiffchaff. A very aesthetically-pleasing one though...

Chiffchaff?, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Chiffchaff?, Seaton,04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Chiffchaff, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

Chiffchaff?, Seaton, 04/03/16 ( Copyright T D Wright )

What a beaut!