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| Iberian Grey Shrike Alcaudon Real Lanius meridionalis |
Day Three: 9 October - Castro Marim and Tavira Salinas
Portugal day! Within thirty minutes we had cross the Guadiana and Spanish border to arrive at the
Castro Marim reserve on the western bank of the river. having already seen a
Robin as we left our resort we looking forward to a selection of passerines.
Crested Lark and a few
Common and
Azure-winged Magpies as we awaited Gerry and Barbara then quickly added maybe thirty or more
Red-legged Partridge. A distant
Heron and
Cattle Egret and a small flock of
Greenfinch passed by. In the distance below the brow of the hill a passing quartet of
Mallard and a quartering
Marsh Harrier.
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| One of a dozen Red-legged Partridge Perdiz Roja Alectoris rufa |
Moving slowly onwards up the track a number of
Redshank were seen in the various lagoons and a pair of
Hoopoe crossed in front of us so revealing a lovely
Northern Wheatear.
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| Northern Wheatear Collalba Gris Oenanthe oenanthe |
Also present were
Black-winged Stilts and both
Common and
Green Sandpipers.
Kestrels overhead along with
Spotless Starlings as we made our way to the Visitors Centre. No water in the screened pool so off towards the salinas where we found a mixed flock of
Bar and
Black-tailed Godwit along with
Ringed Plover and
Sanderling.
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| Black-tailed Godwits Aguja Colinegra Limosa limosa |
A couple of pools up the main flock of
Flamingo and at least forty
Avocet and as we checked out the gull flocks we found
Black-headed,
Yellow-legged,
Lesser Black-backed and a trio of
Common Gulls. Accompanying them were also at least three resting
Caspian Terns. Our attention was also drawn to what looked very much like a sick
Marsh Sandpiper. A
Cormorant flew past and then, closer to hand, we added
Sardinian Warbler,
Collared Dove and more
Azure-winged Magpies. Returning to the main road to check out the working salinas below the town we added
White Stork and
Moorhen.
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| Turnstone Vuelvepiedras Comun Arenaria interpres |
And so onto the main salinas at
Tavira where we were spoilt for choice in both quantity and variety.
Little Stint and many
White Stork and then we found a good supply of feeding
Little Egret and
Heron.
Turnstones were working the edges along with
Sanderling and
Ringed Plover and with both
Zitting Cistcola and
Blackcap behind us. Stopping for lunch we discovered a single
Slender-billed Gull in the pool below us whilst on the other side of the track we had a small flock of
Cormorant and
Little Grebe working the waters plus a couple of
Shelduck. Once more back to the mixed gull flock and this time a trio of
Mediterranean Gulls were recorded along with a small number of
Audouin's Gull.
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| Audouin's Gull Gaviota de Audouin Larus audouinii (centre right) |
Almost some sort of record with seven gull species in the morning! Then the
Caspian Tern flew over and we also picked up a small number of
Grey Plover.
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| Grey Plover Chorlito Gris Pluvialis squatarola (left) with Redshank Archibebe Comun Tringa totanus |
Leaving the salinas we made our way to the water separating us from the long, narrow island for a rest and well-deserved beer. And then the real fun started. Not so much the four
Turnstones that came to rest on the boat immediately in front of us or even the
Whimbrel but the realisation that the gulls had be put up by a passing
Osprey which having flown directly over us then turned and headed inland. No sooner had we recovered and only just expressed the comment that we had yet toss this raptor all week than both
Sandwich and
Common Tern also put in an appearance. Well refreshed and inspired we set out for home picking up
Coot,
Wood Pigeon and a
Barn Swallow on the wires as we left the site.
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| A gathering of Spoonbills Espatula Comun Platalea leucorcdia |
Check out the accompanying website at http://www.birdingaxarquia.weebly.com for the latest sightings, photographs and additional information
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