Ian Pritchard
Tuesday 10th May 2005, 15:17
I have posted this report of a day trip from the Algarve to show people how easy it is to see Bustards (I took my wife and daughter and we didn’t arrive until 10a.m.!)
From Albufeira we took the motorway (A2 / IP1) north towards Lisboa, taking the Ourique exit (toll). At Castro Verde we followed the signs for Mértola (123 road).
We stopped at the second bridge (crossing over a river) on the poor Castro Verde to Mertola road and I walked up the short track, seeing a group of 20+ White Storks circling some trees. I scanned the area with bins and picked up something on the horizon, breaking the sky line. Although it was possibly ¾ of a mile away and only its shape could be seen it was clearly a Great Bustard, looking both imperious and massive. 18 years of waiting over at last!
Turning right off the 123 towards St Barbara de Padroes I stopped to scan the fields. A male Little Bustard was 200 yards away, giving a strange call. Its neck seemed really thick – inflated or illusion? Soon it was joined by 2 females – not nearly so distinctive! I then picked up another male on the opposite side of the road.
Further on, just after the farmhouse in Rolao, I found a male Great Bustard with 3 females – not as distant as before but still a long way off although clearly recognisable. He then started “foam bathing” to his harem! As we watched them superb flight views were obtained as more and more of these enormous and truly majestic birds flew over us and away over a distant ridge. In total we saw 20 Great and 1 Little Bustards in flight.
A mile further on a group of 6 distant Great Bustards flew behind a ridge (again!).
The track opposite the road to Alcarias was fenced off but I did explore a short track nearby. On rounding a bend I came face to face with a superb, feather perfect male Great Bustard at no more than 100 yards range – I don’t know who was more surprised! His whiskers and the superb rufous / black barring on the wings and slightly cocked tail showed beautifully. Rather than panic he simply walked away from me towards the far corner of the small field, looking over his shoulder. On reaching the corner he took off with slow, deep wing beats and very heavy flight. I don’t suppose I’ll see a closer or better Great Bustard – what fantastic luck! Nearby were a Common Buzzard, a Black Kite and a group of up to 5 Lesser Kestrels swirling round a hillside. After a leisurely lunch we drove on.
Throughout the morning Montagu’s Harriers were numerous, as were Bee-eaters, Hoopoes and Azure-winged Magpies (in the Eucalyptus trees alongside the roads). The road from Penilhos back to the main Mertola road was disappointingly quiet, although 4 Little Bustards were seen in distant flight. As we approached the main road again the number of stork nests began to increase.
A White Stork nest close to the road gave good views of Spanish Sparrows nesting within it. Returning to the main (sic) road we drove on to Mertola, with the main feature being a stork nest on just about every telephone post. There were literally hundreds! In Mertola itself the castle was closed but I saw a Blue Rock Thrush perched on top.
For me it was a fantastic days birding and the bustards impressed my family too! Go and try for yourself.
From Albufeira we took the motorway (A2 / IP1) north towards Lisboa, taking the Ourique exit (toll). At Castro Verde we followed the signs for Mértola (123 road).
We stopped at the second bridge (crossing over a river) on the poor Castro Verde to Mertola road and I walked up the short track, seeing a group of 20+ White Storks circling some trees. I scanned the area with bins and picked up something on the horizon, breaking the sky line. Although it was possibly ¾ of a mile away and only its shape could be seen it was clearly a Great Bustard, looking both imperious and massive. 18 years of waiting over at last!
Turning right off the 123 towards St Barbara de Padroes I stopped to scan the fields. A male Little Bustard was 200 yards away, giving a strange call. Its neck seemed really thick – inflated or illusion? Soon it was joined by 2 females – not nearly so distinctive! I then picked up another male on the opposite side of the road.
Further on, just after the farmhouse in Rolao, I found a male Great Bustard with 3 females – not as distant as before but still a long way off although clearly recognisable. He then started “foam bathing” to his harem! As we watched them superb flight views were obtained as more and more of these enormous and truly majestic birds flew over us and away over a distant ridge. In total we saw 20 Great and 1 Little Bustards in flight.
A mile further on a group of 6 distant Great Bustards flew behind a ridge (again!).
The track opposite the road to Alcarias was fenced off but I did explore a short track nearby. On rounding a bend I came face to face with a superb, feather perfect male Great Bustard at no more than 100 yards range – I don’t know who was more surprised! His whiskers and the superb rufous / black barring on the wings and slightly cocked tail showed beautifully. Rather than panic he simply walked away from me towards the far corner of the small field, looking over his shoulder. On reaching the corner he took off with slow, deep wing beats and very heavy flight. I don’t suppose I’ll see a closer or better Great Bustard – what fantastic luck! Nearby were a Common Buzzard, a Black Kite and a group of up to 5 Lesser Kestrels swirling round a hillside. After a leisurely lunch we drove on.
Throughout the morning Montagu’s Harriers were numerous, as were Bee-eaters, Hoopoes and Azure-winged Magpies (in the Eucalyptus trees alongside the roads). The road from Penilhos back to the main Mertola road was disappointingly quiet, although 4 Little Bustards were seen in distant flight. As we approached the main road again the number of stork nests began to increase.
A White Stork nest close to the road gave good views of Spanish Sparrows nesting within it. Returning to the main (sic) road we drove on to Mertola, with the main feature being a stork nest on just about every telephone post. There were literally hundreds! In Mertola itself the castle was closed but I saw a Blue Rock Thrush perched on top.
For me it was a fantastic days birding and the bustards impressed my family too! Go and try for yourself.