Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
Starting tomorrow (March 7th) wind will be blowing from the east. This is likely to bring some trans-Saharan migrants to coastal locations in Portugal.
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Easterly winds (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Gonçalo Elias
- Start date
Simon Wates
Well-known member
I was out at Sagres today hoping that maybe one or two species would arrive ahead of these winds - but no. I'm sure there will be a few new birds fo the year in the coming days - like you say.
We did manage 4 Ring Ouzels, a Richard's Pipit and nice confiding singing male Spectacled Warbler in 22ºC, calm and sunny. We've been missing real warmth recently!
Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
I had 12 Ring Ouzels last week at Foia. Maybe wintering individuals?
Simon Wates
Well-known member
I would thinks so though this winter there seems to have been fewer around the Sagres peninsula than other recent winters. The ones on Foia seem to enjoy the Hawthorn berries whilst around Sagres their food of choice is undoubtedly Phoenician Juniper Juniperus phoenicea (sometimes named Juniperus turbinata in Portuguese flora). A bird was seen near Zambujeira further up the coast on 23rd Feb by Tib - where there is also plenty of the juniper. It seems their winter occurrence is restricted to the southwest coastal cliff top Juniper scrub and on Foia, where there isn't any juniper - I believe.
Simon Wates
Well-known member
Of course at this time of year they could be migrants though its normal to find (but not always easy!) birds through the winter period.
Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
The ones on Foia were mostly in the trees around the "Parque Aventura".
Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
Simon Wates
Well-known member
What do you think they are feeding on? I normally found them on Hawthorns a km or so west of there.
Simon Wates
Well-known member
Nice records - we don't even see that many on spring passage down here on any date. Of course in autumn there are masses everywhere.
Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
Hi Simon, I am not sure but they were mostly on the large Pine trees.
Other recent records:
10 March - Purple Heron at Vilamoura
11 March - 2 Woodchat Shrike near Lagos
12 March - Purple Heron + Night Heron at Dunas Douradas lagoon; Subalpine Warbler and Wryneck at Quinta do Lago.
Gonçalo Elias
avesdeportugal.info
11 March - Short-toed Lark near Lagos harbour
13 March - Subalpine Warbler + Purple Heron at Boca do Rio
13 March - Subalpine Warbler + Purple Heron at Boca do Rio
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