[Simon Wates]

Sorry to slide off-topic a bit...

I know Snowfinches are not supposed to travel very far from their mountains but I think its interesting to highlight there have been 4 records on headlands in Portugal - 3 records from Cabo de Roca near Lisbon and the first record in the winter 1998-9 at Cabo de São Vicente of two birds on the same slope where Alpine Accentors winter - see: http://www.avesdeportugal.info/monniv.html

Who knows - they may even make it to the UK one day!

I made a sketch of these two birds in flight at Cabo de São Vicente.

[Larry Wheatland]

Nice sketch Simon, and don't worry about being off topic, all things Snowfinch are fascinating.

[Larry Wheatland]

Bump, as we're getting nearer to going, and wondering if anyone has any gen from this year for Snowfinch yet, at San Isidro ski resort or, elsewhere in the mts in NW Spain (ie not the Pyrenees).

[Larry Wheatland]

Also any gen on any Ruppell's Vultures that might be around in the south?? (he says hopefully!)

[Simon Wates]

At Portas de Rodão in Portugal (near the Spanish border) the adult Ruppell's is present in the Griffon colony again - seen a couple of days ago by Michael Armelin and Peter Alfrey.

[Larry Wheatland]

Originally Posted by Simon Wates

At Portas de Rodão in Portugal (near the Spanish border) the adult Ruppell's is present in the Griffon colony again - seen a couple of days ago by Michael Armelin and Peter Alfrey.

Thanks Simon, how exciting, I feel a twitch from Bristol coming on! Hope it sticks around. Is the colony easy to find?

[Simon Wates]

Larry, although in Portuguese (Google translate?) this has a map that will get you there - I personally have only whizzed past the place on the way to census work further north in the Serra de Gardunha - with no time on my hands!

http://www.avesdeportugal.info/sitportasrodao.html

[Larry Wheatland]

Originally Posted by Simon Wates

Larry, although in Portuguese (Google translate?) this has a map that will get you there - I personally have only whizzed past the place on the way to census work further north in the Serra de Gardunha - with no time on my hands!

http://www.avesdeportugal.info/sitportasrodao.html

Thanks again

[Simon Wates]

Photo of the Ruppell's Vulture is now here: http://raridadesportugal.blogspot.com/

[Larry Wheatland]

Originally Posted by Simon Wates

Photo of the Ruppell's Vulture is now here: http://raridadesportugal.blogspot.com/

Oooo I've just wet myself!

[Simon Wates]

Larry - looks like the Ruppell's itself has been getting a little over excited too! http://peteralfreybirdingnotebook.bl...s-vulture.html

Oh...if you don't make it you could keep a virtual eye out for it here - on the webcam in the Griffon colony:http://static.publico.pt/grifosnaweb/ He has been showing regularly again this year. I understand (contrary to my earlier report based on a recent report) that the bird hasn't left the area all winter - although has sometime roosted away from the site as the local Griffons do. I would imagine, as the Griffons are about to lay, that it will be more reliable.

EDIT: As I write the bird is showing

[Larry Wheatland]

Does anyone have a link to a recording of Western Olivaceous Warbler song? I can only find the call on xenocanto.

[Larry Wheatland]

We've just spent 4 days looking for Snowfinch at San Isidro and unfortunately had no luck, but did have possibly my most strange and mindbending birding experience ever. A warning to anyone visiting this site, it wasn't until the second day that we found the right ski resort! What we assume is the corr,ect ski resort is up a road heading south from San Isidro town, just on the Leon side of the border, out of the back of a big car park. The San Isidro main resort also has a very large car park which presumably is where Snowfinch is regularly seen in winter months and there is also a cafe here where an Alpine Accentor came to feed. We then found out only yesterday that there is also another small cafe at the top of one of the chair lifts, at what must be about 1800m. On arriving at this cafe we disturbed 2 birds. An Alpine Accentor and the bird in the photos below. Please do feel free to tell me that it's a Snowfinch. But unless I've gone completely bonkers it isn't. Check the range of Snow Bunting in Collins and just imagine how it messed with my mind, considering that Snowfinch was already my biggest bogeybird! Thanks though to Eduardo for telling us about this beautiful mountain setting.

Considering the luck we're having so far it'd be great to get as detailed directions as possible to our next target bird, the Rupells Vulture at Portas de Rodao. Simon (or anyone) if you read this could you please tell us which of the spots on your linked map (if any) are the spot to look for the vulture.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Larry Wheatland

We've just spent 4 days looking for Snowfinch at San Isidro and unfortunately had no luck, but did have possibly my most strange and mindbending birding experience ever. A warning to anyone visiting this site, it wasn't until the second day that we found the right ski resort! What we assume is the corr,ect ski resort is up a road heading south from San Isidro town, just on the Leon side of the border, out of the back of a big car park. The San Isidro main resort also has a very large car park which presumably is where Snowfinch is regularly seen in winter months and there is also a cafe here where an Alpine Accentor came to feed. We then found out only yesterday that there is also another small cafe at the top of one of the chair lifts, at what must be about 1800m. On arriving at this cafe we disturbed 2 birds. An Alpine Accentor and the bird in the photos below. Please do feel free to tell me that it's a Snowfinch. But unless I've gone completely bonkers it isn't. Check the range of Snow Bunting in Collins and just imagine how it messed with my mind, considering that Snowfinch was already my biggest bogeybird! Thanks though to Eduardo for telling us about this beautiful mountain setting.

Considering the luck we're having so far it'd be great to get as detailed directions as possible to our next target bird, the Rupells Vulture at Portas de Rodao. Simon (or anyone) if you read this could you please tell us which of the spots on your linked map (if any) are the spot to look for the vulture.

Well if I saw 50 or so of those birds sitting on my roof in Iceland I wouldn't be at all surprised. If I'm wrong, we're both bonkers.

[John Cantelo]

I can't decide whether you've been really lucky or desperately unlucky! Just as well you got good photos or nobody would have believed you!

[Motmot]

Sorry to hear that Larry, well Snow Bunting is not a rarity in Spain but a scarcely encountered species, especially far from coasts, so it's not that bad.
Clearly (one of) your nemesis bird now...

[Stephen C]

Originally Posted by Motmot

Snow Bunting is not a rarity in Spain but a scarcely encountered species, especially far from coasts, so it's not that bad.

While I don't dispute that Snow Bunting is perhaps not rare enough in Spain for many twitchers, I think it would be described as rare in anyone elses notebook. It's certainly far, far rarer than Snowfinch.

Perhaps you have rough figures for the rest of Spain MotMot, and I would genuinely be interested to see them if you could post here. Doubtless the population is higher further west but here in Catalunya we're probably talking about may be ten birds a year in Winter and I've only ever found one (in the Pyrenees).

Anyway, a fantastic sighting Larry and just rewards for all the effort you clearly put in. Please try and report the sighting, if you would, to S.E.O.

All the best

[Motmot]

This old study may give you a general idea Stephen. It's in spanish but if you scroll down you'll find a short summary in english. It shows it to be regular on the Galicia and Cantábrico coasts, rarer in the Mediterranean area and much rarer in the interior.

http://82.98.164.11/files/1383.pdf

Sightings in the last 20 years I've known about show a similar pattern.

Cheers,

Eduardo Amengual

[Simon Wates]

On Serra de Estrela in central/north Portugal we have had a group of "a few" Snow Buntings this winter - also a few on coasts in the north and 3 birds very close to the Spanish border in the south - this last record being unusual. I have only seen one a few winters back with a flock of Skylark at Sagres.

[Simon Wates]

Sorry to hear the bad luck with Snow Finch Larry - maybe they were at lower elevations?
I'm going to check for the best viewing site for the Ruppell's - give us a bit....

[Simon Wates]

Larry, the best I could find in English - see this link: http://aves.team-forum.net/t1886-portugal-trip-feb-2009

The viewing platform mentioned is the best place to view from I understand...

Simon

[Simon Wates]

Just noticed the bit in the report I linked about Great Bustards - now that is NOT good info - the tracks opposite São Marcos de Atobeira are out of bounds and there are loads of other sites to see them.....(we can thank Mr. Gosney for this info - in his guide to the area he doesn't even mention the LPN - who manage the land).

[Stephen C]

Originally Posted by Motmot

This old study may give you a general idea Stephen.

Just got back from finding my first Little Crake of the season and seen this. VERY much appreciated Eduardo. Interesting reading and it does indeed seem that there are many more wintering birds further west, although I'd still say that Larry's sighting is a little better than 'not so bad'!

Many thanks for posting and all the best.

[Simon Wates]

Originally Posted by Stephen C

Just got back from finding my first Little Crake of the season

Now there is a rarity (in Portugal)

[Motmot]

Originally Posted by Stephen C

Just got back from finding my first Little Crake of the season and seen this. VERY much appreciated Eduardo. Interesting reading and it does indeed seem that there are many more wintering birds further west, although I'd still say that Larry's sighting is a little better than 'not so bad'!

Many thanks for posting and all the best.

Well, the 'not so bad' was a bit of an excuse for sending Larry to remote ski resorts almost no one ever birds!