BirdForum is the net's largest birding community dedicated to wild birds and birding, and is absolutely FREE!

Register for an account to take part in lively discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Pam_m" data-source="post: 1667964" data-attributes="member: 18672">The 24th Nov and a ride to Silves. A walk alongside the river was very productive. Moorhen, Mallard, Common Sandpiper, B W Stilt, Grey Wagtail, L Egret being the first highlights! The river area by the car park was to give us Redshank, Azure-winged Magpie, Blackcap, Pied Wagtail (mostly seen on the car park), Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff, Fan-tailed Warbler, House Sparrow, Robin, Goldfinch, Cetti's (h) and a twittering flock of Common Waxbill, all feeding in the shrubs and flowers that were bearing masses of seedheads. It was so relaxing and a delightful sight watching all of these lovely birds feeding. A pair of White Storks were rebuilding a nest on the end of a crane that was in situ on the car park! Their loud bill-clattering was heard many times as the adults greeted each other on the nest. Lunch today was at the best restaurant in Silves for Piri Piri, 'Churrasqueira Valdermar' and the meal was delicious!!! As we drove down the sandy track away from Pera  after a quick late afternoon visit we spotted a young hedgehog in the centre of the track. Well we couldn't leave it there, so five minutes were spent trying to coax it to the side of the track and on to the scrub! I had to resort to rolling it to safety with a twig I found! Job done! A sweet little hedgehog and so pale in colour compared to our UK hoggies! The 25th Nov and a ride to Carvoeiro. The town was fairly quiet of people and a lot of the smaller shops were closed. I found a red beetle on a tiled footpath and took a photo. The beetle was identified for me later in the week by Paula at Cruzinha (Alvor), it was a Palm Weevil! The one that is killing the Palm trees across the Algarve! I had read of this happening before I came on holiday, the evidence was clear to see as we saw numerous trees with leaf wilt. The Algarve will not look the same without the Palms, though not native to Portugal they just give that holiday feel to the place. Info here for anyone interested in reading more.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhynchophorus_ferrugineus" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhynchophorus_ferrugineus</a>We later drove to Carvoeiro lighthouse, the views from here are delightful if not frightening when you look down, I do not get too close to the cliff edges mind! We walked around the areas with the bushes but I always find this so frustrating, you see a bird and then quick as a flash they are in the bushes! Patience is always needed in this area I feel.lol! Collared Dove, Starling, H Sparrow, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Blackbird Azure Winged Magpie, Jackdaw and Rock Dove were the highlights. I had hoped for Blue Rock Thrush but was unlucky today, never mind one for future visits. After a search for a cafe that was open and a much needed coffee we headed back to Gale. The weather during the two weeks was mixed. Rain during the night on a couple of occasions and sunny mornings that clouded by the afternoon on several days. Early morning and late afternoon and evening was quite cool especially when the wind blowing so a fleece/warm coat was an essential. Average temperatures were 16-18c but decidedly warmer in a suntrap!</blockquote>

Verification