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Message: <blockquote data-quote="john-henry" data-source="post: 1675747" data-attributes="member: 15559">Algarve, Portugal, 7th – 23rd November 2009. J H Johns. Part 619th Nov…Up at 06.20, left at 08.00 for Falesia Lake, Penduline Tits were showing very well as were a couple of Black-faced Weavers, a Redwing was new for the trip, Great Tits, Water Rails etc.    On to Quinta do Lago, my favourite spot, where I met Jim Woods and his wife, lovely couple, very natural and friendly, good company to be with.Glossy Ibis still here and remained until at least 22nd Nov. ♂Little Bittern, several Black-faced Weavers, Waxbills, usual 4 warblers, Cetti’s Warbler, Water Pipit, Grey Wagtail, ♀ Bluethroat, Snipe, usual duck spp. 6 Purple Gallinules, Kingfisher, Serins singing, Azure-winged Magpies etc. etc.    Spent the last couple of hours here waiting for the Little Bittern to re-appear, it didn’t, but chatting and swapping information with Jamie who, like me, comes every November, made a very pleasant afternoon, a really nice chap, friendly and very good company.Back at Oasis Village a couple of Siskins passed overhead.20th Nov…Up at 06.20 to be at Quinta do Lago lake by 08.00, hopefully for some pics of the male Little Bittern, it kept me waiting an hour or so but then sat up on top the reeds enjoying the sunshine, at least 2 males and a female showed well on and off for the rest of the day, great stuff. The Squacco Heron showed briefly then flew off towards the old saltpans, 1 female Red-crested Pochard seemed to be the only one around this year.    A walk up to Ludo saltpans was rewarding with a dk.ph. Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzards, Kestrel, 70+ White Storks, 2 Spoonbill, Common and Green Sandpipers, Hoopoe and Song Thrush, the usual warblers plus a pair of Cetti’s singing and displaying.    Back at the lake c.50 Azure-winged Magpies were grouping to go to roost.21st Nov… Up at 07.00 left at 08.30 for Falesia Lake, managed a few shots of Azure-winged Magpie and White Wagtail on the way. Penduline Tits and usual birds still here, Little Bittern calling from reedbed,  Caspian Tern fishing plus usual birds seen. Counted 110 Azure-winged Magpies flying towards Vilamoura.    Jamie had told me of a Ferruginous Duck and a Purple Heron being at the Parque Ambiental Reserve so headed over there to try my luck, got the Ferruginous but not the heron. 36 species were seen include House Martin (first for the trip), Purple Gallinules, ♂ Hen Harrier, 3 Marsh Harriers and Little Bittern.    Back to Oasis for food and drink, from the balcony I could see Hoopoe and ♂Black Redstart on the lawn and a Short-toed Treecreeper on the trees so rushed down and got a couple of shots of it.    About 15.30 went down to the B S Kite area, 3 Kestrels, 2 imm. Marsh Harriers, ringtail Hen Harrier, lots of passerines coming in to roost here – Azure-winged  Magpies, Corn Buntings, Linnets, House Sparrows, Meadow Pipits, White Wagtails, obviously a good attraction for hungry raptors.    Across to Falesia lake just before dusk, 2 Little Bitterns calling, 3 more Marsh Harriers and Spotless Starlings coming in to roost.    22 Nov…Up at 07.00 left at 08.00 for Falesia Lake. Usual birds seen plus Buzzard and Great Crested Grebe.On to Quinta do Lago for my last day of birding and I wanted some photos of Whimbrel and Kentish Plover, these were taken fairly easy along the estuary path.Several Little Bitterns ♂ and ♀ showed well through the day, Glossy Ibis was still here, 30+ Med Gulls (mainly adult), Water Pipit, 2 Bluethroats, ♀ Red-crested Pochard, p.ph. Booted Eagle, Swallow, plus usual duck, warblers, etc. and a pair of Little Grebes nest building.    That’s it, another enjoyable Algarve trip over, good weather, plenty of birds, meet a few friendly people, quiet roads (at this time of year) all the ingredients for a good holiday, I’ll be back for more next year that’s for sure.    Anyone wanting more information etc just get in touch.23rd Nov…Up at 06.15 to finish packing. Several Night Herons seen leaving the marshes from the balcony.</blockquote>

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