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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mick Sway" data-source="post: 1312969" data-attributes="member: 15566">Portugal 2008 - Part Four - Cape St Vincent 07/10/08PORTUGAL 2008 – PART 4Tues  7th October – Cape St. Vincent to Vila do BispoBeing the furthest western point, Cape Saint Vicent is the Algarve’s equivalent of Lands End and is a noted migrant and raptor watchpoint. Recently it has also become a top Portuguese surfing destination.It is easily accessible via the N125 west from Faro.By the time we arrived there on the Tuesday 07/10/08, the early morning showers had given way to a bright and breezy day. We first stopped at the cliff car park approx half a mile from the lighthouse.Sardinian warblers flitted from bush to bush and six chough flew over head, whilst three kestrel (possible lesser) hovered some way off, over the moorland to the north of the road.As we walked south to the cliff edges, wheatears and stonechat flitted on fennel stalks.Black redstart hopped onto the cliffs then darted over the edges.A party of twenty or so crag martin hawked for insects over the cliff tops.Half an hour of sea watching gleaned nothing but shags, yellow and lesser black backed gull.We then headed off down one of the many network of tracks that criss cross the moorland between the Cape and Vila do Bispo, to the sandy hill to the south of the pines, which form the raptor watch point.A note of caution here, the tracks are very rutted in places and in the event of heavy rain, there is a real possibility of getting stuck. Although the main 1256 track is now partially tarmaced and is passable with little difficulty.A dozen or so birders of different nationalities had already assembled and reported that black shouldered kite, osprey and two magnificent booted eagles circling the pines some distance away as we arrived, had been seen. During the hour that we stayed we were unable to add to the boots, so we headed off towards Vila do Bispo, hoping for better.  Along the track 1256, two raven flew on to one of the many telegraph poles, a flock of spotless starling roosted on the wires, moving on each time we got nearer. Wheatears, crested lark, goldfinch, linnet and stonechat were common on roadside vegetation. A little owl was on the ruined farm buildings on the right hand side of the road. Further on we decided to scan the area with the scope, being rewarded with distant views of a black shouldered kite on a telegraph wire. Setting off to get a little nearer, as is our luck it flew off as I was setting up the scope and Tina was parking the car.We used the opportunity to settle for a sandwich and a drink before heading back down the road to the Cape, only adding the further sighting of a common kestrel and a buzzard resting on the moorland vegetation.Prior to recent renovation work access to the courtyard at the lighthouse was allowed, giving excellent safe views of the sea and cliffs, unfortunately the gates now remain locked, so it is not possible to visit the lighthouse itself.Parking up at the  Cape’s lighthouse car park, at this point it was around 2pm, and surveying the sea we were excited at the excellent views of a school of (we think, opinions appreciated ?) bottle nosed dolphins which were passing below ignored by the tourists disembarked from the many coaches stopping off for sight seeing tours.Incidentally there is a small market at the Cape offering the likes of hand knitted ponchos, nuts and local pottery. There are also one or two snack vans offering hot and cold drinks.Other than further sightings of black redstart we did not add to our tally any further.Overall we have to say that we were a little disappointed with the birding in the area this time out, on a previous visit we had been rewarded with close up views of Egyptian vulture, hen harrier, and short toed and booted eagle.Boca do RioJust a quick word about this small area of wetland that we passed through on the way back to Pera, just off the N125 (take the turning for Salema, where you can enjoy a very good lunch at one of the beach side cafes).Many of you will know that this area has been in danger from development over a number of years, although for the moment surrounding areas have been encroached upon, it remains untouched. Passing through a number of grey heron and both endemic species of egrets were present along with the usual warblers, crag martin and a grey shrike.Another area certainly worth a visit in the spring.To be continued...........................</blockquote>

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