After some good sea watching reports through the week it was more with hope I set off to meet Ian at Stokes Bay. The winds were strong, but the direction had changed from the preferential south-easterly that were blowing in the week.
Pulling into the car park at Stokes Bay the the waves were whipping onto the sea wall, and out on the water the sea was very rough.
And so it proved that westerly winds are not the best. Birds that went east went past so fast, and those going west could be seen well. Unfortunately those going west were mainly gulls, a few Mediterranean amongst them, and groups of Common and Sandwich Terns.
Ian picked up a couple of Gannet that could be seen to the far west, they attempted to fly into the Solent but did not get far. At least another was seen later trying much the same.
We stuck at it for two and a half hours which was probably two and a half hours too long. We did manage a couple of year ticks but not what we had hoped for.
So from Stokes Bay to Botley Wood just outside Whiteley. Here we were looking for Nightingale. As we walked the path into the wood Blackcap sang from the scrub. On getting to the location we could hear Nightingale singing, possibly two birds. They were deep in the scrub, and we tried to see if we could get in amongst them. They continued singing, I managed one brief view but hat was it.
We stood on the main ride waiting, listening and looking with out any further luck. The wind was very strong, at times flattening the trees almost horizontal, our assumption was the birds were going to stay tucked well away, the wind also restricting the benefit of the song.
So we decided to move on. Walking back we found a singing invisible Whitethroat, and a Garden Warbler, at first I thought it was a Blackcap, the song not so scratchy as normal, but when it showed it clearly was a Garden Warbler.
Another year tick but not what we were hoping for again.
Next stop was Acres Down, the car park was empty when we arrived, and it seemed like much the same as we walked the path down to Highland Water. There was little bird song, and all we could hear was the wind howling through the trees, it was not a day for birding, or listening out for bird song.
We did hear one song that of the Firecrest, and we were able to watch one, but it was so mobile there were no acceptable opportunities for a photograph. But there was no sign of any Redstart.
We were here for Wood Warbler, but again there was no song, or any sign. We tried several sites where we had seen them before but every time drew a blank. Maybe it was too early, we checked when we had seen them last year, and it was mid May, so maybe they haven't set up territory yet.
Where next? We decided on Fishlake Meadows. Walking the canal path there were Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing. A drake Mallard was resting on the water, the sunlight catching the bottle green head.
Scanning out over the lakes we could see plenty of hirundine, and amongst them House Martin, yet another first for the year.
On reaching the horse paddocks we scanned the field and pond for the ever present Glossy Ibis, no luck at all. We turned into the reserve and headed for the screens, passing through the gate a male Reed Bunting sang from an old tree.
At the screens there were all three hirundines flying around, Greylag Geese on the water and a few Gadwall, but no sign of the hoped for Glossy Ibis. I think we both would have been surprised if it had of been there, the day was writing its own script!
Walking back we scanned the skies more in hope, but other than passing corvids nothing. Reaching the canal path a Grey Wagtail called but we couldn't see it. Then it flew out from beneath our feet and settled on a small piece of wood in the water.
At the next viewing platform, again scanning across the lakes there were lots of hirundines, and in amongst them were at least half a dozen Swift, another first for the year. We watched in the ope of a Hobby, or a Cuckoo fly past but it wasn't to be. Finally we called it a day.
I do not recall a day like this, on the positive side I managed eight year ticks, while on the negative there was no opportunity for any photography of any note. The wind really ruined the day, everything kept low, and the noise of the wind did not encourage hardly any song at all. Still you have to take the bad with the good, there will always be next time!
We came back from Portugal to wonderful clear skies and temperatures that were higher than those we left behind. Perfect butterfly weather, and the perfect time for the annual pilgrimage to see the "Duke". This was probably the earliest I have ever contemplated visiting the Noar Hill butterfly reserve just outside Selbourne, but the conditions were perfect. As I walked up the bridle way a male Orange-tip flew past me, and going through the gate I could see plenty of Cowslips, another good sign.
A Yellowhammer sang from the Hawthorn bush close to the reserve entrance, the sun feeling warm on my face.
It was though a big surprise that within seconds of walking onto the site I disturbed a small butterfly, it flew a short distance and settled on a cowslip. My first Duke of Burgundy of the year.
I moved closer trying to get the better view, from this I could see that this was a male as it only has four legs.
It soon became clear that there were lots of Dukes about. In a short while I had seen at least ten, and then you begin to doubt whether the next one you see was in fact an additional one. The males were avoiding the flowers, and settling on the old leaves or grass to open the wings and warm up. The morning had been a little hazy and the sun was still trying to burn off the cloud but there was radiation about that was warming.
The Duke of Burgundy is the sole representative of a subfamily known as the "metalmarks", since some of its cousins, particularly those found in south America, have a metallic appearance. A curious characteristic of this subfamily is that the female has 6 fully-functional legs, whereas the male has only 4 - the forelegs being greatly reduced. The Duke of Burgundy was once classified as a fritillary, given the similarity with those fritillary species found in the British Isles.
On the under wing there are some larger white spots. As the butterflies were settling on the grass with wings open, this was difficult to see.
The Dukes would appear, and I would take the photographs.
The “Duke” is single brooded with adults flying from late April to early June on limestone grassland in the south. Eggs are laid on the underside edge of food plant leaves, usually in small batches of up to 8. Females tend to select plants that are prominent amongst the surrounding vegetation, though smaller plants can be used where they grow abundantly on chalk downland.
The larvae feed at night and produce distinctive feeding damage on the leaves comprising a peppering of small holes or panelling, leaving the midrib and veins intact. They pupate in well-concealed areas 2-5 cm above ground among dense tussocks of fine grasses where they pass the winter.
As well as the Dukes, there are other special butterflies that appear at this time of year. I had already seen Holly Blue in the garden, but here there were four individuals all interacting with each other in the usual spot where there is a group of Holly Trees. They are difficult to pin down, and today was no different, but I finally managed to get on sat high up in the trees.
What I was hoping for was to find Green Hairstreak. They favour Juniper, and there is plenty here, I beat the bushes but nothing was giving. Finally the sun cam out in full, and I saw one fly up and settle high in the Juniper. I waited, threw a few stones but nothing re-appeared.
I stuck at it, watching all the bushes and then finally two appeared dueling, then at least another two more. They were very active, but finally one settled in a position where I was able to get an acceptable photograph.
I also managed a brief view of a Dingy Skipper nut it was gone as fast as it appeared, so it was left to the main event, the Duke of Burgundy to see me out. This one sat nicely on a grass stem.
Until next year, ad may the weather hold!
It was a cold morning, although there was some sunshine about. On waking we decided we were going to head back to Castro Verde, the choices locally were limited, and while it was a drive I really wanted the chance to see Great Bustard, I had found a different route from the one we drove last time and felt a little more confident.
We skipped breakfast and headed off. I decided that we should start from the Information centre once again, there was always the chance that there would be something around the area, and we had been advised by the staff at the ringing centre in A Rocha yesterday that they had seen a couple there earlier in the week.
It is really a lovely drive north on the A2, the road is empty, and winds through hill, and crosses valleys on some amazing bridges, the weather changes as well as you head up into the hills, then once again as you come out on the other side and into the steppe plains.
As we drove up the track towards the centre we were greeted once again by the larks and Corn Buntings on the fences on either side of the track. I had a feeling that the centre would be closed once again as it was Good Friday, and this was the situation as we pulled up. There was only one car present in the car park.
I walked around the information centre without my camera, and a harsh call preceded two Rollers flying off the roof and out over the field. I rushed back for the camera, but on my return there was no sign of the Rollers and I disturbed all the Cattle Egret in the field around the cattle.
I found the Roller sitting on a distant fence post.
Further beyond the haystacks a female Marsh Harrier was hunting over the grass.
Just before we set off to walk the trail once again I returned to the same spot. The Cattle Egret had returned, and I disturbed them once again and this time they flew past quite close.
Easily distinguished from the slightly taller Little Egret by the yellow orange bill, the Little egret is black, and the all dark feet where in the Little they are yellow.
We walked the trail passing the water tower where there were plenty of Lesser Kestrels and Jackdaw and no Little Owl. The wind was not as strong as last Monday and there were more butterflies about. Here a Bath White on the knapweed or thistle.
While the Small Coppers were seen on the open ground around the track.
There was a lot more water about than before, some of the ruts in the path holding quite a bit, and in the mud were large bird footprints.
We met a couple of birders that said they had seen two Great Bustard distantly, but it was better to scan the plains from high ground. We walked through the gate, and to the highest point that allowed a view north across the steppe towards Entradas.
As just seems to be the norm in these vast plains we were surrounded by singing Calandra and Crested Larks, and from the fences and posts Corn Bunting. This one allowed me to get close.
The posts add to the vastness of the plains in which this bird was so dominant
Helen asked me to check something that she described as being between two sizeable rocks. It wasn't a bird, but beyond the rocks there was something of interest, large and white, at first I thought is it was a White Stork, but lacked any black, as I moved a little bit I could see the rufous brick red patch on what was a neck. It was a Great Bustard. Helen in finding something else had managed to find the bird. The view was very distant with a heat haze but there was no doubting what we were looking at.
I then noticed to the left of the first bird what could only be another with it. Here again a poor record of the two on either side of the photograph.
We evaluated the opportunity to get any closer and the outcome was that we couldn't, this was the best we were going to get, so the hope was that we would come across some more as we drove around the area.
There was little else about so we decided to walk back, the wind was picking up once again. We had arrived a little earlier today so maybe the wind has something to do with the land warming up with the sunshine, the sun though was now being obscured by increasing cloud. A Black Kite appeared from nowhere and drifted away to the west, and was followed by a lone Raven that I managed to see in time to get a record shot.
Back at the Information Centre I headed around the back to see if the Roller were about again, but all I managed in disturbing were the Cattle Egret that had settled back in the field with the cattle. This time they flew around but towards me instead of away.
I guess flocks of this size will become a familiar sight in the UK soon.
Two closer as they passed heading out to join the mixed group of cattle and donkeys.
I went back to the car, then returned a little later not giving up, and my persistence was rewarded as I heard the raucous call once again and the pair of Roller flew from the roof. This time I was prepared.
About the size of a Jackdaw their colours are brilliant, mainly blue but with an orange brown back, and black primaries and secondaries. In flight it is more striking than when perched, the brilliant blue contrasting with the black flight feathers. The name Roller comes from the display flight where it twists, turns and rolls Lapwing style.
The Lesser Kestrels were not happy with them around in the same way they did not like the Jackdaws, maybe they saw these as just brightly coloured Jackdaws. As the Rollers flew off the female kestrel glided slowly back.
From the centre we headed back to the service road, and then onto Entradas, from here were were heading south back to Sao Marcos da Alboreira. As you leave the village on the track you pass a water tower, and then the track goes down hill and across a stream where there is a dam and small reservoir. At the back of the reservoir there were a group of Little Egret, but in the middle amongst the rocks Helen pointed out an adult Spoonbill, a surprise in this huge ocean of grass.
The road winds up with open fields on either side. After a short distance we came across the first Montagu's Harrier of the day and it gave some stunning views.
We passed through the Sao Marcos, and turned right on to the N123, we had a 3 kilometre drive to the next turn, enough to for Helen to pick out a Great Bustard in flight, which I managed to see, but it dropped out of sight behind a ridge, and we couldn't find it. It looked huge in flight, confirming its status as the heaviest European flying bird.
We turned off the N123, and headed towards Rolao, just south of Rolao we picked up some distant soaring birds. I stopped the car and picked them up, clearly a group of Griffon Vultures.
There were at least six individuals, here two.
Leaving the vultures we stopped almost immediately again in the spot where we had seen Montagu's Harrier on Monday, they were about again. We watched on circling the field, and then as I was just about to pull away I noticed something on a fence post close to the car. i couldn't believe it, a male Montagu's Harrier, the window was open too and I didn't need to make any drastic movement.
Incredible views, and reminded me of a book I had on Birds of Prey where the front cover was of a male Montagu's Harrier. I really wanted to see one as close, and here it was.
This is my favourite shot.
It flew off and I was able to get out and get some more photographs of the birds flying around the field.
The male
Male and female, they were actually coming together and talon grappling.
Then the male flying over me, a wonderful experience
At the junction with Viseus we turned left, heading east to Alcaria de Coelho, then turning south to Figueirinha. Just outside the village we stopped. a rock close to the road was covered with rusty lichen and this had set our hearts racing only to realise it was just a rock. We had some lunch here with Dartford Warblers all around us.
FRom Figueirinha we turned right in the direct ion of Sete. About halfway along the track, I stopped suddenly, I had seen a head in the grass. Looking across though it owned a black and white neck, a Little Bustard.
After seeing two only in flight last Monday it was nice to see one on the ground, and to get a photograph.
I parked the car somewhere more safe, and walked back to try and get a better picture, hopefully a little closer. A Crested Lark sang from a rock.
Having walked back to the area where I had seen the Little Bustard I couldn't find it so returned to the car where the local cows were fascinated by it.
We continued the loop, making our way through Santa Barbara de Padroes, just outside the village I saw yet another Little Owl on the overhead wires, and pulled over and wound down the window. The Owl just looked at me.
It was possible to get in really close the owl was quite happy.
A little further on and an Iberian Grey Shrike flew up from the ground and onto another overhead wire. As I reversed it dropped to the ground and then flew to one of the diagonal wires to a pole with a grasshopper which it promptly swallowed, you can just see a remaining leg!
The Iberian Grey Shrike was considered as a sub species of Great Grey Shrike up to the mid nineties. The one diagnostic plumage feature is the presence of a pink or light wash on the undersides. Where the species ranges overlap they do not inter breed. The Iberian Grey Shrike is the only grey shrike found in Portugal.
As I watched the shrike I noticed two large raptors behind in. I got out of the car and watched as they drifted above my head. Another lifer, the Spanish Imperial Eagle.
this is an extremely rare species with only about 150 pairs world wide, but their numbers are improving. Juveniles are more common in this area and this is what these birds are. The wing spans can reach 2.1 metres, and the adult birds can weigh between 3.5 to 5 kilos, the adult female being larger than the male.
Here the body and wing coverts are sand coloured, with the breast streaked dark brown. A distinguishing feature of this eagle in juvenile plumage is the fact that the inner three primaries are much paler and gives a pale window in the outstretched wing.
The eagles drifted overhead and away, I was really made up with this sighting.
We moved on, heading back to Viseus again and then towards the N123 through Rolao. North of Rolao we came across a Roller sitting on the overhead wire.
This was the perfect end to the day, I would have like a better view of the Great Bustard, but seeing the vast area of grass land here it is understandable why they can be so elusive.
I managed to get four lifers, Great and Little Bustard, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Lesser Kestrel. Not a bad return. Eighty seven birds for the trip was the total, not a huge list but some quality birds included. Butterflies were disappointing they were very few about, but a great trip none the less.
