28th August

Dawn on the Algarve at 6.50am, a little late in the day for me.

This is Casa Rosa, our base, 30 minutes east of Faro.

This is some of the grounds that at the right time can hold a good variety of migrants.

Little Bittern
Famingos (above) and a flock of Cattle Egrets (below) leaving their roost.


Black-tailed Godwit (above) and juvenile Black-winged Stilt (below)

Red-necked Nightjar a regular at Casa Rosa

A little warbler teaser for those interested.

Fan-tailed Warbler, good numbers are around most salt pans.

Southern Grey Shrike (above) and female Woodchat Shrike (below)


Bee-eater, they tend to be a little harder to approach after they have bred.

Barn Swallows are one of my favourite species, so it was nice to get these shots


A few species of wildlife that can be found around the grounds of Casa Rosa





I am back, to the grey skies of the London. It is always a gamble going away during the migration period. This time was know different, Dave had produced a couple of gems, that are not the most abundant of the regular park migrants.

Today
Northern Wheatear: One was in area 28 first thing.
Willow Warbler: Twelve birds were dotted about the park.
Chiffchaff. 6 birds were in areas 26 and 29.
Garden Warbler. One was feeding in brambles on the side of the lake in area 26.
Blackcap. Four were feeding in the same area as the above.

Birds that I missed while on holiday

Common Sandpiper: 18th, 20th and two 22nd.
Common Swift. one 21st, it will be harder to see them from now on.
Garden Warbler. present on several days with a maximum of two 19th.
Lesser Whitethroat. one 18th, four 22nd, and three 23rd.
Wood Warbler. one was in area 25 on the 22nd.
Willow Warbler. seen every day with a maximum of twenty-five 22nd.
Chiffchaff. a maximum of ten on 22nd.
Spotted Flycatcher. four 22nd and two 25th.
Common Redstart. a female in area 25 on 23rd, and a cracking looking male on the chestnut fencing on the edge of area 29.
Hobby. A bird was hawking insects over area 14 on 23rd.
Kingfisher. a male was perched in the wetland 23rd.
Crossbill. two flew over area 14 at 6.40am on 26th.
Tree Pipit. one headed south at 7.15am on the 26th.
Reed Warbler. One was seen collecting food in area 26, by the viewing platform.
Little Grebe. the first youngster of the year was seen by the reeds in area 2.