`The field` above the lagoon

After a few days observing the lagoon area I passed the viewing hide and continued walking north into the scrub.

I came a cross a mud-stoney field that had been worked. It was busy with birds.

A Bluethroat was on the hop, loads of Crested Larks, Spotless Starlings, Waxbill,  White Wagtails, a good few Red legged Partridge were out in the open but always close to the borders where they can scurry into foliage when the Marsh Harrier comes. A nice male Black Redstart was showing well

Then bird of the week came onto a post, an Iberian Grey Shrike and that makes the day!

Bluethroat

Black Redstart

Iberian Grey Shrike

Crested Lark

                                                            Waxbill

Vilamoura Reedbeds , Algarve

On arriving at the hidden entrance to this park we got to see Marsh Harrier and Booted Eagle before we started our walk in.
Waxbills ,Fan tailed Warblers and plenty of get away quick Passerines were along the red mud path in as was a splendid Booted Eagle perched in a tree
A few Thekla Lark, Mipits, Pied Wagtail and Stonechat were in the muddy field near to the 1st birdhide.
In the morning the 1st hide faces into the sun and is backlit. Purple Swamphen, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe, Grey Heron and flitty Chiffchaffs were seen
The path carries on past some agriculture fields where Corn Buntings were numerous.
The 2nd hide gave us superb views of  Purple Swamphen, Coot and Little Grebe but nothing else.
On route back a female Black headed Weaver showed up in the branches ( an ID nightmare)

Booted Eagle

Waxbill

Corn Bunting

Thekla Lark

Purple Swamphen

Black headed Weaver ( female)

Birds of Saint Eulalia , Algarve Portugal

The first few days of my xmas family holiday in the Algarve
I have stayed local with a morning walk to myself along the beach to find local birds seen around St Eualia beach area.
A dried flood run off that goes aroung the carpark was useful with Hoopoes , Common Waxbills, Black Redstarts and Chiffchaff were on show.
Serins were tweeting away in the Pines and Red legged Partridge, Fan-tailed Warbler were seen in the scrub area around the headland.
Not a bad start

Hoopoe

Common Waxbill

Red legged Partridge

Serin

Black Redstart

Fan-tailed Warbler

Ria Formosa Portugal. Part 2 . Quinto de Ludo

Early up and only a mile walk over the boardwalk that crosses the wetlands and I was was into Quinto de Ludo,
25` with a good wind to keep cool.
This wetland area is amazing for birdlife and a birding paradise
Greater Flamingo , Black winged Stilt,  Avocet,  Black tailed Godwit, and  Kingfisher, were in the shallow lagoons
Zitting Cistocola, Sardinian Warbler, Common Waxbill and a Bluethroat were seen in the scrub areas and edges
Osprey and Booted Eagle were distant

Greater Flamingos

Black winged Stilt

Avocet

Sardinian Warbler

Common Waxbill

Zitting Cistacola

Bluethroat

Booted Eagle