birds Archives - Page 10 of 15 - Craig Rogers Photography

Morning Dog Walk: Pipits Everywhere And Fresh Otter Evidence!

22nd December 201822nd December 2018Craig Rogers

On this morning’s Dog Walk we ventured through large field that has been ploughed. It is an old Olive Farm that is abandoned and therefore the area was very overgrown. I assume it has been cleared both for the fire risk and for grass to regrown for the local Sheep.

At first I thought it was going to hurt the local birds as I often saw flocks of Goldfinch feasting on the seeds. However, although these have now moved on, the area has become full of Wagtails and what I thought was either Water Pipits or Meadow Pipits. As I was with Wally, I struggled to get close enough to ID, so took this following photo and asked some Portuguese Birders for advice

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Purple Swamphen and Glossy Ibis at Quinta do Lago

21st November 201821st November 2018Craig Rogers

A few weeks ago whilst I was patiently waiting for Quinta do Lago’s Famous Bird, the Green Heron, I pointed the camera at 2 other birds commonly found at Quinta do Lago.

The Purple Swamphen is quite a common sight at Quinta do Lago, but is often found amongst reeds a never usually a good view to photograph.

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Green Heron, An American Refugee

10th November 201811th November 2018Craig Rogers

A few weeks ago news started spreading about a Green Heron being spotted at Quinta do Lago. The Green Heron is commonly seen in wetlands of North and Central America but is not a species found in Europe except for very rare vagrants. It is believed to have been brought here during the storms, particularly Hurricane Leslie, a few months ago. More photos below.

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Robins Are Back For The Winter

28th October 201828th October 2018Craig Rogers

We don’t see too many (European) Robins in the summer months here in the Algarve, although, there is often a small number out of view present. However, once the cooler days arrive many Robins come from the much cooler Northern parts of the country.

All around the Quinta there are now many Robins now to be seen. This one was playing hide and seek this morning.

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Greater Flamingos

15th October 201815th October 2018Craig Rogers

The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the largest of the Flamingo family and can be easily spotted in the Algarve and other locations in Portugal. They can be spotted all year round but they do not nest in Portugal. The birds found in Portugal nest in various locations including Spain, France, Italy, Turkey and Northern African countries. However, they are not classed as true migratory birds as they don’t follow strict migration patterns.

In the Algarve, there are a few locations that you can get up and close to these large birds. Ria Formosa and Alvor Estuary (on the north side of the sea opening) are two great locations to view them.

In this month’s article in the Algarve Resident I will explain further details but for now, here are a couple of photos I took yesterday.

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Sagres Bird Migration 2018

6th October 20187th October 2018Craig Rogers

Throughout September, October and the beginning of November, Sagres on the South Western tip of Portugal becomes an amazing sight to watch migrating Birds of Prey. Birds flying across to Africa will always select the quickest route across open water which in South Western Europe is the Strait of Gibraltar. So why do they end up in Sagres? They follow the Western Coastline in a Southerly direction until they reach the South coast where they will then make their way along the Southern Coastline to the short crossing at Gibraltar. This results in some spectacular views of the birds soaring in the sky including this Juvenile Egyptian Vulture. More pictures below.

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