Birds of Portugal 2017-10

BIRDS OF SOUTHERN PORTUGAL, October 2017
Another holiday in the Algarve Region of Portugal, this time between 16 and 23 October. Like a similar (temporary) gallery produced this time last year all of the photographs (55 species) were taken in the Ria Formosa Reserve or on the fringe of it. Generally the sites were fairly well known with the exception of a small lake in Quinta do Lago (opposite Lakeside Village, Avenue Ayrton Senna). The weather was cloudy early on but the last two days were very sunny and warm.
As usual the photos will be deleted or added to more permanent galleries in a few months. Mostly there was little exciting to report. I shall, however, mention a few species in case they are of interest:
1. The two and possibly three Booted Eagles flew generally South while circling high to the East of the San Lorenzo Golf Course.
2. There were quite a few Greater Flamingos (various places) that had not yet migrated.
3. The Slender-billed Gull is fairly scarce. The first-winter one could be seen at the Casa do Lago lake for several days.
4. The Hoopoe was spotted in in our hotel gardens.
5. The Glossy Ibis grew in numbers as the week went on.
6. One of some very poor photos of the Kestrel – hovering/departing towards the sun. A pity as we don’t see them that often.
7. The Kingfisher was sighted at the West of the San Lorenzo Lake but perched (and hunted) on the North (golf) side.
8. I got reasonably close to the Snipe but as can be seen, there were plenty of reeds etc. to deal with.
9. Plenty of Stonechats – they are often easier to approach/photograph.
10. The same goes for the Purple Swamphen.
11. The Caspian Tern (the largest Tern). Normally migrating to W Africa at about this time.
12. The Iberian Green Woodpecker is a subspecies of the EU Green Woodpecker. The photo 01 (just) shows the male (red near the eye but no black around the eye). Photos 02, 03 and 04 show the female on the other side of the tree (black near the eye but also no black around the eye). Photos 05 and 06 (taken in the UK) illustrate the point.
Finally, I have held back some photos that might be warblers such as Chiffchaffs. If I can get expert opinion I shall add them to what is there at the moment.