The sentinels of a Portuguese spring have been singing. Whereas strolling the canine I might hear Serin, Wren and a number of other Black Redstarts proclaiming their territories.
Mid-February is an early begin for spring – even this far south – however spring is spring, and birds have been ready. I made a decision to return to the Lezírias and particularly, go to EVOA. My plan was to do analysis for this put up, so I made a decision to enter as a standard mortal and never use the digital go. And regretting that call nearly immediately because the gate was closed.
Luckily, my wait was quick and nicely spent with singing Frequent Chiffchaff within the eucalypts and the adjoining rice fields filled with Shiny Ibis and different waders. After a couple of minutes a automotive appeared, the gate opened, and I used to be off in the direction of EVOA. From the gate to EVOA is about 9 kilometres. There have been birds singing in every single place. Corn Buntings have been corny, Zitting Cisticolas have been zitty and Horned Larks have been thankfully nowhere to be seen.
An earlier put up describes get to EVOA. EVOA has a collection of commentary hides across the lakes and ponds. It prices € 14 to get in and there are a number of choices, together with guided excursions and a pictures cover. After a espresso within the glorious cafetaria I hitched a trip to the primary cover with Luisa, one of many guides at EVOA. She’s enthusiastic and extremely competent and I can guarantee you that’s the norm. If it’s your first time visiting EVOA it may be price your whereas to go for the guided tour.
The ponds have been filled with birds as typical with plentiful Frequent Snipe in addition to Ruff, some Dunlin, Stilts and some geese, together with Pink-crested Pochards. Western Swamphen are frequent and Flamingo often visits the ponds.
Curiously, a fowl of prey set off a psychological experiment. It began with a Western Marsh Harrier flying a thermal. Wait a minute, it’s very mild on the again, nearly like a Booted Eagle. Might or not it’s? Photos have been taken to substantiate.
After which one thing unusual occurred… For some purpose, my focus continued on the again feathers and the sample, and the apparent harrier confirmed increasingly traits of the eagle. All of the optimistic subject marks that shouted out “harrier” I fully ignored. Information Luisa did point out the “masks” however nonetheless I stored doubting and discussing. How might this fowl be the rest than a harrier? Tunnel imaginative and prescient? Idée fixée? This phenomenon just isn’t uncommon. Kenn Kaufman describes an identical case of mass psychosis in his e-book Kingbird Freeway (a Frequent Redshank with black mud on its beak, I imagine). I additionally realise I could also be insisting on a psychological purpose whereas I simply is perhaps an incompetent birder. It’s doable.
Or maybe I get too outdated and decrepid. However hey, it has been stated earlier than: all just isn’t misplaced! At EVOA I met the long run – a younger man named Francisco. Eleven years outdated and already placing me to disgrace. Not simply me, many birders can take a leaf out of this younger gentleman’s e-book. A meticulous be aware keeper, a eager eye and ear, spectacular information and most significantly: member of the native BirdLife companion SPEA. Though my credibility was at an all-time low, he was good and well mannered to not rub it in. We exchanged notes on the place to seek out good birds in southern Portugal. I actually hope he’ll discover the Nice Bustards.
The encounter made me assume. Birders are usually very good individuals – at all times keen to level out a particular fowl, lend a telescope, and unlikely to begin a battle. Shouldn’t we put birders accountable for operating the planet? Working example: former emperor of Japan, His Majesty Akihito, is an avid birder. I’ve seen pictures of him in lodges and hides all around the world. He’s at all times smiling. His reign was dubbed Heisei. Heisei being an expression of attaining peace worldwide. His father was not a birder and everyone knows that his reign couldn’t be farther from “peace worldwide”. Come to think about it, Putin in all probability has a cat. He lets it poo within the neighbour’s backyard, little doubt claiming the backyard belonged to him in 931 AD. Out of precaution I gained’t identify the Russian birder finest suited to interchange Vladimirko – he could find yourself dying of pure causes.
With these completely happy ideas I continued birding. The reedbeds will probably be filled with warblers by the point you learn this put up however February is simply too early. My listing for the day had an excellent 50+ species on it however I’ll return for that Savi’s Warbler, Nice Reed Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler bonanza that’s about to begin quickly.
Please be aware that I’m not underneath any contractual obligation to provide dangerous pictures – I’m simply not superb at it. Fortunately, I’ve associates to assist me out. All passerine pictures on this put up have been taken by my pal José Leal. The bigger birds have been photographed by Brad Nelson.