Tuesday, 18th February 2025, 5:43 p.m.
PN Ria Formosa--Praia dos Cavacos, Olhão, Faro, Portugal
Peter Milinets-Raby
A brief wander along to the preferred lagoon west of the farm house before and after sunset. It was high tide and an impressive number of Dunlin, Knot and Grey Plover had come in to roost on a couple of the salt pan embankments. Most of the other waders and duck had left the site.
| 2 | Common ShelduckTadorna tadorna Two on the preferred lagoon west of the farmhouse |
| 2 | Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata on the preferred lagoon west of the farmhouse |
| 7 | Northern PintailAnas acuta Flew off heading east. |
| 4 | Common WoodpigeonColumba palumbus 4 heading south. |
| 4 | Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto Around the properties rooftops |
| 3 | Black-winged StiltHimantopus himantopus on the preferred lagoon west of the farmhouse |
| 1 | Pied AvocetRecurvirostra avosetta on the preferred lagoon west of the farmhouse |
| 17 | Grey PloverPluvialis squatarola High tide roost on two salt pan embankments 3, 1, 4, 9, (precise count from photos). |
| 18 | Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula High tide roost on two salt pan embankments 8, 5, 1, 2, 2,; (counted from photos). |
| 4 | Kentish PloverAnarhynchus alexandrinus High tide roost on two salt pan embankments 1, 1, 2 |
| 2 | Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos Two individuals |
| 5 | Common RedshankTringa totanus On various salt pans |
| 6 | Ruddy TurnstoneArenaria interpres High tide roost on two salt pan embankments |
| 83 | Red KnotCalidris canutus High tide roost, together on one particular salt pan embankment. |
| 4 | SanderlingCalidris alba 2, 1, 1, milling about the salt pan banks. Do they ever stop? |
| 385 | DunlinCalidris alpina High tide roost on two salt pan embankments 32, 76, 37, 7, 24, 67, 66, 37, 19, 20, (precise count from photos - an impressive sight) |
| 22 | Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus Feeding on two salt pans at dusk. |
| 17 | Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis 7, 2, 5, 3 passing over heading south |
| 94 | Greater FlamingoPhoenicopterus roseus On the preferred lagoon, fairly close together, preparing to roost for the night. |
| 2 | White StorkCiconia ciconia One over and one on the nest by the wooden walkway |
| 11 | Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodia On the preferred lagoon west of the farm house |
| 33 | Western Cattle-EgretArdea ibis Groups of 18, 4, 2 2, 2, 2 2, all heading south west to roost. And one particular tame bird searching for scraps on the top of a large plastic waste bin. |
| 1 | Grey HeronArdea cinerea Passing over |
| 2 | Eurasian HoopoeUpupa epops Two individuals. One feedingin a garden amongst the properties adjacent to the salt pans |
| 46 | Iberian MagpieCyanopica cooki A flock of 42 and 4, seen flying east to their nighttime roost in the scrub west of the prcompkex. |
| 12 | Common MagpiePica pica Together in one tree by the rail crossing, preparing to roost. |
| 3 | Crested LarkGalerida cristata Singing late after sunset |
| 3 | Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidis Individuals singing |
| 2 | Barn SwallowHirundo rustica Passing over |
| 14 | Western House MartinDelichon urbicum Over the properties |
| 8 | Common ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita Singles scattered around the site |
| 2 | Cetti's WarblerCettia cetti Both heard singing |
| 1 | Eurasian BlackcapSylvia atricapilla Heard calling |
| 5 | Sardinian WarblerCurruca melanocephala Individuals singing |
| 3 | Spotless StarlingSturnus unicolor Rooftops |
| 6 | Eurasian BlackbirdTurdus merula Individuals around the scrub and properties |
| 1 | European RobinErithacus rubecula Heard clicking call |
| 1 | Black RedstartPhoenicurus ochruros Perched on the wall of one of the complex properties |
| 2 | European StonechatSaxicola rubicola Males singing |
| 13 | House SparrowPasser domesticus Properties adjacent to the salt pans |
| 1 | White Wagtail (alba)Motacilla alba alba/dukhunensis Passing over |
| 3 | European SerinSerinus serinus Three individuals singing males |