Wednesday, 19th February 2025, 11:16 a.m.
PN Ria Formosa--Quinta de Marim, Olhão, Faro, Portugal
Peter Milinets-Raby
Three Euros is a steep price for a wild clump of Stone Pine woodland with one tiny hide overlooking the main lake. A low tide visit, so not many waders present. Took the northern path to the lake then returned along the southern track.
| 12 | Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata Six pairs with birds on nests on the lake. |
| 9 | GadwallMareca strepera On the main lake from the hide. |
| 12 | Eurasian TealAnas crecca crecca Hidden along the edge of the lake. Viewed from the hide |
| 2 | Common WoodpigeonColumba palumbus Flying over |
| 9 | Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto Seen around the reserve |
| 5 | Common MoorhenGallinula chloropus On the nain lake, viewed from the hide |
| 1 | Grey PloverPluvialis squatarola On the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 2 | Common Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula On the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 1 | WhimbrelNumenius phaeopus Heard calling from the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 8 | Common RedshankTringa totanus On the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 1 | Common GreenshankTringa nebularia Feeding on the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 1 | DunlinCalidris alpina On the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 14 | Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus On the main lake, viewed from the hide |
| 6 | Yellow-legged GullLarus michahellis Over the reserve |
| 1 | Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus Flying over |
| 7 | Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis Calling frantically and chasing one another on the main lake, viewed from the hide |
| 3 | White StorkCiconia ciconia Flying over |
| 1 | Great CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo Flying over |
| 1 | Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodia On the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. |
| 4 | Little EgretEgretta garzetta One on the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. And 3 in the heronery at the rear of the main lake |
| 52 | Western Cattle-EgretArdea ibis 52 on the nests on the heronery at the rear of the main lake. Watched one bird breaking off a large twig to take back to its nest. |
| 6 | Grey HeronArdea cinerea Three occupied nests in the Pine trees at the near of the main lake |
| 1 | OspreyPandion haliaetus Over the salt marsh on the southern edge of the reserve. Distant views. |
| 3 | Eurasian HoopoeUpupa epops 1, 2. Three birds seen throughout the reserve. Watched one bird take the skin off a hairy caterpillar then roll it in the dirt before tossing it into the air and eating it. Fascinating to observe. |
| 2 | Iberian Green WoodpeckerPicus sharpei Two birds heard calling close to each other. Not showing!! |
| 1 | Eurasian JayGarrulus glandarius Briefly flew from one Stone Pine tree to another |
| 21 | Iberian MagpieCyanopica cooki H,;1 H, 1, 4, 2, 2, 2 scattered around the reserve in the Stone Pines. And 7 feeding on scraps in the picnic area. |
| 5 | Common MagpiePica pica Scattered around the reserve |
| 2 | Crested LarkGalerida cristata Singing |
| 3 | Zitting CisticolaCisticola juncidis Individuals Heard singing |
| 3 | Barn SwallowHirundo rustica 1, 1, 1, passing over |
| 2 | Western House MartinDelichon urbicum By the Fish Farm buildings at the entrance to the reserve |
| 6 | Common ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita 1, 1 1, 2, 1, scattered around the site |
| 2 | Eurasian BlackcapSylvia atricapilla Individuals around the reserve |
| 7 | Sardinian WarblerCurruca melanocephala Individuas H, H, H, 1, H, 1, H singing around the reserve |
| 2 | Spotless StarlingSturnus unicolor Flying over |
| 7 | Eurasian BlackbirdTurdus merula Individuals scattered around the reserve |
| 2 | European StonechatSaxicola rubicola Pair on the eastern side of the reserve |
| 40 | Common WaxbillEstrilda astrild 40+ in the bushes in the main car park. |
| 5 | House SparrowPasser domesticus Around the entrance building's |
| 1 | White Wagtail (alba)Motacilla alba alba/dukhunensis Flew over |
| 1 | Common ChaffinchFringilla coelebs Near the Roman Ruins |
| 3 | European GreenfinchChloris chloris 1, 2 In Stone Pines on the western edge of the site |
| 4 | European GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis By the entrance |
| 3 | European SerinSerinus serinus 2, 1 males singing |