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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 submit, so I made a decision to enter as a typical mortal and never use the digital move. And regretting that call nearly immediately because the gate was closed.
Luckily, my wait was brief 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 direction of EVOA. From the gate to EVOA is about 9 kilometres. There have been birds singing in all places. Corn Buntings have been corny, Zitting Cisticolas have been zitty and Horned Larks have been luckily nowhere to be seen.
An earlier submit describes the best way to get to EVOA. EVOA has a collection of remark 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 traditional with plentiful Frequent Snipe in addition to Ruff, some Dunlin, Stilts and some geese, together with Crimson-crested Pochards. Western Swamphen are widespread and Flamingo often visits the ponds.
Apparently, a hen 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. May or not it’s? Footage have been taken to substantiate.
After which one thing unusual occurred… For some motive, my focus continued on the again feathers and the sample, and the plain harrier confirmed increasingly more traits of the eagle. All of the optimistic discipline 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 hen be the rest than a harrier? Tunnel imaginative and prescient? Idée fixée? This phenomenon will not be uncommon. Kenn Kaufman describes an analogous 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 motive whereas I simply could be an incompetent birder. It’s potential.
Or maybe I get too outdated and decrepid. However hey, it has been stated earlier than: all will not be misplaced! At EVOA I met the longer term – 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 notice 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 suppose. Birders are usually very good individuals – at all times prepared to level out a particular hen, lend a telescope, and unlikely to begin a battle. Shouldn’t we put birders in control of working the planet? Working example: former emperor of Japan, His Majesty Akihito, is an avid birder. I’ve seen images 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 reaching 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 received’t identify the Russian birder finest suited to interchange Vladimirko – he could find yourself dying of pure causes.
With these joyful ideas I continued birding. The reedbeds will likely be filled with warblers by the point you learn this submit however February is simply too early. My listing for the day had a great 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 notice that I’m not beneath any contractual obligation to provide dangerous images – I’m simply not excellent at it. Fortunately, I’ve mates to assist me out. All passerine images on this submit have been taken by my buddy José Leal. The bigger birds have been photographed by Brad Nelson.
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