Raptors to Bustards

Portugal trip, 14th April to 1st May 2006

Systematic List
Part III: Raptors to Bustards

Note: All dates refer to April 2006 except where specified.
Species in pink are likely to be of most interest to British birders

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BLACK KITE Milvus migrans (Milhafre-preto)

Surprisingly, none positively identified in the Algarve, though a probable seen from a moving car. Near Lisbon, up to 4 at Pancas on 19th and 20th and 1 at Ponta da Erva on 20th. Slightly easier in the Alentejo where counts included 8 at Elvas on 23rd.


Black Kite, Elvas, 24th April
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RED KITE Milvus milvus (Milhafre-real)

One seen with a Black Kite east of Mourão (in Spain) on 21st.


Black Kite (left) and Red Kite (right), east of Mourão, 21st April
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BLACK-WINGED KITE (Black-shouldered Kite) Elanus caeruleus (Peneireiro-cinzento)

One at Ponta da Erva on 19th (thanks to Julio Caldas and Sparky Faísca) with 2 there next day.


Black-winged Kite, Ponta da Erva, 20th April
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GRIFFON VULTURE Gyps fulvus (Grifo-comum)

Eight seen together just west of Mértola on 25th.


Griffon Vulture, west of Mértola, 25th April
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SHORT-TOED EAGLE Circaetus gallicus (Águia-cobreira)

One distantly in the hills north Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo on 15th.
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MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus (Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis)

The commonest harrier around Lisbon with birds seen at Barroca d’Alva, Pancas and Ponta da Erva including 6 at the latter site on 19th. Elsewhere in the Algarve 2 at Ludo Farm on 29th and 1 at Castro Marim on 30th.
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MONTAGU'S HARRIER Circus pygargus (Tartaranhão-caçador)

A total of 27 seen, mostly in the Alentejo. One at Barroca d’Alva on 16th was the only one in the Lisbon area. Best count in the Alentejo was 6 between Mértola and Castro Verde on 25th. In the Algarve singles at Azinhal and Ludo Farm on 29th and up to 2 daily at Castro Marim 27th, 28th, 30th and 1st May. All but 6 of the 27 were males.



Montagus's Harriers, Elvas, 24th April


Montagus's Harrier, Castro Marim, 27th April
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BUZZARD Buteo buteo (Águia-d'asa-redonda)

A total of 13 seen involving 1-2 birds at ten locations.
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BOOTED EAGLE Aquila pennatus (Águia-calçada)

A total of 8-9 birds seen: 1 at Tomar on 18th, 2 at Pancas on 19th with 1-2 there the following day, 2 between Montemor-o-Novo and Arraiolos and 1 at Arraiolos on 21st, 1 at Évora on 24th and finally 1 over Castro Marim on 30th.




Booted Eagle, Pancas, 20th April



Booted Eagle, Montemor-o-Novo, 21st April


Booted Eagle, Castro Marim, 30th April
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LESSER KESTREL Falco naumanni (Peneireiro-das-torres)

Two records: a flock of 5 east of Mourão (in Spain) on 21st and 23rd and a flock of 12 between Mértola and Castro Verde (near Tacões) on 24th.



Lesser Kestrels, Tacões, 24th April
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KESTREL Falco tinnunculus (Peneireiro-vulgar)

Small numbers (1-2) seen at a variety of locations.


Kestrel, Pancas, 19th April


Kestrel (and House Sparrow), Elvas, 23rd April


Kestrel sp. (probably Common), Elvas, 24th April
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MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus (Galinha-d'água)

Common.


Moorhen, Elvas, 23rd April
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PURPLE GALLINULE (Swamphen) Porphyrio porphyrio (Caimão)

On 15th, 3 at a site between Ludo and Quinta do Lago and 4 at Quinta do Lago.




Purple Gallinule, Quinta do Lago, 15th April
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COOT Fulica atra (Galeirão-comum)

Common breeding bird especially in the Algarve where young seen at several sites.


Baby Coot, Quinta do Lago, 15th April
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LITTLE BUSTARD Tetrax tetrax (Sisão)

A total of 19 seen but many more heard calling. East of Mourão (in Spain) males seen and heard included 15 on 23rd (including a flock of 6 in flight). In the Alentejo, seen at Elvas and around Mértola with a total of 16 calling males located between Mértola and Castro Verde on 24th.






Little Bustards, between Mértola and Castro Verde, 24th April
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GREAT BUSTARD Otis tarda (Abetarda-comum)

At least 22 seen. In Spain, east of Mourão, 2 seen on 21st and 22nd with 6 there on 23rd. In the Alentejo, between Mértola and Castro Verde, an impressive disparate group of 16 was located near São Marcos da Atoboeira.




Great Bustard, east of Mourão, 22nd April


Great Bustard, east of Mourão, 23rd April
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Click here to go on to Part IV of the systematic list: Shorebirds

Part I: Wildfowl and Gamebirds
Part II: Grebes to Flamingo
Part IV: Shorebirds
Part V: Other non-passerines
Part VI: Passerines
Part VII: Other non-avian wildlife

Or to return to the overview of the regions visited, including very brief details of the main birding sites:

Algarve I - 14th to 16th April
Lisbon - 16th to 21st April
Alentejo - 21st to 26th April
Algarve II - 26th April to 1st May