Spring in Southern Portugal

Naturetrek Tour Report 17 - 24 April 2018

Report compiled by Philip Thompson

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report Spring in Southern Portugal

Tour participants: Philip Thompson & Keith Buchanan (leaders) with 13 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Tuesday 17th April

Having arrived safely and gathered the group together, it was then a thankfully quick process to arrange collection of our minibus and get under way.

We headed north through the hills that fringe the Algarve. Here the traffic declined and we enjoyed a winding scenic transfer through these little-visited hills. The roadsides held an abundant and diverse range of flowers for the sharp-eyed to pick out. We stopped at a scenic viewpoint Mirador on a hilltop at the halfway point, to stretch our legs and take in a little of the botanical riches to be discovered. Birdlife was unfortunately rather thin for those interested, but the trip ahead would more than make up for it. The most notable plant found were a number of examples of Ornithogalum broteroi: a species confined to Iberia.

Having spent rather too long ‘stretching our legs’, we headed on to complete our transfer to Mertola a little later than planned, where we were soon assigned our rooms and arrangements made to meet up later for our evening meal in town.

Day 2 Wednesday 18th April

Our day today was fully spent within the Castro Verde SPA, looking for the specialised and threatened steppe birds for which the area is renowned. After a short drive from Mertola, we soon stopped at a crossroads on the main road. Here we were able to disembark and pick up our first birding highlights. We concentrated our initial attentions on the numerous White Stork nests with their resident courting couples. Beneath the storks, within their substantial nests, we were able to enjoy some excellent comparison views of both Spanish and House Sparrows that had built their own nests tucked among the twigs and branches provided by the storks. A culvert beneath the road provided a suitable nest site for a pair of Red-rumped Swallows that swooped and settled on the nearby power lines, joined by leggy Zitting Cisticolas and Stonechats. Several interesting plants grew nearby that provided an introduction to some of the commoner species of the region.

We then drove a short distance up the road to take a short walk to a low hilltop trig point. The arable crop alongside the farm track held both Great and Little Bustards that gave good but distant views. Singing from above us were several Calandra Larks that settled on the rough fallow slope on the opposite side of the track. In the centre of the track a Northern Wheatear was joined by a female Black-eared Wheatear that provided a tricky comparison. A final highlight was a Woodchat Shrike that perched prominently nearby on an isolated tree. A very unexpected sighting inland was a passing Whimbrel, more usually seen on passage on the coast.

Next we moved on to pull up opposite the LPN reserve at Sao Marcos da Atoboeira. Scanning the open grassy slopes here, we found a couple more male Great Bustards resting on the ridgeline with an obvious lack of female presence to stir them into action. With this rather tepid display, we moved a little further down the road for another scan with a similar result, resting male Bustards!

A further move was in order with a planned visit to a riverside for a walk. Approaching our destination we were diverted by the sighting of a Roller on the roadside wires. A rapid turnaround found two birds that had moved a

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

little off onto power lines. We drove up a farm track where we could stop and view what turned out to be two pairs of birds alongside their nesting boxes mounted on the pylons. Congratulating ourselves on this stroke of luck, our time had been exhausted before our next lunch stop at the LPN Visitor Centre. We completed the journey, passing through colourful open fields of wildflowers of Echium, Anthemis, Chamaemelum, Glebionis, Spergularia and Rumex all combining to make for a wonderful ever-changing tapestry.

Arriving at the centre we were presented with a wonderful feast of various local dishes, meats and cheeses, followed by a medley of desserts in abundant quantities. Once we had devoured our fill without making a dent in the quantities available, we turned our attentions to the surrounding area. A Little Owl was perched obligingly in a nearby Olive to be admired through the scope. Various raptors put in distant appearances, mainly comprising the local breeding Lesser Kestrels, but also a couple of Montagu’s Harriers and Spanish Imperial Eagles.

After saying farewell, we drove on to complete a circuit on a minor road back to Sao Marcos with a couple of stops along the way. The longest was spent at a river crossing where we picked out a number of interesting plants in the lush vegetation; the highlights were both Narcissus bulbocodium and N. jonquilla.

Day 3 Thursday 19th April

Today was spent within the Guadiana Natural Park with a journey north and visit to the impressive Pulo do Lobo. En route we passed through plentiful attractive habitat of Cistus- and Pine-covered slopes. We paused briefly to admire a small roadside colony of Ophrys tenthredinifera (Sawfly Orchid).

Once through the gates to enter the public estate, we soon parked and walked the remainder of the way to the river cascade. This allowed time to pick out and admire several interesting plants and a few typical birds of the area. Arriving at the dramatic river gorge we were able to pick out Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Crag Martin and Serin in this distinctive habitat. After admiring the surging waters, we were then delighted to spot not one, but six Black Storks drifting overhead! Several local flowers were somewhat behind in their flowering, but we did see a couple of notable, if not showy, species of which Cleome violacea stood out.

Most opted to walk back up the steep hill to the vehicle, where we then moved a short distance to take our picnic lunch on a pleasant hilltop with views all around. Once more food took precedence but once replete, we began to check out some of the interesting plants growing around us. Several species stood out with Scrophularia sambucifolia, Verbascum barnadesii, Campanula lusitanica, Linaria spartea and Halimium umbellatum subsp. viscosum making for an exciting collection.

We then headed back to Mertola, where several of the group took the chance to spend the afternoon exploring the archaeological remains and historic old town. Those that remained with the vehicles travelled on to explore the country to the east of town. Our first stop was a small dam near Corvos in the hope of scarce breeding wildfowl. We were disappointed, with little of note on the water, but a few interesting birds in the surrounding area of which a pair of Black-eared Wheatears stood out. We amused ourselves with the flowers, butterflies and various insects seen during the walk.

Our next stop was overlooking an area of open grassland with a Lesser Kestrel breeding tower on the skyline around which numerous birds were vying with Jackdaws and feral Rock Doves for occupation rights. Around us

2 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

a constant soundscape of singing Calandra Larks was a pleasure. Distant vultures were resolved as mainly Griffons with a couple of Black mixed among them. After time spent enjoying the spectacle we headed back to freshen up before dinner.

Day 4 Friday 20th April

We were due to undertake our transfer today to our second base in Sagres, before which we had ample time and opportunities to explore further en route. We began with a circuit through the southern section of the Castro Verde SPA. Our first stop at a quiet crossroads to scan the area and enjoy the silence. We picked out a number of typical birds of the area before moving on and driving slowly along a gravel road. A couple of Little Bustard and Little Owls were seen from the vehicle before we reached a small irrigation dam surrounded by a recently planted Olive grove. Here a rich and exciting selection of birds were present to delight the group. The initial stars were approximately a dozen Collared Pratincoles resting on the shoreline opposite the vehicles. After carefully disembarking, we were able to admire them through the scopes as they courted and displayed to each other and periodically undertook swirling flights around the dam. Joining them were good numbers of Black-winged Stilts, also clearly breeding here, Greater Short-toed Larks, Black-eared Wheatears and Little Ringed Plovers. Seemingly from nowhere a distant Spanish Imperial Eagle drifted over to range along a nearby mountain ridge with a company of mobbing Ravens to indicate its size. After settling on a prominent boulder, it moved on once more, to drift over considerably closer, enabling us to clinch its ID.

With the morning drawing on, we were forced to move on, but not before a quick stop was required to observe a couple of Great Spotted Cuckoos clearly parasitizing the nest of a Eurasian Magpie. With an egg deposited the female flew out followed by the attendant male!

We completed our southern circuit passing through plentiful evocative and colourful ‘steppelands’ before we rejoined the main road into Castro Verde. We passed on through to reach Ourique where we pulled off to drive up onto a hilltop Mirador with a pleasure garden and seating attached! Here we enjoyed a relaxing lunch sitting beneath the flowering Wisteria.

Continuing our journey we headed south to reach the main coast motorway. We were soon pulling off once more to visit the important coastal wetland of Salgados Lagoon. Our time here was curtailed by the rain that appeared to stop before returning with a vengeance and resulting in a retreat to the vehicles. During our limited time we had still been able to identify a number of new birds for the tour. Several species of wildfowl were joined by waders, Western Swamphens and rare gulls making for a highlight-filled hour.

All that remained was to complete our journey to Sagres and our next comfortable hotel.

Day 5 Saturday 21st April

We travelled north to spend the morning exploring the Serra de Espinhaco de Cao. These hills, covered with Quercus suber (Cork Oak), Cistus and Erica, hold a number of birds not to seen elsewhere during the trip. We began with a walk along a forest track by a clear stream. Among several new plants, such as Hyacinthoides mauritanica and Erica lusitanica, we managed to pick up a couple of sought-after birds of which the distinctively singing Iberian Chiffchaff was a low-key highlight.

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

We moved on for another short foray around a small pond. On the earth embankment a number of Tongue Orchids of a couple of species were seen, which included the spectacular Serapias cordigera (Heart-flowered Serapias), joined by Anacamptis morio (Green-winged Orchid). From a willow nearby an obliging Melodious Warbler poured forth its song and showed well for the group.

A further stop by a small river was taken where we walked a short way taking in the birds and flowers as we went. A couple of Crested Tits were the birding highlight, whilst Centaurea pullata, Linaria amethystea and Anagallis monelli pleased the plant seekers. Back at the vehicle it was decided to take our picnic on the roadside lay-by, rather than risk taking the vehicles down the rain-washed track to the river. This proved fortunate as, whilst eating, a pair of adult Bonelli’s Eagles put in an appearance, drifting past, followed by a Short-toed Snake Eagle on the opposite side of the valley, neither of which would have been visible from the river.

For the afternoon we drove west down to the coast at Aljezur where we took the route to the Praia da Amoreira. We parked up a short distance from the beach where the choice was offered of a walk into the vegetated dunes or a direct walk to the beachside café for a coffee and ice cream. For those that opted to take the dune route, they were rewarded with a whole range of rare, localised and endemic plants growing in this specialised habitat. Notable among the many where the delightful Acis trichophylla popping up from the sand.

Having joined the advance party at the café it became clear that they rather amazingly were not serving ice creams yet this early in the season! After a quick coffee we were off, back on the road heading back to the hotel. One final stop on the way was taken to quickly admire the Paeonia broteri growing on a steep inaccessible slope above the road.

Day 6 Sunday 22nd April

Travelling eastwards, we visited the Alvor Estuary at Quinto da Rocha. Once off the main roads and taking the gravelled access track, we were entertained by the many Bee-eaters perched on the wires alongside that were joined by a trio of Hoopoes. With these two popular species admired, we then soon reached the estuary car park. Without having to move far from the vehicles, we were immediately spotting good things, most obviously being the small flock of Greater Flamingos roosting in the enclosed lagoons. Hovering over the pasture behind us a welcome Black-winged Kite put in an extended appearance.

We began our circular walk, leading first round the sea wall where we moved at a rather gentle pace with many sights and attractions holding the group’s attention. A fine mix of waders was chalked up with a wonderful whistling flock of passage Whimbrel standing out. Among the gulls and terns a single Audouin’s Gull, lone Caspian Tern and a whirling, chasing group of Little Terns overhead were a delight to see. An interesting and diverse range of plants were gradually spotted as we made our way round, of which a mention should be made of the striking and very specialised Cistanche phelypaea parasitizing the salt-marsh plants. Completing the circuit, we were all more than satisfied with a successful morning. The short drive was then taken to visit the headquarters of the A Rocha Foundation where we were able to use their gardens to have our lunch.

The afternoon was then spent in a couple of walks at Boca do Rio at the mid point of our return journey. We began with a walk along the coastal cliffs alongside the river mouth. These held a wonderful range of colourful and scarce plants to enjoy. The only minor drawback was that our visit was too late to see the fine colony of

4 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Orchis italica (Naked Man Orchid) in bloom. What was in flower included gems such as Bellevalia hackellii, Halimium calycinum, Anacyclus radiatus, Thymus camphoratus and Teucrium pseudochamaepitys, although the group will have to excuse the leader’s excitement at finally finding Nonea vesicaria (a personal Holy Grail after many years searching!). Of the birds, a pair of cliff-dwelling Blue Rock Thrushes proved popular.

We next drove the short distance from the beach to walk a level track alongside a large reed bed lining the valley. Here flowers took a back seat to a couple of special birds found here. It did not take long before we heard the distinctive and amazing reeling ‘song’ of the Savi’s Warbler breeding within the dense vegetation. By skill and a little good fortune, the bird was picked out using a favourite bush from which to sing, allowing excellent scope views for the whole group! After everyone had enjoyed this understated warbler, we walked on a little further picking up a Purple Heron that flew from the reeds. We then had time and attention to spare to admire the number of orchids growing on the banks alongside comprising Ophrys speculum, O. apifera, O. lutea and O. bombyliflora.

Day 7 Monday 23rd April

We spent our day exploring the local attractions around Sagres, beginning with the morning spent within the Fort of Henry the Navigator. While still in the car park we were able to see a couple of local endemic and notable plants such as Cistus ladanifer subsp. sulcatus, Teucrium vincentinum and Iberis procumbens. Overhead, thrilling groups of Alpine, Common and Pallid Swifts lived up to their name as they swept past, screaming and chittering as they passed. Once within the fort, we took a slow and leisurely stroll around the perimeter, picking out the birds and flowers as we went. Among the few scrubby bushes a couple of passage migrant passerines were resting and sheltering that included Melodious and Willow Warblers plus a Woodchat Shrike. More regular residents included Blue Rock Thrush, abundant Black Redstarts, and Thekla Larks, joined by an unexpected Hoopoe.

Flower lovers were in their element as we admired the natural rock-garden limestone pavement from which many specialised species sprouted and made their home. Again, among many highlights, a few to mention included Astericus maritimus, Armeria pungens, Astragalus tragacantha, Antirrhinum majus subsp. cirrhigerum and Anagalis monelli, to name only the ‘a’s! A period of time was spent sea-watching during which, among a multitude of Northern Gannets, a couple of Cory’s Shearwater and a party of Common Scoter were sighted.

Our next destination was after a short drive, where we stopped alongside the pine shelter-belt to have lunch. Once refreshed we then took a very short walk out into the Dittrichia heath where we successfully picked out a singing Spectacled Warbler secure in his rather limited and specialised world. To avoid disturbing him too much we retreated to the vehicle to drive on to a cluster of semi-derelict farm buildings where a couple of Little Owls kept watch on the world. Driving on, we then undertook a circular walk through the sandy heath of native plants and planted groves of Pinus pinaster (Maritime Pine). This habitat was similarly full of interesting flowers, several of which had already been noted but did include new finds such as Tuberaria lignosa and Neotinea maculata (Dense- flowered Orchid).

We still had a little time in hand that allowed us to pay our respects at Cape St. Vincent with it’s collection of tourist stalls, coach parties and iconic lighthouse. This duly done we returned to the hotel for another enjoyable meal.

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Day 8 Tuesday 24th April

Due to our midday return-flight time, we still had a morning at our disposal that we duly enjoyed with a walk in the Rio Formosa Natural Park where we set out opposite the end of the Faro Airport runway. The tide was high at the time of our visit so wading birds were rather few, with most roosting deep within the salt-marsh plants. Nonetheless, we enjoyed a pleasant walk with plenty to keep us occupied. Viewing over the lagoons behind the sea wall a few waders were seen, with Hoopoes and Yellow Wagtails flitting to and fro. A resting Osprey was picked out on a post within the tidal estuary that clearly was in no hurry to move, whilst overhead a rather out- of-place Montagu’s Harrier passed by. At the furthest point of the walk we reached a large lagoon on which we could pick out some rather distant birds, comprising Common and Red-crested Pochards, Great Crested Grebes, and a group of roosting Spoonbill, among other, commoner wildfowl.

We slowly made our way back the way we had come to board the vehicles and drive the short distance to the airport where we were in good time for our return flight.

Receive our e-newsletter

Join the Naturetrek e-mailing list and be the first to hear about new tours, additional departures and new dates, tour reports and special offers. Visit www.naturetrek.co.uk to sign up.

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!

6 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* = Iberian Endemic, ** = Portuguese Endemic) Scientific Name English Name (if any)

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Cupressaceae Jumiper Family Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata Phoenicean Juniper

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus halepensis Aleppo Pine Pinus pinaster Maritime Pine Pinus pinea Stone or Umbrella Pine

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS Pre-Dicots Primitive Angiosperms Aristolochiaceae Birthwort Family Aristolochia paucinervis a Birthwort

Eu-Dicots True Angiosperms Acanthaceae Bear's-breech Family Acanthus mollis Bear's-breech

Adoxaceae Moschatel Family Viburnum tinus Laurustinus

Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Carpobrotus edulis Yellow Hottentot Fig Drosanthemum floribundum

Amaranthaceae Amaranth Family Arthrocnemum macrostachyum a Perennial Glasswort Atriplex halimus Shrubby Orache Atriplex portulacoides Sea Purslane Atriplex prostrata Spear-leaved Orache Beta vulgaris Sea Beet Salicornia ramosissima Glasswort Salsola vermiculata Suaeda vera Shrubby Seablite

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Pistacia lentiscus Mastic Tree Pistacia terebinthus Terebinth Tree Rhus coriaria A Sumach

Apiaceae Carrot Family Cachrys libanotis a Cachrys

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Cachrys sicula Sand Cachrys Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire Daucus carota subsp. halophilus ** Wild Carrot Daucus muricatus a Carrot Eryngium dilatatum Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Ferula communis Giant Fennel Ferula tingitana Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water-dropwort Scandix pecten-veneris Shepherds Needles Smyrnium olusatrum Alexanders Thapsia minor * a Thapsia Thapsia nitida Thapsia transtagana Thapsia villosa a Thapsia

Apocynaceae Periwinkle Family Nerium oleander Oleander Vinca difformis a Periwinkle Vinca major Greater Periwinkle

Boraginaceae Borage Family Anchusa azurea Large Blue Alkanet Anchusa calcarea * Anchusa undulata Undulate Anchusa Borago officinalis Borage Cerinthe major Honeywort Cynoglossum creticum Blue Hound's-tongue Echium gaditanum Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss Glandora prostrata subsp. lusitanica Scrambling Gromwell Neatostema apulum Yellow Gromwell Nonea vesicaria

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Biscutella sempervirens subsp. vincentina * A Buckler Mustard Brassica nigra Black Mustard Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherds Purse Coronopus didymus Lesser Swinecress Diplotaxis siifolia subsp. vicentina ** - Iberis procumbens * Candytuft Lobularia maritima Sweet Alison Malcolmia littorea Sand Stock Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish Sinapis arvensis Charlock Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard

Cactaceae Cactus Family Opuntia ficus-indica Barbary Fig

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula lusitanica *

8 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Jasione montana

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera implexa A Honeysuckle Scabiosa atropurpurea

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Corrigiola litoralis Strapwort Dianthus lusitanus * Paronychia argentea Silvery Paronychia Polycarpon tetraphyllum Four-leaved Allseed Silene colorata a Catchfly Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Silene latifolia White Campion Silene littorea a Catchfly Silene niceensis Silene scabriflora * Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Spergularia media Greater Sea Spurrey Spergularia purpurea Purple Spurrey Stellaria media Chickweed

Cistaceae Rockrose Family Cistus albidus Grey-leaved Cistus Cistus crispus a Cistus Cistus ladanifer Gum Cistus Cistus monspeliensis Narrow-leaved Cistus Cistus palhinhae (ladanifer subsp. sulcatus) ** a Cistus Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Halimium calycinum Halimium halimifolium Halimium umbellatum subsp. viscosum Helianthemum origanifolium - Tuberaria guttata Spotted Rockrose Tuberaria lignosa Spotless Rockrose

Cleomaceae Cleome violacea -

Compositae (Asteraceae) Daisy Family Anacyclus radiatus Andryala integrifolia Andryala Anthemis arvensis Corn Chamomile Anthemis maritima - Arctotheca calendula Cape Weed Asteriscus maritimus Yellow Sea Aster Bellis annua Annual Daisy Bellis sylvestris Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Calendula suffruticosa Carduus tenuiflorus Seaside or Slender Thistle Centaurea calycitrapa Red Star Thistle Centaurea sphaerocephala ssp. polyacantha -

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Centaurea pullata - Chamaemelum mixtum a Chamomile Cichorium intybus Chicory Coleostephus myconis Crepis capillaris Smooth hawksbeard Crepis vesicaria Beaked Hawksbeard Cynara algarbiensis * Cynara cardunculus Cardoon Cynara humilis Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta ** - Dittrichia viscosa subsp. viscosa Stink Aster Filago (Evax) lusitanica Evax Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed Galactites tomentosus Galactites Glebionis coronarium var. coronarium Crown Daisy Glebionis coronarium var.discolor Crown Daisy Glebionis segetum Corn Marigold Helichrysum italicum Helichrysum stoechas Curry Plant Helminotheca comosa subsp. lusitanica ** Pallenis spinosa Spiny Pallenis Phagnalon rupestre Phragnalon Phagnalon saxatile Picris echioides Bristly Oxtongue Pulicaria odora - Riechardia gaditana * Scolymus hispanicus Spanish Oysterplant Senecio jacobaea Ragwort Senecio gallicus Senecio lividus Senecio vulgaris Groundsel Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Tolpis barbata Tolpis

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Ipomoea purpurea Common Morning-glory

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum mucizonia Mucizonia Sedum sediforme a Stonecrop Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort

Cucurbitaceae Gourd Family Bryonia cretica subsp.dioica White Bryony Ecballium elaterium Squirting Cucumber

Cytinaceae Cytinus hypocistis Cytinus

Ericaceae Heather Family Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree

10 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Corema album - Erica arborea Tree Heath Erica australis Spanish Heath Erica lusitanica Portuguese Heath

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia helioscopia Sun Spurge Euphorbia paniculata ssp. monchiquensis ** Euphorbia segetalis Mercurialis annua Annual Mercury Ricinus communis Castor-oil Plant

Fagaceae Beech Family Quercus coccifera Kermes Oak Quercus rotundifolia * Spanish Oak Quercus suber Cork Oak

Frankeniaceae Sea Heath Family Frankenia laevis Sea Heath

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium botrys Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Erodium malacoides Mallow-leaved Stork's-bill Erodium moschatum Musk Stork's-bill Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane's-bill Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Geranium purpureum Little Robin

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Lavendula pedunculata - Lavendula stoechas French Lavender Lavendula viridis Green Lavender Phlomis purpurea a Phlomis Prasium majus Prasium Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Salvia verbenaca Wild Clary Stachys arvensis Field Woundwort Stachys ocymastrum A Woundwort Teucrium pseudochamaepitys - Teucrium vincentinum ** - Thymus camphoratus ** -

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Acacia longifolia Anthyllis lotoides Anthyllis vulneraria subsp.maura Mediterranean Kidney-vetch Astragalus boeticus - Astragalus tragacantha Tragacanth Bituminaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Ceratonia siliqua Carob or Locust Tree Cercis siliquastrum Judas Tree Coronilla repanda Coronilla scorpiodes Annual Scorpon Vetch Coronilla valentina subsp.glauca a Scorpion Vetch Cytisus baeticus Cytisus scorparius Broom Dorycnium hirsutum a Dorycnium Erophaca baetica Iberian Milk-vetch Genista hirsuta Hairy Spanish Gorse Genista triacanthos A Greenweed Lathyrus angulatus - Lathyrus cicera - Lathyrus clymenum Lathyrus ochrus - Lathyrus tingitanus Lotus creticus Southern Bird's-foot Trefoil Lupinus angustifolius Narrow-Leaved Lupin Lupinus luteus Yellow Lupin Lupinus micranthus Hairy Lupin Medicago littoralis Medicago marina Sea Medick Medicago murex - Medicago polymorpha Onobrychis humillis - Ononis natrix subsp. ramosisima Large Yellow Rest Harrow Ornithopus compressus Compressed Bird's-foot Retama monosperma Robinia pseudacacia False Acacia Scorpiurus sulcatus Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Trifolium angustifolium Narrow-leaved Clover Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Trifolium cherieri Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium resupinatum Reversed Clover Trifolium scabrum Rough Clover Trifolium stellatum Starry Clover Tripodion tetraphyllum Bladder Vetch Ulex argenteus subsp. argenteus ** Ulex argenteus subsp. erinaceus ** Ulex boivinii Ulex genistoides subsp. spectabilis Vicia benghalensis Purple Vetch Vicia hirsuta Hairy Tare Vicia lutea Yellow Vetch Vicia sativa subsp.sativa Fodder Vetch Vicia sativa subsp. segetalis Common Vetch Vicia tetrasperma Smooth Tare

Linaceae Flax Family Linum bienne Pale Flax

12 © Naturetrek August 18

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Malvaceae Mallow Family Lavatera arborea Tree Mallow Lavatera cretica Small Tree Mallow Malva durieuri - Malva neglecta Dwarf Mallow Malva sylvestris Common Mallow

Moraceae Mulberry Family Ficus carica Fig

Myrtaceae Myrtle Family Myrtus communis Common Myrtle

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus angustifolia Olea europaea Olive Phillyrea angustifolium - Phillyrea latifolia -

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Bartsia trixago Bellardia Cistanche phelypaea * Cistanche Orobanche crenata Bean Broomrape Orobanche foetida - Orobanche minor Common Broomrape

Oxalidaceae Wood-Sorrel Family Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup

Paeoniaceae Peony Family Paeonia broteri * Peony sp.

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Fumaria capreolata Ramping Fumitory Papaver dubium subsp.dubium Long-headed Poppy Papaver hybridum Round-headed Prickly Poppy Papaver rhoeas Common Poppy

Phyllanthaceae Flueggea tinctoria *

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Anarrhinum bellidifolium Daisy-leaved Toadflax Antirrhinum majus subsp. cirrhigerum Climbing Snapdragon Linaria algarviana ** Linaria amethystea * Linaria munbyana Linaria spartea Misopates orontium Weasel Snout Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain Plantago lagopus Hare's-foot Plantain Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Plantago major Greater Plantain

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Plantago maritima Plantago seraria A Plantain

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria macrophylla * - Armeria pungens Spiny Thrift Limoniastrum monopetalum Limoniastrum Limonium ovalifolium -

Polygonaceae Dock Family Rumex bucephalophorus Horned Dock Rumex roseus Rumex scutatus French Sorrel Rumex thyrsoides -

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis (Red and Blue) Scarlet Pimpernel Anagallis monelli Shrubby Pimpernel

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Ranunculus muricatus Ranunculus peltatus Pond Water Crowfoot Ranunculus sceleratus Celery-leaved Buttercup

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda lutea Mignonette Reseda luteola Weld Sesamoides purpurascens

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn Rhamnus lycioides

Rosaceae Rose Family Cydonia oblonga Quince Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Eriobotrya japonica Japanese Loquat Prunus dulcis Almond Pyrus bourgaeana Iberian Pear Rosa canina A Dog Rose Sanguisorba hybrida a Salad Burnet Sanguisorba verrucosa

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Crucianella maritima Rubia peregrina Wild Madder Sherardia arvense Field Madder

Rutaceae Rue Family Ruta angustifolia

Santalaceae Sandalwood Family Osyris alba

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Osyris quadripartita

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Saxifraga granulata Meadow Saxifrage

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Scrophularia frutescens Shrubby Figwort Scrophularia sambucifolia Verbascum barnadesii * Verbascum sinuatum

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Lycium intricatum -

Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family Tamarix africana a Tamarisk

Thymelaeaceae Daphne Family Daphne gnidium Mediterranean Mezereon

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pelitory of the Wall Urtica membranacea Membranous Nettle Urtica urens Annual Nettle

Valerianaceae Valerian Family Centranthus calcitrapae Annual Valerian Fedia cornucopiae Fedia Valeriana tuberosa Tuberous Valerian

Vitaceae Grape-vine Family Vitis vinifera Grape-vine

Liliidae (Monocotyledons)

Alismataceae Water Plantain Family Alisma lanceolatum Narrow-leaved Water Plantain Alisma plantago-aquatica Water Plantain

Amaryllidaceae Amaryllis Family Acis trichophylla Three-leaved Snowflake Allium ampeloprasum Wild Leek Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Allium subvillosum Narcissus bulbocodium Hoop-petticoat Daffodill Narcissus jonquilla Common Jonquil Pancratium maritimum Sea Daffodil

Araceae Arum Family Arisarum simorrhinum Friar's Cowl Arum italicum subsp. neglectum Wild Arum Arum maculatum Lords and Ladies

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Arecaceae Palm Family Chamaerops humilis Dwarf Fan Palm

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Agave americana Century Plant Asparagus acutifolius Asparagus albus Asparagus aphyllus Bellevalia hackellii ** Dipcadi serotinum - Drimia maritima Sea Squill Hyacinthoides mauritanica ** - Leopoldia (Muscari) comosa Tassel Hyacinth Ornithogalum baeticum - Ornithogalum broteroi - Scilla monophyllos Single-leaved Squill Scilla peruviana -

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Bolboschoenus maritimus Sea Club-rush Carex divisa Divided Sedge Cyperus capitatus Cyperus eragrostis Cyperus longus Galingale Eleocharis palustris Common Spike-rush Schoenoplectus lacustris Bullrush Schoenus nigricans Scirpoides holoschoenus Round-headed Club-rush

Dioscoreaceae Yam Family Dioscorea communis Black Bryony

Iridaceae Iris Family Gladiolus italicus Italian Gladiolus Gladiolus illyricus Iris albicans A White Iris Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag Moraea sisyrinchium Barbary Nut Watsonia meriana

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus acutiflorus Sharp-flowered Rush Juncus acutus Sharp Rush Juncus effusus Soft Rush Juncus capitatus Dwarf Rush Juncus maritimus Sea Rush

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis morio Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio subsp. champagneuxii Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Epipactis lusitanica - Gennaria diphylla -

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific Name English Name (if any)

Neotinea maculata Dense-flowered Orchid Ophrys apifera Bee Orchid Ophrys bombyliflora Bumble Bee orchid Ophrys fusca Brown Bee Orchid Ophrys lutea Yellow Ophrys Ophrys speculum Mirror Orchid Ophrys tenthredinifera Sawfly Orchid Serapias cordigera Heart-flowered Tongue Orchid Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid Serapias parviflora Small-flowered Tongue Orchid Serapias strictiflora

Poaceae Grass Family Aegilops geniculata Ovate Goatgrass Ammophila arenaria Marram Arundo donax Giant Reed Briza maxima Large Quaking Grass Briza minor Small Quaking Grass Cynosurus echinatus Rough Dog's-tail Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot Hordeum marinum Sea Barley Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Lagurus ovatus Hare's-tail Grass Lamarckia aurea Golden Dog's-tail Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Parapholis incurva Curved Sea Hardgrass Phragmites australis Common Reed Spartina maritima Cord-grass Stipa gigantea Giant feather Grass

Smilacaceae Greenbrier Family Smilax aspera Common Smilax

Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodel Family Aloe perfoliata Asphodelus aestivus Asphodelus fistulosus Hollow-leaved Asphodel Asphodelus ramosus

Birds (=recorded but not counted; H = heard only) April Common name Scientific name 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa      2 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix H H H H H 3 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 2 2 4 Gadwall Mareca strepera 2 8 6 5 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos    2  4 6 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata 2 1 7 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1 1 8 Common Pochard Aythya ferina 10 8 9 Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca 2 10 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra 20

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 11 Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 2 12 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis 2 4 13 Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus 4 14 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 16 15 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 6 16 White Stork Ciconia ciconia       2  17 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 6 12 18 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis        19 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 3 1 20 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1 21 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 2 6 4 22 Great Egret Casmerodius alba 1 23 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus 5 150+ 24 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis 3 25 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2 2 2 2 26 Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 27 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1 28 Black Kite Milvus migrans 2 5 1 29 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 8 10 12 30 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 2 3 3 31 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 1 1 32 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 10 5 1 1 33 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 2 2 2 1 34 Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti 2 1 1 35 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 2 36 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 1 1 2 37 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni 8    38 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 2 2 6 39 Great Bustard Otis tarda 10 5 40 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax 6 1 3 41 Water Rail Rallus aquaticus H 42 Western Swamphen (Purple split) Porphyrio porphyrio 2 43 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus  44 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra   45 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 1 H 46 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 4 47 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 10 12 48 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 8 49 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1 2 50 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2 1 2 51 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1 3 2 52 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1 1 6 53 Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 2 54 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 25 55 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 1 160 H 4 56 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 20 3 57 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 1 3 58 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 1 3 6 1 2 59 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 10 60 Red Knot Calidris canutus 2 61 Sanderling Calidris alba 2 6

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 62 Little Stint Calidris minuta 1 63 Dunlin Calidris alpina  1   64 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 12 65 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus  66 Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus 1 67 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis      68 Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii 7 1 69 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus    70 Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia 1 71 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 8 12 72 Little Tern Sternula albifrons 6 8 73 Common Tern Sterna hirundo 3 74 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia         75 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus       76 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 2 H 2 77 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto         78 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius 1 3 79 Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1 1 80 Little Owl Athene noctua 1 1 3 1 1 81 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 10 82 Common Swift Apus apus       83 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 8  1  84 European Roller Coracias garrulus 4 85 Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 1 86 European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster 2 12 10 12 8 25 18 87 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 2 1 2 5 1 3 88 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 2 6 8 6 4 2 2 89 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 2 3 2 2 2 2 4 90 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus H H H H 91 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius  3 1 92 Iberian Magpie Cyanopica cooki        93 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica      1 2 94 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 6 95 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula        96 Carrion Crow Corvus corone   6 97 Northern Raven Corvus corax 2 3 2 4 98 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 2 3 99 Great Tit Parus major 2 H  1 100 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 1 101 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 1 102 Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra 20 6  103 Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 2 1 10 104 Crested Lark Galerida cristata         105 Thekla Lark Galerida theklae 1 4 106 Woodlark Lullula arborea H H 2 107 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 6 108 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica         109 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris 6 110 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum         111 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 4 6 2 1 112 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti H H H 1 H 4

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 113 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 1 114 Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus 2 H 115 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 2 116 Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 1 H 117 Savi's Warbler Locustella luscinoides 2 118 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 2 119 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 1 1 120 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis   H 4  6 121 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H 2 1 122 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata H 1 123 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata 1 124 Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans 1 1 125 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 2 4 6    126 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes H H H 127 Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 1 128 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla 1 129 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor         130 Common Blackbird Turdus merula H  1     131 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos H H 2 1 132 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1 1 2 10 2 133 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola    3 6   134 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 135 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1 3 1 2 136 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica 2 1 2 137 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 4 1 138 House Sparrow Passer domesticus         139 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis   140 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild 4 3 141 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae 1 1 10 3 142 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 143 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 1 4 144 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris H 145 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs  146 European Serin Serinus serinus 8 2    147 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris 2 1 2  148 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis        149 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina 4 2 2 150 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra        151 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 4 2 152 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 3

Mammals

Iberian Hare, Lepus granatensis Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Reptiles & Amphibians

Iberian Water Frog, Rana perezi European Pond Terrapin, Emys orbicularis Moorish Gecko, Tarentola mauritanica Large Psammodromus, Psammodromus algirus Spanish Psammodromus, Psammodromus hispanicus Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta lepida Iberian Wall Lizard, Podarcis hispanica

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Butterflies

Spanish Festoon, Zerynthia rumina Spanish Swallowtail, Iphiclides feisthamelii Swallowtail, Papilion machaon Large White, Pieris brassicae Small White, Pieris rapae Green-striped White, Euchloe belemia Western Dappled White, Euchloe crameri Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni Green Hairstreak, Callophrys rubi Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas Lorquin's Blue, Cupido lorquinii Black-eyed Blue, Glaucopsyche melanops Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Wall Brown, Lassiommata megera Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus Meadow Brown, Maniola jurtina Spanish Marbled White, Melanargia ines

Other Invertebrates

Western Demoiselle, Calopteryx xanthostoma Iberian Bluetail, Ischnura graellsii Small Bluetail, Ischnura pumilio Red-veined Darter, Sympetrum fonscolombii Flash-colours Grasshopper, Bryodema tuberculata Field Cricket, Gryllus campestris Beefly, Bombyllius major Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa violacea Minotaur Beetle, Typhaeus typhoeus 7-spot Ladybird, Coccinellia 7-punctata 2-spot Ladybird, Adalia bi-punctata Dung Beetle, Scarabaeus cicatricosus Oil Beetle, Meloe proscarabaeus Leaf Beetle, Chrysolina banksi Whirligig Beetle, Gyrinus natator Giant Centipede, Scolopendra cingtulatus