Spring in Southern Portugal

Naturetrek Tour Report 9 - 16 April 2019

European Bee-eater Mirror Orchid

Eurasian Hoopoe Red-rumped Swallow

Report compiled by Pete Stevens Images courtesy of Chris Griffin

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: Pete Stevens and Chris Griffin (leaders) with 15 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Tuesday 9th April

The members of our group arrived through the morning and afternoon of the first day eventually all gathering by about four o'clock when we picked up the vehicles and headed off to our first hotel in the small, ancient hilltop town of Mertola. It was a pleasant drive up through the rolling hills of the Algarve and we had already seen our first White Stork on its nest before we hit the motorway.

On the smaller road towards Mertola we soon saw Iberian Magpies crossing in front of us before we stopped to stretch our legs and have a scan around. European Bee-eaters flew around over our heads and the first Common Swifts for most of us this year flew past. A pair of Red-legged Partridges provided some close views and the first of many Crested Larks was singing nearby. On the bank below the road was a large stand of French Lavender of the Portuguese type (sub-species lusitanica) and on one stem we found a tiny and attractive ladybird spider. Another attractive plant here was Gladiolus ilyricus.

On arrival at Mertola Red-rumped Swallows were seen around the old bridge and soon we were booking into our hotel for the next three nights. Overlooking the Guadiana River we were all soon watching birds from our balconies and listening to Cetti's Warbler in bushes on the opposite bank, while Spotless Starlings sang from the rooftops and on the opposite side of the hotel dozens of House Martins were nesting.

Day 2 Wednesday 10th April

The next morning we set off to look for bustards on the rolling plains near Castro Verde. At our first stop before arriving at the plains we quickly picked up a smart Black-eared Wheatear. The first of many Clouded Yellow butterflies passed us and we found a settled Small Copper. In the distance a Griffon Vulture soared up then over the nearby hillside and another large bird of prey turned out to be an Imperial Eagle which was soon followed by a Short-toed Snake Eagle. At the next stop we overlooked a small reservoir with Iberian Water Frog calling and on the edge of the reservoir we spotted two Little Ringed Plovers. There was then some excitement as a Great Spotted Cuckoo flew past and landed briefly in a tree.

Among the range of small flowering plants here was the pretty Spotted Rock-rose (Tuberaria guttata) and at the edge of a previously cultivated field Weasel Snout (Misopates orontium) and Pale Flax (linum biene)

Onwards towards Castro Verde we saw roadside White Stork nests on the telegraph poles, nearly all of which had House Sparrows and Spanish Sparrows sharing the storks' construction to place their own nests. Soon we moved into the wide spaces of the pseudo-steppe and we turned off the main road to search the large fields for bustards. After a short while we stopped to scan and picked up a group of Great Bustard slowly picking their way through the tall grass on the hillside. A butterfly found here was identified as Green-striped White (Euchloe belemia). Onwards we searched Scanning one area a Stone Curlew flew over and at one halt Michelle spotted a large black insect on the road. Pete was able to retrieve it from danger to show the group an Oil Beetle (Meloe variegatus) - a strange and wonderful beast.

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

With lunchtime fast approaching we made our way back to the main road and through the town of Castro Verde to the League for Nature protection (LPN) education centre. LPN is the oldest environmental defence association in the Iberian Peninsula; founded in 1948 it has been carrying out demonstration work and research since 1993 on the compatibility between species conservation and farming activities in the region. Here a local family put on a marvellous spread of traditional Portuguese dishes for us, including some delicious sweets and coffee.

After lunch before we took a stroll up to a small tower overlooking the reserve and some of the group were lucky enough to see two Black-bellied Sandgrouse fly over and land in a distant field. The track we then took held large patches of the tiny Purple Spurrey (Spergularia purpurea) and Small Heath butterfly was added to the list on the way. Breeding in the tower were both Lesser kestrel and a few pairs of Jackdaw. Then near a low fence in the distance Chris picked up a lone Little Bustard. We scoped the bird for some time until all of the group had got a good look at this scarce bird. It had been a sunny day but with a cool breeze picking up we made our way back to the vehicles.

On our way back to Mertola we took another detour to search for more bustards. A stop next to a ploughed field turned up three more Stone Curlew that allowed us fine views and along the ridge flew a Montagu's Harrier, the third today but giving us the best views. Our last stop on the detour provided views of another Great Bustard, difficult to see at first before it came into the open and looked superb in the bright afternoon sun.

Back to the main road and close to our first stop of the day Tom spotted a large bird of prey. We alighted from the vehicles and were treated to a low fly-over by a Cinereous Vulture, for some the highlight of the day and one of the best views one could expect of this species.

This evening we ate out at a local restaurant and had great fun deciphering the menu and drinking wine from rustic jugs. The meal turned out to be a fine one and a fitting end to the day.

Day 3 Thursday 11th April

A warm and sunny start greeted us the next day. Loading up the van Squirting Cucumber was noted to be growing on the bank opposite the hotel and touching one of the fruits the group was amused to see Pete get a considerable squirt dampening even his shirt!

Soon we set off to visit the steep valley called Pulo do Lobo, or Wolf's Leap. Our first stroll of the day was only a few miles north of Mertola in an area of cistus, brooms, Tree Heath (Erica arborea), Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) and small trees. We heard Subalpine Warbler as we pulled off the road then almost immediately picked up a pair of Woodchat Shrikes. The male was displaying to a seemingly uninterested female. Shortly after we heard and then saw a Thekla’s Lark singing from the top of a small tree and good views were gained of this sometimes difficult species to identify. A Woodlark provided brief views. At this site we also found Dipcadi or Brownbell (Dipcadi serotinum). Cistus species included: Cistus crispus, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus albidus and Cistus monspelliensis).

Our next stop was beside open fields with a scattering of Evergreen Oak (Quercus rotundifolia). As we admired the views from here Griffon Vulture started to rise into the sky and eventually we counted twenty-three in the

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Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

air. On roadside telegraph wires Southern Grey Shrike were common. Reaching the entrance to Pulo do Lobo we drove slowly along the steep gravel track only stopping as a stork flew over: Black Stork, a real treat.

At the small car park we left the vehicles and followed the short boardwalk to the thundering river. Crag Martins and Red-rumped Swallows whizzed around our heads and below us over the swirling river. Then a song attracted our attention to a male Blue Rock Thrush. The immediate landscape was a 'rock garden' with the endemic pink (Dianthus lusitanus), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis) in blue and red and hairy Spanish Gorse (Genista hirsuta). In the 'rock pools' were found Iberian Water Frog and Freshwater Blenny (Salaria fluviatilis).

As Chris and Pete Strolled back to start preparing the lunch at the small picnic area Pete shouted out, drawing the groups attention to a Bonelli's Eagle drifting low over the valley. After lunch we were making to leave as the Black Stork soared back into our sight before we headed back towards Mertola. A stop on the way enabled several of the group to photograph the Italian Gladioli (Gladiolus italicus) when a twittering over our heads drew our attention to Common Swifts mating on the wing.

Back at Mertola some of the group took the opportunity to explore the ancient town while the rest of us headed east stopping for close views of Spanish Sparrow below Storks nests and then a stop at a large reservoir near Mina de Sao Domingos. Here we saw White Wagtail, Moorhen and an Iberian Green woodpecker. Plus, in a smaller body of water below the dam a European Pond Terrapin. Close to the town we explored the historic mine workings and railway works before returning to Mertola.

Day 4 Friday 12th April

Today was our transfer day. We initially headed east towards Castro Verde again. On one tree-lined road a Black- winged Kite took flight from a tree very close to our passing vehicle. Then, shortly afterwards, Great Bustards were spotted, one on the right and two on the left of the road. After a stop for coffee we headed on to our lunch stop on the south coast.

Arriving at Lagoa de Salgado we parked up and while Marigold kindly offered to help prepare the lunch with Pete, Chris took the group over to view the lake and marsh. The group were not disappointed as the first birds seen were a flock of over 100 Greater Flamingo feeding and displaying within yards of the viewing area. Gadwall, Mallard, Northern Shoveler and Pochard were all present. The heron family was represented by Cattle and Little Egrets and a Grey Heron, while a flock of Glossy Ibis was a first for many of the group.

Waders included Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper and Kentish Plover, while Zitting Cisticolas bounced around above the marsh in their display flights.

Soon it was time to call the group back to their picnic lunch at the base of the dunes. After lunch we walked up the boardwalk over to the beach for a quick look. Dune plants were flowering either side of the boardwalk including: Thrift (Armeria maritima), Sand Stock (Malcolmia littorea), and the distinctive Dune Gallingale (Cyperus capitatus).

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

From the end of the boardwalk we could see a passage of Sandwich Terns, some distant Northern Gannets and at the edge of the sea three Sanderlings. We then went back for another look over the lagoon picking up three Collard Pratincoles, a male Red-crested Pochard and a Western Marsh Harrier over the marsh. It was then time to move on to Sagres for the next four nights.

After booking in some of the group relaxed on their balconies while others joined Chris and Pete for a stroll to the nearby headland. During the walk we noted plants including Dwarf Spurge (Euphorbia exigua), Portuguese Heath (Erica lusitanica), Hare's-foot Clover (Trifolium arvense) and at the opposite end of the spectrum, size wise, Century Plant with their flower stems towering perhaps five metres above us. The birds of the evening were four Red-billed Chough.

Day 5 Saturday 13th April

Today our first stop was at a small valley called Boca da Rio which is close to the sea. Here we stopped to look over the wetland full of Sea Club-rush (Scirpus maritimus) with several Little Egrets feeding. Sardinian Warblers were abundant here and a small flock of Bee-eaters perched to provide us with the best views yet. We then drove north to explore the hills and the west coast of the Algarve. Up in the hills we pulled into a car park overlooking Barragem da Bravura, a huge reservoir. It was bare of birds, but in pines nearby we heard, then saw, Crested Tit. Then we found first the Portuguese subspecies of Mirror Orchid (Ophrys speculum lusitanica) then Tongue Orchid (Serapias lingua). We also saw Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor) at the edge of the car park.

We stopped on the way to the coast for our picnic and here were treated to Spanish Fritillary butterfly (Eurodryas desfontainii) and Lorquin's Blue (Cupido lorquinii) a scarce butterfly outside of Southern Iberia.

It was here that we heard our first Iberian Chiff-chaff of the trip and a couple of the group managed to get a sighting. After lunch we moved onto a small valley leading down to the sea west of Aljezur: Vale de Sancho. We parked the vehicles and walked slowly along the road where beside a damp, scrubby area we stopped to admire two singing Nightingales. High on a wire above the valley was a lone male Cirl Bunting and beside the road we found the Large Psammodromus Lizard (Psammodromus algirus). There were very few waders on the estuary and saltmarsh and only three Black-headed Gulls, so we moved on to search the wooded dune slopes behind the mobile dunes and beach. The plant highlight here was Twinflower (Linnaea borealis). On the way up the slope were several Green Hairstreak butterflies (Callophrys rubi), while at the top of the rise were a couple more Cirl Bunting. We were all hot and thirsty by then, so we decamped to the beach where a breeze and an ice-cream cooled us down for the drive back to Sagres.

Day 6 Sunday 14th April

Sunday saw us heading east again this time to the Alvor Estuary. As we approached on a gravel track we had to stop for superb close-up views of more Bee-eaters. Then we drove to the lower end of the saltmarsh where we walked a track between the marsh and the coastal lagoon. A large group of Whimbrel flew in and among the Yellow-legged Gulls were two Audouin's gulls and two Slender-billed Gulls, the latter scarce this far west. On exposed sand were two Kentish Plovers and a Sanderling and on the marsh four Yellow Wagtails of the Iberian subspecies. Among the Samphire (Salicornia ramosissima) were some sturdy specimens of Cistanche (Cistanche phelypaea) while on the edge of the track we found two Star of Bethlehem plants (Ornithogalum narbonense).

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Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Returning to the vehicles we saw a Red-legged Partridge on a red tiled roof! We drove up to A Rocha field study centre for our picnic. From here we saw Black Kite and a Western Marsh Harrier circling close together. In the fields nearby Quail was calling. Then as we were ready to serve lunch a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker flew through the gardens. We chased out after it and most of the group got good views of the bird in a small tree nearby.

After lunch and use of the Centres facilities we took a short walk down the path. One of many Hoopoes during the trip flew past us. Borage (Borago officinalis) was in profusion next to the path and dotted around were a few Love-in-the-Mist (Nigella damascena) and a few lovely spikes of Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis).

Heading back west we stopped off for a short walk in the Boca de Rio, quickly finding two Woodchat Shrikes before heading back to the Hotel.

Day 7 Monday 15th April

In the morning Chris headed out for the last of his pre-breakfast sea watches. So far he and the early risers had picked up Balearic Shearwater, Arctic Skua and Pomarine Skua, as well as a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins. This morning Chris and Tim added two Great Skuas, and a Whimbrel that landed on the top of the cliff, plus a large pod of Common Dolphins

Our last full day was spent exploring the habitats close to Sagres. A stop at Bechite Fort allowed us to view the sea for a short while and surprisingly a group of about thirty Common Scoter flew past going roughly north.

The first excitement was at Cabo St Vincente, the most south-westerly point of Europe, as a pair of Peregrine soared and stooped at great speed. The tiercel even stooped at a Common Swift, missing it by a few centimetres it appeared.

Among the profuse flowering plants and rocky bare areas Stonechats and Black Redstart enabled close views for us, but, a couple of Short-toed Larks were elusive, flying up then disappearing in the low scrub.

As the clouds moved in and a cold wind picked up we headed off on a small road inland a mile or so to take a more sheltered walk in a heathy landscape with scattered pines. On the way a distant group of Chough were seen. On arriving a Thekla’s Lark stood atop a small pine to give us a good view then we heard and soon spotted Iberian Chiff-chaff. An attractive moth sheltering from the breeze was later identified by Tim as Passenger (Dysgonia torrida). Spanish Psammodromus (Psammodromus hispanicus) was slightly slower to move in the lower temperature this morning. An Iberian Hare (Lepus granatensis) was still quick on its feet, but not quick enough to elude the group. Our only Chaffinch of the trip sang in the cover of the woodland here but did not show itself. As the wind dropped and we warmed up we returned to the vehicles and after a short stop at the local Supermarket we drove to a nearby beach, Martinhal, for our picnic.

In the afternoon we made our way back towards Cabo St Vincent, then took a gravel track past woodland through pasture and heath. The group strolled through the heath and woodland to reach a small rise from which there were 360 degree views. On the way Woodlark called and Short-toed Lark evaded us while a Cirl Bunting gave most of us a view. A call brought people's attention to a small bird flying through the trees and there was a Wryneck. Then overhead soared a Short-toed Eagle; the best views of the trip. Reaching the rise we were treated

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

to Barn Swallows and Red-rumped Swallow hawking just below. Sadly it was soon time to make our way back for our final night in Sagres.

Day 8 Tuesday 16th April

After a lovely evening we rose late today and eventually got on our way back to Faro just before 9.30am. Having a little time to spare before the flights we drove straight to the Ludo Farm area of the Rio Formosa that lies close to the airport. An area of wetlands, woods and saltpans, we picked up five new species for the trip here: Reed Warbler, Shelduck, Purple Heron, Greenshank and, surprisingly, Tawny Owl. The owl made the mistake of giving a hoot as we passed, and Chris managed to find the bird perched deep in a tree yards from the track. All of the group then saw the owl through the telescope. A great end to a wonderful holiday exploring the wildlife and scenery of this region.

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Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* = Iberian endemic, ** = Portuguese endemic, + = cultivated or naturalised) Scientific name Common name Notes

Cupressaceae Jumiper Family Cupressus sempervirens Italian Cypress Occasional mainly planted Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata Phoenicean Juniper Common

Ephedraceae Joint Pine Family Ephedra fragilis Joint Pine One beside motorway from Faro in flower

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus pinea + Umbrella Pine Common

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS

DICOTYLEDONS

Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Carpobrotus edulis + Yellow Hottentot Fig Common particularly near coast

Amaranthaceae Amaranth Family Beta vulgaris Sea Beet Alvor saltmarsh Salicornia ramosissima a Glasswort Alvor Estuary

Anacardiaceae Sumach Family Rhus coriaria A Sumach Alvor Estuary

Apiaceae Carrot Family Crithmum maritimum Rock Samphire Sagres cliff near harbour Eryngium maritimum Sea Holly Alvor Est. Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Widespread and common

Apocynaceae Dogbane Family Vinca major + Greater Periwinkle Alvor Est.

Asteraceae Daisy Family Bellis perennis Common Daisy Occasional Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Near Mertola Centaurea pullata Dunes Praia de Monte Clerigo Filago vulgaris Common Cudweed Alvor Estr. Glebionis coronaria Crown Daisy ✓ Helichrysum italicum Curry Plant Alvor Est. Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy Occasional Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Headland near Sagres Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Road to Pulo da Lobo

Boraginaceae Borage Family Borago officinalis Borage Alvor saltmarsh fields Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss LPN reserve near Castro Verde

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Malcolmia littorea Sand Stock Dunes Lagoa Salgado

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Notes

Raphanus raphanistrum Wild Radish Alvor Est.

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Centranthus ruber + Red Valerian Rare roadside plant

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Dianthus lusitanus a Pink Pulo da Lobo Silene littorea Shore Catchfly Dunes Praia de Monte Clerigo Spergularia purpurea Purple Spurrey Tracks LPN Reserve near Castro Verde

Cistaceae Rockrose Family Cistus ladanifer Gum Cistus ✓ eg road to Puylo de Laob Cistus monspeliensis Narrow-leaved Cistus ✓ eg Boca de Rio Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus ✓ eg Boca de Rio Halimium atriplicifolium a Yellow Rock-rose ✓ Tuberaria guttata Spotted Rock-rose ✓ eg Pulo de Lobo

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Headland near Sagres Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Widespread and common Ipomoea purpurea + Common Morning-glory ✓

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Umbilicus rupestris Wall Pennywort Road to Pulo da Lobo

Cucurbitaceae Gourd Family Ecballium elaterium Squirting Cucumber Mertola near hotel

Ericaceae Heather Family Arbutus unedo Strawberry Tree Road to Pulo de Lobo Erica arborea Tree Heath Road to Pulo de Lobo Erica lusitanica Portuguese Heath Headland near Sagres

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia exigua Dwarf Spurge Headland near Sagres Euphorbia paralias Sea Spurge Dune Lagoa da Salgado

Fabaceae Pea Family Anthyllis vulneraria subsp. maura Mediterranean Kidney-vetch Headland near Sagres Genista hirsuta Hairy Spanish Gorse Widespread and common Lathyrus cicera Red Vetchling ✓ Lathyrus clymenum Crimson Pea ✓ Lotus creticus Southern Bird's-foot Trefoil Headland near Sagres Lupinus micranthus Hairy Lupin ✓ Medicago arabica Spotted Medick ✓ Medicago lupulina Black Medick ✓ Medicago sativa Lucerne Near Aljazur Trifolium arvense Hare's-foot Clover Lagoa da Salgado Trifolium stellatum Starry Clover Frequent

Fagaceae Beech Family Quercus ilex Holm Oak Widespread and common Quercus suber Cork Oak Occ. roadside and entrance to Pulo do Lobo

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Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Notes

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-wort ✓ Centaurium erythraea subsp. grandiflorum Common Centaury ✓

Geraniaceae Crane's-bill Family Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Headland near Sagres Geranium molle Dove's-foot Crane's-bill Occasional

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Marrubium vulgare White Horehound ✓ Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary ✓ eg Pulo da Lobo

Linaceae Flax Family Linum bienne Pale Flax Widespread and common

Moraceae Mulberry Family Ficus carica Fig Occasional

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Bartsia trixago Bellardia Boca da Rio Cistanche phelypaea * Cistanche On Samphire Alvor est. Orobanche minor Common Broomrape eg Barragem da Bravura Orobanche alba Thyme Broomrape Fields near A Rocha Orobanche pupurea Purple Broomrape Road to Puloda Lobo

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory Widespread and common

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Antirrhinum majus subsp. cirrhigerum Climbing Snapdragon Road to Praia de Monte Clerigo Misopates orontium Weasel Snout Near Mertola Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain Widespread and common on tracks Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain ✓ Plantago major Greater Plantain ✓ Plantago maritima Sea Plantain Alvor Est.

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria macrophylla * Large-leaved Thrift dunes Lago salgado

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis (red or blue) Scarlet Pimpernel Widespread and common

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Nigella damascena Love-in-a-mist Fields near A Rocha

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda lutea Mignonette ✓

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Rhamnus alaternus Mediterranean Buckthorn Dunes Praia de Monte Clerigo

Rosaceae Rose Family Rosa canina Dog Rose ✓

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Notes

Rubus ulmifolius a Bramble ✓ Sanguisorba minor subsp. verrucosa a Salad Burnet Barragem de Bravura

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Verbascum thapsus Great Mullein ✓

Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family Tamarix africana African Tamarisk ✓

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-Wall ✓

MONOCOTYLEDONS

Alismataceae Water-plantain Family Alisma plantago-aquatica Water-plantain Road east of Mertola

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium ampeloprasum Wild Leek Near Mertola Allium roseum Rosy Garlic Alvor Est.

Arecaceae Palm Family Chamaerops humilis Dwarf Fan Palm Headland near Sagres

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Agave americana Century Plant Headland near Sagres Dipcadi serotinum Brown Bluebell road to Pulo de Lobo Muscari comosum Tassel Hyacinth Headland near sagres Ornithogalum narbonense Southern Star-of-Bethlehem Trackside Alvor Est.

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Bolboschoenus maritimus Sea Club-rush Boca de Rio Cyperus capitatus Sand Galingale Dunes Lagoa Salgado

Iridaceae Iris Family Gladiolus illyricus Illyrian Gladiolus eg Road from south to Mertola Iris pseudacorus Yellow Flag near Aljazur

Juncaceae Rush Family Juncus effusus Soft Rush Boca de Rio

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Anacamptis pyramidalis Pyramidal Orchid Fields near A Rocha Ophrys speculum subsp. lusitanica * a Mirror Orchid Barragem da Bravura Serapias lingua Tongue Orchid Barragem da Bravura

Poaceae Grass Family Ammophila arenaria Marram Dunes Lagoa Salgado Arundo donax + Giant Reed Boca de Rio Briza maxima Large Quaking-grass Widespread Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot ✓ Hordeum marinum Sea Barley Dunes Lagoa Salgado Hordeum murinum Wall Barley Widespread

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Notes

Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass ✓ Phragmites australis Common Reed Ludo farm marsh Stipa gigantea Giant Feather-grass Near Martinhal Beach

Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodel Family Asphodelus aestivus Common Asphodel Widespead. At roadsides often Linnaeus borealis Twin flower Dune woodland Praia de Monte Clerigo Calutea arborescens Bladder Senna Dune woodland Praia de Monte Clerigo Lathyrus latifolius Broad-leaved everlasting Pea Boca de Rio

Birds (✓=recorded but not counted; h = heard only) April Common name Scientific name 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 2 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix h h h h 3 Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 1 4 1 4 Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 14 5 Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata ✓ 6 Gadwall Mareca strepera ✓ 7 Teal Anas crecca 2 8 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 9 Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina 1 10 Common Pochard Aythya ferina ✓ 11 Common Scoter Melanitta nigra c30 12 Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea 2 1 13 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus 102 3 14 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 1 15 White Stork Ciconia ciconia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 16 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus c40 17 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 18 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 38 1 1 35 19 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 1 1 1 1 20 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea 1 21 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 2 1 8 1 22 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 23 European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 24 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 25 Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 1 1 2 26 Red Kite Milvus milvus 2 1 27 Black Kite Milvus migrans 2 1 1 28 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 1 23 29 Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus 1 1 30 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 6 1 1 1 31 Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus 1 2 32 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 3 1 33 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 2 1 1 34 Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti 1 35 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 2 36 Eurasian Hobby Falco subuteo 1 37 Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni ✓ 38 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 2

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 39 Great Bustard Otis tarda 5 3 40 Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax 1 41 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 1 1 42 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra ✓ 43 Eurasian Stone-Curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 4 44 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus ✓ ✓ ✓ 45 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta ✓ 46 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2 47 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 1 2 3 48 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 18 65 1 49 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa 11 50 Common Redshank Tringa totanus h 51 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia 1 52 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 2 6 53 Sanderling Calidris alba 3 1 54 Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola 2 4 55 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 2 3 56 Slender-billed Gull Chroicocephalus genei 2 57 Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus 1 58 Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 2 2 59 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 10 2 60 Audouin's Gull Larus audouinii 1 1 61 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1 62 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica 1 63 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 64 Great Skua Stercorarius skua 1 2 65 Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 1 66 Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus 1 67 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 2 68 Rock Dove / Feral Pigeon Columba livia ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 69 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 70 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1 1 71 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 72 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius 3 1 73 Tawny Owl Strix aluco 1 74 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 1 75 Common Swift Apus apus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 76 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 1 77 European Bee-Eater Merops apiaster ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 78 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops ✓ ✓ h ✓ ✓ ✓ 79 Eurasian Wryneck Jynx torquilla 1 80 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor 1 81 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major h h h h 82 Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus sharpei 1 h 83 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 84 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 8+ 2 3 85 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 1 86 Iberian Magpie Cyanopica cooki ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 87 Eurasian Magpie Pica pica 8 6 2 1 88 Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax 4 c40 89 Western Jackdaw Coloeus monedula 6 2 2 1

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 90 Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2 2 91 Northern Raven Corvus corax 2 h 2 1 92 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 1 h 93 Great Tit Parus major 1 h 1 94 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 1 1 95 Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra c8 96 Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla 4 97 Crested Lark Galerida cristata ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 98 Thekla's Lark Galerida theklae 1 2 99 Woodlark Lullula arborea 1 h 100 Sand Martin Riparia riparia 1 1 101 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 102 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris ✓ ✓ 103 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 104 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 105 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti h 1 h h h h h 106 Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus 2 1 107 Eurasian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus h 108 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 109 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla h h h 110 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata 2 111 Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans 1 112 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 113 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes h h h 114 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea 1 h 1 115 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla h 116 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 117 Common Blackbird Turdus merula ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 118 European Robin Erithacus rubecula h 119 Common Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos h h h h h 120 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1 1 2 121 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 122 Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica 1 123 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 3 124 House Sparrow Passer domesticus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 125 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis ✓ ✓ 126 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava iberiae 1 4 127 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 2 1 128 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 1 129 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs h 130 European Serin Serinus serinus ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 131 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris h ✓ h ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 132 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 133 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 134 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 135 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 4 1

Mammals (RK = road kill) 1 Western Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus RK 2 Iberian Hare Lepus granatensis 2 3 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus ✓ ✓

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 4 Shrew sp. RK 5 Wild Boar Sus scrofa S 6 Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus c10 7 Common Dolphin Delphinus sp c100

Reptiles 1 European Pond Terrapin Emys orbicularis 1 1 10+ 2 Large Psammodromus Psammodromus algirus 1 1 3 Western Psammodromus Psammodromus occidentalis 3 4 Western Montpellier Snake Malpolon monspessulanus RK

Amphibians 1 Iberian Water Frog Pelophylax perezi ✓ ✓ h 2 Great crested newt RK

Butterflies 1 Wood White Leptidea sinapis 1 2 Small White Pieris rapae ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3 Bath White Pontia daplidice 1 4 Green-striped White Euchloe belemia 1 5 Clouded Yellow Colias crocea ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 6 Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni 1 7 Green Hairstreak Callophrys rubi 4 8 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 9 Lorquin's Blue Cupido lorquinii ✓ ✓ ✓ 10 Brown Argus Aricia agestis cramera ✓ ✓ 11 Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta ✓ ✓ 12 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui ✓ ✓ ✓ 13 Spanish Fritillary Euphydryas desfontainii ✓ 14 Wall Brown Lassiommata megera ✓ ✓ ✓ 15 Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus ✓ ✓ ✓ 16 Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina ✓ ✓ ✓ 17 Spanish Marbled White Melanargia ines ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Moths 1 Cream-spot Tiger Arctia villica 1 2 Passenger Dysgonia torrida 1 3 Scalloped oak Crocallis elinguaria 1 4 Cerocalla scapulosa 1

Other Invertebrates 1 Iberian Bluetail Ischnura graellsii 1 2 Winter damselfly Sympecma fusca 1 1 3 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii 1 4 Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea 1 5 Field Cricket Gryllus campestris h 6 Beefly Bombyllius major 1 7 Carpenter Bee Xylocopa violacea 2 8 7-spot Ladybird Coccinellia 7-punctata 1

Spring in Southern Portugal Tour Report

April Common name Scientific name 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9 Dung Beetle Scarabaeus cicatricosus 1 10 Oil Beetle Meloe proscarabaeus 1 1 11 Whirligig Beetle Gyrinus natator ✓ 12 Thick-legged flower beetle Oedemera nobilis 1 13 Crab Spider (white) 1 14 Ladybird Spider Eresus (niger) cinnaberinus 1 15 Wolf spider sp. ✓ 16 Funnel web spider sp ✓ 17 Ruby-tailed wasp Chrysis ignita ✓ 18 Soldier beetle Cantharis rustica ✓ 19 Marsh damsel bug Dolichonabis limbatus ✓