Disappointing to get no replies. The few days we had there, the birding was limited due to heavy rain, which made some of the tracks and trails no go areas. I imagine it would be stunning in Spring
MERTOLA TO CASTRO VERDE. 18 NOV 2018
Driving along the EN123 road we saw eurasian magpie, azure winged magpie, iberian grey shrike, hoopoe, corn bunting, sardinian warbler, red legged partridge, white wag tail, white stork, red kite, raven, griffon vulture, crested lark, then on the north side of the road, one kilometer before the turn off for Salto, great bustard, pulling off the road, we counted them, thirty one. Brilliant.
Taking the minor road from the EN123 to the IP2 we saw buzzard, little grebe, spoonbill, black kite, cattle egret. We arrived at the Centro de Educacao Ambiental Vale Goncalinho but unfortunately it was not open, but within the area we saw a male hen harrier, tree sparrow, black redstart and little owl.
MERTOLA TO PULO DO LOBO AND SURROUNDING AREA 19NOV 2018
We saw a number of familiar species; eurasian magpie, azure winged magpie, iberian grey shrike, hoopoe, corn bunting, sardinian warbler, red legged partridge, white wag tail, red kite, griffon vulture and raven. At Pulo do Lobo we saw blue rock thrush, chiffchaff and twenty five cormorants over the Rio Guadiana.
On the drive we came across large, fifty plus flocks of linnets, corn buntings and chaffinches. Around the area of Corte Pequena we saw seven black-bellied sandgrouse, dark phase booted eagle and three great bustards in flight.
