Sal, 2024 December (1 Viewer)

[Vámibimbero]

Hello everyone,

I was able to spend nine days at Sal end of 2024. Before the vacational trip I try to gather information about the birdlife in general, and many thanks to members who shared experiences from this island here.

I managed to see 26 species in total, spending not too much efforts to chasing birds around Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria and surrounding areas, and participating in an organized island-trip.

The highlights were the following observations:

• a white-fronted sparrow lark family (beautiful adult male, female and one freshly fledged chick still dependent on its parents) close to Hotel Riu Funana at the seashore on 25th December;
• 8 whimbrels in one group, very tame/tired birds at Ponta Preta 25th Dec.;
• one adult Mars harrier male in the southernmost point of Sal, flying East, 26 of Dec.;
• Pedra Lume salinas: max. of 18 Brown-necked raven on 27th of Dec.;
• good movements of waders on 29th of December at the shallow lakes north from Santa Maria, westwards from the main road, close to Agua Hotels Sal Vila Verde: Sanderlings, Kentish plovers, Ringed plovers, Little stints, Dunlins, Curlew sandpipers;
• good spot of shallow water just front of Oásis Salinas Sea Hotel with Black-winged stilts, Ruff, Common redshanks, one Black-headed gull, Common sandpiper, Grey heron, Little egret;
• Hoopoe Lark at Buracona area, singing male in several spots;
• Ospreys close to the Casino building in Santa Maria, one wearing colour legring.

I was quite surprised to observe Kentish plovers wearing colour rings in different combinations; do you know something about local ringing projects, or those birds must be long-range migrants from Europe, for ex.?

Krisz