algarve birding blog account changes

Hello everyone!
For all the ones that normally follow our blog, we will continue to post in a new account.
You can read us here.
Will have more news about bird watching in Algarve and Portugal, about birding events and curiosities in the bird’s world!
See you there!

Sterna Caspia winter arrival

Caspian tern is one of the largest terns in Europe, easy to identify due to is remarkable red bill and black cap. On the 9th September the 1st individuals to Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Mother and chicks

The summer has started strongly and several birds continued their migration north. Others, that choose the Algarve wetlands to breed and the result is on this beautiful photograph. Mother and chicks in Lagoa dos Salgados.

Migratory birds are disappearing

In 2008, 11% of migratory birds were classed by BirdLife International as threatened or near-threatened on the IUCN Red List. Red List indices show that these migrants have become more threatened since 1988, with 33 species deteriorating and just six improving in status.
Analysis of the main threats shows that there are two key pressures which affect nearly 80% of migratory species. These pressures are agriculture which results in habitat degradation and loss, and biological resource use which includes threats such as deforestation and unsustainable hunting. Other important threats include collisions with wind turbines, , electrocution by powerlines, deliberate persecution, poisoning, pollution and disturbance during the breeding period, and. Many existing threats are likely to be exacerbated by climate change.

source: BirdLife International

Glossy Ibis in Salgados

Plegadis falcinellus in April, in Lagoa dos Salgados, Algarve.

Extremely slender but round -winged in flight, elegant, round bodied, but long necked on the ground, the Glossy Ibis looks almost black unless seen closely in good ligth. Then, it shows reflections of bronze and deep coppery red. Migratory specie, most european birds winter in Africa. Gregarious, nests colonially in trees, feeding on fish and amphibious along marshlands.

You can find it in South Portugal for example, in Ria formosa Natural Park, Lagoa dos Salgados and Castro Marim

Iniciation to Digiscoping – pratical issues

Digiscoping is a photography method using a digital camera and a telescope.
On the next 16 and 17 May it will occur an initiation course about digiscoping, in Faro, between 9h30 and 17h. This course will be lead by Julio Caldas and Faisca.
For more information, please contact Alexandra Lopes, by e-mail alexandra.lopes@spea.pt or 213 220 430.
This event will be organized by SPEA with the support of Natura Algarve and Câmara Municipal de Faro.

Curso de iniciação ao Digiscoping – aspectos práticos

Digiscoping é um método de fotografar baseado numa técnica simples que associa a câmara fotográfica digital à ocular de um telescópio.
Nos próximos dias 16 e 17 de Maio irá decorrer em Maio um curso de iniciação ao Digiscoping. Este irá decorrer em Faro, entre as 9h30 e as 17h. Os formadores serão Júlio Caldas e Faísca.
Para mais informações e inscrições por favor contacte Alexandra Lopes: alexandra.lopes@spea.pt ou 213 220 430.
Este curso, organizado pela SPEA (Sociedade Portuguesa para o estudo das Aves) conta com o apoio da Natura Algarve e da Câmara Municipal de Faro.