Experiencing Spring at EVOA – 10,000 Birds

The sentinels of a Portuguese spring have been singing. Whereas strolling the canine I might hear Serin, Wren and several other Black Redstarts proclaiming their territories. 

Mid-February is an early begin for spring – even this far south – however spring is spring, and birds have been ready. I made a decision to return to the Lezírias and particularly, go to EVOA. My plan was to do analysis for this publish, so I made a decision to enter as a typical mortal and never use the digital move. And regretting that call nearly immediately because the gate was closed.

Thankfully, my wait was brief and nicely spent with singing Frequent Chiffchaff within the eucalypts and the adjoining rice fields filled with Shiny Ibis and different waders. After a couple of minutes a automotive appeared, the gate opened, and I used to be off in the direction of EVOA. From the gate to EVOA is about 9 kilometres. There have been birds singing in all places. Corn Buntings have been corny, Zitting Cisticolas have been zitty and Horned Larks have been thankfully nowhere to be seen.

An earlier publish describes how to get to EVOA. EVOA has a collection of commentary hides across the lakes and ponds. It prices € 14 to get in and there are a number of choices, together with guided excursions and a images cover. After a espresso within the wonderful cafetaria I hitched a journey to the primary cover with Luisa, one of many guides at EVOA. She’s enthusiastic and extremely competent and I can guarantee you that’s the norm. If it’s your first time visiting EVOA it may be price your whereas to go for the guided tour.

The ponds have been filled with birds as ordinary with ample Frequent Snipe in addition to Ruff, some Dunlin, Stilts and some geese, together with Pink-crested Pochards. Western Swamphen are frequent and Flamingo often visits the ponds.

Curiously, a fowl of prey set off a psychological experiment. It began with a Western Marsh Harrier flying a thermal. Wait a minute, it’s very mild on the again, nearly like a Booted Eagle. Might it’s? Photos have been taken to verify.

After which one thing unusual occurred… For some purpose, my focus continued on the again feathers and the sample, and the plain harrier confirmed increasingly more traits of the eagle. All of the constructive subject marks that shouted out “harrier” I utterly ignored. Information Luisa did point out the “masks” however nonetheless I saved doubting and discussing. How might this fowl be the rest than a harrier? Tunnel imaginative and prescient? Idée fixée? This phenomenon will not be uncommon. Kenn Kaufman describes an analogous case of mass psychosis in his guide Kingbird Freeway (a Frequent Redshank with black mud on its beak, I imagine). I additionally realise I could also be insisting on a psychological purpose whereas I simply is likely to be an incompetent birder. It’s doable.

Or maybe I get too previous and decrepid. However hey, it has been mentioned earlier than: all is not lost! At EVOA I met the long run – a younger man named Francisco. Eleven years previous and already placing me to disgrace. Not simply me, many birders can take a leaf out of this younger gentleman’s guide. A meticulous word keeper, a eager eye and ear, spectacular information and most significantly: member of the native BirdLife partner SPEA. Though my credibility was at an all-time low, he was good and well mannered to not rub it in. We exchanged notes on the place to seek out good birds in southern Portugal. I actually hope he’ll discover the Nice Bustards.

The encounter made me suppose. Birders are typically very good folks – at all times prepared to level out a particular fowl, lend a telescope, and unlikely to begin a conflict.  Shouldn’t we put birders answerable for working the planet? Living proof: former emperor of Japan, His Majesty Akihito, is an avid birder. I’ve seen images of him in lodges and hides everywhere in the world. He’s at all times smiling. His reign was dubbed Heisei. Heisei being an expression of achieving peace worldwide. His father was not a birder and everyone knows that his reign couldn’t be farther from “peace worldwide”. Come to consider it, Putin in all probability has a cat. He lets it poo within the neighbour’s backyard, little doubt claiming the backyard belonged to him in 931 AD. Out of precaution I gained’t identify the Russian birder greatest suited to switch Vladimirko – he could find yourself dying of pure causes.

With these completely satisfied ideas I continued birding. The reedbeds will probably be filled with warblers by the point you learn this publish however February is simply too early. My record for the day had a great 50+ species on it however I’ll return for that Savi’s Warbler, Nice Reed Warbler and Eurasian Reed Warbler bonanza that’s about to begin quickly. 

Please word that I’m not beneath any contractual obligation to supply unhealthy images – I’m simply not superb at it. Fortunately, I’ve mates to assist me out. All passerine images on this publish have been taken by my pal José Leal. The bigger birds have been photographed by Brad Nelson.