Kev H, Mick P and I have just got back from a week-long trip alongside members of the Belvide Ringing Group and West Cumbrian Ringing Group. It was part of a 16-year research project at Vilamoura’s Parque Ambientale to monitor both resident and migrating birds.
Vilamoura sits on the Southern coast of Portugal, and is a feeding site for Western and Central European passerines stopping to rest before continuing their migration to Africa.
We had mist-nets in a few areas around reedbed and scrub. These were good for catching Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Bluethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Willow Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff and Nightingale. A few other interesting residents included Kingfisher, Spanish Sparrow, Short-toed Treecreeper, Zitting Cisticola, and two invasive species - Common Waxbill and Black-headed Weaver.
We re-trapped Reed Warblers from France, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.
Along a track lined with olive trees, we caught Hoopoe and Yellow Wagtail. Nets and spring-traps in stubble fields caught Whinchat, Wheatear, Serin, Linnet and Corn Bunting.
On some nights, we targeted a Swallow roost, and tried for European Nightjar and Red-necked Nightjar with some success.
It was a brilliant experience to learn so much from the other ringers and handle a total of 37 new species between the three of us. It’s our hope to continue the relationship with these groups back home for thermal imaging techniques and Pied Flycatcher nest boxes.
Holly
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European (rear) and Red-necked Nightjars
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| Hoopoe |
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Nightingale
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