Now is not the right time of year, but even in winter it’s uncommon

Well that’s true if you are in the Algarve. If you are near lagoons in Alentejo or in the Tagus Valley then you will certainly see them in winter, and even in summer you might be fortunate in the Tagus Valley as there have been nesting attempts there. If you are birder you may have already identified what I am talking about, but if not a birder then hopefully you are at least intrigued!

The bird is the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus). We have seen them in the Algarve thrice – twice overhead and once on the ground. I managed to photograph them once as they flew overhead, and today it is only because of the beak I feel confident these are the right photographs! As you can see though my photographs were much more successful when I saw one on the ground.

This was in the Quinta do Lago, when he/she was happily feeding beside turtles and what I thought at the time was a Red-crested Pochard. However I realise now the other bird I have photographed doesn’t have a red beak so it can’t be a Red Crested one. I’m advised by my better birding half that it is simply a Pochard. So there you go, her friend is a Pochard! For a moment when I was preparing this post I’d thought perhaps it might be a Redhead Duck or Canvasback but of course that was just daft as they are north American birds. Still exploring bird images online kept me amused for a while!But who is the friend

The tourist guide to Birdwatching in the Algarve indicates the Glossy Ibis are common in the Algarve in winter, however the more informative, and I suspect accurate, Aves de Portugal website clearly states they are only observed occasionally in this region. They can flock in their hundreds but even in the Tagus estuary, and the neighbouring Paul da Barroca, you are more likely to see them in their dozens. So I feel quite fortunate that as well as seeing them twice overhead I saw this one in all her glory close up.

Author: BeckyB

It had been a good life walking, cooking, photographing, volunteering, blogging, and best of all spending time with MrB, family, & friends. Sadly it is no longer what it was, as suddenly and unexpectedly I became a widow.

18 thoughts

  1. Pingback: An occasional visitor to the Algarve | It caught my eye in Portugal

  2. These are really beautiful shots, Becky! Mick is the observer with us but I’ve always wanted to do the Sado estuary, south of Lisbon. One day, hey? 🙂 All ok with you and the family?

    1. Oh thank you so much
      And agree one day we’ll make it!!!
      Things ok rather than brilliant here, how’s yours?

        1. Enjoy it whilst it lasts which hopefully will be for an age
          And yes – mostly carer issues for my dad. Otherwise all ok 😊

  3. I’m sorry I just realized that I forgot to clarify the meaning of the sardine saying ( it means “toot my own horn” or something to that effect – don’t know if you have a better expression for it ) .
    You are such a great ambassador to our little country that sometimes I do forget you are not Portuguese 🙂
    Turtle Hugs

    1. I thought it must be something like that, was going to check but the thought of sardines distracted me!!
      our version would be Blow Your Own Trumpet!
      Wish I was Portuguese 😏

      1. Thank you ! Yes that is exactly it “blow your own trumpet” 🙂
        Ah don’t wish for that .. just wish that you can keep on living some months of the year in Portugal and that way you have the best of both worlds 😀
        Turtle Hugs

    1. No you probably won’t!!! However the Exe is very beautiful and has birds I’m sure I won’t see in the Ria Formosa. The dipper perhaps?

      1. Yes I think so, I struggle to remember the names of the ones I see, but the nature reserve near Topsham is quite diverse.

  5. Amazing picture 🙂 and a very fresh new look 😉
    And isn’t Portugal just amazing ??? (she says “a puxar a brasa á minha sardinha” – loosely : lightning the coals on my sardines 😉 )
    Have a beautiful and peaceful weekend
    Turtle Hugs

    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comments about the post and the new look. I’m much happier now I’ve changed it but was struggling a bit on Wednesday as I went through the process!!
      ooh wish I was eating sardines this evening, one of many many things we miss about Portugal

      1. Yes , the process can be a bit cumbersome , but then when everything comes together is a bit like renovating a house 🙂 we soon forget all the headaches 🙂
        I’ll eat some in a few days and think of you 😀

    1. Had to look those up, and yes agree they do. Think the beak of yours though is much more colourful 🙂

  7. Lucky day for you, they are so beautiful and you captured amazing photographs, Thank you dear Becky, have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia

    1. Thank you Nia, and you have a lovely weekend too.
      I’m off to spend the day with a friend in some gardens where hopefully it will be sunny and peaceful, hope you have a lovely day planned too x

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