Ferreirinha-serrana

Ferreirinha-serrana (Alpine accentor) Prunella collaris.

One of five birds present at Cabo de São Vicente early this year. When I arrived there were two coach-loads of Spanish tourists (very noisy!) who kept the birds away. When they departed this one bird came very close and I managed to get several shots before another coach of German tourists arrived and immediately walked between me and the bird!!




Canon 400D, 500mm f/4 L IS + x1.4 TCII
1/1250s f/6.3 at 700mm ISO 400

Regards,

Colin

Hi Colin,

Great picture!

Five birds is not bad. Any idea of how numbers have evolved in recent years?

best regards,
Gonçalo

Another fine photo

Gonçalo Elias escreveu:Hi Colin,

Great picture!

Five birds is not bad. Any idea of how numbers have evolved in recent years?

best regards,
Gonçalo

Hi Gonçalo,

Up until last winter three birds (some years none) was the maximum I have seen there, and always well spaced and giving rather distant views. These five birds were unusual in that they were often seen together and appeared to be attracted to human activity (a characteristic which these birds often show in other localities). I have seen one or two birds associating with House Sparrows around that horrible visitor centre at Foia, but not for several years now.

Given the large area of similar habitat around Cabo de São Vicente I often wonder whether there are other birds present or if the ones seen are the only ones and are there because of the human presence (market stalls, car-park, etc).

Best wishes,

Colin