Photos from Lisbon ( part two )

More fantastic photos Galatas and interesting to see some very different species,  Cattle Egret is also my favourite.

A very nice set of photos. Until the last few days I might have had to ask what that strange blue background was - but spring has finally arrived properly in the UK!

If I can be picky...

Galatas said:

Great Grey Shrike

This one is best treated as a Southern Grey Shrike as studies have shown that the southern races are genetically and morphologically distinct from the northern races of Great Grey Shrike (or as an Iberian Grey Shrike - as it is likely that further study will lead to further splitting of the "Great Grey Shrikes").

Galatas said:

Pied Wagtail

Although still considered to be the same species as 'our' Pied Wagtails, this is not a "Pied" Wagtail!

The name Pied Wagtail is used exclusively for the yarrellii subspecies, which breeds in Britain and some adjacent parts of continental Europe. This one is a White Wagtail, which is a name used both for the continental subspecies and for the species as a whole (all Pied Wagtails are White Wagtails, but not all White Wagtails are Pied Wagtails!).

My apologies - hope you enjoyed the trip!    ;o)

Hi Galatas

Fantastic photos again

John

Thanks Roy. As always I'm grateful for any help with IDs.

Thanks for the comment , John.

Lovely photos again Galatas, crested lark I like, and the stork over the motorway having a bird's eye view I suppose.

You were complaining about not seeing many birds, Galatas. They look pretty good to me.

There was a lot we expected to see but didn't. I don't know if we were just unlucky last week but on our previous trips to southern Portugal and western Spain we have seen far more.

Unknown said:

Did you notice whether all those Stork nests were built solely on the object or had the authorities been providing assistance......................

In a lot of cases nesting platforms had been added to the pylons and revolving arms , like wind anemometers , placed strategically to deter them from building on parts where it might interfere with the electricity supply. In other places platforms had been erected at the same height as telegraph poles to encourage them to nest away from the power lines.

Wow! Another cracking set! Those storks' nests are incredible!

Storks nesting in your village is supposed to bring good luck.