Many people have urged me to tell the Quinta’s story on this blog, and seeing as I haven’t written anything for, (heavens above!), two months, it seems only fair that I should do something a little special, so here’s a small video Daniela and I put together over the last week; we hope you enjoy it!
Lapwing
A-Lapwing-20081024_1821, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.
The first Lapwings are arriving back again to over-winter here. We find a lot of them on the plains of the Alentejo along with Golden Plovers.
Hares
A-Hare-20090328, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.
Sometimes our northern European visitors are surprised to see so many hares near the Quinta, but the countryside suits them admirably. Prime eagle food they have to be alert and quick ….
Red-Deer-20090908
We drove back through a part of Extramadura in Spain, just keeping our eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary, and one of the sights was the above.
Now, before anyone starts having a go at me about the subject being out of focus … take a look through his horns. The wonders of camouflage, eh?!
Dipper-20090908
I had a break with Daniela at the beginning of the week and we decided to go north and grab ourselves a Dipper; thanks to a very informative offer from Rui Marcão we were able to do just that and the above is the result. We were looking for some other species as well but sadly we blew out on all of them – not surprising really as the temperature was well over 40ºC/105ºF and it was a tad warm even for us.
At the Birdfair
The Montados Talk
I’ve been asked by several people for a copy of the talk I gave at the Birding fair in Rutland last week, and I said that I would post it up here …. but even a précis goes on for ever, and on a blog that’s normally made up of snippets it’ll look wildly untidy, so please, if you’re waiting for it to appear, wait no longer as it ain’t going to happen! Just email me through this site and I’ll send it to you.
Thanks to everyone who came to hear me; some of you traveled immense distances and your efforts of support were much appreciated; next time you’re out here, the drinks, (wine of course), are on me!
At the Birdfair …
OK, for everyone who reads this blog or who may stumble upon it by accident please note that I’m going to be in the UK next week, principally at the British Birdwatching Fair. I’m going to have the same stand as always, Marquee 4 Stand 97, and sincerely hope to see you there!
I’m also going to be giving a lecture on the Threat to the Montados and what we can all do to save it, (Sunday 23rd August 15.30, Lecture Marquee 2), so I also hope that some of you will be able to make it to that also! I haven’t posted a picture of this as there’re plenty on this blog already, but please come along and have a chat at the Birdfair; see you there!
Fun for all the Family!
Well, this is something that Daniela’s been working on for a while now …. and it’s a real success! That’s what we think anyway. Why don’t you let us know what YOU think by sending us an email at info@retreat-in-portugal.com. We’d love to hear your opinion!
Loading-the-genny
Loading-the-genny, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.
A wicked crew! Funnily enough there were no accidents and nobody lost their temper, though at times there was a glut of Chiefs and not nearly enough Indians … Great to have so many old friends here – and their kids – all at the same time, the best birthday present ever!