Tagus Estuary

Azure-winged Magpie (Stephen Daly)

A fantastic day was had spent in the semi-urban wilds of the Tagus Estuary on the doorstep of Lisbon. Aside from Azure-winged Magpies, Corn Buntings, Sardinian Warblers, Wood Sandpiper, loads of Greater Flamingoes and a vagrant Lesser Yellowlegs we had no less than 16 species of raptor.

We were treated to amazing views of Black-shouldered Kite, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Bonelli's Eagle, Black Kite, a male Montague's Harrier, ringtail Hen Harriers, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Osprey, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, Hobby, Kestrel and Merlin!

Mind blowing stuff! Tomorrow, it will be a more gentle touristy walk around the city before a bout of urban birding in Lisbon Gardens, a park in the shadow of the mighty Vasco da Gama Bridge.