Praia do Barril

Just a short walk this morning to Praia do Barril, our local beach. Many people who go there use the narrow-gauge railway to cover the short distance from Pedras d'el Rei but by doing so they miss out on the birds - we prefer to walk!

There are always waders to be seen but at this time of year the trees and bushes can be good for migrant passerines. This morning we found just a handful - two Spotted Flycatchers, a Chiffchaff, two Garden Warblers, a Melodious Warbler and a couple of Northern Wheatears.


From the beach itself only Northern Gannets were passing close enough to the shore for safe identification.

With our binoculars and camera, we somehow felt we should avoid the section of beach that has been designated 'Praia Naturista'.

By the time we were leaving at 9.30am the beach was filling up and we were walking very much against the flow of traffic as we returned to the car park.