Back in the Algarve

It was still dark when we set out this morning. It was about as warm as you might expect it to be in the UK in January and it was raining. In short, we didn't need any persuading to be heading for Portugal.

We arrived at Faro airport on yet another on-time Ryanair flight at about 2.00pm; by 4.00pm we were in Tavira and another half an hour had us unpacked. Having stood for two months the car needed a bit of encouragement before it burst into life but by 5.00pm we were down the road watching four Short-eared Owls flying over the saltpans. We were supposed to be shopping for essential supplies but it's easy to get distracted even on such a short journey! A couple of House Martins were the only other birds of note seen before we reluctantly accepted the need for just a short visit to the Minipreço, our local supermarket.

Short-eared Owl - one of last winter's images that we hope to improve on during the coming days.

Doubtless there will have to more serious shopping tomorrow...but also more serious birding!