Faro Marina

Today's the day ............................... to watch the birds

Yes - it was Portugal that we disappeared off to for a few days!

We're right down in the south, in the Algarve region, not very far from Faro - and as you can see, the climate here is quite different from the one we left behind when we flew from Edinburgh yesterday.

This afternoon we were taken on a walk round the Parc Natural da Rio Formosa by Barbara, a very knowledgeable guide to all the birdlife, flora and fauna to be seen in the area.  I've put a few of the birds that we saw down below - namely little egret, spoonbill and pintail ducks.  

We were also delighted to see our old friends, the purple swamphens, or as they are known in New Zealand, pukekos.  In fact, they actually appear on the logo of the Parc - a real claim to fame .........................