April 6, 2006
Lisbon
Last weekend I jetted off to Lisbon to meet up with an English guy living in Switzerland, a Mexican girl I met in Cambridge and a French couple I knew from Canada - small world! Birding wasn't really on the cards, but I was happy just to explore and soak up the sun and the wonderful 20°C temperatures. One bird you can't miss though, are the thousands of wheeling Pallid Swifts over the city - I've never seen such a concentration!
Other typical city birds were Serin and Black Redstart, while Firecrest and Blackcaps were both singing in the greener areas. This Lesser Black-backed Gull (digibinned) looked like it had seen better days.
It was a joy to see butterflies out and about, including this Wall Brown (?)
and Red Admiral.
I'll finish with a selection of scenic shots from the weekend. Here's a typical, hilly street.
Blue sky!
Views over the city.
The monastery, market and orange tree at Belem.
Lisbon or San Francisco? Apparently this bridge was designed by the same team responsible for the Golden Gate Bridge, but is even longer!
Palms in the Botanic Gardens.
Cheeky advert.
