12th October 2025 – Fuseta, Portugal

Whilst Portugal was going to the polls in the country’s local elections (which are apparently poised to be another win for Europeโ€™s far right) we were taking it easy on a stroll through the salt pans of Fuseta. We weren’t alone – there seemed to be be more people cycling, running and walking along the long distance path along the Algarve than heading to the polls. But to be fair, listening to the voices in the local square at lunch time there were more French people than Portuguese. This may be one of the reasons why the Portuguese are complaining about the cost of housing – the problem is particularly critical in Lisbon, where average home prices have shot up by nearly 80 percent over the last five years and are currently hovering at โ‚ฌ5,769 per square meter.

We were so refreshed from the rest over the last few days that we were up to see the sun rising. And what a treat it was with a flock of spoonbills flying over the sun.

Spoonbills flying over the rising sun

Spoonbills

The flamingos had flown away last night but they were back when we awoke this morning.

An early morning grey heron

Pied avocets in the foreground

I’m not a great fan of gulls but they looked good as the sun rose:

Yellow-legged gull

Black-headed gull

A crested lark at the beginning of our walk

The railway station just 5 minutes from our apartment on the outskirts of Fuseta

Our apartment (a converted carpenter’s workshop) seen from the other side of the salt pans

A pied avocet

Still dragonfly season here

Across the salt pans to the mountains in the backgound
Black-winged stilt

Sanderling

Salt mountain from the other side

Looking back at Fuseta

The salt pans of Fuseta

The salt pans of Fuseta

As we approached the village we were heading for there were lots of plants still in flower.

At the village we discovered the cafรฉ/restaurant was closed and so we headed back to Fuseta.

View from our terrace

Common ringed plover in the stream by our terrace

Redshank in the same place

… and a curlew sandpiper

Comments

6 responses to “12th October 2025 – Fuseta, Portugal”

  1. robbiesinspiration Avatar

    The salt pans are very interesting. There are salt pans in Botswana and Namibia but I havenโ€™t been there yet. The stilt is gorgeous. Such interesting legs.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Michael Sammut Avatar
    Michael Sammut

    Great shots, especially the first one!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Michael Sammut Avatar
    Michael Sammut

    The unnamed gulls are Yellow – legged Gull and Black- headed Gull. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Liked by 1 person

    1. martintayler Avatar

      Thanks, Michael. I was definitely being lazy with the gulls. We have plenty of black-headed but only yellow-legged occasionally. Generally,we have herring gulls. Glad you liked the spoonbills over the sun – my favourite so far.

      Martin Tayler

      Martinโ€™s bird & nature blog: http://martinsbirdblog.com

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Michael Sammut Avatar
    Michael Sammut

    You’re welcome. Always a pleasure.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Holly Uses Avatar

    Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing- Portugal is on my list and I’ve only heard of Lisbon before. Will have to check this out one day”)

    Liked by 1 person

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