Later we go up the hill behind the campsite to a rather different habitat. This is open ground with bermuda buttercup, old thistle stems and friars cowl forming the ground cover. Bermuda buttercup is a relative of the wood oxalis, and was introduced from South Africa. It is a smothering plant that has invaded grasslands along the west coast of Iberia. Friars cowl is native, a diminutive relative of the wild arum.
Insects proved to be of great interest, in particular a large green grasshopper that flew past us several times but which we have great difficulty in locating when it landed. Eventually we track it down to within photographic distance and identify it as the solitary phase of the migratory locust. The climate here does not favour development of the migratory phase, and the insect does not reach plague proportions. It is difficult to find on the ground because it dives in behind vegetation and then creeps out to keep an eye on the world from where it is well camouflaged against a leafy background. There are other grasshoppers too, and a few butterflies, particularly the Mediterranean form of the speckled wood, which, at first glance, resembles a wall brown.
Wrens have been conspicuous by their absence for the last couple of weeks, but today we hear them singing from a park in Setubal where there are tall canary palms, and we also hear them from olive groves.
At last we have the van back in working order. It seems the garage was taking advantage of the insurance situation, and making sure they got as much out of the deal as possible. We are just looking forward to a comfortable night.
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