Loic Poidevin / Red legged partridge (Alectoris rufa) walking across dry stone wall, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Mike Read / White stork (Ciconia ciconia) pair silhouetted on nest at sunset near Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, February.

Roger Powell / Pair of Montagu's harriers (Circus pygargus) undertaking a courtship food pass, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Little owl (Athene noctua) perched on a fence post, stretching its wings, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Little owl (Athene noctua) perched on a fence post, ruffling its feathers, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) perched on a rock and stretching its wings, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Five Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) in flight, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) perched on the back of a sheep, with another on the ground, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April.

Roger Powell / Stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) approaching nest of two eggs, Guerreiro, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, April

Roger Powell / Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in flight carrying a large stick to its nest, Guerreiro, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, May

Roger Powell / Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in flight, Guerreiro, Castro Verde, Alentejo, Portugal, May

Roger Powell / Pair of European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster) on a bank above their nest hole in front of flowers. Note regurgitated pellets of insect remains. Alentejo, Portugal, April.