21 - 26 February

 

In the Netherlands is spring far away. So it is a good reason to have a short vacation in a warmer land. I didn't have seen Portugal yet and it is the warmest country in February, if I believe the internet weather station.

The plan was to visit Lissbao some days and to herp some days. In Lissboa we planned to search for a exotic lizard, Madeiran wall lizard (Teira dugesii). It lives in the centrum of the city so it was a good combination with some cultrule rocks. Unfurtenely there was no sun at all and it was very cold, so we didn't even search for lizards but enjoyed some Portugees wine and fish.

We did found some Central Iberian Wall Lizard (Podarcis virescens) near  an old Church. One male was baksing and after some rock flipping we found more. Even a Turkish Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus), but it was to quick for us. So I couldn't make a picture. A shame, because it was a new species for my.

 

After some day spend in Lissboa we drive to the Nortn. Our first stop was by Peniche for Podarcis carbonelli berlengensis. We planned to be there around midday. But to get our rental car, was not easy and take some time. So we arrived a bit later in Peniche. With a strong wind and not mucht sunllight, I only spotted one. But before I get my camera in a good position, it was gone. After some search time we decided to drive to Figueira da Foz. Around here is a old waterstation near a lake. In spring when the animals move from the forest to the water, some fall into old waterholes. So it is easy to search for reptiles and amfibians.

When we arrived in the late afternoon, someone has there before. Alle the traps were emty. Luckly we found some Mediterranean toads (Bufo spinosus), natterjack toads (Epidalea calamita) and a new species for my, a Carbonell's wall lizard (Podarcis carbonelli). After taking some photos with the company of local streetdogs, we drived to the hotel. After checking in and some dinner in town we decided to go to bed.

Next day we were going to Luso for salamanders. After a short drive, I start searching to firesalamanders and gold-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica). The first firesalamander was easy to find. But them it became quiet. But after a time I found under a couple of rocks a old-striped salamander (Chioglossa lusitanica), marbled newt (Triturus marmoratus) and a firesalamander (Salamandra salamandra) again. A perfect time to go back.

Because of the long time searching, there wasn't any time left for other places. So we decided to drive back to the airport to catch to flight back.

 

 

A great mini-vacation with some surprisingly species and verry nice people in and var about Lissboa!

 

Many thanks to Frank Deschandol, Jael Palhas and Gerrit-Jan Verpui for making the trip better.