Merops apiaster
(Bee eater)


Neophron percnopterus
(Egyptian vulture)


Coracias garrulus
(Roller)


Otis tarda
(Great Bustard)


Cyanopica cyanus
(Azure-winged magpie)


Ciconia ciconia
(White stork)


Ardea purpurea
(Purple heron)

Birding - Key Sites in Portugal

SAGRES PENINSULA

The Sagres peninsula is a mecca for bird watchers with Alpine and Pallid Swift, Shag, Peregrine, Blue Rock Thrush and Red-billed Chough breeding on the cliffs. On the cliff-tops small populations of Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Short-toed and Thekla Larks, Tawny Pipit, Black-eared Wheatear and Spectacled Warbler add to the interest.

The peninsula is the best site in Portugal for the autumn migration of raptors. Between the end of August and mid November large numbers of Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard and Sparrowhawk can be seen. Other regular species at this time include; Egyptian Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Marsh, Hen and Montagu’s Harriers, Goshawk, Peregrine and Hobby with additional species, including the rare Black Stork, turning up almost daily at peak passages and during late autumn.

THE ALVOR ESTUARY

The estuary is a RAMSAR site, which means it is a key staging area for migrating waterbirds and is also a very important breeding site for Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover and Little Tern. Avocets, , Black & Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrels and Grey Plovers among others winter on the salt marshes and tidal sand flats and is the best site in the western Algarve for both th Caspian Tern and Audouin’s Gull.

LAGOA DOS SALGADOS

Birdlife International recently gave this wetland area IBA (Important Bird Area) status for besides holding important habitats for herons, Greater Flamingos and Spoonbills it is the only breeding site in Portugal for the globally endangered Ferruginous Duck. Words cannot do this area justice as it is just a superb birdwatching spot with Purple Gallinule, Little Bittern and Purple Heron just loving it here!

PARQUE NATURAL da RIA FORMOSA

This 60km long tidal lagoon system includes an impressive variety of wetland habitats. During the winter months flocks of Greater Flamingo and Spoonbill together with thousands of waders and ducks like Shoveler, Teal, Wigeons and Pintail are readily seen. The Spring and Autumn migration brings many species including Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshanks that stop to refuel before flying back and forth from their arctic nesting grounds.

STEPPE LANDS OF THE LOWER ALENTEJO

These gently undulating plains are home to the highly protected Great Bustard with around 60% of the vitally important Portuguese population concentrated in the Castro Verde region. Other resident species include Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, the rare Black-shouldered Kite and Europe’s largest lark, the Calandra Lark. In winter time these are joined by Red Kites and Common Crane and many thousands of Golden Plovers and Lapwing while in the breeding season Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Montagu’s Harrier, Collared Pratincole, Roller and Rufous Bush Robin increase the variety even further. The area is also the Portuguese stronghold for the highly endangered Lesser Kestrel.

CONTACT
info@portugalwalks.com

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