Portugal
In the past the Algarve has been rather under-rated as a birdwatching destination but increasingly it is being recognised as an attractive area in which to see a wide range of Mediterranean species. In spring and particularly in autumn it is also an important staging area for migrant passerines and waders. Autumn also sees many raptors passing through as well as a small but interesting selection of seabirds.
Of course, we’ve known this for some time and have been showing these birds to the many visitors from the UK, Germany, Holland and elsewhere who travel to Portugal independently. Now we have agreed to lead two tours here in 2010 for Avian Adventures.
Each one-week tour will based in a very comfortable hotel in Tavira and will visit the best birding sites along the coast as well as the Alentejo region to the north. Resident species that can be expected on both tours include Red-crested Pochard, Purple Swamp-hen, Greater Flamingo, Southern Grey Shrike, Eurasian Hoopoe, Thekla Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Blue Rock Thrush, Great and Little Bustards. If we’re lucky we might also see Golden or Spanish Imperial Eagle.
In addition to these, the spring trip offers the possibility of Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers, Yellow Wagtail, Red-necked Nightjar, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Woodchat Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear, Melodious Warbler and others.
A feature of the autumn tour will be raptor migration at Cabo da São Vicente , the most south-westerly point in mainland Europe. Here we expect to see Short-toed and Booted Eagles and amongst the many Eurasian Griffon Vultures there is the possibility of a Black Vulture or even a Rüppell’s Griffon. This should also be a good time to find Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls and it may be possible to arrange a boat trip in the hope of seeing such species as Cory’s, Balearic, Sooty and Great Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel.
Of course, we’ve known this for some time and have been showing these birds to the many visitors from the UK, Germany, Holland and elsewhere who travel to Portugal independently. Now we have agreed to lead two tours here in 2010 for Avian Adventures.
Each one-week tour will based in a very comfortable hotel in Tavira and will visit the best birding sites along the coast as well as the Alentejo region to the north. Resident species that can be expected on both tours include Red-crested Pochard, Purple Swamp-hen, Greater Flamingo, Southern Grey Shrike, Eurasian Hoopoe, Thekla Lark, Sardinian Warbler, Southern Grey Shrike, Spotless Starling, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Blue Rock Thrush, Great and Little Bustards. If we’re lucky we might also see Golden or Spanish Imperial Eagle.
In addition to these, the spring trip offers the possibility of Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers, Yellow Wagtail, Red-necked Nightjar, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Woodchat Shrike, Black-eared Wheatear, Melodious Warbler and others.
A feature of the autumn tour will be raptor migration at Cabo da São Vicente , the most south-westerly point in mainland Europe. Here we expect to see Short-toed and Booted Eagles and amongst the many Eurasian Griffon Vultures there is the possibility of a Black Vulture or even a Rüppell’s Griffon. This should also be a good time to find Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls and it may be possible to arrange a boat trip in the hope of seeing such species as Cory’s, Balearic, Sooty and Great Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel.
