“One of the Algarve’s many attractions in autumn is that migrants can turn up anywhere. Your day might variously begin by enjoying Firecrests and Rock Bunting on hillsides near your hotel, or tingling with excitement at the sight of Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle or other southbound birds of prey circling above your head. ”
Birding the Algarve this autumn
Although an increasingly popular destination with holidaymakers and retirees from Britain, this is a trip that will take you off the tourist track to a land where the likes of European White Stork, Purple Swamphen and local superstar - the Azure-winged Magpie offer the prospect of a truly memorable tour.
Starting in Faro, it’s best to head west - high into the Serra do Monchique and with panoramic views back down to the Algarve coast. The best of southern Portugal’s coastal and inland birding sites lie within easy reach.
The prospect of finding Little Bittern or Audouin’s Gull in amongst the clusters of Little and Western Cattle Egrets, Black-winged Stilts and other wetland birds is a definite possibility. Bluethroats and Common Waxbills are often about in autumn and past surprises here have included Spotted Crake and Pectoral Sandpiper.
One of the Algarve’s many attractions in autumn is that migrants can turn up anywhere. Your day might variously begin by enjoying Firecrests and Rock Bunting on hillsides near your hotel, or tingling with excitement at the sight of Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle or other southbound birds of prey circling above your head.
Early October can be outstanding for birds of prey moving through southern Portugal. Below Monchique, the Algarve’s picturesque wooded hillsides and valleys harbour residents such as Woodlark, Sardinian Warbler and Cirl Bunting, along with autumn butterflies such as the exquisite Two-tailed Pasha and Monarch.
If all this sounds attractive, then we recommend a 7 day trip. Look for a reputable tour company and an enthusiastic guide.
www.visitalgarve.pt
www.birds.pt
www.birding-in-portugal.com
NEXT ARTICLE: More food in spring brings earlier egg laying and increased productivity for Great Spotted Woodpecker
Starting in Faro, it’s best to head west - high into the Serra do Monchique and with panoramic views back down to the Algarve coast. The best of southern Portugal’s coastal and inland birding sites lie within easy reach.
The prospect of finding Little Bittern or Audouin’s Gull in amongst the clusters of Little and Western Cattle Egrets, Black-winged Stilts and other wetland birds is a definite possibility. Bluethroats and Common Waxbills are often about in autumn and past surprises here have included Spotted Crake and Pectoral Sandpiper.
One of the Algarve’s many attractions in autumn is that migrants can turn up anywhere. Your day might variously begin by enjoying Firecrests and Rock Bunting on hillsides near your hotel, or tingling with excitement at the sight of Black Kite, Short-toed Eagle or other southbound birds of prey circling above your head.
Early October can be outstanding for birds of prey moving through southern Portugal. Below Monchique, the Algarve’s picturesque wooded hillsides and valleys harbour residents such as Woodlark, Sardinian Warbler and Cirl Bunting, along with autumn butterflies such as the exquisite Two-tailed Pasha and Monarch.
If all this sounds attractive, then we recommend a 7 day trip. Look for a reputable tour company and an enthusiastic guide.
www.visitalgarve.pt
www.birds.pt
www.birding-in-portugal.com
NEXT ARTICLE: More food in spring brings earlier egg laying and increased productivity for Great Spotted Woodpecker