THE ALGARVE, PORTUGAL

plus the Alentejo and a day trip to the Coto Doñana

Azure-winged Magpie by Phil Palmer

Spring comes early to the warm Algarve, which is one reason why holidaymakers have been attracted here since the nineteenth century. For the birdwatcher there is the promise of a wide variety of habitats within a relatively compact area, supporting large numbers and a wide variety of breeding and passage birds.

We will be based in the rural centre of the Algarve, giving strategic access to remote rocky headlands, river estuaries, marshes and mountains. In addition, there will be a day trip to the unspoilt plains of the Alentejo, with its swathes of wildflowers and open country birds. We will also make an excursion over the border into Spain to visit the world famous Coto Doñana Reserve.

Our base is a quiet hotel in the traditional small town of Sao Bras de Alportel, where the town park and historical trail provide good birding on the doorstep. Here is the ambience and charm of an area which has changed little throughout the centuries, where avian delights can be enjoyed in peace. Just north of town the Serra de Alcaria do Cume hills have wooded slopes with raptors, woodpeckers, Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Subalpine Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow and Rock Bunting. Bee-eaters abound - they are still a common bird in the Algarve, as are Hoopoes, Nightingales, Red-necked Nightjars and many more species. There is plenty of habitat for migrants arriving from Africa, and we are likely to find something unusual during the week.

ITINERARY

CASTRO MARIM

The Guadiana is a major river which forms the border with Spain and opens into an area of saltpans, marsh and scrub which is now a protected area. Greater Flamingos and Collared Pratincoles are amongst the wide variety of birds to be found here. Audouin's Gull has increased and is now reliably found. Pallid Swifts breed on the castle. Little Owls can be seen and the many larks include Lesser Short-toed and Woodlark. Large numbers of migrants pass through and we will be hoping for Great Spotted Cuckoo, Roller, and Wryneck. A wide variety of warblers include Spectacled and Melodious. A nearby woodland has the Iberian form of Long-tailed Tit as well as Golden Orioles.

CAPE ST VINCENTE & SAGRES

This impressive headland, with sheer cliffs and a lighthouse, occupies the south-westerly tip of Europe. Peregrine and Chough are regularly seen, the flight capabilities of both being remarkable in quite different ways, and both take full advantage of the strong updrafts created by the cliffs. We will do a seawatch, hoping for skuas and Cory's and Mediterranean Shearwaters amongst the passing Gannets. The cliffs have breeding Blue Rock Thrush, Pallid and Alpine Swift. The scrub to the north is good for migrants and holds Sardinian and Dartford Warblers. Stone Curlew, Quail, Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit and Spotless Starling are all found in the drier areas, where Thekla Lark is common. The Black Redstarts here are of the distinctive north African race.

THE MOUNTAINS

From our hotel, winding roads take us into several scenic upland areas with suitable habitat for Cirl Bunting, Crested Tit, Firecrest, Nuthatch, Subalpine Warbler and Iberian Chiffchaff. This is where Rock Buntings breed and where vantage points enable us to search for raptors such as Buzzard, Booted and Short-toed Eagles. Red-rumped Swallows become more numerous as we gain a little altitude, their stunning plumage making them easy to pick out amongst other hirundines. With luck a party of Alpine Swifts may appear, and then disappear just as quickly on powerful wings across the valley.

RIA FORMOSA MARSHES

This is probably the finest birdwatching area in the Algarve, consisting of a mixture of tributaries, large pools, saltpans and reedbeds surrounded by pinewoods and scrub. The saltpans and estuary contain a wide variety of waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint and Spotted Redshank. The pools and reedy edges have Little, Great Crested and Black-necked Grebes and we have a great spot to watch Purple Gallinules. These huge relatives of the Moorhen can be seen holding down the vegetation with their large feet while tugging at an individual stem with their vermilion bills to get at the succulent pith. Herons are plentiful and include Purple and Night, while Little Bittern and Cattle and Little Egrets are also common.

Raptors are well represented with Marsh and Montagu's Harriers, Buzzard and Short-toed Eagle. Bee-eaters, Hoopoes and Golden Orioles should all be migrating through and warblers present include Cetti's, Fan-tailed and Great Reed. Away from the marshes, the sand spit at Praia de Faro is a favourite haunt of various species of wader and Mediterranean Gull. We will search the pinewoods and clearings for Woodlark and Crested Tit, and flocks of handsome Azure-winged Magpies.

Red-necked Nightjar can be quite common here, and we will choose a warm evening to look for them, when they can give excellent views.

Purple Gallinule is common in the marshes. Phil Palmer.

ALENTEJO

This, the south-central region of Portugal, is typical of the rolling plains which extend eastwards into Spain. Several excellent birds are within reach of our base and a day trip is planned to explore this interesting area. Both Little and Great Bustard can be expected, along with a chance of Black-bellied Sandgrouse. The overhead wires are regularly interspersed with Southern Grey Shrikes. Woodchat Shrike, a true Mediterranean speciality, is also found here in good numbers, with up to 15 seen in a day.

On a recent visit we located a pair of Black-shouldered Kites on the southern edge of its range in Portugal. Montagu's Harriers are common, the superb males being a regular sight as they hunt over the crops and dazzling wildflower meadows. Indeed, they provided one of the highlights of a previous trip when a male was watched at close range being mobbed by an angry Lesser Kestrel.

The great swathes of wild flowers attract some interesting butterflies. Mertola is an old medieval town with a river running nearby. The surrounding district is a favourite breeding area of the Roller, Crag Martin and Lesser Kestrel, and we will also watch the Spanish Sparrows which breed in the untidy White Storks' nests. This latter species must breed here in as high a density as anywhere in Europe and on a previous visit we counted a remarkable 250 in a day.

SPAIN'S COTO DOÑANA

One day will see us heading east across the border into Spain. Two countries for the price of one! The bird spectacle at the Coto Doñana is outstanding, and several species are easier to find here than in the Algarve. These include Savi's Warbler, Collared Pratincole, Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Red Kite and Griffon Vulture. Birds are abundant on the pools of La Rocina and the lagoon at El Rocio. There is a chance of finding Crested Coot at the latter, and on our journey home we will look for White-headed Duck near Huelva. The pilgrim town of El Rocio itself is interesting, as the horse riders and traditional unpaved streets give it a real frontier feel.

PACE There will be optional pre-breakfast walks. Breakfast will be taken at about 8.00am most mornings. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short/medium length walks on the flat will be undertaken regularly. Some walking in the hills may be on gentle slopes, at a leisurely pace.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD Full-board accommodation is provided at the very pleasant Estalagem Sequeira Hotel in Sao Brás de Alportel. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken every day.

PRICE INCLUDES ….. All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, return flight to Faro and flight and airport taxes.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED Travel insurance payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry, etc.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Return flights from London Gatwick to Faro using the scheduled services of British Airways. Outbound flight departs late afternoon, return flight arrives back early afternoon. Connecting shuttle flights are available on this tour for £60 return (due at time of booking), from Manchester and other regional airports.

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