Vilamoura (1 Viewer)

M

Magaff

New member

• Apr 16, 2015

• #1

I have a villa booked close to the Laguna Golf Course in the last week of July this year and wondered if anyone out there can give me some good tips for the best places to go and what I may see in the vicinity. I have a non-birding family and shall not be hiring a car so it shall be early morning walks for me only.

Last year I stayed there and found the two recommended sites, Falesia Lagoon and the Parque Ambiental. Sightings included Little Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Ferruginous Duck, Black Shouldered Kite and Quail.

Am I the best areas or is there anywhere else I could go that may help me see some interesting birds?

Many thanks in advance of any responses.

M

 

Keith Dickinson

Well-known member

Opus Editor

• Apr 16, 2015

• #2

In Vilamoura the 2 sites you mention are just about the only decent birding without hiring a car.
I hired a bike last time I was there, it enabled me to get to the Parque Ambiental quickly, back then you could enter the reserve at any time so I'd just lock the bike up and amble round at stupid o'clock in the morning.
Have a walk around the outskirts of all the golf courses, I have had waxbills on the edges of greens, purple gallinule, black-winged stilts in water hazards and hoopoe in bunkers.

 

M

Magaff

New member

• Apr 17, 2015

• #3

Much appreciated Keith.

I only scratched the surface of Parque Ambiental so I'll spend more time exploring there and shall try to brush up on my warbler calls as there were oodles of Sardinian and Fan Tailed with a few Reed, Great Reed and Sedge. Sure I missed a few though as another birder told me he had seen Orphean as well as Golden Oriole in the Parque. Would Marsh Terns be around in July - I only had Little Terns last year?

Best Regards.

 

B

Brian Stretch

Well-known member

• Apr 17, 2015

• #4

Agree that both Falesia Lagoon and Parque Ambiental are the best two sites in the area. I could happily spend a week exploring the latter. As you are staying near Laguna Golf Course there is a pool just west of the Laguna Golf apartments easily viewable from the road which I found quite productive for early morning visits. Had great views of Purple Gallinule, Ferruginous Duck and Squacco Heron along with the usual Hoopoes, Crested Larks and Cattle Egrets. The pool is this one.

Brian
________________
Worcester Birding

 

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Apr 20, 2015

• #5

I was there last week, know 2 good spots for Black-headed Weaver if you need this introduced species.

 

M

Magaff

New member

• Apr 21, 2015

• #6

Thanks for the info guys.

Brian that pool is very close to our accommodation and I spent some time there. I found the Black Shouldered Kite on two mornings close to there on the the telegraph wires.

Nick I was quite lucky with BH Weavers particularly on the dirt road towards the first bird hide at Parque Ambiental. I'll look at purchasing a book to see if there are any other birds or areas that I can possibly seek out this time.

Cheers, M

 

A

alanrharris53

Well-known member

• Apr 23, 2015

• #7

Check out the thread below for the free downloadable guide which covers a lot of areas on the Algarve

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=292948

 

Gonçalo Elias

avesdeportugal.info

• Apr 26, 2015

• #8

A look at Foz do Almargem which lies 5 km east is worthwhile. The place usually has Red-crested Pochard. And a Red-knobbed Coot was seen there earlier this year.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@37.0602491,-8.0847936,1498m/data=!3m1!1e3