Bustards etc round Castro Verde, Portugal (1 Viewer)

In the planning stages of a family holiday in South West Spain next spring and hoping to sneak off for a day around Castro Verde. There is some good info here... http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=200594&highlight=castro+verde ..., particularly with regard to being responsible when seeking Bustards, but that being 6 years ago can anyone tell me if the situation remains the same? It's both species of Bustard that I'm particularly keen to see, with Sandgrouse, Roller and Bonelli's Eagle also high on the want list. Any good strategies, areas or sites that people can recommend?

Cheers

James

I had both bustards near Mertola in April last year, but no sandgrouse or Bonelli's, and only one distant Roller. Also these fellas, a nice highlight :t:

If you are there for only one day, you could do a lot worse than contacting Simon Wates (BF member) for guiding. I spent one-and-a-half day with him a few years ago and got most of my target species around Castro Verde. As I remember it, little bustard, sandgrouse, imperial eagle, iberian magpie, black vulture were just some of the highlights.

The Alentejo wines were really good, so a second reason to add a little extra time around there.

Niels

Thank you both. I have dropped a PM to Simon Wates.

Cheers

James