[Cuckoo-shrike]

Does anyone know a good area for BBS in the southern Alentejo? Thanks.

[Simon Wates]

Hi Andy,

BBS change their locations every year, depending on land use within the slow (4-5) year cereal rotation regime practised in the area. Best to look for the barest ground and get familiar with their wonderful flight calls. They often flush before they are spotted and their calls will get you onto them. You can get views of them on the ground (rarely closer then about 2-300m) but they are very nervous creatures. Flight views can often be more satisfying than on the ground in warm weather due to heat haze. However, if you find some try not to put them up as they are choosing breeding sites at the moment and the species is considered endangered. They particularly like barer fields with uncultivated shale outcrops on rising ground - much like the Stone Curlews.

Best wishes

Simon

PS: You could consider me taking you out there! http://algarvebirdman.com/default.asp?o=10479

[bluechaffinch]

Originally Posted by Cuckoo-shrike

Does anyone know a good area for BBS in the southern Alentejo? Thanks.

Just been to Portugal for ten days (end Feb) and saw many BBS on the plains near Castro Verde. Best spot by far was the bustard reserve/educational centre just south of Entradas. From Entradas, take the main road south to Castro Verde, after about 2km ish there is a narrow entrance on the left, taking you onto the old main road - be very careful crossing the carriageway as it is a very fast road. Head back north on this road for a km or so then through a gate to the right. There is an education centre here, with nesting L kestrels. We took a short walk east from the car park until the brow of a hill. The plains here were full of larks and we saw many groups of BBS from here (20+ birds) - they were flushed by two walkers, so it is well worth scanning the fields with a scope to see them on the deck. Also a great area for both bustards.

[Simon Wates]

Yes, the hilltops east of the Centro de Educação Ambiental do Vale Gonçalinho are often good for BBS. If you pop by here (usually closed Sundays and Mondays) its worth checking out their little shop for interesting leaflets, books and t-shirts etc. even if you don't buy anything a small donation in the box would be welcomed :-). If it wasn't for the LPN's hard work over the years we wouldn't have the large numbers of the 2 Bustards and Lesser Kestrels in the area apart from scarcer species like Roller and BBS, for example. Whatever you do, please don't enter any gates that say LPN - these are out of bounds.

BBS are found in similar numbers over much of the 800 sq kms of the SPA Castro Verde and are not difficult to find for the initiated - it can be a tricky species. Habitat is the key to finding them.

If you are coming from Castro Verde itself, look for the fire station (Bombeiros) and you will see a sign for the Centro de Educação Ambiental do Vale Gonçalinho. It will take you on the old road (adjacent to the new one) to Beja - no need to first drive up to Entradas and come back on yourself. After some 5kms there is another sign to the right to the centre - down this track about 1 and half kms you will find the centre (along this track is great for Calandra Lark, Little Bustard, Montagu's Harrier and Stone Curlew - like much of the whole SPA

Also - please wear your bins proudly when you stop in bars in the region - its great that the locals see that birders spend a little cash!

[bluechaffinch]

There you go - easier to get to than I made it! The centre and surrounds also gave us Hoopoe (nesting in a box), Iberian shrike, Black redstart, Marsh harrier, White stork etc. It's a fantastic spot and well worth a few hours exploring at least.

If you visit the centre and feel a bit hungry I can heartily recommend CASA PASTO A CAVALARIÇA in Entradas, just next to the Post Office. Wonderful local food and huge portions - just what's needed after a bit of birding.

[Cuckoo-shrike]

Thanks very much to both of you for this wealth of information. We will be coming a little later, mid-late April, so presume all the advice holds good for then.

We'll be basing ourselves at Mertola to get the best of both worlds.

Simon, I would certainly consider hiring you to show us around, but to be honest we really enjoy exploring under our own steam - as long as we're in the right general area.

Thanks again.