[Darren Pearce]

I have a family holiday booked in Portugal in December. I am staying 5km outside of Albufeira. Are there any good birding sites that I am able to get to quickly ie before the family get up or early evening.

Any help would be appreciated

[Ruby]

Hi,

I'm off to the Algarve next week for a few days and will post regarding how I get on....even though I think the only site that I had in mind that might be close enough to you is the Quinta do Lago, which is at the western end of the Ria Formosa. Othr than that, I was thinking of going to the Castro Verde area and maybe the Castro Marim.....

If you do a search for threads pertaining to birding in the Algarve you will come up with quite a bit of info regarding good sites, some of which may be within your desired area.

Previous experience makes me think that there are quite a few good birds to be seen just generally out and about - although not sure whether this would hold true in winter.


Rgds... Ruby

[Alf King]

Originally Posted by Kendon

I have a family holiday booked in Portugal in December. I am staying 5km outside of Albufeira. Are there any good birding sites that I am able to get to quickly ie before the family get up or early evening.

Any help would be appreciated

Pera marshes are reasonably close to Albufeira and would give you plenty to see as well as a good walk in the morning. Also try the Alvor Estuary although this can take a bit of finding if you've never been before.

[john-henry]

Originally Posted by Kendon

I have a family holiday booked in Portugal in December. I am staying 5km outside of Albufeira. Are there any good birding sites that I am able to get to quickly ie before the family get up or early evening.

Any help would be appreciated

Will you have a car or be on foot, and will you be to the west or east of Albufeira?

regards

John

[Darren Pearce]

Hi John,

I will have a hire car. I don't know whether I am East or West of Albafeira but for 5 km it shouldnt make much difference

[john-henry]

Originally Posted by Kendon

Hi John,

I will have a hire car. I don't know whether I am East or West of Albafeira but for 5 km it shouldnt make much difference

Pera Marsh is a definate must, only about 10mins or so drive west from Albufeira Old Town, holds a good selection of waterbirds plus some good passerines Bluethroat, Sardinian, Dartford and Fan-tailed Warblers, etc. I've also had an over-wintering Great Spotted Cuckoo there so anything is possible, Marsh Harrier and Peregrine are regular in the winter and Booted Eagle often winters in the area.

Quinta do Lago is another excellent spot well worth a visit but you will probably have to beg, borrow or steal half a day for this (or drop the family off at Quarteria Market, on a wednesday, it's only about 15 mins away from here).

Casto Verde area in the Alentejo, (30 min drive on the A2 motorway, a toll road costing about 5 euros), is also a must if you can possibly manage it, Great and Little Bustards, B-B Sandgrouse, Griffon and Black Vultures, Red Kites, Hen Harriers, Calandra and Thekla Larks etc.

Another trip out for all the family is the Monchique Mountains, lovely little mountain town, and a drive up to Foia right at the top, while everyone else is having a coffee and a look at the tourist shop you can have a walk around the area for Rock Bunting and Blue Rock Thrush, both regular in winter.

If you need any more info or directions just let me know.

I'm going in November so will have some more info later.

regards

John

[peachfront]

I'm visiting Portugal in December as well, not decided yet where I will be staying but I've got the air tickets. I'm giving this a bump so that John can come back and tell us about his November trip when he returns.

Originally Posted by john-henry

I'm going in November so will have some more info later.

regards

John

[john-henry]

Originally Posted by peachfront

I'm visiting Portugal in December as well, not decided yet where I will be staying but I've got the air tickets. I'm giving this a bump so that John can come back and tell us about his November trip when he returns.

Got back from Portugal last night and noticed your post today, it's going to take me several days to write up a report so if you're going in the next few days PM me for any information you need, birds, sites, accommodation, car hire etc. Be only to glad to help.

It was a brilliant trip, 133 species, birds everywhere.

regards

John

[janel]

Originally Posted by john-henry

Got back from Portugal last night and noticed your post today, it's going to take me several days to write up a report so if you're going in the next few days PM me for any information you need, birds, sites, accommodation, car hire etc. Be only to glad to help.

It was a brilliant trip, 133 species, birds everywhere.

regards

John

Am interested in buying a rural property in Portugal initially for letting but also for general birdwatching (which will increase in a few years time when children older), I can't find a lot of information on good sites and the area we are thinking of is Central Portugal south of Coimbra, do you know this area or any other good rural areas?

[rosbifs]

Get out early in the mornings to avoid the afternoon storms - can be quite fierce in December. Seemed to always arrive at 3.30pm.........

[john-henry]

Originally Posted by janel

Am interested in buying a rural property in Portugal initially for letting but also for general birdwatching (which will increase in a few years time when children older), I can't find a lot of information on good sites and the area we are thinking of is Central Portugal south of Coimbra, do you know this area or any other good rural areas?

Sorry Janel I don't know the area at all. I, like most other visiting birders, confine ourselves to the Algarve and lower Alentejo, where birds are varied and plentiful all year round. I can only suggest unless you have a particular reason for the Coimbra area you give some consideration to moving further south, on the other hand the Coimbra area might be a hidden gem.
The eastern side of the Algarve, near the Spanish border, might also be worth considering.

Good luck with your search.

John