Algarve Birdwatching

Flamingoes over Forte de Ratos, Tavira    © Gerry Ure

The great thing about Algarve birdwatching is the sheer variety of birds on show. Some live here all year round, but the region is on the flight path of many types of migrating bird, so you can enjoy a different experience, depending on the time of year.

From a personal point of view, I like it that you can do this activity without straying too far from an Algarve beach! And, when you're out and about with your eyes open, you get to see much more of the Algarve's non-avian life-forms, too.

Birdwatching in the Algarve is one of those activities that lend themselves to happy accidents. By that, I mean that you don’t need necessarily to buy equipment, or to have it with you in order to enjoy any chance sightings that might come your way. Comfortable clothes, perhaps a camera (probably de rigeur in the beautiful Algarve) and an eye for wildlife would be the minimum.

Of course, a small pair of binoculars would enhance your enjoyment of  birdwatching in the Algarve, but sometimes you can’t plan ahead. Then again, if you’ve specifically organised a day’s birdwatching, you’ll probably take along all the kit you need with you. It’s really up to you, but it’s enjoyable either way.

***Sidenote***

Hallelujah! I finally fulfilled my ambition to see some of those lovely flamingoes up close (and personal?) when I was waving boa viagens to husband Nev's plane, believe it or not. I had parked near the salt pans to the south of Faro airport and walked down the track a way, to get away from the road traffic - and there they were: flamingoes in the flesh and feathers. Bit of a mixed emotions thing, I suppose; sad on the one hand and a little elated on the other. (I'll let you work out which was which).

Algarve Birdwatching Areas

So, why is Algarve such a haven for birds and those who love to observe them? The answer lies in the nature of the region’s geography. There are wetlands, saltpans, marshes, and lakes both brackish and freshwater.  

Tavira salt pans    © Gerry Ure

The great thing about birdwatching in the Algarve is the geographical spread where it’s possible. Anywhere between Cape St. Vincent and Vila Real (that's the extreme west to the extreme east) will put you near a great spot for seeing many lovely species, such as White Stork, Bustard,  Black-shouldered Kite, Hoopoe, Southern Grey Shrike, Lark and Cattle Egret (quite common).  

A stunning study of an egret   © Gerry Ure

For instance, between Vila Real de Santo António and Castro Marim, there’s a Nature reserve of salt marshland that provides an important habitat for birds. It offers an area for some birds to breed and over-winter, but is also an ideal resting place for migratory species.  

Species spotted here include Stone Curlew, Caspian Tern, Greater Flamingos and Little Bustard.

Algarve Birdwatching Seasons

Spring offers the chance to see a colourful collection (just look at their names!) such as Azure-winged Magpie, Red-necked Nightjar, Purple Swamphen, and Iberian Chiffchaff. The latter, while not ostentatiously-hued, has some interesting designs on its wingtips if you get close up or have good field glasses.  

Posh birds flock to Quinta do Lago...

Autumn sees the large migrations, with thousands of bird species making the journey from northern Europe to Africa. This means some unforgettable sights for those enjoying some time birdwatching in the Algarve during the months of September and October.

If you’re serious about maximising your birdwatching opportunities in the Algarve, there are guided tours available with knowledgeable leaders to show you around and point out the more notable species.

Algarve Birdwatching – Jennifer-style

During my wonderful day out in a pedal kayak on the Ria Formosa, I was able to observe many wonderfully exotic birds that I’d never imagined I would see. Many herons were in evidence, and I saw my first ever blue heron (okay, it might have been purple – I’ll have to look it up). I may even have seen a Squacco Heron! I certainly saw avocets, sandpipers and storks, but I was out of luck with the flamingos. Drat! That’s one to go on my ‘wish list’.  

But the range of species available to Algarve birdwatchers goes on…

 

Stork with attitude: Who you lookin' at?

… Audouin's gull, egrets, little bittern, woodchat shrike, and predators such as the booted eagle and black kite.

Inland spots offer the chance to encounter warblers, tree-creepers and buntings, while cliff-rimmed coastal areas attract rock thrushes and choughs.  

Algarve Birdwatching - A Sampler

Here is a short list of some of the areas, starting west and moving east where you can enjoy birdwatching in the Algarve, with examples of birds reported there. Enjoy!

Cabo de S. Vicente 
Little Bustard, Black Kite, Quail, Black-winged Kite over car between Lagos and Sagres, and an Osprey near Sagres. Black Redstart, Stonechat

Monchique/Foia 
Peregrine, Common Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Woodlark, Red-Rumped Swallow, Wren, Stonechat, Blackcap, Firecrest

Alvor 
Black Winged Stilt, Waxbill, Cattle Egret, Sparrowhawk, Knot, Audouin's Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Garden Warbler, Chaffinch

Pêra Marsh 
Little Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Mallard, Northern Shoveller, Pochard, Quail, Moorhen, Coot, Purple Gallinule, Black Winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Red-Necked Nightjar

Quinta do Lago 
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Shoveller, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Moorhen, Coot, Purple Gallinule, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Godwit (Black-Tailed and Bar-Tailed), Curlew, Red-Necked Nightjar

A wading avocet     © Gerry Ure

Tavira (saltmarsh)  
Bluethroat (white-spotted), Mediterranean Gull, Audouin's Gull, Greater Flamingo, Avocet

Of course, there are many more bird types and many more locations and I'll be adding them to this page soon. Why not treat yourself to an Algarve vacation that includes some birdwatching - and contribute to this page? 

After all, if you love wonderful weather in a laid-back region and you like to observe our avian friends, then you really should indulge in some Algarve birdwatching - soon!

If you have any birdwatching experiences in the Algarve that you'd like to share, just send them in. And if you have any great pictures of birds that you've taken on a birdwatching vacation in the Algarve , let everyone see how great a time you had!

Now, isn't it time to start planning some more birdwatching in the Algarve?

Gerry Ure 

Gerry's Algarve birdwatching photographs are used with her kind permission. To contact her about her work, just use this form.

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