The World Birding Website

Europe - Portugal

Portugal is perhaps best known for its sandy beaches and scenic rolling hills peppered with cork and oak trees. Yet the higher mountains to the north of the country can hold snow in winter. In the south of the country the rivers and marshes around places such as the Algarve can be rewarding for birdwatchers, particularly during migration. Waterbirds include Greater Flamingo, White Stork, the possibility of Glossy Ibis and in winter cranes. Waders include Black-winged Stilts, Avocets and Kentish Plovers. Three species of harrier and both Red and Black Kite are common, whilst there is still the possibility of the very rare Black-winged Kite. Lesser Kestrels nest on the church in Evora. The surrounding region also holds Great and Little Bustards as well as Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. Closer to the spanish border Rollers and Great Spotted Cuckoo breed. Portugal's western border alternates between rocky coastline, off-shore islands and sandy beaches, providing numerous nesting grounds for seabirds including Cory's Shearwaters, and Little Egrets.

Lesser Kestrel © Nic Hallam

Trip Reports Biscay 20th - 23rd August 2010 - Portsmouth/Bilbao Ferry, author Owain Gabb (added September 9, 2010) (Cory's Shearwater, Sabine's Gull) Portugal - The Algarve, 2nd - 9th November 2002, author Surfbirds Admin (added September 24, 2004) Portugal, Algarve - August 2007: Storks, Wilson's Petrel & Great Bustards, author Stephen Burch (link created September 16, 2007) (Wilson's Petrel, Great Bustard, Black Stork, White Stork) Portugal - Algarve - 29th Sept - 6th October 2011, author Phil Lindley (added October 27, 2011) (Castro Verde Plains, Santa Luzia, Ludo Farm etc.) Algarve, Portugal - 7th to 13th October 2006, author Mick Sveikutis (added November 12, 2006) (Cape St Vincent, Quinta De Largo, Alvor) Southern Portugal 12th – 18th April, 2011, author Christopher Hall (added May 1, 2011) (Black-winged Kite, Imperial Eagle, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Roller) The Azores - October 2007, author Tobi Koppejan (added March 18, 2008) (bobolink, yellow-billed cuckoos and many american waders) Portugal and Southern Spain - 5th - 12th May 2007, author Tim Farr (added June 20, 2007) (Algarve, Bolonia, Donana, White-rumped Swift, Little Swift, Western Reef Heron) Portugal - Algarve - 15th - 29th May 2010, author Greg Bond (added June 11, 2010) (Algarve, dragonflies, butterflies, birds) Portugal, Madeira, June 2009, author Peter Scheithe (added July 3, 2009) (Zino's Petrel, Trocaz Pigeon) Portugal - 4th - 19th June 2011 - Dragonflies and butterflies, author Greg Bond (added July 15, 2011) (dragonflies, butterflies, Portugal, Algarve, Alentejo) Portugal, author Tony Duckett (link created January 2, 2007) (The Algarve, Bee-eaters, Red -necked Nightjars, Wryneck and Hoopoes) Southern Portugal, 5 - 19 May 2001, author Richard Wesley (link created February 9, 2006) (This was planned as a bird watching trip and holiday with the emphasis on bird watching. This entailed birding from dawn 'til dusk most days with some time off for good behaviour. Although our base near Burgau was not ideal from the amount of travelling) Southern Portugal, 5th – 19th May 2001, author Richard Wesley (added February 10, 2006) (This was planned as a bird watching trip and holiday with the emphasis on bird watching. This entailed birding from dawn ‘til dusk most days with some time off for good behaviour. Although our base near Burgau was not ideal from the amount of travelli) Portugal and Central Spain, June 2009, author Chris Lansdell (link created December 9, 2009) (Cat C stuff near Lisbon, Ruppell's Vulture in Portugal, followed by Extremadura) Southern Portugal - 22nd - 30th of November 2008, author Stefan Schlick (added December 4, 2008) (Tejo and Sado Estuaries, Algarve) Southern Portugal - 4th - 11th April, 2011, author Christopher Hall (added April 30, 2011) The Algarve, Portugal, 2nd - 9th April 2005, author Mark Hows (link created April 15, 2005) (with pics of Azure-winged Magpie, Collared Pratincole, Little Bittern and others) Southern Portugal - 26th March – 2nd April, 2012, author Christopher Hall (added April 11, 2012) (Black-shouldered Kite, Collared Pratincole, Little Bustard, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Blue Rock Thrush, Black-eared Wheatear, Alpine Accentor) Showing the 19 Most Recent Trip Reports Posted BACK TO TRIP REPORTS HOME PAGE POST A TRIP REPORT EDIT YOUR TRIP REPORTS

Recent Sightings Vila Nova de Milfontes, 1 2nd winter glaucous author Dave Lamacraft (added January 27, 2009) Albufeira Algarve, 4 Azure-winged author Kevin Wallace (added January 20, 2006) Showing the 2 Latest Recent Sightings Posted ADD SOME RECENT SIGHTINGS

Local Birders View Local Birders from Portugal