Below are some thoughts from one of our bird watching guests.

 “ We were here in winter ( February 1999 ) and frequently saw Swallows, House Martins and Black Caps.

The popularity of the Algarve as a winter destination is obviously shared by birds from northern climes - it was a delight to be continually encountering Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Tree Sparrows, Goldfinches etc as well as Blackred Starts and Great Grey Shrikes around the Quinta.

Kestrels and Buzzards were regularly sighted, Little Owls very common. March Harriers were seen but not as commonly as one would expect of the habitat.

Wild Fowl and Waders are the real feature of this part of Portugal, ranging in size from the Little Stint right up to Greater Flamingoes, whilst the open coasts give views of numerous Gulls, Terns, Gannets etc.

We accumulated a list of 106 species, without really trying, it was not a bird watching holiday, just a holiday which inevitably contained a modicum of bird watching. We didn't go out at dawn every day nor spend every hour of every day beating the bushes or hurtling around seeking every opportunity to add to the list. Instead we saw a lot  of the area, learned a lot about saltpans and castles, found some excellent walks and enjoyed the splendid cuisine and fine wines.

Sites

Quinta da Gomeira is placed within cultivated almond groves and has very pleasant tracks around it, eventually leading down to the waterside at Cabanas, with a very attractive set of tidal flats and salt marches. A coastal walk east from Cabanas should always yield a good selection of birds.

Much further inland, towards Loule, we explored two classified sites with waymarked circular walks and would recommend both.

1. Font - Benemola ( near Querenca ) is based around a small river with woodland where we saw a large flock of Waxbills.
2. Rocha da Pena is a 4.5 km. Walk around a rocky outcrop which purports to hold several Rafters including Bonelli`s Eagle.

Alcoutim was worth the visit, a fortified town on banks of the Guadiana river approached via a scenic road through the river valley. Well worth frequent stops to savour the peacefulness and watch out for Azure winged Magpies, Woodpeckers etc. Watching the Crag Martins on the church during the lunch was a high spot for me. 

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