Birding in Coastal West Algarve

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Faro Airport and rental car pick up

Individual arrival to Faro Airport and rent a car vehicle pick up

Birdwatching Algarve European Bee-eater, They are usually seen in groups of 20 to 30 birds and rarely seen alone. In the bright sunlight. photo Peter Dedicoat

Day 2 – Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura & Lagoa dos Salgados

This is probably the most extensive area of reed beds and lagoons in the Algarve. It is bordered by farmland with cereal fields and orchards to the south, a sewage treatment plant favoured by gulls and ducks, to the east, and golf courses to the north.
This is one of the most important sites in the Algarve for migrating passerines, especially warblers and hirundines. It is also a hunting area for various raptors including Black-winged Kite, Marsh Harrier, and Booted Eagle.
Half a decade ago, these were farmlands covered with irrigated orchards, cereals, and pasture. Over the years, the land was replaced with reed beds, alongside the man-made artificial ponds and irrigation channels.
The riparian vegetation of the river of Quarteira and the bordering golf courses constitutes a habitat of the great diversity of birds and small mammals.
This pond has good patches of reed and reedmace and holds several interesting birds. Regular species here include Little Grebe, Moorhen, Purple Swamp Hen, and Kingfisher, as well as some passerines, such as Cetti’s Warbler; in winter, there are usually Bluethroat, Chiffchaff, and Penduline Tit. In the surrounding fields, it is possible to find several passerines, such as Northern Wheatear on autumn passage, or White Wagtail and Meadow Pipit in winter.
At certain times of the year, along the banks of the lagoon is not difficult to find waders. Black-winged Stilt, Turnstone, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, and Greenshank are some of the common species that can be regularly observed. Sometimes Bar-tailed Godwit turns up. Other interesting birds that can usually be seen on this site are Coot, Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, and Caspian Tern.
The surrounding areas may produce Kestrel and several species of passerines like Crested Lark, Stonechat, and Zitting Cisticola; in autumn, a few trans-Saharan migrants put in an appearance, like Whinchat and Northern Wheatear, whereas in winter there are Skylark and White Wagtail.

Little Egret, photo Peter Dedicoat, The Little Egret is a common site close to the coast throughout the Algarve

Day 3 – Alvor Estuary & Rocha Delicada

The scenery is gentle, serene, and cosy in the Alvor estuary. This protected natural haven contains a wide array of habitats.
To the north you’ll clearly discern the lush green Monchique mountains silhouetted in the horizon; a bit to the south, hidden by the largely unspoiled dunes, there’s Lagos Bay; meanwhile, contemplate the ever-changing shades of blue and green along the secluded inner lagoons, as well as the beautiful Rocha Delicada (‘Delicate’ or ‘Elegant Rock’), an ochre promontory formed during the Miocene period. Embedded in its calcareous rock face, it is possible to detect some marine fossils from this remote period, mainly composed of oyster, scallop, and clam specimens.
The estuarine area is separated and protected from the sea by two sandbars, the Alvor beach on the east side and the Meia-Praia to the west, which encircle two headlands, the Quinta da Rocha and the Abicada. The diversity of habitats that can be found over a relatively small area – about 1,700 ha – produces a wide variety of waterbirds, seabirds, and farmland birds.
On the sandbanks and during the low tide Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Oystercatchers, Turnstones, and Sanderlings are visible, among other waders. Crested Lark, Kentish Plover, and Little Tern can be seen on the dunes, where they breed.
During late summer and early autumn, this area, surrounded by agricultural fields attracts hundreds of passerines seeking rest or feeding areas during their long migration: Northern Wheatear, Reed, Melodious, and Garden Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Spotted and Pied Flycatchers, among others.
In winter, White Wagtail, Robin, and Black Redstart are common. Throughout the year it is also possible to find Stone Curlew.
The saltmarshes attract usually Flamingo, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Black-tailed Godwit, Kentish and Ringed Plovers, Black-winged Stilt, and many other shorebirds, as well as Crested Lark.

Saltmarshes Ria Formosa. Besides the beaches, Algarve has plains, salt marshes, lagoons a great place for birding.

Day 4 – Arade Estuary & Sítio das Fontes – Silves

The Arade River crosses the western Algarve and flows into the sea just past Portimão, forming a narrow estuary. Being the second biggest estuary in Algarve it comprises the streams of Boina and Odelouca.
The Municipal Park of Sítio das Fontes is a natural park, located on an 18ha plot, on the left bank of the Arade River.
Created in 1989, it represents an important ecosystem with a great diversity of environments representative of the Mediterranean landscape – marshes, reeds, and a small lagoon surrounded by abandoned agricultural fields, planes, and water lines.
Originally created in 1989 as a picnic site, recent developments include a restored watermill, old water well, an open-air amphitheatre, a children’s playground, and a fitness trail. The marked trail takes you along the river bank for a pleasant stroll with educational signboards at regular intervals.
This area collects a large number of waders, such as Redshank, Greenshank, and Common Sandpiper. There are also a few passerines, like Yellow Wagtail and Crested Lark.
From the birding point of view, this wetland produces various numbers of shorebirds and waders. Amongst the most interesting birds, there are Spoonbill, Flamingo, Black Winged Stilt, Crested Lark, and Crag Martin.
Recorded observations include Shoveler, Kestrel, Grey Plover, Whimbrel, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Sandwich Tern, Yellow Wagtail, and Linnet.
No matter where you are in this area, White Stork is almost always present.

White stork, Storks are social creatures gathering in huge flocks in the Algarve. photo Peter Dedicoat

Day 5 – Free Day

This is an ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the attractions of the Algarve. You can walk/tour independently, or visit local places of interest. From Albufeira, there is a wide variety of sightseeing available (we can advise and/or recommend options according to your interests).

Booted Eagle, photo Peter Dedicoat. It is a widespread summer visitor, breeding in open woodland throughout Portugal

Day 6 – Sagres Peninsula

In the remote southwest corner of Europe, Sagres is of particular importance for migrating birds due to its’ geographical location. It’s part of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, the area concentrates a massive movement of migrant birds across southern Europe.
The vast majority of the migratory bird species that occur regularly in Portugal can be spotted here along the season, and it is always advisable to keep an eye out for rarities.
The Vale Santo is an area of coastal plateau, with some undergrowth. Here we can observe resident species characteristic of more open habitats such as the Little Bustard or the endangered Red-Billed Chough.
The Beliche cliff stamps the transition between the southern and western edges of the country. The Forte of Santo António do Beliche or Forte do Beliche as it’s commonly known, stands out at the top of the cliff. Though its definite origin is unknown it was a beacon of pirate’s attacks including Francis Drake.
The S. Vincent cliff on the edge of the west coast is the reason for the greater presence of seabirds since it lies in the migration corridor.
Depending on the time of year, it’s possible to observe a wide number of seabirds. Migration seasons may bring Scopoli’s Shearwater and Common Scoter.
At the southwestern edge of Sagres, next to the fishing port, birdwatching observations may also be very productive. In this area, it may be possible to observe Great Cormorant, Audouin’s gull, or Razorbill.

Birdwatching Algarve Sardinian Warbler, is a common and widespread typical warbler from the Mediterranean region, photo Peter Dedicoat

Day 7 – Lagoa de São Lourenço and Ludo

The Lagoa de São Lourenço is a body of water that is largely surrounded by a golf course. The Lagoa is rich in aquatic vegetation, edged by reeds and bulrushes, and thus is rich in avifauna. In winter large numbers of ducks including Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon, and Tufted Duck gather. However, there are many special birds that make their homes here all year round including Red-crested Pochard, Little Bittern, Purple Swamp-hen, Black-headed Weaver, and Great Crested Grebe. They are joined in summer by Little Terns, hirundines, and swifts.
At the southern end of the lake are the channels, salt marsh, lagoons, and sandy barrier islands of the Ria Formosa which, depending on the tide and the season, can be teeming with waders, gulls, herons, and egrets. To the east of the golf course is an area of pines that open onto Ludo, a busy salt-producing farm where it is possible to see Greater Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Booted Eagles, and many nesting White Storks.

Birdwatching Ria Formosa

Day 8 – Individual departure or extra days