The The Algarve, in the far south of , is one of the Its limited size (approximately five thousand square kilometres) enables visitors country’s most interesting regions for birdwatching. It has to get to know several sites in a single day - from the mountains inland to the more than 300 species throughout the year including coastal marshes – and observe a great number of different species. This variety is also enhanced by the richness of the landscape, which accommodates all of Good Conduct numerous birds of prey, seabirds, shorebirds, ducks, Portugal’s main habitats such as extensive cork oak woods, grasslands, coastal passerines and many others. lagoons, salt flats and marshland. Whenever you use the services of a tourism company, check that it is Around 40 per cent of the region has been designated Natura 2000 areas under › duly licensed and has the necessary permission to operate in the Birds and Habitats Directives and there are Important Bird Areas (IBA - Birdlife protected areas. International) in the Algarve. This extensive network of areas of ornithological importance include the Ria Formosa estuary and the marshes, › Give preference to local companies organising birdwatching two of the country’s most important wetlands where thousands of waterbirds activities, this will help to boost the local economy. can be found, with rare species such as the swamp hen and Audouin’s Gull. The › Avoid disturbing nests and breeding bird colonies. Sagres peninsula and cape is the main migration bottleneck in Portugal for birds If you find an injured bird, contact the following authorities: of prey and other soaring birds, such as the black stork, the imperial eagle and the › GNR - SEPNA (Lisbon) Tel. (+351) 217 503 080 Egyptian vulture. SOS Ambiente Tel. (+351) 808 200 520 These natural attractions, combined with easy access within the region, a wide RIAS (Ria Formosa Estuary Bird Rehabilitation Centre): Tel. (+351) 927 659 313 variety of accommodation and its popular beach culture, make the Algarve a › In the event of a fire: call 117 rich birdwatching area worth discovering. Birdwatching in this beautiful region › In case of an emergency: call 112 provides an outdoor experience that should not be overlooked!

Swamp Hen Audouin’s Gull Flamingo Little Bittern Porphyrio porphyrio Larus audouinii Phoenicopterus ruber Ixobrychus minutus

Present in the wetlands of the Ria Formosa Estuary and This species is resident in the Algarve and Castro Marim. It may easily be observed on the salt particularly numerous around the fresh-water flats at the Cerro do Bufo (Castro Marim), in the Ludo A common species in the main wetlands of the A small heron which is relatively rare in the Algarve. coastal lagoons of the Ria Formosa Estuary, the area (Formosa Estuary), at the Ferreira Neto Fishermen’s Algarve especially Castro Marim, the Ria Formosa It can be spotted in the reedbeds of the freshwater Vilamoura reed beds and the Salgados Lagoon. A Village and at Santa Luzia (). The Audouin’s Gull is estuary and Salgados Lagoon. Although resident, coastal lagoons, particularly São Lourenço and symbol of the Ria Formosa Estuary Nature Park and present all year round although less abundant in the it is more abundant in winter and especially in the Salgados. Although a summer migrant, it is one of the principal attractions of the region. summer and autumn months. salt-flat areas where it feeds and rests. frequently seen in autumn and winter also.

Red-Crested Pochard Little Bustard Bee-Eater Azure-Winged Magpie Netta rufina Tetrax tetrax Merops apiaster Cyanopica cyanus

A summer visitor, present in large numbers from A duck with localised distribution in the Algarve, April to September especially in inland areas easily observed at the São Lourenço Lagoon and A grassland bird which is rare in the Algarve, it can where there are plenty of bees to feed on. The A fairly common bird in the Algarve which others nearby sites such as Foz do Almargem. be seen at the Sagres peninsula and Castro Marim. bee-eater is very easy to observe in the Serra do is present in nearly all types of habitats. Very Although a resident species, spring and summer The best time to see it is in the spring when the Caldeirão and the area around the Ria Formosa abundant in coastal pine forests, especially in the are the best times to observe this beautiful bird. males are fairly active. Estuary (Ludo, Castro Marim, etc). Ludo, Ria Formosa estuary and Serra do Caldeirão.

Red-Rumped Swallow Sardinian Warbler Little Tern Black-Winged Kite Hirundo daurica Sylvia melanocephala Sterna albifrons Elanus caeruleus

A summer species, fairly common in the inland A bird of prey regularly seen in the Algarve areas of the Algarve particularly the Serra do One of the region’s most common species, the Fairly common during the spring and summer especially in winter in areas such as the Ria Caldeirão and mountains. Nests warbler appears in a wide variety of habitats year months especially at the Ria Formosa estuary, Castro Formosa Estuary and the Vilamoura reed beds, close to river banks and can easily be observed in round from the coastal wetlands to the inland cork Marim and the Alvor estuary. It can be observed it may also be observed in autumn and spring, orchards and meadows. oak forests. close to the coastal salt flats and lagoon areas. especially in the Sagres area.

Black-Eared Wheatear Dartford Warbler Collared Pratincole Kentish Plover Oenanthe hispanica Sylvia undata Glareola pratincola Charadrius alexandrinus

A rare summer migrant which is restricted to the A fairly common shorebird in the Algarve which is inland areas of the Algarve during the breeding This bird is also relatively common in the Algarve, A summer migrant present in localised areas of present throughout the year. This bird nests on salt season. The Serra do Caldeirão and Monchique although its habitat is limited to the inland the Algarve. It occurs mainly in coastal wetlands flats and sand dunes, and is very easy to observe. The mountains are the best places to observe this mountainous areas rich in rock-roses and cork oaks. particularly the Castro Marim marshes (Cerro do Ria Formosa and Alvor estuaries, Castro Marim and passerine, which migrates to Africa for the winter Resident and easy to observe at sites such as the Serra Bufo salt flat) and the Ria Formosa estuary (Santa Salgados lagoon are popular sites where this species in mid-September. do Caldeirão, Monchique and the Sagres peninsula. Luzia and Ludo). can be seen in large numbers.

Griffon Vulture Glossy Ibis Spoonbill Yelkouan Shearwater Gyps fulvus Plagadis falcinellus Platalea leucorodia Puffinus yelkouan

Although it neither nests nor spends the winter in the Algarve, the griffon vulture is relatively Although resident its population is most abundant A threatened seabird, it regularly migrates along common in this region in the autumn during in winter. Among the best places for observation the Algarve coast between July and October. The migration. At that time of year it can be seen in the A regular winter visitor and easy to observe are the salt marshes in Castro Marim, Arraial easiest place to observe this bird from land is Cape Sagres area, the Serra do Caldeirão and Monchique particularly at the Salgados Lagoon and the São Ferreira Neto in Tavira, Santa Luzia, Ludo in the Ria St Vincent and it is also possible to see the species mountains, sometimes in flocks of hundreds. Lourenço Lagoon at Quinto do Lago. Formosa, the Salgados Lagoon and Alvor Estuary. anywhere on the Algarve coast from a boat. (ZC) Serra de Monchique Ria Formosa Estuary (HP) and River Guadiana (ZC)

Description Description Description A mountainous area with rocky peaks, thick cork-oak and chestnut forests and agricultural land. This area he country’s third largest wetland area characterised by an extensive estuary area rich in marshes, salt flats, dunes, An arid zone with few wooded areas and Mediterranean orchards. There are holm oak groves and has the highest point in the Algarve (900m), with excellent views over the surrounding countryside. channels, mudbanks and pools. pockets of thick brushwood on the banks of the Guadiana River where you can find riverside walks with Protected status Protected Status beautiful scenery and viewing points. Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000) and Important Bird Area (IBA). Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000), Ramsar site and Protected Status Birds Important Bird Area (IBA). Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000) A rich variety of woodland birds including the Bonelli’s eagle, Dartford warbler, Cirl bunting and rock Birds Birds bunting. Thousands of waterfowl throughout the year, especially herons, waders and ducks, but also the Audouin’s gull, Golden oriole, rufous bushrobin, azure-winged magpie, Dartford warbler, Eurasian tree sparrow, red- When to visit little tern, spoonbill and flamingo. Regularly visited by osprey and black-shouldered kite in the winter. rumped swallow, little ringed plover and eagle owl. There are regular sightings of the white-rumped swift. All year except in the summer. Places to visit When to visit Duration of visit Ferreiro Neto fishermen village, Quatro Águas and Santa Luzia (Tavira), Fuzeta and Quinta de Marim (Olhão), Ludo In the spring. Half a day. (Faro & Loulé). To the west, where there are rich forest areas and a number of coastal lagoons, visitors can see Duration of visit Other activities Can be visited in one morning. ZC Additional Area little bittern, purple heron, swamp hen and red-crested pochard. A visit to Quinta do Ludo and the São Lourenço Walking and cycling, climbing, adventure sports and natural spring water spa. Also, visits to honey Other activities Algarve Map HP Hotspot lagoon is also recommended. producers, strawberry tree groves and local craft shops. When to visit Signposted walks, visits to the museum and boat trips on the river. All year except in the summer. Duration of visit (ZC) Alvor estuary Two (or more) days. Foz de (ZC) Other activities Description Boat trips on the river, rambling and visits to the cultural areas of Faro and Tavira. Description Estuary area characterised by extensive marshes, protected from the sea by a long string of dunes with Riverside area, a tributary of the River Guadiana, rich in riverside forests and traditional orchards. channels, mud banks, salt flats and agricultural fields. Marked walks and rides can be taken on foot or by car. Protected Status Protected Status Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000). Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000) Birds Birds The area is regularly visited by various shorebirds including the Kentish plover, Eurasian thick-knee and Rufous bushrobin, bee-eater, rock bunting, azure-winged magpie, moustached warbler, short-toed back-winged stilt. Flamingos and spoonbill can also be seen there during migration and winter. eagle, common kingfisher and thekla lark among others. When to visit When to visit All year except in the summer. In the spring and autumn. Duration of visit Duration Half a day. Half a day. Other activities Other activities Boat trips around the estuary, water sports and visits to the “A Rocha” environmental centre which runs Walking, visits to mountain villages and sampling local cuisine. ornithological and bird-watching activities.

(HP) (HP) Sagres peninsula and cape Serra do Caldeirão Description Description A mountainous area covered with thick cork-oak forests and bush featuring numerous mountain streams Coastal plain with arable land and pasture, vast rocky cliffs and small secluded beaches, as well as dense rich in riverside vegetation. Mediterranean forests and small pine groves. Protected status Protected status Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000) and Important Bird Area (IBA). Nature Park, Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000), Biogenetic Reserve Birds and Important Bird Area (IBA). A variety of woodland birds, especially passerines and birds of prey: Dartford warbler, blue rock thrush, Birds Bonelli’s eagle and the eagle owl. A number of species can be seen in the spring such as the moustached A wide variety of grassland birds such as little bustard, thekla lark, Dartford warbler and peregrine falcon. Dur- warbler, red-rumped swallow, golden oriole, orphean warbler, short-toed eagle and the wryneck. ing migration there are thousands of passerines and soaring birds including black storks, Egyptian vultures, When to visit honey buzzards and imperial eagles, and seabirds such as the great shearwater and Balearic shearwater. All year except in the summer. When to visit Duration of visit All year round. Half a day – the morning. Duration of visit Other activities One day. Walking, visits to traditional mountain villages and sampling local gastronomic specialities and local crafts. Other activities Boat trips to spot sea birds and cetaceans, botany and geology. Walks and visits to local areas of cultural interest (Sagres Fort and São Vicente lighthouse). Castro Marim marshes and Vila Real de Sto. António (HP) (HP) Salgados lagoon Description Description One of Portugal’s largest wetland areas, characterised by extensive marshes and salinas (salt-producing A coastal salt-water lagoon surrounded by agricultural fields and pastureland. Protected from the sea by a areas) that are still in operation. long strip of dunes, it is bordered with marshes, reeds and rushes. (ZC) Vilamoura reed beds (ZC) Loulé Coastal lagoons Protected Status Protected Status Nature Reserve, Special Protection Area (Natura 2000), Ramsar site and Important Bird Area (IBA). Important Bird Area (IBA) Description Description Birds Birds Extensive reed beds with various artificial lagoons, channels and drainage ditches. There are also arable fields and The Garrão, Dunas Douradas and Foz do Almargem lagoons are three small wetland areas surrounded by pine Waterbirds (over 200 species) throughout the year which include the Audouin’s gull, slender-billed gull, Nttesting place for ferruginous duck, little bittern, swamp hen and avocet. During migration and in the Mediterranean orchards nearby. woods and strings of dunes rich in plant life, with vast areas of reeds and rushes. Caspian tern, flamingo and spoonbill. The lesser-known short-toed lark and little bustard inhabit the area. winter numerous shorebirds can be seen such as ruff, whimbrel, and several herons (including the rare Protected Status Protected Status It is also a nesting area for the subalpine warbler, collared pratincole, Montagu’s harrier and little bittern. Squaco heron) and the glossy ibis. Rare birds such as the white-headed duck and crested coot are regular Important Bird Area (IBA) The Garrão lagoon is included in the Natura 2000 network. When to visit visitors to the area. Birds Birds All year except in the summer. When to visit Little bittern, purple heron, swamp hen and marsh harrier. During migration and in winter numerous passerines Various species of waterfowl may be found in this area, particularly the swamp hen, purple heron, red-crested Duration of visit All year round. may be seen, such as the reed warbler and the penduline tit, and a number of ducks such as the ferruginous duck pochard and tufted duck, and also woodland species such as the azure-winged magpie and the hoopoe. In One day. Duration of visit and red-crested pochard. winter Foz de Almargem is an excellent site for watching penduline tits and reed buntings. Other activities Half a day – the afternoon. When to visit When to visit Visit the salt production areas and discover the historic sites, particularly Castro Marim Castle. Other activities All year except in the summer. All year except in the summer. Walking and going to the beach. Duration of visit Duration of visit Half a day. Half a day. Other activities Other activities Going to the beach and visits to the Roman villa at Cerro da Vila. Walking and going to the beach.

Tourist Municipal Useful Useful CREDITS Edition and Copyright Offices Tourist Contacts Websites Algarve Tourism Board (Turismo do Algarve) Offices Av. 5 de Outubro, 18 8000-076 Faro

© Turismo do Algarve do Turismo © Tel.: 289 800 400 Fax: 289 800 489 Faro International Castro Marim Guadiana International Algarve Tourism Board www.almargem.org Airport Rua José Alves Moreira n.º 2 - 4 Road Bridge Estrada de Santa Eulália Av. 5 de Outubro, n.º18 Almargem - Associação [email protected] Aeroporto Internacional 8950-138 Castro Marim A 22 - Monte Francisco 8200 Albufeira 8000-076 Faro de Defesa do Património www.turismodoalgarve.pt birdwatching de Faro Tel. 281 531 232 8950-206 Castro Marim Tel. 289 515 973 Algarve, Portugal Cultural e Ambiental www.visitalgarve.pt 8001-701 Faro Tel. 281 531 800 E_mail: posto.turismo@ Tel. 289 800 400 do Algarve Tel. 289 818 582 Faro cm-albufeira.pt Fax: 289 800 489 Coordination Rua da Misericórdia, n.º 8 - 11 Praia da Rocha E_mail: turismodoalgarve@ www.amal.pt Marketing department Albufeira 8000-269 Faro Avenida Tomás Cabreira turismodoalgarve.pt Grande Área Metropolitana [email protected] Rua 5 de Outubro Tel. 289 803 604 8500-802 Praia da Rocha do Algarve in the algarve Rua de Vale Formoso www.turismodoalgarve.pt Collaboration 8200-109 Albufeira Tel. 282 419 132 8135 Almancil www.visitalgarve.pt Tel. 289 585 279 Lagos www.gnr.pt SPEA (Alexandra Lopes Praça Gil Eanes Tel. 289 392 659 Guarda Nacional Republicana and Domingos Leitão) Alcoutim (Antigos Paços do Concelho) Praça do Mar Almargem Almargem (João Ministro) Rua 1.º de Maio 8600 Lagos 8125 Quarteira Alte Alto de S. Domingos, 14 www.meteo.pt 8970-059 Alcoutim Tel. 282 763 031 Tel. 289 389 209 Estrada da Ponte, n.º 17 8100-756 Loulé Weather Institute Texts Tel. 281 546 179 8100 Alte Tel. 289 412 959 João Ministro (Almargem) Loulé Sagres www.lpn.pt Tel. 289 478 666 Fax: 289 414 104 Liga para a Protecção Photography Avenida 25 de Abril, n.º 9 Rua Comandante Matoso E-mail: almargem@ Largo do Mercado 8100-506 Loulé 8650-357 Sagres da Natureza Faísca (birds) Portimão mail.telepac.pt Archive TA - Pedro Reis (landscape photos) 8670-054 Aljezur Tel. 289 463 900 Tel. 282 624 873 Avenida Zeca Afonso www.arocha.org Tel. 282 998 229 Associação “A Rocha” Monchique São Brás de Alportel 8500-516 Portimão SPEA - Sede Nacional Graphic design and layout www.teaser.pt Alvor Largo S. Sebastião Largo de São Sebastião, n.º 23 Tel. 282 470 717 Av. João Crisóstomo, www.spea.pt E_mail: [email protected] n.º 18, 4.º Dto., Rua Dr. Afonso Costa, n.º 51 8550 Monchique 8150-107 São Brás de Alportel Portuguese Society for the Translation 1000-179 Lisboa 8500-016 Alvor Tel. 282 911 189 Tel. 289 843 165 Study of Birds KW Language & Communication Services Tel. 282 457 540 Querença Tel. 21 322 04 30 Monte Gordo Silves Largo da Igreja Tel. 91 938 27 22 www.icnb.pt Printing Armação de Pêra Avenida Marginal E. N. 124 8100-495 Querença Fax: 21 322 04 39 Instituto da Conservação da Avenida Marginal 8900 Monte Gordo (Parque das Merendas) Tel. 289 422 495 E-mail: [email protected] Natureza e Biodiversidade 8365 Armação de Pêra Tel. 281 544 495 8300 Silves Print Run Tel. 282 312 145 Tel. 282 442 255 www.algarvedigital.pt Olhão Carvoeiro Largo Sebastião Tavira Rua José Viegas Gregório Distribution Praia do Carvoeiro Martins Mestre, n.º 8 A Rua da Galeria, n.º 9 8100-202 Loulé Free 8400-517 Lagoa 8700-349 Olhão 8800-329 Tavira Tel. 289 489 733 Tel. 282 357 728 Tel. 289 713 936 Tel. 281 322 511 EN 2010