birdwatching guide to the algarve contents preface 003 Introduction 005 About this guide 006 How to use the guide 008 The Algarve Ornithological Tourism has shown continuous growth in the index of demand by 012 Birdwatching in the Algarve specialists and birdwatchers worldwide, in particular from the countries of northern 013 Birds of the Algarve Europe. 017 Autumnal migration in Sagres This market niche of Nature Tourism has generated very significant interest, in part 018 What birds should you watch in the Algarve? due to the fact that the Algarve has important birdwatching hotspots, in particular the 026 Exotic birds Castro Marim wetlands, the Ria Formosa and Lagoa dos Salgados. 026 Some regular rarities in the Algarve This Birdwatching Guide to the Algarve now published by the Algarve Tourism Board 028 Tips and recommendations contains technical and general information about the places where birds can be observed which is of interest both to researchers and to the hundreds of thousands of 032 Map - index of excursions ornithologists and observers of birds, whose variety of species in the Algarve generates widespread interest. 1 035 Lower Guadiana This guide contains 32 excursions ranging from the Lower Guadiana to the Sagres 047 Castro Marim wetlands Peninsula, all of them providing information about and a description of the area, advice 061 Ria Formosa on how to reach sites, suggested itineraries, the recommended season of the year for a 085 Coastal Lagoons visit and the suggested duration, together with details of each of the birds that reside 099 Lagoa dos Salgados in, migrate to or simply breed in the Algarve. 107 Arade Estuary and Ria de Alvor This is therefore a technical, albeit practical, guide which sheds light on one of Europe’s 117 Sagres Peninsula best kept secrets – that the Algarve is also a sanctuary for animal life, in this particular 125 Serra de Monchique case birds, some of them rare species that can be observed in their natural habitat and 133 Serra do Caldeirão captured through the lens of a camera for subsequent recollection or cataloguing. 147 Algarve coast The Birdwatching Guide to the Algarve is therefore a further vehicle for promoting the values and natural heritage of the Algarve. I am confident that its use will lead to 155 Systematic list of bird species occurring in the Algarve experiences that will be remembered with pleasure. 165 Glossary António Ventura Pina President of the Algarve Tourism Board 166 Contacts preface Introduction Although the Algarve is well known to everyone as an unrivalled holiday destination, Birdwatching is enjoying rapid growth it is perhaps less well known than it deserves to be for the value of its birdlife and almost everywhere in the world, most biodiversity. The great merit of this book is that it describes 10 important birdwatching especially in Europe. It has ceased to be areas and 32 excursions that will help the reader discover a different, arguably richer, a hobby largely confined to northern Algarve. countries such as the United Kingdom In its variety of sandy coastlines, cliffs, mountains, wetlands and Mediterranean – where it is estimated that there are landscapes there occur many resident, wintering or migratory bird species that journey over 2.4 million birdwatchers – to slowly from north to south. Many of them are faced with threats that could compromise their take its place among the leisure, social existence and stability in the near future. and tourism activities of the more The Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) has identified various sites in the Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Italy and Portugal. 2 region, designated as Important Bird Areas, based on scientific criteria demonstrating Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) 3 they are crucial to the conservation of species such as the purple swamphen, the Various reasons are suggested for flamingo, the Eurasian spoonbill, Bonelli’s eagle or the black-winged stilt, to mention this growth, starting with rising only some of the better known specimens. Some sites, such as the Ria Formosa, the interest among the general public Castro Marim wetlands or Sagres, are well known for large concentrations of birds in environmental issues, particularly Society for the Study of Birds) and in the during a period when they are at their most vulnerable. biodiversity. There was not much talk Algarve, Almargem. If we are to succeed in preserving these values it is important to recognize them in a in the past about nature conservation, In addition, birdwatching has many responsible and objective way. We therefore hope that this book will help its readers fauna and flora, threatened species, advantages compared with other nature- and users to explore the sites and itineraries it describes and to enjoy the wealth of nature photography or protected areas, related activities which help to explain its nature that the Algarve has to offer. It is also an important way of protecting birds and and people were not interested in growing popularity: it is very easy to do, nature, by recognizing, respecting, acting and demonstrating that they are real values getting involved in such a wide and unlike watching mammals or fishes, for worth protecting and conserving. prolific range of activities involving example; it can be done anywhere, even contact with the natural world. ENGOs in cities; it is open to everyone (children, Luís Costa (environmental non-government young people, senior citizens or people Director of SPEA organisations) have played a prominent with limited mobility); it does not require role in this through a huge number of much investment – depending on the activities that have facilitated – and birdwatcher’s interest and motivation; continue to facilitate – contact between it can be done all year round; it appeals the public and nature and woodland to the collecting instinct because of the avifauna. In Portugal a key part has been huge variety of bird species; and, simply, played by LPN (League for the Protection it offers effortless, close contact with of Nature), Quercus, SPEA (Portuguese nature and its various aspects. Birdwatching is reflected in a wide range the South Pole, and in deserts, oceans of enthusiasms and related activities and mountain ranges; which also help to explain the growing - Their plumages show every possible number of enthusiasts: the simple colouration, in all known colours; pleasure of observing birds in their - They have many distinct forms, both in natural habitats and their behaviour, terms of overall shape and in different colours and forms; nature photography parts of the body (beaks, feet or wings); in general and bird photography in - They show behaviours that are unique particular (e.g. digiscoping); painting and in the animal kingdom, which gives illustration; scientific research; collecting them special interest: they perform 4 and the constant search for new species; remarkable migrations, they have varied Birdwatching in the Ria Formosa 5 the pursuit of rarities (twitching), etc. and curious feeding habits, they build Lastly, and no less importantly, we nests using different techniques and should not forget the growing need methods, they sing melodious songs, About this guide in modern societies – especially urban some species are easy, while others are societies – for people to find an escape very difficult to observe, and so on. This Birdwatching Guide to the Algarve, suggestions of places where to start from their daily lives, with observation Lastly, as a final introductory comment, published by the Algarve Tourism specialist birdwatching boat trips. of and contact with nature among the here is a simple definition of what Board, is designed to be a simple, easy Each location is accompanied by a map solutions adopted by growing numbers we understand by birdwatching, the to use field guide for all who enjoy and a description on how to get there, of people. observation of birds or ornithological watching birds in their natural habitat. the most interesting species to be found So what is the reality behind tourism: It is organised in such a way as to there and various tips about the best way birdwatching? Here are some facts and facilitate contact with the region’s most to visit. At the end there is a list of useful numbers: “A journey whose purpose is to engage interesting bird species and/or the contacts for visitors, including telephone - There are approximately 9865 bird in leisure activities involving ornithology, largest number of them. It includes a numbers of the emergency services and species in the world according to IUCN, namely the detection, identification and range of useful information about how to internet links with recommendations many of them endemic in certain parts observation of avifauna, with the objective reach birdwatching sites, the best times on accommodation, restaurants and of the globe; of being in contact with nature to satisfy of year, tips about each site, etc. The specialist birdwatching companies. - They are organised into 70 taxonomic educational needs and/or achieve personal guide suggests 32 excursions covering This is not a conventional field guide, but orders (TAXA), including marine birds, satisfaction”. 9 main areas worth visiting, arranged aims to be a helpful travel companion raptors, passerines, ducks, etc; from east to west. There is also a tenth to the Algarve and a good pointer to - They are found in all ecosystems It is these experiences that we hope this chapter devoted to observing seabirds