Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Naturetrek Tour Report 14 – 21 July 2015 Ocellated Lizard Marsh Gentian White-rumped Swift Purple Shot Copper Report compiled by Philip Thompson Images by Tom Mabbett Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E:
[email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report Tour Participants: Philip Thompson & Tom Mabbett (leaders) with 15 Naturetrek clients Day 1 Tuesday 14th July With our safe mid-afternoon arrival into Porto airport, the formalities of collecting the minibuses were completed and, eventually, we were on our way for a direct transfer to our first hotel, based in the historic town of Castelo Rodrigo. A refreshment stop on the way was taken; it was something of a shock to the system as we stepped out of the air-conditioned vehicles into 38˚C! Fortunately, this was a very dry heat with non-existent humidity and not too taxing. Having arrived at the hotel, we were soon assigned our various rooms, spread among the three houses that make up the comfortable accommodation. After a pleasant dinner, we retired to rest up and prepare for an early start the next day. Day 2 Wednesday 15th July An early start was taken today in order to make the best use of the cooler conditions at the start of the day, and to enable a return to the hotel in the heat of the late afternoon for a swim and relax. We began with a drive to an area of arable cultivation where a small population of Little Bustards are known to occur.