THE ALGARVE
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"Just a note of appreciation for organising the Algarve trip. The weather, the variety of birds, good hotel, very well researched itinerary, along with a relaxed but efficient leader, made for a very enjoyable holiday"...... Mr R, Bolton.
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Spring comes early to the warm Algarve, which is one reason why holidaymakers have been attracted here since the nineteenth century. For the birdwatcher there is the promise of a wide range of habitats within a relatively compact area, supporting large numbers and a wide variety of breeding and passage birds. We will be based in the rural centre of the Algarve, giving strategic access to remote rocky headlands, river estuaries, marshes and mountains.
In addition, there will be a day trip to the unspoilt plains of the Alentejo, with its swathes of wildflowers and open country birds.
Our base is a quiet hotel in the traditional small town of São Brás de Alportel, where ancient wooded lanes provide good birding on the doorstep. Here is the ambience and charm of an area which has changed little throughout the centuries, where the wildlife can be enjoyed in peace. Just north of the town the Serra de Alcaria do Cume hills have wooded slopes with raptors, woodpeckers, Golden Oriole, Crested Tit, Subalpine Warbler, Red-rumped Swallow and Rock Bunting.
Bee-eaters abound – they are still a common bird in the Algarve, as are Hoopoes, Nightingales, Red-necked Nightjars and many more species. There is plenty of habitat for migrants arriving from Africa, and we are likely to find something unusual during the week.
The Guadiana is a major river which forms the border with Spain and flows into an area of saltpans, marsh and scrub which is now a protected area. Greater Flamingos and Collared Pratincoles are amongst the wide variety of birds to be found here. Pallid Swifts breed on the castle. Little Owls can be seen and the many larks include Lesser Short-toed. Large numbers of migrants pass through and we will be hoping for Great Spotted Cuckoo, Roller, and Wryneck. The variety of warblers include Spectacled and Melodious. Nearby woodland has the Iberian form of Long-tailed Tit as well as Serin.
This impressive headland, with sheer cliffs and a lighthouse, occupies the south-western tip of Europe. The highly adapted wildflowers here are a spectacular sight at this time of year. Peregrine and Chough are regularly seen, both taking full advantage of the strong updrafts created by the cliffs. We will do a seawatch, hoping for skuas and Cory’s and Mediterranean Shearwaters amongst the passing Gannets. The cliffs have breeding Blue Rock Thrush and Pallid and Alpine Swifts. Patches of scrub are good for migrants, and hold Sardinian and Dartford Warblers. Stone Curlew, Quail, Thekla and Short-toed Larks, Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit and Spotless Starling are all found in the drier areas. The Black Redstarts here are of the distinctive Iberian race.
This is probably the finest birdwatching area in the Algarve, consisting of a mixture of tributaries, large pools, saltpans and reedbeds surrounded by pinewoods and scrub. The saltpans and estuary contain a wide variety of waders including Whimbrel, Little Stint and Spotted Redshank. The pools and reedy edges have Little and Great Crested Grebes and we have a great spot to watch Purple Gallinules. These huge relatives of the Moorhen can be seen holding down the vegetation with their large feet while tugging at an individual stem with their vermilion bills to get at the succulent pith. Herons are plentiful and include Purple and Night, while Cattle and Little Egrets are also common. With a little luck, Little Bitterns can give excellent views.
Raptors are represented by Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard and Short-toed Eagle. Bee-eaters, Hoopoes and Golden Orioles should all be migrating through and warblers present include Cetti's, Fan-tailed and Great Reed. We will search the pinewoods and clearings for Wryneck, Crested Tit and flocks of handsome Azure-winged Magpies. Red-necked Nightjar can be quite common here, and we will choose a mild evening to look for them.
This, the south-central region of Portugal, is typical of the rolling plains which extend eastwards into Spain. Several excellent birds are within reach of our base and a day trip is planned to explore this interesting area. We will visit a reliable site for Great Bustard to watch displaying males. Little Bustards are common too, and we also have a chance of Black-bellied Sandgrouse. The overhead wires are regularly dotted with Southern Grey Shrikes. Woodchat Shrike, a true Mediterranean speciality, is also found here in good numbers. On a recent visit we located a pair of Black-shouldered Kites on the southern edge of their range in Portugal. Montagu's Harriers are common, the superb males being a regular sight as they hunt over the crops and dazzling wildflower meadows. Indeed, they provided one of the highlights of a previous trip when a male was watched at close range being mobbed by an angry Lesser Kestrel. The great swathes of wild flowers attract some interesting butterflies.
The plains and small farms are favourite breeding areas of Roller, Calandra Lark, Crag Martin and Lesser Kestrel, and we will also watch the Spanish Sparrows that breed in the untidy White Storks’ nests. This latter species must breed here in as high a density as anywhere in Europe.
We will keep one day free to revisit sites or explore other ones, such as the Pera Marshes or Praia de Faro. The exact plans for this day will depend upon recent bird information and what we have already seen.
We have been birding the Algarve since 1993 and this tour has proved very popular. Within reach of our single base are sites that have given us wonderful views of displaying birds. Little Bitterns have just arrived and males chase each other around small patches of reeds with an uncharacteristic boldness. Male Montagu’s Harriers dive and call to attract females who choose the breeding sites in the meadows. On their traditional gathering sites, Great Bustard males strut across fields, exposing their downy white body feathers, until they appear like large white pompoms. Little Bustard males are more discreet, puffing out their black necks and calling to hidden females. We should experience all of these and more on this thrilling holiday.
There will be optional pre-breakfast walks. Breakfast will be taken at about 8am most mornings. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short/medium length walks on the flat will be undertaken regularly. Some walking in the hills may be on gentle slopes, at a sensible pace.
Full-board accommodation is provided at the very pleasant Estalagem Sequeira Hotel in São Brás de Alportel. All rooms have en suite bathrooms. Packed lunches will be taken most days.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation (starting with lunch on 20th, ending with breakfast on 27th), soft drinks at meal times, local transport by mini-bus, international flights and airport taxes.
Our optional travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flights from Leeds/Bradford to Faro using the scheduled services of Jet2. Outbound flight departs mid-afternoon, return flight arrives back late evening. Meals are not provided on this flight. It is also possible to join this trip from several other UK airports – please phone for details.
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7 nights:
Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 6th January 2009):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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20th to 27th April 2009
Roger Barnes
7 clients with one leader or 13 clients with two leaders
£1190 per person sharing Nearly full but some places still available at discount price
£1290 per person sharing
£120
£300
£26 due at time of booking (£39 for age 65 to 69) (£52 for age 70 and over)
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