Early Summer in the Algarve.
May is another good time to visit the Algarve for several reasons. Migrants have arrived, temperatures are pleasantly high without causing too much heat haze and, the resorts and roads are not as busy as in high Summer.
I was helped enormously in the early years by two excellent publications, those being:- A Birdwatching Guide to the Algarve by Kevin & Christine Carlson and, Summer Birding on the Central Algarve by Jon Hardacre. There is now an excellent pdf document produced by pt.meravista.com which provides further information on sites and birds.
May is also a good time to visit the Alentejo Region which lies North of the Algarve, and is reached easily and quickly on either of two motorways.
The area around Castro Verde and the N123 road towards Mertola, is well known for its Bustards, Sandgrouse, Rollers and raptors such as Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Griffon Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle.
I do have quite a few pictures of Great Bustard and Black-bellied Sandgrouse but they're too distant to warrant showing here. At least I can say I obeyed the ground rules as, you shouldn't be getting close to them anyway!
Back on the Algarve, around Alvor, Bee-eaters are plentiful and can be seen perched on wires or even at roadside nest sites.
I was helped enormously in the early years by two excellent publications, those being:- A Birdwatching Guide to the Algarve by Kevin & Christine Carlson and, Summer Birding on the Central Algarve by Jon Hardacre. There is now an excellent pdf document produced by pt.meravista.com which provides further information on sites and birds.
May is also a good time to visit the Alentejo Region which lies North of the Algarve, and is reached easily and quickly on either of two motorways.
The area around Castro Verde and the N123 road towards Mertola, is well known for its Bustards, Sandgrouse, Rollers and raptors such as Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Griffon Vulture and Spanish Imperial Eagle.
I do have quite a few pictures of Great Bustard and Black-bellied Sandgrouse but they're too distant to warrant showing here. At least I can say I obeyed the ground rules as, you shouldn't be getting close to them anyway!
Back on the Algarve, around Alvor, Bee-eaters are plentiful and can be seen perched on wires or even at roadside nest sites.
It's always better to photograph from the car, they will watch you at really close range.
On the road to Alvor Marsh, Cattle Egret are numerous in the surrounding fields. The Fan-tailed Warbler sits atop the small shrubs and Little Owl can be found on disused farm buildings.
On the road to Alvor Marsh, Cattle Egret are numerous in the surrounding fields. The Fan-tailed Warbler sits atop the small shrubs and Little Owl can be found on disused farm buildings.
The very elite golf courses are excellent for getting birds out in the open. Possibly the favourite is at Quinta do Lago, where these species are easily found. (Black-winged Stilt, Hoopoe, Purple Gallinule, Red-rumped Swallow and Waxbill).
Lastly, a few more of my favourite species which can be seen with relative degrees of luck!
I mentioned at the beginning, the various publications available and there are also excellent websites belonging to Birders who now live in the Algarve. Even so, I will be more than happy to help with any information on birding the various areas - just drop me an e-mail (Homepage). I would also be most interested to hear of your experiences. Hope you enjoy the images!!
I mentioned at the beginning, the various publications available and there are also excellent websites belonging to Birders who now live in the Algarve. Even so, I will be more than happy to help with any information on birding the various areas - just drop me an e-mail (Homepage). I would also be most interested to hear of your experiences. Hope you enjoy the images!!