Winter in the Algarve
With mild or warm temperatures and slightly longer daylight hours, birding is an enjoyable experience away from the British winter. The roads are quiet and a great deal of birding can be achieved in a day, whether it be on the coast, cork oak woodlands or the various rivers and estuaries which all hold interesting birds.
My Algarve List is a respectable 308 species - ranging from the colourful Bee-eaters and Great Spotted Cuckoos of Summer, to Glaucous Gull, Great Northern Diver and Flamingos in Winter. There is also a trip report available on Birdtours.co.uk which I made in April 2012. It details many of the sites we visit and the information is still correct. The picture on the right shows the town of Alvor and its close proximity to the excellent birding habitats. The boardwalk shown here, crosses an extensive area of dunes between the beach and the estuary. Crested Larks are common in the dunes and Caspian Terns are sometimes seen on the estuary side along with wintering waders. |
A favourite bird of mine and one I struggle to connect with at Spurn is the Bluethroat - be it a White-spot or Red-spotted form. Fortunately, it is fairly common in the Algarve in winter, but often elusive and a good deal of luck was required in getting this one to pose on the boardwalk at Pera Marsh.
In February 2015, one was in full song on the dunes at Alvor. February 2017 showed at least two pairs and several single birds here.
In February 2015, one was in full song on the dunes at Alvor. February 2017 showed at least two pairs and several single birds here.
This Alpine Accentor was one of a group of four, found in the Monchique area - the highest point in the Algarve. A small number winter in the region and may also be found in the far South-West around Cape St. Vincent.
Rock Bunting is another familiar sight, higher up in Monchique. This area also has Blue Rock Thrush and occasionally a Ring Ouzel, which surprised me, as it called from a rocky outcrop. Sometimes you come across a bird you hadn't anticipated at all!
Selection of Winter Residents