Bird Watching in Portugal

Europe's south-westernmost country has gained quite a reputation as a bird-watcher's paradise in recent years, with good sightings regularly reported in every region, including the Atlantic islands of Madeira and the Azores. The sport is helped along by better infrastructure (trails, parks) for the bird watchers and an increased emphasis on eco-tourism. Birds to be found include, in the mountainous north, nesting birds such as the Montague Harrier, Red Kite and Short-toed, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles. At high altitudes, the Tawny Pipit and Rock Thrush can be seen. The Portuguese Society of Bird Studies has identified the vast area of the Albufeira do Rio Azibo as one of the main spotting zones in Northern Portugal. Likewise, the slopes of the Douro Valley are one of the best places to observe birds of prey, many of which nest in this region. Large numbers of water birds can be seen along the coast that borders Portugal’s Centro region, most notably around the Ria de Aveiro estuary among the low-tide mud, reeds and salt-pans. The wetlands of the Lower Mondego attract many unusual species such as the Purple Heron, while the Tejo and Sado estuaries are a very popular winter wetland for magnificent-looking birds like the Greater Flamingo. Portugal's hot, dry southern regions provide ideal conditions for a wide variety of nesting, migratory and winter water birds, including the Black-winged Stilt, Purple Gallinule and Lesser Short-toed Lark. For more information click here.