Find out what species you can see in the Algarve & where to find them!
Located in the Southernmost part of Portugal, the Algarve is a very interesting place for those who enjoy birdwatching, photographers, ornithologists and investigators. There are over 300 year round species in the Algarve, a vast amount of prey birds, marine birds, waders, ducks, passerines and many others.
The Algarve is a 5000 square km area in which the visitor has the possibility to visit several places in a day, including both mountainous and coastal regions with marshland and observe a great number of different species.
The Algarve has very rich scenery and thus attracts a lot of very different species. There are woods with different trees, steppes, coastal lagoons, salt pans and a lot of marshland.
40% of the Algarve’s region belongs to Natura 2000 (a European Union network of designated areas for observing rare wild species and endangered or vulnerable species) and most of it is classed as Special Bird Zones or Important Bird Area (IBA-Birdlife International).
All of the natural attractions, together with good access to the region and great offer of accommodation, present the Algarve as an excellent birdwatching destination, complemented by its beach tourism.
We put together a list of the best birdwatching places in the Algarve for you to explore and enjoy! If you’d prefer there also organised birdwatching boat trips, walking tours, and even Segway tours, so the Algarve has something for everyone!
Serra de Monchique – GPS 37.311247, -8.594714
This mountainous region has a lot of rocks, cork tree and chestnut woods and farming fields. It is a water rich area: it has streams, ponds and dense bushy vegetation. It is also the highest point in the Algarve, home to wonderful natural viewpoints over the surrounding areas.
Protected Status: Special Protection Area, Special Area of Conservation (Natura 2000) and IBA.
Birds you may find: A lot of forest birdlife with special highlight to Bonelli eagle, bush warbler, black throat bunting and rock bunting.
When to go and how long you will need: The best time to visit is between September and May and you’ll need about half a day to visit Serra de Monchique.
Cabo de São Vicente – GPS 37.022465, -8.996515
This is a rocky place, close to the sea over limestone cliffs. Most of this area does not have trees. It has coastal plateaus with cereal farming fields and pastures. It has small areas with wild pine trees.
Protection Status: Natural Park, Special Protection Area for Birds, Natura 2000, Biogenetic Reserve and IBA.
Birds you may find: Along with a great variety of marine birds, steppe and birds of prey. It is home to the rook bird and during migration periods you may also see the Egyptian vulture, amongst dozens of other species.
When to visit and how long you will need: When the weather conditions are favourable, this is a prime location to watch bird migration, especially in Autumn and is recommended for birdwatching year-round.
You will need at least one day to visit this place.
Ria de Alvor – GPS 37.129915, -8.609845
Between Portimão and Lagos, Alvor Ria is home to a large and complex estuarine system to which several streams flow. The lagoon area is separated and protected from the sea by two sand tongues: Alvor beach on due East and Meia Praia beach on due West.
Here there are water canals, salt pans and several farming fields, especially up North.
Protection Status: Natura 2000
Birds you may find: Regular occurrence of several wader species (they live in marshland) such as black-winged stilt. During migration periods and winter there are Flamingos.
When to visit and how long you will need: The best time to visit is between September and May and you will need half a day to visit Ria de Alvor to observe as many birds as you can.
Lagoa dos Salgados – GPS 37.094725, -8.331312
This lagoon is close to the coast but has brackish water and is surrounded by farming fields and pastures. It is protected from the sea by an extensive sand tongue and dunes and has vegetation and canals.
Protection Status: IBA
Birds you may find: Here you will find a diverse community of aquatic birds nesting such as the Western Swamphen. During the winter migration, waders appear such as the Squacco-Heron.
Lagoa dos Salgados is a place where very rare birds show, such as the Crested Coot and the Dunlin.
When to visit and how long you will need: You can visit year round yet it is more populated by birds during migration periods.
You will need half a day, preferably in the afternoon.
Vilamoura – GPS 37.107320, -8.151304
Here you will find a long reed with several lagoons and canals. It is surrounded by cereal farming fields and orchards.
Protection status: IBA
Birds you may find: Grace Warblers and Cobbler Eagles nest here, among others. During migration periods and winter you may see Nightingale Reed Warblers and Red-billed duck.
When to visit and how long you will need: The best time to visit is between September and May and you will need half a day to visit.
Lagoas costeiras de Loulé – GPS 37.045340, -8.052432
These are a group of Garrão, Dunas Douradas and Foz do Almargem lagoons and are humid areas surrounded by pine trees and dune cords. They are areas of typical swamp vegetation, reeds and straight and flexible reed rods.
Protection Status: Natura 2000
Birds you may find: Several aquatic species appear in this area, including the Western Swamphen and also forest species such as the Iberian Magpie and Hoopoes.
When to visit and how long you will need: You may visit year round except the summer months: June, July and August. Half a day is enough to visit all three lagoons.
Ria Formosa – GPS 37.018326, -8.003241
Faro is close to a group of marshland islands that emerge when the tide is low. This area, known as Ria Formosa, is an excellent aquatic bird watching area.
Ria Formosa is the third most important area in the country, rich in marshes, salt pans, canals and water mirrors.
Protection Status: Natural Park, Special Protection Area, Natura 2000, Ramsar Site and IBA.
Birds you may find: This area is abundant in birds with affluence of thousands of species year round, especially Herons, Waders and ducks. Spotlights go to Audouin’s gull, the Flamingo and Sea Hawk.
When to visit and how long you’ll need: You should visit between September and May and you will need at least three days.
Alcoutim e Rio Guadiana – GPS 37.470720, -7.470728
This is a dry area, rich in vegetable gardens and orchards and also holm oak woods by the river.
There is a pathway by the Guadiana with incredible scenery and viewpoints from which you can birdwatch.
Protection Status: Natura 2000
Birds you may find: Many species like to nest here, such as the Golden Oriole and the Rufous-tailed scrub robin amongst hundreds of other species. The White-rumped Swift appears here regularly.Bring your camera!
When to visit and How long you will need: The best time to visit is Spring time and you should set aside at least one morning, start bright and early.
Foz de Odeleite – GPS 37.329491, -7.503554
Foz de Odeleite is a waterfront area, tributary to Guadiana river where there are galleries by the margins and typical vegetable gardens.
Protection Status: Natura 2000
Birds you may find: You may find Rufous-tailed scrub robins, short toed snake eagles and Thekla Lark close to their nests, among others.
When to visit and how long you will need: This Guadiana area should be visited in the months of Spring and Autumn in the early mornings. Set aside a whole day.
Serra Caldeirão – GPS 37.255560, -7.849499
Serra do Caldeirão is a mountainous region with millennial rocks, woods and bushes covered in shrubs. To complete it there are also watercourses that although are small still have riverside vegetation.
Protection Status: Special Protection Area, Natura 200 and IBA.
Birds you may find: Here you can find diverse forest birdlife with general bird classes and birds of prey in the spotlight. You may see the blue rock thrush, Bonelli’s eagle, Red rumped swallow, Golden Oriole and Short toed Eagle.
When to visit and how long you will need: Avoid the summer months and set aside half a day. You can visit this beautiful Algarve region in one morning.
Castro Marim – GPS 37.207704, -7.443533
Castro Marin is another of the most important humid areas in Portugal and home to the most bird species. Its big salt pans and swamps attract several important species.
Protection Status: Natural Reserve, Special Protection Area, Natura 2000, Ramsar Site and IBA.
Birds you may find: Due to its swamps, this area has over 200 aquatic bird species year round. Be ready to see the Slender-billed gull, Flamingos,Little Bustard, Collard Pranticole and Stone Curlew.
When to visit and how long you will need: Any time of the year is good to visit except for the months of June, July and August. And you should set aside at least one day to observe these amazing birds.
