Southern Portugal Birdwatching Tour

Southern Portugal Migration Bird Watching Tour

A full 8-day Southern Portugal birdwatching tour is a moderately-paced trip with any available date start with a professional Birding and Photography Guide for group sizes from 2 to 20 people, including four Full Day Trips. This birding tour in Southern Portugal is available for any start date you care to name and you can expect to have good views of anything up to 150 species of bird in the differing habitats you'll be visiting, as well as reptiles, butterflies, dragonflies, and mammals.

Based in the southern half of the country, the four Full Day Trips take you, with your fully licensed and insured professional Guide and photographer, to a diverse array of habitats, the Plains of the Alentejo for the steppe species, Foia and the Sagres Peninsula for high mountain species mixed with the rocky cliffs and sea-watching of Europe’s most south-westerly point, the Lagoa S. André for marshland and Cork Oak forests and the Faro Salt Pans for waders and other wetland birds.

You’ll be spoiled for choice as to what are the best birds on this 8-day break, but highlights will definitely include Bustards, Raptors, Shorebirds, Cliff & Farmland species!

The Quinta "Paradise in Portugal" EcoLodge

This is a one-stop accommodation break, so there’s no tedious packing and unpacking every other day, allowing for more time spent doing what you love to do – getting to grips with unspoiled Nature and really enjoying yourself. Surrounding your accommodation, which is aptly named “Paradise in Portugal” there is subsistence farmland, Cork Oak Forests, various Hides, valleys and streams.

The venue itself is a 5* Tripadvisor-rated EcoLodge, so your carbon footprint is as low as it gets. It overlooks a pristine mosquito-free lake set in the middle of nowhere with no nearby road, so there’s no noise or light pollution. The large surrounding garden hosts a wealth of species, notably nesting Eurasian Golden Orioles and several pairs of Common Nightingales amongst others.

The food is excellent, home-cooked and themed on “International Home Cooking”. It’s not from packets and there are lashings of it, backed by an extensive Portuguese Wine List with an Ornithological theme.

Southern Portugal Migration Bird Watching Tour

Leisurely pace (with some early starts!)
One-stop accommodation - no daily packing & unpacking!
Steppe, Mountain, Cliff, Marsh, Salt-pan and Cork oak forest species
4 Full day trips with professional local Guide
Comfy beds in an Award-winning lakeside accommodation
Full Board, pick up and drop off from/to Faro airport and all transfers inside Portugal.

Are you interested in experiencing alternative Birdwatching in Portugal?

Alternative Tour Name: Full Southern Portugal Migration Birding Tour

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrive Faro during the morning and explore salt pans and coastal lakes near Faro with picnic, afterwards transferring to Ecolodge “Paradise in Portugal”. Possible species include Flamingo, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Red crested Pochard, Purple Swamp Hen, Purple Heron.

Day 2

Day 2 - Golden Oriole Hide

Settle in to the Lodge and explore the surroundings and the garden, making use of the private “Golden Oriole Hide” situated within 100 mts of your room. Possible species include Nightingale, Corn Bunting, Iberian Magpie, White Stork, Common Waxbill, Serin, Golden Oriole, Water Rail and Common Kingfisher. Other facilities include canoes, SUPs, Sauna etc.

Day 3

Day 3 - Exploring the Plains of the Alentejo

An early start to explore the Plains of the Alentejo with your Guide. You will arrive at the designated start as the sun breaks the horizon, having had a quick breakfast in an early morning café. Possible species include Gt. & Little Bustards, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Red-rumped swallow, Rufous Bushchat, Stone Curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Thekla, Crested, Wood and Calandra Larks, Hoopoe, Short-toed, Booted and Bonelli's Eagles, Montagu's Harrier, Black-winged Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Collared Pratincole, Black-eared Wheatear, Spanish Sparrow.

Day 4

Day 4 - Rest Day

Rest day or local birding if required.

Day 5

Day 5 - Exploring the Coastal Plain and cliffs near Sagres

Explore the coastal Plain and cliffs near Sagres. As with the day on the Plains, you will arrive at the designated start as the sun breaks the horizon, having had a quick breakfast in another early morning café. Possible species include Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Linnet, Cuckoo, Gt. Spotted Cuckoo, Woodchat and Southern Grey Shrikes, Roller, Chough, Peregrine Falcon, and, during Autumn migration, raptors such as Honey Buzzards, Egyptian Vultures and Short-toed and Booted Eagles etc.

Day 6

Day 6 - Exploring the Lagoa Sto. André

A day spent exploring the Lagoa Sto. André and then south along the west coast back to QBE. Possible species include Bee-eater, Marsh Harrier, Zitting Cisticola, Gt. Reed Warbler, Savi's Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Bar & Black-tailed Godwits, Hobby, Black Kite.

Day 7

Day 7 - Self-guided Birding

Self-guided Local Birding in the surrounding Cork Forests near “Paradise in Portugal”. Possible added extra of a Guide if available. A slow walk along any of the wooded valleys will normally produce Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Cirl Bunting, Grey Wagtail, European Robin, Eurasian Nuthatch, Iberian Green Woodpeckers etc.

Day 8

Day 8 - Departure

Transfer to Faro for flight home.

Wildlife Reviews

5 stars

- based on 5 reviews

Visit to Paradise
Adrian & Tina Slater22 Sep 2019
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

This was our first ever wildlife watching holiday. Everything about the trip was perfect; the Quinta is set in an idyllic location just perfect for getting away from everything. The team were very helpful, and all the meals (in the main prepared by Daniela) were superb. We went on the majority of the trips, which took us through some breath taking scenery to see all that was on show. Add to that the local knowledge of Frank and Tony with all the anecdotes and it all created a wonderful week away. We will certainly be visiting again!
The exception that proves the rule!
Baron25 May 2019
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

Every year we visit the British Birdfair at Rutland Water. One of the reasons is to talk with all of the many and various trip suppliers to work out our next birding/wildlife trip. My guiding thought is “if it looks to good to be true.... it most probably is!” Birding (Paradise) in Portugal, however is the exception that proves the rule. From landing to departure at Faro, everything was first class and exceeded all our expectations. Within fifteen minutes of being picked up by Frank we were bird watching. (123ish bird species over the week we were there. Not to mention the butterflies, insects and other wildlife and flora.) Frank and Daniela are Great hosts. Great place, Great food, interesting conversation, a bit like being invited to stay with friends or family where nothing is too much trouble. Add on terrific birding trips with Frank. So what's not to like? Only leaving. We judge places we visit on the “would we return?” scale. For us the answer is a most definite YES, when?
Birding Paradise
Julian & Caroline Davies18 Oct 2019
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

We spent a few days Birding in late October (after a recommendation) and can heartily endorse all the other glowing comments. A delightful trip which hugely exceeded our expectations. The human dynamo that is Frank made it unforgettable. Whilst guided around the coast, plains, hide and local walks, we could just observe and enjoy, with Frank emailing us his stunning photos of what we had seen afterwards. The location is unforgettable too, relaxing in the evening sun over drinks and delicious dinners, hosted by Frank and Daniella. We will be back again next year.
Birding in Paradise!
Milo04 Sep 2019
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

This was my second visit to the Quinta and just as amazing. From waking up to birdsong to ending the day with a delicious dinner, every moment is a pleasure. If you're looking to dodge the hustle and bustle for a few days, soak up some epic scenery and enjoy the company of a true birding maestro, then look no further.
Outstanding hospitality and tours
paul rees02 Oct 2019
5
Overall

Tours
Wildlife
Guides
Conservation
Location
Value

This beautiful lakeside guest lodge is the perfect place for peace and quiet and a centre of operations for the many expertly led birding tours. The friendliness of the owners and helpers is exemplary and especially fun are the dinners with chatter over good food and wine. An unforgettable experience in the best possible sense.