Vulture Birding Tour in Spain and Portugal

Birdwatching in the Vulture Kingdom of Spain and Portugal

This a 3-day Vulture Birding Tour through southwestern Iberia, which takes us to visit some of the several Important Areas for raptors.

In this itinerary, we will be able to observe not only the Griffon Vulture, the most abundant and emblematic species of this territory, but also other rarer ones that are included in the red list of endangered birds, such as the Black Vulture, the Egyptian Vulture or the Spanish Imperial Eagle. This trip is aimed at small groups with a maximum of 8 participants.

This birding tour of 3 days with 2 nights of lodging starts in the Portuguese region of the Alentejo to know the important area for birds of Moura and Barrancos, the vulture kingdom of Portugal. This border region presents a mosaic of open-zone habitats with non-intensive cereal crops and wood-pastures formed by Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) and Cork Oak (Quercus suber).

The watercourses, especially the river Ardila, have banked with aquatic vegetation and some shallow cliffs. Grazing sheep and cattle are prevalent in the area, and there are relatively small properties with olive groves and vineyards, while the existing houses are scattered. All these factors have turned this territory into a natural treasure.

In Portugal we will visit the Natural Park of Noudar and Herdade da Contenda, on the Spanish side we will visit the Interpretation Centre of the Black Pig of the "Dehesa Sostenible" Foundation located in the council of Aroche in the Andalucia region.

This birdwatching tour is all-inclusive so join us to enjoy the local taste of Portugal and Spain too. Transfers can be arranged from Lisbon Airport or any other meeting point in the south of Portugal (railway station, hotel, etc.).

Top 5 Highlights:

Two countries in only three days with the company of a local expert.
We visit the most unexplored corner of Portugal and Spain in southwestern Iberia.
Stunning landscapes in a very rich area for vultures and other raptors.
Very informative and experienced leader who gives lots of tips on natural history as well as local history and traditions.
All levels welcome. We adapt to the interest of each participant.

Are you looking for a longer birdwatching holiday in Portugal and Spain, please check out our Birdwatching Tour of Spain and Portugal 5 days / 4 nights?

Alternative Tour Name: Vulture Birding Tour in Spain and Portugal

Day 1

Day 1 - Arrival

Arrival at the meeting point and start of the trip to the area of Moura and Barrancos in the Alentejo region. Depending on the meeting time and the time of year we can make some stops to observe typical birds of the cork and holm oak forests here called "montados". Dinner and accommodation followed by a brief presentation about the places to visit and the species that we can see.

Day 2

Day 2 - Noudar Natural Park, Portugal | La Contienda, Spain

In the morning we take a walk through the Noudar Natural Park, where there is still a vegetation cover close to the one that would have been original, as if there had never been any human intervention. These are rich and rugged forests, difficult to access, that still hold Noudar's greatest secret. The richness and diversity of this territory is the result of its geographic isolation, low human density and being in a transition zone between Spain where the landscape of Sierra Morena and the vast fields of the Alentejo plain are marked. Stop for lunch in Barrancos. In the afternoon we visit the lands of Spain and the Interpretation Center of the Iberian or Black Pig. This project of the Fundación La Contienda Dehesa Sostenible has allowed to implement a sustainable production system where the commitment to the environment is reflected in the conservation and recovery of fauna, especially vultures and the reintroduction of threatened species such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle. At the end of the afternoon, trip to accommodation and dinner.

Day 3

Day 3 - Herdade da Contenda, Portugal

In the morning, we visit the Herdade da Contenda, a public estate of restricted access where we have the accompaniment of a local guide. In this place, there are more than a hundred species of birds, being an important area especially for many birds of prey, with an emphasis on vultures and great eagles. Its unique characteristics make this territory a place of excellence for the development of tourist activities in nature. Due to its importance and biodiversity, the Herdade da Contenda integrates a Special Protection Area and a Site of Community Importance of the Natura 2000 Network. It has a very rich fauna, being one of the places with the highest concentration of deer in Portugal. At the end of the visit, we stop for lunch. Then, we start the trip back to the initial meeting point in the afternoon/evening.

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Why book with Wild Doñana?

We are a progressive young company having several years of experience guiding and a vast local knowledge of the region. We love our land and love how wilderness, history and traditions come all together in this corner of the Iberian Peninsula.

Do I need a minimum fitness level to join this tour?

As far as you can hop on and off the van you can join us on this tour. The itinerary involves some short walks but it does not matter how fast you can do it as we walk at a pleasant pace. We stop very often to look at the birds and interpretate the environment and history of the sites we visit, and there are benches in places you can use.

What will be the level of connectivity or WiFi access during this tour?

There is WiFi connection in all the accommodation and our tour leaders can also share WiFi connectivity (or hotspot) via local Portuguese and Spanish mobile network.

Is this tour really for me?

It does not matter if you are a beginner, ocassional birder or a twitcher, we just adapt to the way you enjoy the field most. In cases when you share the trip with others in a small group, we try to get a balance and pay attention on each individual interest. We have been doing this since 2005 with not bad results!

Do you arrange airport pick up/drop off?

Yes, we can meet you at the airport or any other meeting point of your convenience near the start of the tour. At the end of the tour, we will bring you back at the same point.

What is the food like on this tour?

This tour is all-inclusive so all your meals with one or two drinks are included. For lunch, we are taking picnics arranged by the hotels where we are staying in order to enjoy longer in the field and get some flexibility so all health and safety rules are fulfilled. These packed lunches normally include: one or two sandwiches, water, juice, fruit, cake and yogurt. We have carefully selected the hotels and restaurants we are using to give the the best local taste with the use of local products. Of course, vegetarian options are available on demand.