Portugal in Spring

Portugal has a warm climate, superb scenery and an impressive diversity of breeding birds, including a number of species with restricted range in Europe. We have organised this spring tour to the south to include a wide range of birds in a mixture of wetlands, grasslands, oak forest, scrub, heath and rocky habitats. In addition to first class birding, at a relaxed pace throughout, this tour promises a fine show of spring flowers including orchids, good weather and the opportunity to sample Portuguese wines and tasty local cooking.

We begin in the Algarve where a series of wetlands, saline lagoons and coastal sites are at our disposal. A range of species both breeding and migratory are present in high numbers. We visit the famous Rio Formosa reserve, a renowned birdwatching location which also protects Faro city from the sea. One day we venture east to the saltpans at Castro Marim at the mouth of the Guadiana river separating Portugal from Spain. A range of other coastal sites each hold their own birding opportunities, and we also explore the Monchique hills and the old barracol farmland, the latter a rich habitat for orchids. For the second half of the tour we visit the 'Steppe' interior, where open ground in the Alentejo region offers some of the best birding in the whole of Portugal.   

There will be many highlights on this tour, none more so than the impressive array of raptors we may see. Bonelli’s, Booted, Short-toed, Spanish Imperial and Golden Eagle, Griffon and Black Vulture, Black-winged Kite, Montagu’s Harrier and Lesser Kestrel are all possible, and numbers in the 'Steppe' are especially high. Special protection zones with local support have helped to influence a steep increase in Great Bustard numbers and we hope to see these magnificent birds in lekking display. Little Bustard and Black-bellied Sandgrouse are key targets, and also possible are Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Black and White Stork, Purple Gallinule, Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gull, Collared Pratincole, Eurasian Scops Owl, Great-spotted Cuckoo, Roller, Bee-eater, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Hoopoe, Calandra, Thekla and Mediterranean Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Red-rumped Swallow, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Western Orphean, Western Subalpine and Spectacled Warbler,  Woodchat and Iberian Grey Shrike, Iberian Magpie, Rock Bunting and many more. A wonderful Iberian birding experience with a feast of western specialities!

Enjoy your complimentary pre-flight overnight hotel before your holiday begins. Full details from our office! Read more about our Pre-flight Service here!

Day 1: Sat 4 Apr 2026 - Arrival and the Ria Formosa Nature Park
After relaxing in our complimentary VIP Airport Lounge, we fly from London to Faro in southern Portugal. If time allows, we enjoy some introductory birding at the famous Ria Formosa Nature Park, where between the lagoon and saltpans we find waders, terns, egrets, ducks, Spoonbill and Greater Flamingo. After this great introduction, we take the short drive to our hotel near Faro, our base for the next four nights.

Day 2: Sun 5 Apr - Rocha da Pena and Benémola Spring
Today we make a gentle exploration of the Cork Oak woodlands and traditional farmland areas (Barrocal) not far from Alte. A very typical man-made Mediterranean landscape, managed in a non-intensive manner for centuries. Several species of Cistus shrubs occur among the Cork Oak, Carob, Fig and Almond trees, some centuries old, and the wildlife which has built up here is particularly diverse. We go first to Rocha da Pena, a magnificent limestone hill rising 500m high. Mediterranean and Iberian specialities here include Bonelli’s, Short-toed and Booted Eagle, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Red-rumped Swallow, Pallid Swift, Woodchat Shrike, Iberian Magpie, Blue Rock Thrush, Western Subalpine and Sardinian Warbler, Cirl and Rock Bunting. In the afternoon we visit Benémola Spring, a limestone area where we look for forest birds, including Wryneck, Iberian Green, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Iberian Chiffchaff, Melodious Warbler, Crested Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper.

Day 3: Mon 6 Apr - Castro Marim Nature Reserve and Tavira
After breakfast we drive east to Castro Marim nature reserve in the Guadiana estuary, near the border with Spain. During the morning we explore the extensive marshes and saltpans, and should see many waders and other waterbirds, including large numbers of Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill, Little Egret, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish Plover and Black-tailed Godwit. We may also see small numbers of Collared Pratincole, Caspian, Little and Gull-billed Tern. In the dry marshes and dry grassland we will try to see Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Mediterranean Short-toed Lark and Spectacled Warbler. In the afternoon we visit the salinas of Tavira, in the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Offering another good selection of waterbirds including large concentrations of Greater Flamingo, the saltpans can also be a good place for Audouin's and Slender-billed Gull.

Day 4: Tue 7 Apr - Salgados Lagoon and Monchique Mountains
After breakfast we head west, and our first stop will be at the Salgados lagoon, a small coastal wetland teeming with waterbirds. Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Purple Heron, Little Bittern, Red-crested Pochard, Collared Pratincole, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Gull-billed and Whiskered Tern are all possible here. In the afternoon we drive up to the Monchique, visiting Foia the highest mountain in the Algarve. The landscape will get progressively greener, where we may find Iberian Chiffchaff, Firecrest and Short-toed Treecreeper. On the barren summit, special passerines include Dartford Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting and we have good chances of a raptor or two while enjoying the views over the Algarve.

Day 5: Wed 8 Apr - Alentejo and Castro Verde
After breakfast we drive north to the Alentejo region. Our route takes us by the hills of Caldeirão, with further chances for Bonelli’s and Short-toed Eagle. We will made a birding stop close to Vascão River for Woodlark, Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Crag Martin, Kingfisher, Western Subalpine and Melodious Warbler, Golden Oriole, Hawfinch and Cirl Bunting. After lunch we continue north to Castro Verde and might see Great and Little Bustard, Lesser Kestrel and Montagu’s Harrier on our first afternoon in this bird filled region. Overnight Castro Verde for three nights.

Day 6: Thu 9 Apr - Castro Verde Grassland
We spend today exploring the dry steppe grassland around Castro Verde, one of the best places in Europe to observe Great Bustard, with a dense population of around 1200 in this area. The elaborate breeding display of these magnificent birds takes place here among colourful carpets of wild flowers. There are many other key species in this area with which we hope to connect including Spanish Imperial and Golden Eagle, Griffon and Black Vulture, Montagu’s Harrier, Black Kite, Black-shouldered Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Great-spotted Cuckoo, Roller, Calandra, Thekla and Short-toed Lark, Tawny Pipit, Black-eared Wheatear, Woodchat and Iberian Grey Shrike and Spanish Sparrow - a real feast of Iberian birding! On one evening we take a walk or drive to look for Eurasian Scops Owl, with chances of Long-eared Owl or an early Red-necked Nightjar too.  

Day 7: Fri 10 Apr - Guadiana Valley Nature Park
Today we visit the Guadiana Valley nature park, beginning close to the Moorish village of Mértola. In the village we might see Lesser Kestrel, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow and Rock Bunting. We picnic by the Guadiana River in the Pulo do Lobo gorge, a breath-taking landscape of rocky hills which can produce Bonelli's, Golden and Short-toed Eagle. Black Stork are a rare breeder and we search for small birds too, including Black-eared Wheatear, Hawfinch and Cirl Bunting. In the afternoon we explore the old mine of São Domingos, hoping to add further Iberian species.

Day 8: Sat 11 Apr - Departure
After an early breakfast we drive towards Faro Airport. If we have time we can look for a few final birds by the Quinta do Lago salt and freshwater lagoons before our flight back to the UK.

What's included in your holiday price:

• return scheduled flight from London – Faro, airport taxes, baggage and hand luggage up to airline included limit.
• airport transfers, ground transportation, accommodation and meals as specified.
• the services of a Heatherlea leader and local guide.
• The Heatherlea Pre-Flight Service offers everything you need at the airport, including hotels, car parking, airport lounges, regional flights, and upgrades. Let Heatherlea take the strain! Pre-flight airport hotel and lounge included free of charge subject to terms and conditions. Read more...

What's not included in your holiday price:

• travel to and from departure airport before and after holiday, in-flight meal, baggage above airline included limit
• incidental tips, expenses of a personal nature including drinks and personal insurance.

More holiday information

Accommodation is in comfortable hotels with all rooms en suite,
Food Breakfast is typical of Portugal, consisting of a roll with jam/cheese/ham. Fruit juice and tea or coffee are also available. Lunches are usually picnic style in the field. Evening meals are generally local dishes, which are good but often quite simple. Vegetarian and other diets are welcome.
Walking is generally light/moderate. There may be some uphill track and road walking, though generally an average level of fitness is required.
Weather Typically, temperatures will range from 50F in the early morning to perhaps 80F in the heat of the day. Sunshine should be plentiful, but cloud and rain are possible. Cold weather, with temperatures as low as 40F, are rare but possible.
Insects biting insects may be encountered, though not usually as a major problem.
Group size is restricted to 12 clients maximum.
Flights are by scheduled airline, from London. We may be able to offer flight arrangements from another location and/or or quote without flights so you can make your own arrangements. If you wish to add an extension either before or after your holiday, please contact us and we will be happy to arrange this for you.