Goncalo Elias

Birding hotspots in the Algarve Goncalo Elias

The western Algarve is of outstanding interest for birding. Close to Portimão, there are two significant wetlands (Alvor and Arade estuaries), which attract gulls, terns and waders. In the vicinity of Lagoa, it is possible to find several expanses of rice fields, favoured by herons, egrets, ibises and other waterbirds. Beaches are bordered by coastal cliffs, where it is possible to find some cliff-nesting species, such as Alpine Swift or Blue Rock Thrush. Further inland lie the hilly areas of the Serra de Monchique that are home to a good number of land birds, especially passerines. This is the seventh volume is the series 'Birding hotspots in the Algarve'. It covers much of the western Algarve, roughly between the river Alvor and the area of Armação de Pera, as well as the hills of Monchique.