Description
Ria Formosa Natural Park: A Birdwatcher’s Paradise is a Self-Drive Birdwatching Tour designed to discover the special and diverse ecosystems of this region, one of the most attractive birdwatching spots in Europe. The Algarve is a famous resort, but is also an amazing site for nature observation, being home to hundreds of endemic bird species, and a wintering and feeding station for many others, which thrive in its rich wetlands, salt marshes, saltpans, and woods.
Natural Park Ria Formosa, diversity of eco-systems attracts a varied range of animal life including many bird species such as the purple swamphen, the symbol of the Nature Park.
Based in the most important wetland area in the Algarve, the Ria Formosa Natural Park, this personalized tour will also take you to the Guadiana River Estuary and the Castro Marim Natural Reserve. More than a week of holidays, it’s a true chance to escape from the frantic daily life, while surrounded by nature.
Supported by detailed instructions and route notes, you’ll find opportunities not just for birdwatching, but for nature and bird photography; painting and illustration; scientific research; the pursuit of rarities (twitching), etc.
The Ria Formosa Natural Park covers an area of around 16,000-hectares and consists of coastal lagoons, vast areas of tidal flats, salt marshes, saltpans, and woods that are enclosed by a belt of dune islands and peninsulas. It is of particular importance as a wintering area for many birds from northern Europe and as a resting and feeding station for birds migrating between Africa and Europe. The area is classified under the Ramsar Convention.
Great Crested Grebe – Photo Peter Dedicoat
Winter brings wintering waders, such as Oystercatchers, Avocets, Dunlins, and Little Stint, amongst others. Wildfowl is also present in impressive numbers, and some of the most common species are Wigeon, Sholever, Pintail, and Pochard. Other interesting birds to be found are Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-winged Kite, Caspian Tern, Bluethroat, and the scarcer Penduline Tit.
Breeding birds include Purple Swamphen, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Collared Pratincole, and Audouin’s Gull. The barrier islands hold the largest colonies of Little Tern in Portugal, regularly seen fishing in the shallow waters, as well as a small population of Eurasian Thick-knee and Little Bustard. Interesting breeding birds also include Pallid Swift, Spectacled Warbler, European Bee-eater, and Black-eared Wheatear.
Birdwatching Algarve Sardinian Warbler – Photo Peter Dedicoat
In the surrounding woodlands, species like Great Spotted Woodpecker, Woodchat Shrike, and Golden Oriole are present.
The Castro Marim Natural Reserve presents the visitors with glimpses of European Goldfinches, Short-toed Tree Creepers, and Sardinian warblers, just to name a few. At the saltpans it is possible to watch several species of water birds, including the Audouin’s Gull, Little Tern, Collared Pratincole, and Yellow Wagtail (spring/summer); Shelduck, Shoveler, Black-necked Grebe, and Caspian Tern. All year round it is possible to find Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts, Spoonbills, Greenshanks, and Avocets. Kingfisher is regular at this location and, during migration times, Black Tern often turns up.
Northern Shoveler – Photo Peter Dedicoat
The route notes are designed to be a simple, easy-to-use field guide for all who enjoy watching birds in their natural habitat. Each itinerary is accompanied by a map and a description of how to get there, the most interesting species to be found there, and various tips about the best way to visit.
We’ll make sure you have an unforgettable experience, with no time-consuming search for places to stay, no research on the best birding sites – our tours are complete and most of all perfectly thought through and organized! The tour is designed to be enjoyed no matter your level of birding ability and expertise.
And to fully enjoy all the wonders of this tour you’ll be roosting in the centre of Tavira, just 2km away from the closest bird observation spot!
