The Algarve is a fascinating region for birdwatching. It comprises a variety of habitats, from coastal wetlands and saltpans to rocky cliffs, oak and pine woodland and deep river valleys. As it lies on a migration route, it can provide great birding throughout the year. In this book, we describe 100 birding hotspots, located throughout the region. The contents have been organised according to the 16 concelhos, so there is a chapter for each concelho. This way, it is ensured that all hotspots that are located in the same area are grouped in the same chapter. Concelhos are presented in alphabetical order. Each chapter begins with a two-page introduction, which highlights some interesting birds that can be seen in the concelho and how the hotspots look like. After that, detailed information is provided for each hotspot: a brief description, a list of the most interesting birds that can be found there, and some suggestions on how it can be explored. All the places described in this book are accessible by car. In many cases, small pedestrian routes are also suggested, which will allow for a better exploration of each of the selected sites.

This book describes the best places to watch birds around Tavira and Alcoutim. For the visiting birdwatcher, there are clearly two distinct sectors: the coastal lowlands and the dry inland areas. The coastal locations lie all near the Ria Formosa. From the birdwatcher's perspective, they are very interesting because of the large numbers of waterbirds. Around Tavira, there are many sets of saltpans, which above all attract many waders and gulls. In late summer, Audouin's Gulls can gather in flocks of many hundred, while Slender-billed Gulls can be seen year-round. Kentish Plover, Avocet, and Black-winged Stilt are all regular. Other waterbirds regularly seen at the saltpans include Flamingo, Spoonbill and Caspian Tern. The surrounding fields hold several interesting land birds including Black-shouldered Kite, Hoopoe, Iberian Magpie, Crested Lark, Zitting Cisticola, Sardinian Warbler and the ubiquitous Spotless Starling. The barrier islands deserve a special mention. They consist mostly of dunes and saltmarsh and they have their own distinct birdlife. The variety of resident birds is not very large but includes some interesting birds such as including Stone Curlew, Crested and Lesser Short-toed Larks; they are, however, more interesting during passage periods, as they are often used as a resting area for passerines on migration. The inland locations are not so well known among birders, however, they hold an amazing variety of birds, including many species that are not easy to find in the Algarve. Deep valleys such as those of rivers Odeleite and Vascão are great locations to find the rare White-rumped Swift or the elusive Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, along with Red-rumped Swallow, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting and Golden Oriole. At some places, namely at Feiteira, Cachopo and Porto Carvalhoso, there are patches of Cork Oak where one can find various woodpeckers, tits, Nuthatch, Redstart and, with luck, Orphean Warbler. The hilly areas covered with scrub are excellent locations to see Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler and Thekla Lark. And in the plateau west of Alcoutim, one can look for large birds of prey, along with Red-necked Nightjar, Short-toed Lark and even Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

A description of the most interesting places for watching birds in the Lagos region.

A guide with the most interesting birding hotspots around Albufeira and Vilamoura.

A description of the most interesting places for watching birds in the Castro Marim nature reserve, in Vila Real de Santo Ant�nio and in the surrounding areas.