The Sado Estuary & Alentejo

Portugal is a wonderful destination for birding. One of the country’s top areas is the Sado estuary.

The Sado Estuary is a Ramsar site of international importance where you can watch around 70,000 birds of more than 250 different species, all year round.

The estuary incorporates a number of different habitats ranging from, inter-tidal mudflats, salt marshes, salt pans and rice fields. Reed beds, river beaches and sand-dunes, to small dams and vast areas covered in cork oak and pine trees.

Some of the areas of major interest include: Gâmbia, Zambujal, Pinheiro, Monte Novo de Palma, Batalha, Cachopos, Carrasqueira and Comporta.

Around the Sado estuary are Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Squacco Heron, Purple Swamphen. While in the surounding areas Eurasian Penduline tits are to be looked for, and birds like Black Stork, Calandra and Thekla Larks, Red-rumped Swallows, Blue Rock-thrush, Spanish Sparrow and Rock Bunting are among other exciting species to see.

There are also sparsely populated areas to the south and east of the Sado in Alentejo, vital strongholds for Great and Little Bustards, and excellent for birds of prey. Resident Eurasian Black Vultures and Eurasian Griffons Vultures share the skies with Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles, and by late February, the first Lesser Kestrels should be returning from their winter quarters in Africa. You can also listen for the tell-tale chuckling of Black-bellied Sandgrouse flying over the steppe areas to the south around Castro Verde.

You won't be disapointed!

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