Goncalo Elias

Birding hotspots in the Alentejo Goncalo Elias

The region described in this book has long been known among birdwatchers as one of the best areas in Portugal for two groups of birds: on one hand, steppe birds, including bustards, sandgrouse, rollers and larks; on the other hand, large soaring birds, namely vultures, eagles, and other birds of prey. However, the region of Castro Verde and Mértola has much more to offer, including waterbirds, passerines and other land birds, many of which are not easy to find in the country. Some highlights of this region include Ferruginous Duck, Black Stork, Lesser Kestrel, Crane, Collared Pratincole, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, White-rumped Swift, Tawny Pipit, Black-eared Wheatear, Golden Oriole, and Hawfinch, among others. In a well-planned day visit, it is not difficult to see 70 or even 80 species, with larger figures possible at certain times of the year.