Most birders are acquainted with the Spanish dehesas. They could also have a go to to those Mediterranean steppes on their want checklist. The Portuguese equal can be the montado – a really comparable panorama of wide-open plains and scattered oak bushes. The dominant oak within the Spanish steppes is the Holm Oak, the Portuguese have Cork Oaks as an alternative. Throw in Iberian Pigs, the odd combating bull and some flocks of sheep and the similarities are placing.
With just a few exceptions, the core of the distribution of most steppe birds lies in Spain so the southeastern a part of Portugal is the higher space to go to. So why go to Portugal if Spain has the identical birds? Effectively, the avian delights could also be alike, however the space in Portugal is smaller which makes for simpler looking (and discovering) and fewer milage. Extra importantly, the hospitality sector in Portugal is excellent – with nice inns, glorious eating places and pleasant individuals. The Spanish would agree – they arrive in droves to go to…
The aforementioned Iberian pigs roam the oak groves, feeding on the acorns, however even the gluttonous pig can’t eat all of it so within the colder season Widespread Crane involves winter.
Noisy flocks will accept the evening within the reservoirs, with the Caia reservoir being fairly dependable. When you discover a good viewpoint earlier than nightfall and wait patiently, you can be rewarded with a fly-by efficiency of those implausible birds. Examine these spots right here, right here, or right here or seek the advice of eBird.
But it surely’s Spring that brings the true joys of the realm and until you suppose displaying Nice Bustard and Little Bustard are boring you need to be right here in April – Might.
The Nice Bustards are typically far-off – as you possibly can see from José Leal’s closely cropped pictures – so a telescope is crucial. By the way in which, José took all chook pictures for this submit – obrigado Zé!
The place is the “right here” it is best to go to in April-Might? I discover the city of Castro Verde one of the best base of operations. It’s central to most good websites within the space, and discovering a spot to eat or sleep is simple. I can strongly suggest staying a couple of nights in Monte da Ameixa. There’s lots of birds within the surrounding bushes (Woodlark!), breakfast is epic and the rooms are clear and spacious.
Your finest technique is to take the EN (Estrada Nacional) 123. Straightforward to recollect – it’s your PIN code minus the final 4. The EN123 itself isn’t an excellent street to cease on, so be very cautious. Pull over fully and provided that you possibly can. Higher is to show into the various roads to the left or proper. Each is price exploring and for a full map of the realm there’s no higher e-book than Dave Gosney’s “Discovering Birds in South Portugal”.
Go away early from Castro Verde in the direction of Mértola. Set your endpoint for 37°38’9.62″N and seven°39’44.52″W for the Lesser Kestrels over the Guadiana, get pleasure from an excellent lunch in Mértola and preserve an in depth eye on the skies over the city for White-rumped Swift. Then return and do it once more, however now it will likely be afternoon and Eurasian Griffon, Cinereous Vulture, Golden Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle and Booted Eagle are all attainable sightings on the thermals.
After which, on a wire or a submit alongside the street, or simply flying: European Curler. Now you lastly perceive what Metallica was singing about. All kinds of ideas race via your thoughts: we drove too far south, I actually need to cease taking medication, this should be an escapee – somebody let the cage door open on the zoo, or only one easy thought: this chook is breath-taking.
This Curler was photographed on a type of aspect roads I discussed, in the direction of Casével.
The Curler is struggling, and numbers are down. I hate to finish on a low word however the pressures on Rollers are the identical ones we see in all places. Native Portuguese organisations like SPEA and LPN do their finest to stem the bleeding. Campaigns, nestboxes, surveillance – all of it prices cash. I’m not asking you for a donation although. I’m asking you to go and go to this excellent space, benefit from the Rollers and different specialties and conspicuously spend your cash. In different phrases, eat, drink and be merry, however at all times put on your binoculars round your neck. The Alentejanos will do the remaining.
