Born in the Spanish hills, the Guadiana River extends over 810km until it reaches the sea and marks the border between Vila Real De Santo António and Ayamonte. The river winds its way through hills swathed with rockrose, olive, carob and almond tree and the traditional schist houses. The area provides shelter for countless species of fauna and flora. East of Monte Gordo, in the National Forest of the Maritime Dunes of Vila Real de Santo António, the tranquillity of the green “3 Pauzinhos” Trail presents the visitors with glimpses of European Goldfinches, Short-toed Tree Creepers and Sardinian warblers, just to name a few. At the “Cerro do Bufo” saltpans it is possible to watch several species of water birds. The saltmarsh and the salt-pans are located near the Interpretative Centre/Headquarters for the Castro Marim Nature Reserve and are the best place to observe Caspian Tern, Common Redshank and Black-winged Stilt.

The Lagoa de São Lourenço is a body of water which is largely surrounded by a golf course. The Lagoa is rich in aquatic vegetation, edged by reeds and bulrushes and thus is rich in avifauna. In winter large numbers of ducks including: Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Teal, Common Pochard, Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck gather. At the southern end of the lake are the channels, salt marsh, lagoons and sandy barrier islands of the Ria Formosa which, depending on the tide and the season, can be teeming with waders, gulls, herons and egrets. To the east of the golf course is an area of pines which open onto Ludo, a busy salt producing farm where it is possible to see Greater flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Booted Eagles and many nesting White Storks.

There are many paths to explore around the Salinas and birds can be found on any of the pans depending on the state of the tide and the season. The Quinta de Marim is an area of approximately 40 hectares comprising salt marsh, saltpans, Mediterranean scrub and pine forest, freshwater lagoons, beaches and mudflats. With such a range of habitats it is possible to see a wide range of bird species. Forte do Rato is a good place from which to watch birds on the muddy channel at low tide. The Salinas are best visited at high tide when waders and gulls move from the channels which are inundated by the tide. The Santa Luzia salt-pans and saltmarshes attract a wide range of birds according to season. Autumn and winter bring Spoonbills, hundreds of Greater Flamingos, Audouin’s Gulls and Slender-billed Gulls and as many as 20 species of wading birds, including Stone-curlews.

This is an ideal opportunity to relax and enjoy the attractions of the Algarve. You can walk/tour independently, or visit local places of interest. From Faro there is a wide variety of sightseeing available (we can advise and/or recommend options according to your interests). For birdwatching you may wish to visit Sagres to the West or Vila Real de Santo António to the East

The Marismas of Isla Cristina (Isla Cristina Marshes Nature Reserve) is a system of beaches, sandbanks, tidal channels, fish farms and pinewoods, creeks and disused salt pans. Scattered across an area of 2.1 square km, the marshland nature reserve spreads between the Carreras estuary to the east and Ayamonte and the Guadiana estuary to the west. Around the shores of the marshes, colonised by glasswort, are sand dunes covered by pine and juniper trees. The marismas are full of a good variety of waders, terns and gulls all year round, although winter is the best time to see them. Storks, Spoonbills, Flamingo, Black-winged stilts and Marsh Harriers are among the birds that can be spotted. Today, the “El Pintado Mill” is a visitor centre equipped with different areas, including a nature reserve room and a mill room. Outside, along with the views, the visitors can also enjoy the picnic area.

In Castro Verde the main target is the Great Bustard, one of the world's heaviest birds. It inhabits a huge area of uniform countryside in the Baixo Alentejo and can sometimes be difficult to see. Other species that can be found include (according to season) Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, Griffon Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Red Kite, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Common Crane and Little Bustard. It is also an important breeding area for White Storks. In spring, large areas are carpeted with multi-coloured wildflowers – a truly memorable sight.

Individual departure or extra days (on request)