Portugal offers a fantastic diversity of habitats and bird species within a relatively small area. Within just a half-hour’s drive from Lisbon city centre and its international airport, we’ll find the Tagus Estuary and the Sado Estuary Natural Reserves. These two remarkable protected wetland areas boast extensive bird lists that include the likes of  Little Bustard, Bluethroat, Dartford, Savi’s and Melodious Warblers, Iberian Chiffchaff, Iberian Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Greater Flamingo, White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Squacco and Purple Herons, Booted Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Collared Pratincole, Pallid Swift, Spotless Starling, Rock Sparrow, European Serin, Cirl Bunting, and an excellent selection of ducks, waders, gulls, and terns.

An hour south, we'll reach Alentejo and visit both the rolling plains of Castro Verde (home to Great Bustard, Common Crane and, Red Kite), and the bluffs and hills of the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, noted for species such as Black Stork, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Iberian Green Woodpecker.

After departing Alentejo, we’ll drive another 45-minute south to the Algarve, a region rich in protected wetlands, situated along a major migratory flyway from Africa and especially notable for waders and passerines. Some of the sites we will visit, such as the Ria Formosa Natural Park and the Castro Marim Natural Reserve, are unique in Portugal for hosting rare and highly localized species like Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls and Mediterranean Short-toed Lark. These sites also offer excellent opportunities for close views of scarce species such as Little Bittern and Western Swamphen, Red-necked Nightjar, Sardinian and Spectacled Warblers, and Iberian Magpie, which are particularly abundant here. The cliffs and shores at Cape St. Vincent should also provide an excellent opportunity to observe a wide range of seabird species.

All this birding activity is complemented by visits to some of Portugal’s most interesting historical and cultural sites in Évora, Mértola, Sagres, and Lisbon. In fact, the country’s rich cultural heritage is on display throughout our entire route. At various times, we’ll be joined by qualified historians who will guide us through the historic districts of Évora, Mértola, and Lisbon, where we’ll wander along winding streets and through historic plazas and squares en route to castles, cathedrals, museums, Roman ruins, and scenic promenades. We’ll also have numerous opportunities to sample Portugal’s many culinary delights and excellent wines.