Portugal ...... 23rd to 29th December 2010

The Algarve at Christmas

Christmas in the Algarve offers a wonderfully relaxed and exciting birding opportunity. This is an area not only attractive to golfers and beach-lovers, but also an underestimated birdwatching destination that offers both Mediterranean specialities and a cross-section of wintering waders, wildfowl and passerines from the north. Located in the charming town of Tavira this tour enjoys the convenience of a single base in a good standard hotel for the whole week, with a suite of bird species within walking distance. The tour will spend a day visiting the Alentejo, the province to the north of the Algarve, where Great Bustards are just one of the many attractions.

Day 1: Arrive Faro and transfer to Tavira. There should be time for some leisurely birding among the salt pans on the outskirts of town.

Days 2 – 6: During the course of the week we shall visit as many of the best birding sites along the Algarve coast as possible – Castro Marim NR, Quinta do Lago, Lagoa dos Salgados, the Alvor Estuary and Cape St. Vincent, mainland Europe’s most south-westerly point. A wide range of species can be expected from wetland birds such as Eurasian Spoonbill, Red-crested Pochard, Greater Flamingo, Purple Swamp-hen and Audouin’s Gull to passerines that are likely to include Bluethroat, Eurasian Hoopoe, Thekla Lark, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Alpine Accentor, Sardinian & Dartford Warblers, Southern Grey Shrikes, Spotless Starling, Azure-winged Magpie and Red-billed Chough. A day-long trip to the plains of the Alentejo will target Little and Great Bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouse and Black-shouldered Kite along with other raptors that could even include Spanish Imperial Eagle.

Day 7: If time permits we shall enjoy a final visit to Tavira’s salt pans before driving to Faro for our return flight.

Tour ref: AA1008-04

Cost: £1,190
Deposit: £200
Single Room Supplement:£105

Leaders: Peter Dedicoat & June Taylor

Max. Group: 12 plus 2 Leaders

Includes:
Economy class return flights (UK-Faro-UK), en suite accommodation (based on twin occupancy), meals, transportation & transfers in Portugal and services of leaders.

Excludes:
Travel insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.