Lisbon Estuaries (Portugal) & Extremadura (Spain)
Two different countries, two different regions, two different cultures, all in the same trip. One thing in common though: great birds! And even better than that: different birds!
These two regions complement each other perfectly. The Lisbon Estuaries are superb for wetland bird species and the Extremadura, only just over the border from Portugal, is known worldwide for the huge variety of land birds, particularly steppe and rock loving birds.
This birding programme designed by Birds & Nature Tours Portugal enables you to visit several species rich areas without needing to travel long distances.
In practical terms, you will find within half an hour’s drive from Lisbon city centre and its International Airport the Tagus Estuary and the Sado Estuary Natural Reserves. These two remarkable protected wetland areas have extensive bird lists that include Greater Flamingo, White Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Little Bittern, Squacco and Purple Herons, Booted Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Western Swamphen, Little Bustard, Collared Pratincole, Little Owl, Pallid Swift, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher, European Bee-eater, Bluethroat, Sardinian, Dartford, Savi’s and Melodious Warblers, Iberian Chiffchaff, Iberian Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Iberian Magpie, Spotless Starling, Rock Sparrow, European Serin and an excellent selection of ducks, waders, gulls and terns. A short drive to Cape Carvoeiro should provide an excellent opportunity for participants to see a wide range of sea bird species as well.
After a comfortable journey by motorway, we cross the border into the Spanish region of Extremadura in order to visit complementary biotopes and consequently new bird species. Here, we shall visit both the Monfragüe National Park and the plains of Cáceres, Magasca and Trujillo, among other interesting spots. These two protected areas boast a fantastic bird list that includes Great Bustard, Common Crane, Black Stork, Iberian Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles, Cinereous, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Red Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel, Eurasian Stone-curlew, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouses, European Turtle Dove, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Eurasian Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Alpine and White-rumped Swifts, European Roller, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Calandra Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Rufous Bush Robin, Black-eared and Black Wheatears, Blue Rock Thrush, Western Orphean, Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers, Crested and Penduline Tits, Red-billed Chough, Golden Oriole, Spanish Sparrow, Hawfinch and Cirl and Rock Buntings.
All this birding activity is combined with visits to some of the most interesting historical and cultural sites of Portugal and Spain, namely Lisbon, a vibrant capital city, and Trujillo and Mérida, two historical towns in Extremadura, which are also fascinating from the urban birding perspective. We’ll have numerous opportunities to sample Portugal and Spain’s many culinary delights and great wines.
Photos by Pedro Marques
✓ What's included
Guide fees (including a professional historian guide in Lisbon)
Transfer from the airport/hotel
Ground transport (in air-conditioned vehicles)
Accommodation (including breakfast)
Meals (lunches in local cafes and dinners in local restaurants, including quality wine at dinner),
Bottle water throughout the tour
Free use of optical equipment (quality binoculars and telescopes)
Field guides
Bird list
Entrance fees to private or protected areas
Entrance fees to museums and historical and cultural sites (in Lisbon)
A contribution of 60 Euros to our Conservation Project in the Guadiana Valley Natural Park (Portugal),
Participant’s accident insurance and VAT.
✕ Not included
Single supplement: 640€.
Not included are flights and items of a personal nature.
