Artic terns and Audouini’s gulls in Ria Formosa

During a boat tour, they were just waiting for a photograph…

Photos were taken by Fernand Schoos. Thank you!

Trip Report 21st April

We went out for a bird wacthing activity on 21st April. Blue sky, a good temperature of 19 oC, and a special guest: a reporter of the oldest and most popular birds magazine “Bird Watching Magazine”. We spent the morning on a bout tour in the Natural Park of Ria Formosa, going out of Olhão until Faro. During the afternoon a brief visit to the Natural Reserve of Castro Marim were you can also spend hours looking for all type of birds.

Check list PNRF 7h – 13h
Cormorant Phlacrocorax carbo
Litle white egret Egretta garzetta
Grey heron Ardea cinerea
White stork Ciconia ciconia
Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Ringed plover Ch. Hiaticula
Little ringed plover Ch. Dubius
Kentish plover Ch. Alexandrinus
Grey plover Pluvialis squatarola
Golden plover Pluvialis apricaria
Knot Calidris canutus
Sanderling Calidris alba
Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferrugínea
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Black tailed godwit Limosa limosa
Black tailed godwit Limosa laponica
Wimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Redshank Tringa totanus
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Audouini gull Larus audouinii
Lesser black – backet gull Larus fuscus
Yellow legged gull Larus cachinnas
Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicencis
Litle tern Sterna albifrons
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna


Check list Castro Marim 18h-20h
Litle white egret Egretta garzetta
White stork Ciconia ciconia
Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber
Platalea leucorodia
Spoonbill Ostraceiro Haematopus ostralegus
Ringed plover Ch. Hiaticula
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Black tailed godwit Limosa laponica
Redshank Tringa totanus
Black winged stilt Himantopus himantopus
Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Little gull Larus minutus
Audouini gull Larus audouinii
Yellow legged gull Larus cachinnas
Sandwich tern Sterna sandvicencis
Litle tern Sterna albifrons
Red legged partridge Alectoris rufa
Coot Fulica atra
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava
Hoopoe Upupa epops
Stonechat Saxicola torquata
Magpie Pica pica
Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis

Bird Watching Course – “How to identify waders”

On this 12 hours course, you will learn the main rules about the birding activity, how to identify waders and some tips about birding spots in Algarve.
The course will be in Faro, 2-3 March, between 9:30 – 17:00 (4h theory; 8h practical).
The price (75euros members of SPEA and ALMARGEM; 90euros non members) includes 2 boat tours, one lunch, theorical classes, participation certificate and insurance for the activity.
For more information, please contact Alexandra Lopes: alexandralopes@spea.pt , +351 213 220 430.
This course will be organized by Natura Algarve, SPEA, ALMARGEM with the support of Câmara Municipal de Faro and CRIA.

Spring arrivals

The Natural Park of Ria Formosa is important stopover for millions migratory birds. It was considered an IBA (Important Bird Area).
IBAs are key sites with international importance for the conservation of birds. Those places hold one or more globally threatened species; have an exceptionally large number of migratory birds.
Spring migration is starting. This is the time to look for the little tern, the kentish plover and more.
Is also the perfect time four a boat tour in Ria Formosa Natural Park. Join us!

Imperial Eagle died in Mértola, Portugal

On the first week of March, the male juvenile of was the result of the only successful reproduction of the specie in 2008. This individual was found dead in a hunting reserve in Castro Verde, Mértola.
Imperial Eagle is one of the rarest birds of prey in the world. It only exists in Portugal and Spain, counting no more than 200 couples. It has a high conservation status in Europe.
SPEA considers “this action a serious crime against Nature and unfortunately this is not unique case in our fields. Often the large birds of prey such as eagles, vultures and goshawk are victims of slaughter with weapons of hunting and poisoning. Deplorable crimes against nature, which put at risk many endangered species of our fauna, almost go unpunished.”
Source: SPEA

Birding boat tour

Natura Algarve and SPEA will organize in 28th March a bird watching boat tour. With the first migratory birds arriving from south, Ria Formosa is the perfect spot to find waders. We provide binoculars, telescope and a boat with electric engine. This tour will be perfect for beginners on bird watching. It will start at 9am until 16pm, from Olhão. For more information please contact Alexandra Lopes alexandra.lopes@spea.pt +351 91 322 04 30.

Birds and public health

North American scientist are studying West Nile virus and the way that birds populations can help to buffer people against infection. This study is also an interesting approach how biodiversity can provide a important service for the human people.

“Protecting biodiversity should be considered in public health and safety plans” as the author refers.

You can read more in here: Swaddle JP, Calos SE (2008) Increased Avian Diversity Is Associated with Lower Incidence of Human West Nile Infection: Observation of the Dilution Effect. PLoS ONE 3(6): e2488. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002488