FIELD GUIDES BIRDING TOURS: Beyond the Ports of Portugal: A Birds & Wine Tour (Private) 2018

Field Guides Tour Report

Beyond the Ports of Portugal: A Birds & Wine Tour (Private) 2018

Apr 11, 2018 to Apr 22, 2018

Marcelo Padua & Joao T. Tavares

For our tour description, itinerary, past triplists, dates, fees, and more, please VISIT OUR TOUR PAGE.

See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

We visited the Faia Reserva Brava mid-way through the tour. We were able to see some of the conservation efforts that this group is doing to bring back habitats and birds, including a wonderful Golden Eagle that we saw. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Being a tour leader is a wonderful job, as you get to see the world, meet interesting people from all walks of life and make a living doing some of the things you enjoy the most. So, every tour is a memorable experience, however, every now and then there is a tour that stands out and ends up in a special compartment where our fondest memories are kept. This was certainly one of those tours for me, as it had all the perfect ingredients to make it an unforgettable experience.

First and foremost, we had an excellent group of people, (Many thanks to Ed and Susan for that!) which is always the main ingredient for making a great tour. I also have to thank Joao Tiago for his expertise in the field, both with the birds and more importantly, the wildflowers, which were certainly a highlight of the tour. The birding, by European standards, was of the highest order, and the food and wine blew our minds.

We started things in Porto with a cold and wet day, a result of winter that lingered longer than expected, but we had some nice Port wine to warm us up as we enjoyed great looks at the Undefeated City. A little birding stop produced some nice looks at Mediterranean Gull, as well as Greater and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

We then moved inland through the winding roads of the Douro Valley, where the grapes that produce some of Portugal’s best wines are produced, and we sampled some fine wines at Pacheca en route to the medieval village where we would spend the following days.

From Castelo Rodrigo, we explored the surroundings and found a variety of birds that included great looks at Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, Blue Rock-thrushes and many others, which were paired with some Vinho Verde and a memorable picnic overlooking the Douro River. We also visited the Faia Brava Reserve, and learned about the great conservation efforts of this group that is doing amazing work at bringing some areas back to a wilder state. This work is paying off with the nesting of several species of birds, including a Golden Eagle that we found perched on the cliffs.

Up next was a brief, but memorable, visit to Cabecas de Reguengo, where Joao Afonso, a kind of mad scientist of wine, showed us around and shared some of his liquid poetry with us. We also found some birds that brightened up even the grayest of days, such as a displaying Firecrest and an adult Cirl Bunting.

We continued our journey to the south, and visited two wineries that are very different and unique in their own way. One of them was Herdade do Esporao, where their biological wine technique produced a spectacle of flowers that could easily have been turned into a painting, and Jose Maria da Fonseca, where ancient wine making techniques are being kept alive by some passionate wine makers.

We finally reached the town of Mertola, from where we were able to explore a variety of habitats, but the most memorable day was certainly that first morning, when we saw Little and Great Bustards, Great Spotted Cuckoos, Eurasian Thick-knees, and even some Black-bellied Sandgrouse, all of them sitting in endless fields covered in wild flowers.

We finished our tour in the luxurious surroundings of Casa Palmela, where we had great birding on the grounds, and from where we could explore a variety of habitats from salt pans and mudflats to old forest.

I will never forget the days we spent together, and I hope they were as memorable for you as they were for me.

Hoping to see all of you again,

Marcelo Padua

KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant

The attractive Common Chaffinch was seen a few times during the tour. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)

COMMON SHELDUCK (Tadorna tadorna) – A couple of birds flew by our group a few times at hortas near the town of Alcochete.

NORTHERN SHOVELER (Spatula clypeata) – Great looks at the EVOA visitor center.

GADWALL (Mareca strepera) – Seen a few times towards the end of our tour.

MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) – Seen on most days of the tour.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL (Anas crecca) – A crisp looking male sitting next to the Marbled Teal at the ponds of EVOA.

MARBLED TEAL (Marmaronetta angustirostris) – A local guide informed us of the presence of these rare ducks at EVOA, and we managed to scope them for the group. This is the second year that this species has turned up at the reserve, but is by no means an expected species for this area.

RED-CRESTED POCHARD (Netta rufina) – Far more common than the Marbled Teal, but equally more spectacular, so we were very happy to get great scope views of them.

Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)

COMMON QUAIL (Coturnix coturnix) – Susan spotted a bird that was flushed by our vehicle and managed to get the group on it before it disappeared.

RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE (Alectoris rufa) – Our first one was seen right outside Castelo Rodrigo, and they became much more common as we headed south.

Podicipedidae (Grebes)

LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – Seen on a couple of days.

GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus) – We had the pleasure of watching two individuals performing a mating dance at a pond near Mertola.

Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)

GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Common around the salt pans near Alcochete.

Ciconiidae (Storks)

WHITE STORK (Ciconia ciconia) – Seen almost every day, and incredibly common in the South, where their nests are a common presence in the high tension towers along the roads.

Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)

GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – Seen well around Porto and the Arrabida Mountains outside of Lisbon.

EUROPEAN SHAG (ATLANTIC) (Phalacrocorax aristotelis aristotelis) – Joao spotted one individual perched on an islet by the ocean at the Arrabida Mountains near Lisbon.

Participant Randy Beaton got this beautiful image of a hillside covered with grapevines in the Douro Valley.

Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – Common throughout the tour.

PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – Several individuals seen on the day we visited the EVOA reserve.

GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – A few scattered sightings along our tour route.

LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Common throughout out tour route.

CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – This species became common in the South after we crossed the Tagus River.

Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)

GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Several individuals seen in recently plowed fields near Alcochete.

EURASIAN SPOONBILL (Platalea leucorodia) – A couple distant individuals around the Tagus Estuary.

Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)

BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – A close relative of the White-tailed Kite from the Americas.

EGYPTIAN VULTURE (Neophron percnopterus) – Fabulous looks at these handsome vultures during our picnic lunch at the Penedo Durao outlook on the Douro International Natural Park.

CINEREOUS VULTURE (Aegypius monachus) – Sometimes referred to as Black Vulture in Europe. We had great looks at them near Mertola after having a very frustrating view of one from the Penedo Durao outlook.

EURASIAN GRIFFON (Gyps fulvus) – As common as it is spectacular, and we had some great looks at perched individuals, nesting birds and some birds flying at close range bellow eye level.

SHORT-TOED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus gallicus) – The most common of the Eagles on our tour.

BOOTED EAGLE (Hieraaetus pennatus) – We had great looks at both light and dark morphs of this species.

SPANISH EAGLE (Aquila adalberti) – On our last morning around Mertola, Joao spotted a bird along the road and we managed to get great looks at a juvenile.

GOLDEN EAGLE (Aquila chrysaetos) – Seen in the scope perched on the dramatic cliffs of the Faia Brava reserve.

EURASIAN MARSH-HARRIER (Circus aeruginosus) – Several individuals seen in the southern portion of our tour.

The European Goldfinch was heard many times, in addtion to being seen. Its buzzy call let us know to look closely at the nearby trees. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

MONTAGU'S HARRIER (Circus pygargus) – Less common than the Marsh-Harriers, but we had great looks at them.

EURASIAN SPARROWHAWK (Accipiter nisus)

NORTHERN GOSHAWK (Accipiter gentilis) – We managed to scope one individual that was perched on a tree near the visitor center of the Douro Estuary reserve.

RED KITE (Milvus milvus) – A single individual flew by us at Casa da Cisterna affording us some nice looks at this species.

BLACK KITE (Milvus migrans) – Far more common than the Red Kite, and seen on most days of the tour.

COMMON BUZZARD (Buteo buteo) – Common indeed.

Otididae (Bustards)

GREAT BUSTARD (Otis tarda) – Great looks at these giants, including some birds in flight on our first morning near Mertola.

LITTLE BUSTARD (Tetrax tetrax) – Several sightings of this species that is becoming increasingly rare in Europe. We even saw the males with their puffed up necks trying to impress the females.

Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)

WESTERN SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio) – Joao had the perfect spot staked out for this bird and we all got great looks at one as it came out of the reeds and came very close to our group.

EURASIAN MOORHEN (Gallinula chloropus) – Great looks at them at the ponds of the EVOA reserve.

EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra) – Common around the salt pans of Alcochete.

Burhinidae (Thick-knees)

EURASIAN THICK-KNEE (Burhinus oedicnemus) – Great looks at them in the fields East of Mertola.

Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)

BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Abundant at the EVOA Reserve.

PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – Also common at the EVOA reserve.

Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER (Pluvialis squatarola) – Several individuals seen in the tidal mudflats near Alcochete.

KENTISH PLOVER (KENTISH) (Charadrius alexandrinus alexandrinus) – Great looks at this guy on the first and last days of our tour.

Unlike the bird that Americans know as a "robin", the lovely European Robin is an Old World flycatcher, not a thrush. We saw these charming little birds well on this tour. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – Common around the tidal mudflats near Alcochete.

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius dubius) – We visited a dam around Mertola where this species breeds and we found a pair of birds.

Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

WHIMBREL (Numenius phaeopus) – Seen in large numbers at the Tagus Estuary.

EURASIAN CURLEW (Numenius arquata) – A few individuals seen at the tidal mudflats of the Tagus estuary.

BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica) – Common at the ponds of the EVOA reserve.

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa limosa) – A few individuals in breeding plumage at the tidal mudflats around Alcochete.

RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Another species that was seen on the first and last days of our tour.

RED KNOT (Calidris canutus) – About 20 birds seen at the tidal mudflats near Alcochete.

RUFF (Calidris pugnax)

CURLEW SANDPIPER (Calidris ferruginea) – Present in good numbers around Alcochete. Many of them were in breeding plumage.

DUNLIN (Calidris alpina) – Thousands of birds seen at the mudflats of the Tagus estuary.

LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – Nice scope views of it next to some Dunlin for size comparison.

COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Seen on several days of the tour.

COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia)

WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – Despite some rain, we managed to find some interesting birds in some agricultural fields near Alcochete. We found a group of four birds sitting close to the road.

COMMON REDSHANK (Tringa totanus) – Susan spotted this one and it disappeared before she could get any of us on it, only to re-emerge a few moments later.

We saw Pied Avocets intermingled with Greater Flamingoes at the EVOA Reserve. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)

COLLARED PRATINCOLE (Glareola pratincola) – We had seen several of these elegant birds near Mertola but the views we got from the EVOA visitor center were simply the best.

Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)

BLACK-HEADED GULL (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) – The most common of the small gulls on the tour.

MEDITERRANEAN GULL (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) – A few individuals seen on the Douro estuary reserve.

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL (Larus michahellis) – Common around Porto.

LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus fuscus) – Common near the coast and also inland.

GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL (Larus marinus) – A single individual perched on a rock by the Douro estuary reserve sitting close to some Lesser Black-backed Gulls for comparison.

LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons) – We had to get creative with the use of the scope to show this bird to everyone at EVOA but we all got to see it in the end.

CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia) – This is the largest species of Tern in the World. We had a single individual fly by us at the Tagus Estuary.

SANDWICH TERN (Thalasseus sandvicensis) – Seen at the Douro Estuary on the first day of the tour. This species shaggy crest makes it unmistakable.

Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)

BLACK-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles orientalis) – We saw some distant individuals on our way to Sao Domingos mines but on the very next day we had them fly by us really close giving us an opportunity to view these scarce birds in detail.

Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)

ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Common in cities. During our visit to the Faia Brava Reserve we saw a few individuals that were likely wild populations of the pigeons.

COMMON WOOD-PIGEON (Columba palumbus) – Seen on most days of the tour.

EUROPEAN TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) – This species spends just a third of the year on their breeding grounds in Europe and spends the winter on their non-breeding grounds in sub-Saharan West Africa. The populations have experienced a drastic drop in the last decade, so we were very lucky to see them.

EURASIAN COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decaocto) – Even more common than the Wood-pigeon and a daily occurrence on the tour.

Cuculidae (Cuckoos)

GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO (Clamator glandarius) – Great looks at one individual perched on a tree near the village of Alves.

COMMON CUCKOO (Cuculus canorus) – A couple of sightings of birds in flight.

We saw several Purple Herons, including this one posing in a field near the Tagus Estuary. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Tytonidae (Barn-Owls)

BARN OWL (Tyto alba) – We ended a fabulous dinner in Mertola with a sighting of a Barn Owl flying over the ancient Mertola castle. A memorable sight indeed.

Strigidae (Owls)

EUROPEAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus scops) [*]

LITTLE OWL (Athene noctua) – Seen a few times in three different sites around Mertola, but the one I remember most is the bird that was perched on some rocks very close to our vehicle.

TAWNY OWL (Strix aluco) – Seen right in the backyard of Casa Palmela on our first night there.

Apodidae (Swifts)

ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – A few individuals flying around in the Douro Internacional area.

COMMON SWIFT (Apus apus) – The ultimate flyer, Common Swifts can stay airborne for up to 10 months at a time.

PALLID SWIFT (Apus pallidus) – Most easily told apart from the similar Common Swift by its call. There is an established breeding colony in Mertola.

Upupidae (Hoopoes)

EURASIAN HOOPOE (Upupa epops) – This is certainly one of those species that even non-birders want to see, and we had great looks at this emblematic species.

Meropidae (Bee-eaters)

EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – After a bee crawled up my nose and stung me, this guy became one of my favorite birds. IN THE WORLD!

Coraciidae (Rollers)

EUROPEAN ROLLER (Coracias garrulus) – We visited a property that has nesting boxes for them and we saw several of them perched on fences and electrical wires.

Picidae (Woodpeckers)

EURASIAN WRYNECK (Jynx torquilla) – A nice save on this species, as we were ready to leave the best site to see it, but decided to give it one more try and we ended up getting great scope looks at this unique bird.

LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos minor) – Dan spotted one of these guys on a tree inside the Mertola Castle. A great find.

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER (Dendrocopos major) – Brief looks at birds in flight.

EURASIAN GREEN WOODPECKER (Picus viridis) – We had been hearing one and searching for it for some time when Ed, who had stayed back talking to a local, casually walked up to us and called the group to see the bird in his scope. What a guy!

Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)

LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni) – There is a well established colony of Lesser Kestrels in Mertola and we saw several of them during our stay there.

EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – The most common Kestrel on the tour.

PEREGRINE FALCON (Falco peregrinus) – Great looks at one from the Penedo Durao outlook.

Laniidae (Shrikes)

SOUTHERN GRAY SHRIKE (Lanius meridionalis) – This species was common around Mertola, often seen perched on the power lines along the road.

WOODCHAT SHRIKE (Lanius senator) – Much more striking than the Southern Gray Shrike. We had great looks at a couple of individuals.

White Storks were common, especially in the southern area of Portugal. This nest had a sparrow nest incorporated into the larger structure; you can see the silhouette of a sparrow below the young Stork. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)

EURASIAN GOLDEN ORIOLE (Oriolus oriolus) – Brief looks at one individual on a side road en route to Minas de Sao Domingos.

Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)

EURASIAN JAY (Garrulus glandarius) – Seen several times, but for some reason this common species never showed well on this tour.

IBERIAN MAGPIE (Cyanopica cooki) – Formerly treated as the same species as Azure Magpie, but recent genetic studies have shown that the two birds are different at a species level. These colorful birds were particularly common on the southern parts of our tour.

EURASIAN MAGPIE (Pica pica) – A common species throughout Portugal.

EURASIAN JACKDAW (Corvus monedula) – Great looks at this handsome corvid around Mertola.

CARRION CROW (Corvus corone) – Seen on most days of the tour.

COMMON RAVEN (Corvus corax) – Sid spotted our first individual and we later saw several others.

Alaudidae (Larks)

GREATER SHORT-TOED LARK (Calandrella brachydactyla) – We had one sitting right by our bus near the EVOA visitor center.

CALANDRA LARK (Melanocorypha calandra) – Several sightings in the southern portion of the tour, allowing us to study carefully the characteristic features of this species that set it apart from the other larks.

WOOD LARK (Lullula arborea) – Seen at the Faia Brava Reserve.

EURASIAN SKYLARK (Alauda arvensis) – A single bird displaying very high at EVOA but we managed to see it in the scope.

THEKLA'S LARK (Galerida theklae) – One of the hardest identifications among one of the hardest groups of birds to identify in Europe, but we had several good looks at them and could observe carefully its distinguishing features.

CRESTED LARK (Galerida cristata) – Far more common than the very similar Thekla's Lark.

Hirundinidae (Swallows)

BANK SWALLOW (Riparia riparia) – Seen on a couple of days towards the end of our tour.

EURASIAN CRAG-MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Common throughout the tour.

RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – Great looks at these handsome swallows in Douro internacional region.

COMMON HOUSE-MARTIN (Delichon urbicum) – It was fun to watch these birds nesting in the buildings of Mertola.

Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice)

CRESTED TIT (Lophophanes cristatus) – Seen in the woods surrounding our lodge at Casa Palmela.

EURASIAN BLUE TIT (Cyanistes caeruleus) – A common sight in forested areas throughout the tour.

GREAT TIT (Parus major) – Common throughout the tour.

Our visit to Portugal coincided with a burst of spring wildflowers, including these gorgeous Woodcock Orchids. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Aegithalidae (Long-tailed Tits)

LONG-TAILED TIT (Aegithalos caudatus) – This species lives in small family groups. We saw them well at Serra de Sao Mamede near Cabecas de Reguengo lodge.

Sittidae (Nuthatches)

EURASIAN NUTHATCH (Sitta europaea) – Heard several times around Casa Palmela but we finally saw one sitting on a picnic table at Serra de Arrabida Natural Park near the end of our trip.

Certhiidae (Treecreepers)

SHORT-TOED TREECREEPER (Certhia brachydactyla) [*]

Troglodytidae (Wrens)

EURASIAN WREN (Troglodytes troglodytes) – Seen several times on the tour but the one we saw singing from the top of a rock from the belvedere in the Douro Internacional was particularly memorable.

Regulidae (Kinglets)

FIRECREST (Regulus ignicapilla) – A memorable sighting at Serra de Sao Mamede with a male displaying its colorful crest for a long time.

Scotocercidae (Bush Warblers and Allies)

CETTI'S WARBLER (Cettia cetti) – We heard the loud song of this warbler several times, but finally had good looks at one during our visit to the EVOA visitor center.

Phylloscopidae (Leaf Warblers)

COMMON CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus collybita) – A common species of woodland warbler that was seen early on near Castelo Rodrigo.

IBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF (Phylloscopus ibericus) – We had great looks at this species that is endemic to the Iberian peninsula and northern Africa during our visit to the Serra de Arrabida natural park.

Acrocephalidae (Reed Warblers and Allies)

EURASIAN REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) – Seen at the EVOA visitor center.

GREAT REED WARBLER (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) – Good looks at this species that is more often heard than seen during our visit to the EVOA visitor center.

Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)

ZITTING CISTICOLA (Cisticola juncidis) – Common and quite vocal. We saw several of them doing their display flights.

Sylviidae (Sylviid Warblers)

EURASIAN BLACKCAP (Sylvia atricapilla) – Common and widespread.

SUBALPINE WARBLER (Sylvia cantillans) – Seen a few times around Castelo Rodrigo.

SARDINIAN WARBLER (Sylvia melanocephala) – The most common species of warbler on the tour, but the one we saw singing from the top of a tree by the hotel in Sao Domingos was particularly memorable.

DARTFORD WARBLER (Sylvia undata) – Seen by just a few people near Mertola before it flew off.

Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)

EUROPEAN ROBIN (Erithacus rubecula) – One of the most charismatic European flycatchers, and one that we saw well on several occasions on the tour.

COMMON NIGHTINGALE (Luscinia megarhynchos) – Famous for its song, which is a good thing as they are much easier to hear than to see, but we managed to get good looks at them on a couple of occasions.

BLACK REDSTART (Phoenicurus ochruros) – Seen often perched atop buildings in villages.

BLUE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola solitarius) – We had the perfect timing on these birds, and they were quite abundant and obvious, as there were many of them singing. This was particularly obvious in the valley of Ribeira do Mosteiro where we saw several males singing.

EUROPEAN STONECHAT (Saxicola rubicola rubicola) – Seen every day on the tour.

NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe)

BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe hispanica) – There are two subspecies of this bird that are some times treated as two separate species. The bird we saw is of the Western group belonging to the nominate subspecies.

Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)

EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) – Despite being called a blackbird, this species is actually a thrush.

SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) – Seen briefly in a recently burned patch of woods near the Mirante da Sapinha at the Douro international area.

MISTLE THRUSH (Turdus viscivorus) – Great looks at a perched bird on a tree during our brief visit to the Serra de Sao Mamede Natural Park.

Here is our group, happily celebrating a successful tour on our last night. Photo by participant Randy Beaton.

Sturnidae (Starlings)

SPOTLESS STARLING (Sturnus unicolor) – Common.

CRESTED MYNA (Acridotheres cristatellus) – An introduced bird that has established breeding populations in Portugal. It was seen in the town of Setubal.

Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)

WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) – Great views at the EVOA visitor center. The birds we saw belong to the Iberiae subspecies.

GRAY WAGTAIL (Motacilla cinerea)

WHITE WAGTAIL (Motacilla alba) – A common bird that was seen on most days of the tour.

Emberizidae (Old World Buntings)

CIRL BUNTING (Emberiza cirlus) – Seen nicely outside our lodge at Cabecas de Reguengo.

ROCK BUNTING (Emberiza cia) – Another species that was quite abundant in the Ribeira do Mosteiro Valley.

CORN BUNTING (Emberiza calandra) – The most common bird song of the trip.

Fringillidae (Finches, Euphonias, and Allies)

COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs) – A colorful little bird that was seen several times during our tour.

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris) – A discreet bird that was often detected because of its buzzy call.

EURASIAN LINNET (Linaria cannabina) – Recorded almost every day of the tour and it was impressive to see so many males sporting their rosy colored chests and foreheads.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) – Seen on most days of the tour.

EUROPEAN SERIN (Serinus serinus) – Another species that was common and often detected by its characteristic song.

Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)

HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus)

SPANISH SPARROW (Passer hispaniolensis) – Lovely views of these classy sparrows nesting in the storks nests.

EURASIAN TREE SPARROW (Passer montanus) – Good looks at a few individuals near the town of Alcochete.

Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)

COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Present in good numbers at the EVOA reserve.

OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis)

WILD BOAR (Sus scrofa)

FALLOW DEER (Dama dama)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Here is a list of all the wines we sampled on our tour. They are listed in chronological order so it will be easier for you to remember them.

Winery, Wine, Wine region (sub-region), Vintage/Age, Kind of wine

Graham’s, Extra Dry White, No Vintage, Port

Symington, Altano, Douro, 2017. White Wine

Symington, Altano, Douro, 2016. Red Wine (organic)

Graham’s, Tawny Port, 20 Years. Porto, Port

Calem, Fine White, No Vintage. Porto, Port

Calem, Tawny, 10 Years, Porto. Port

Murganheira, Reserva Bruto, No Vintage. Tavora-Varosa, Sparkling Wine

Casa Ferreirinha, Esteva, Douro, 2016. Red Wine

Pacheca, Superior, Douro, 2016, Douro. White Wine

Pacheca, Reserva Vinhas Velhas, 2014, Douro. Red Wine

Pacheca, Late Blttled Vintage, Porto. Port

Pacheca, Grande Reserva Touriga Nacional, 2014, Douro. Red Wine

Pacheca, Vintage Port, 2012, Porto. Port

Quinta de Azevedo, Gazela, No Vintage, Vinho Verde. White Wine

Quinta da Pedra, Alvarinho, 2011, Vinho Verde (Moncao e Melgaco), White Wine

CARM, Reserva, 2014, Douro. Red Wine

Casa Ferreirinha, Papa Figos, 2015, Douro. Red Wine

Castelo Rodrigo, Touriga Nacional, 2016, Beira Interior. Red Wine

F. Olazabal & Filhos. Meandro do Vale do Meao. 2015, Douro. Red Wine

Cabecas do Reguengo, Respiro, No Vintage, Alentejo (Portalegre). Sparkling Wine

Cabecas do Reguengo, Equinocio, 2015. Alentejo (Portalegre). White Wine

Cabecas do Reguengo, Seiva, 2014, Alentejo (Portalegre). Red Wine

Cabecas do Reguengo. Solsticio, 2014, Alentejo (Portalegre). Red Wine

Ferreira, Dona Antonia Reserva Tawny, No Vintage, Porto. Port

Rui Reguinga, Terrenus, 2013, Alentejo (Portalegre). Red Wine

Blandy’s, Malmsey, 5 years, Madeira. Fortified Wine

Esporao, Defesa do Esporao, 2016, Alentejo. White Wine

Esporao, Quinta dos Murcas, 2012, Alentejo. Red Wine

Esporao, Esporao Reserva, 2015. Alentejo.,Red Wine

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Ripanco private selection, 2016, Alentejo. Red Wine

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Jose de Sousa, 2016, Alentejo. Red Wine

Henrique Uva, Mingorra Touriga Nacional, 2011, Alentejo. Red Wine

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Monte da Peceguina, 2015, Alentejo. Rose Wine

Cartuxa, EA, 2016, Alentejo. Red Wine

Herdade dos Lagos, Reserva, 2013, Alentejo. Red Wine

Ribafreixo, Discordia, 2014, Alentejo. Red Wine

Ribafreixo, Gaudio Classico, 2013, Alentejo. Red Wine

Monte do Trevo, Herdade dos Grous, 2016, Alentejo. Red Wine

Bombeira do Guadiana, Flor do Guadiana, 2017, Alentejo. White Wine

Bombeira do Guadiana, Herdade da Bombeira, 2015, Alentejo. Red Wine

Bombeira do Guadiana, Escolha Trincadeira, 2015, Alentejo. Red Wine

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Antao Vaz da Peceguina, 2016, Alentejo. White Wine

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Monte da Peceguina, 2016,Alentejo. Red Wine

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Monte da Peceguina, 2017, Alentejo. Rose Wine

Herdade da Malhadinha Nova, Malhadinha, 2015, Alentejo. Red Wine

Quinta do Esteval, Esteval Private Collection, 2016, Peninsula de Setubal. Red Wine

Jose Maria da Fonseca, Periquita Reserva, 2015, Peninsula de Setubal. Red Wine

Aveleda, Quinta D’aguieira, No vintage, Bairrada. Sparkling Wine

Companhia das Lezirias, Tyto Alba, 2013, Tejo. Red Wine

Casa Ermelinda Freitas, Leo d’Honor, 2008, Palmela. Red Wine

Jose Maria da Fonseca, BSE, 2017, Peninsula de Setubal. White Wine

Burmester, Extra Dry White, No Vintage, Porto. Port

Vinha das Virtudes, Humanitas, 2014, Alentejo. White Wine

Paulo Laureano, Vinhas Velhas, 2016. Alentejo (Vidigueira). Red Wine

Quinta do Piloto, Superior Moscatel de Setubal, 2011, Peninsula de Setubal. Fortified

Tapada do Chaves, Branco, 2014, Alentejo (Portalegre). White Wine

Tapada do Chaves, Tinto Reserva, 2013, Alentejo (Portalegre). Red Wine

Ampulheta Magica, Palavrar, No Vintage. Bairrada. Sparkling Wine

Totals for the tour: 161 bird taxa and 4 mammal taxa