Birding in Spain and Portugal

twotwitchers
twotwitchers Forum Participant Posts: 37
edited March 2017 in Overseas Campsites & Touring #1

We're planning  our first motorhome trip to Spain and Portugal and would love to experience some of the fantastic birdlife in that area.  Has anyone got any good tips for campsites, stop-overs etc please? 

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  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited March 2017 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Norfolk Hawker
    Norfolk Hawker Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited March 2017 #3

    What time of year are you planning to go? Some areas, such as the southwest of Spain, see many interesting migrating birds in late summer and early spring.

     

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2017 #4

    I can confirm what David has said. At the right time of the year you will also see birds like Red Rumped Swallows and you should also see Rock Buntings.

    If going to Portugal you may well stop at Cadiz or Tarifa, a great place for migration watching.

    If down in Almeria then call in at the campsite at Cabo de Gata and I would recommend going in February. Last time we were there we walked around the lakes behind the site (hope it's still there) and saw 5 Black Storks flying in low over the water plus hundrds of Gargeneys, a few Great Spotted Cuckoos, several Trumpeter Finches and even a Duponts Lark.

    Would also highly recommend staying around the Aquamolls Nature Reserve near Rosas in North East Spain, near the French border. One of the best nature reserves we've been to and magic in late Mach/early April and late September. There are many sites locally especially if you use an ACSI card. Try those at San Pere Pescador or L'Estartit.

    Wherever you end up you should enjoy it. Good luck.

  • birderbilly
    birderbilly Forum Participant Posts: 349
    100 Comments
    edited March 2017 #5

    In respect of the Algarve I can highly recommend this http://rcastilho.pt/WGAGFM/Birds_files/Birdwatching_guide%20to%20the%20Algarve_book.pdf guide to birding spots.

    We are currently in the eastern Algarve and the birding is great at this time of year less so in the summer.

    I'm afraid we rent an apartment because they are just so cheap at this time of year there is little point in driving down but I am sure others will recommend good sites. Most of the car parks on the Algarve resemble Motorhome refugee camps at this time of year ! On the eastern Algarve the site in Cabanas looks ok but we have never stayed on it, I am sure others will have good recommendations.

     

  • John Seymour
    John Seymour Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited March 2017 #6

    Some years ago you asked about going to Eastern Europe. Did you ever go ? If so have you any advice , as we are planning a trip there. Hope to hear from you. Cheers

  • Cajun Duo
    Cajun Duo Forum Participant Posts: 48
    edited March 2017 #7

    Call in on the Ebro Delta in Spain and as you have a motorhome you can wild camp like we did and I must add a few other birdwatcher. Many spots plus a campsite but its not open in the winter as we were on the delta in Feb this year. Also a well used aire it had about 10 other vans on it next door to a Lidl supermarket so no problem spending a few free days while watching like we did a Lesser Flamingo plus loads of Marsh Harriers and Audouin's gulls.cool

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