Week-long Birds and Dragonflies Programme in Southern Portugal
An eight-day small-group natural-history circuit from Faro through Alentejo and Algarve birding sites, with a parallel focus on dragonflies and damselflies.
About this tour
This eight-day programme starts and ends in Faro and combines birding with focused dragonfly and damselfly observation. The first stage explores the Castro Verde plains and Guadiana Valley around Mértola, where open steppe, reservoirs, rivers and rocky valleys hold both characteristic Alentejo birds and a varied odonate community.
The route then follows eastern Algarve waterways and protected wetlands through Castro Marim, Fonte de Benémola, Ribeira da Asseca and Ria Formosa. Later days reach Sagres, Budens Lagoon, Monchique, Salgados Lagoon, Quinta do Lago and Ludo. These sites add rice fields, coastal lagoons, dunes, marshes, salt pans, scrub and upland streams.
Bird possibilities include bustards, sandgrouse, raptors, flamingos, spoonbills, herons, waders and Mediterranean specialties. Dragonfly records range from widespread Iberian Bluetail and Red-veined Darter to more localized species; rare records and species tied to a narrow flight period remain possibilities, not promises. The published route uses a maximum group size of seven and finishes with a transfer in the Faro area.
Planning a wider trip? Read our birdwatching guide to Portugal.
Birds you can spot
Ciconia nigra
target
Himantopus himantopus
target
Aquila fasciata
target
Glareola pratincola
target
Platalea leucorodia
target
Merops apiaster
target
Otis tarda
target
Phoenicopterus roseus
target
Cyanopica cooki
target
Tetrax tetrax
target
Guides
Itinerary
Day 1
Faro to Castro Verde
Transfer from Faro toward Mértola and begin on the Castro Verde plains. Alongside steppe birds, early dragonfly searches may include widespread species such as Iberian Bluetail, Red-veined Darter and Broad Scarlet.
Day 2
Guadiana Valley waterways
Visit Bombeira and Mina de São Domingos together with Canais and Santana de Cambas in the Guadiana Valley. Rivers and still-water habitats are checked for skimmers, damselflies and other recorded species while birding continues through the valley.
Day 3
Pulo do Lobo and the wider Guadiana
Explore Romeiras, Álvares, Água Santa da Morena and Pulo do Lobo. The day combines Guadiana birding with searches for locally recorded odonates such as Long Skimmer, Orange Featherlegs and Iberian Bluetail.
Day 4
Eastern Algarve rivers and Castro Marim
Travel toward Tavira via Ribeira do Vascão, Pereiro Dam and Castro Marim Natural Reserve. The mix of tributaries and saline wetlands supports both wetland birds and a range of dragonflies, including several highly seasonal or localized possibilities.
Day 5
Fonte de Benémola and Ria Formosa
Visit Fonte de Benémola, Ribeira da Asseca and the Tavira salt pans in Ria Formosa. Demoiselles, clubtails and skimmers are sought along the freshwater sites, with coastal birding added at the salt pans.
Day 6
Budens Lagoon and Sagres
Travel west through rice-growing country at Nossa Senhora do Rosário and stop at Budens Lagoon before exploring the Sagres area. Wetland and coastal birding is combined with searches for local demoiselles, pincertails, skimmers and darters.
Day 7
Monchique and Salgados
Work the streams and uplands of Monchique before continuing to Salgados Lagoon. The habitats provide another mix of Algarve birds and dragonfly species, with records varying by water levels and flight period.
Day 8
Quinta do Lago and Ludo
Finish in the Ria Formosa wetlands at Quinta do Lago and Ludo. Birding among lagoons, reedbeds and saltmarsh is paired with a final odonate session before the Faro transfer.
Locations & map
- Algarve - Algarve Portugal (Eastern rivers, Castro Marim, Ria Formosa, Sagres, Monchique and Salgados Lagoon.)
- Alentejo - Alentejo Portugal (Castro Verde plains and Guadiana Valley river habitats.)
2 stops. Select a marker for its name.
Availability & pricing
Availability: Available on request · Season: Year-round or scheduled by arrangement; exact dates and best season will be confirmed after enquiry.
Price: Price on request
Included
- Professional birding guide - Professional guiding throughout the itinerary.
- Field guidance and bird list support - A bird list, field guides and complimentary use of binoculars and telescopes are included.
- Ground transport, accommodation and meals - Airport or hotel transfers, air-conditioned ground transport, accommodation with breakfast, meals, bottled water and listed entrance fees are included.
Not included
- International flights - International flights are not included.
- Personal expenses - Personal expenses are not included; participant accident insurance is included.
- Single supplement and optional extras - A single-room supplement and any optional pre-tour or post-tour arrangements cost extra.
Transport & stays
- Air-conditioned vehicle circuit Ground transport and the listed airport or hotel transfers are included throughout the published route. | Meet: Faro Airport or a Faro hotel | Pickup: Airport or hotel transfer included at the programme start.
Policies & FAQ
How is availability confirmed?
Departure dates and remaining places vary. Send an inquiry with your preferred dates for current availability.
Can the daily field plan change?
The published route is the programme basis, but individual field stops may shift with tides, weather, access and recent bird activity.
Are specific birds or photographs guaranteed?
No. Species, viewing conditions and photographic opportunities depend on season, weather and wildlife behavior.
Send inquiry
Ask about this tour before booking. Your preferred date is optional and availability will be confirmed after your inquiry.