References:

A Birdwatchers’ Guide to Portugal & Madeira by CC Moore, G Elias & H Costa.

The Collins Guide to birds of Britain & Europe, with N Africa and the Middle East by Hermann Heinzel, Richard Fitter & John Parslow.

Introduction

With friends living near Cascais (35km west of Lisbon), the invitation to visit them and do some bird watching around the Lisbon area was irresistible.  So leaving some hideous British weather behind we headed off from Luton airport on 7^th Mar and retuned on the 16^th having missed the biggest storm of the British winter – what a result!

Car parking at Luton cost £42 for eight days, car hire in Portugal cost £63.08 for eight days with the local firm – Guerin and the flights cost £139 return for two adults with Easyjet.  The total cost was a good price for an enjoyable week birding in the sun.  If I hadn’t eaten so much Chicken Piri Piri and drank so much beer it would have been even cheaper.  The price of petrol had gone up since my last visit however I only used about 25 euros per day, so it wasn’t that bad.

Day 1 – 8 Mar

After a short flight from Luton to Lisbon, a frustrating time hiring the car that had been booked and a drive to our friend's house we arrived at Murches; a small village outside Cascais where the Sintra hills featured as a back drop.

Serins were much in evidence and a quick walk around the scrubby, rocky area at the back of the house revealed a male Siskin, Sardinian Warblers, several common woodland birds and a male Blue Rock Thrush.

Day 2 – 9 Mar

A visit to Cabo de Roca produced four Balearic Shearwaters, several Gannets and two Shags with accompanying Yellow-legged Gulls.  Later around Murches the only Dartford Warbler a Buzzard and three Spotless Starlings were seen.

Day 3 – 10 Mar

An early start and a long drive to the International Tagus reserve on the Spanish border via several N (National) roads.  White Storks became common and House Martins, Swallows and Cattle Egrets put in an appearance.  The highlight near Constancia Sul was a large roost of cormorants and a single Black Stork flying up the river.  The first Black Kite was also seen here.  East of Castelo Branco near Ladoeiro two Southern Grey Shirkes were noted along with seven Azure-winged Magpies.  A brief stop at a roadside pool on the N353 produced a Bluethroat, two Reed Buntings, several Snipe a Great White Egret.

Continuing to Rosmaninhal via Idanha da Nova, two Red-legged Partridges were by the roadside and just North of Rosmaninhal a showy Black-shouldered Kite was seen perched on roadside telegraph lines.  South of Rosmaninhal in the Vale de Morena, International Tagus reserve, two Black Vultures, five Griffon Vultures, a Hoopoe and at least 30 Azure-winged Magpies brightened up a fairly soggy day.

The return to Lisbon via Boquilobo Marsh produced a Redstart, Grey Wagtail and a pair of Brambling one of which was a stunning male.  Sadly this area has suffered from a number of dry winters and the marsh area is much reduced.

Day 4 – 13 Mar

A cultural day out in Lisbon today was vectored into the visit to our friends, which was very enjoyable.  Several Natas, coffees, a few beers and lunch had us heading for an early night.

Day 5 – 12 Mar

A journey to the Tagus Estuary area just North of Lisbon started with a visit to the Pancas track area, through Cork Oak woodlands.  Two Black Kite were encountered and the only Red-rumped Swallows of the trip.  A pair of Kingfishers put in an appearance and a Black Redstart perched on the buildings at Bate Orelhas.  Several common species were observed including Hoopoes, Fan-tailed Warblers and about sixty distant Greater Flamingos on the estuary proper.

A short drive to Barroco Marsh was rewarding where at least a1000 Black-tailed Godwits and 137 Glossy Ibis were feeding.  A pair of Marsh Harriers entertained whilst a Water Pipit and a pair of Penduline Tits were still present from the winter.  Summer plumaged Iberian Wagtails were seen and of the exotics, Village Weavers were numerous.

In the afternoon at Cascais sea front a Sandwhich Tern was seen, however the “Frango” chicken Piri Piri and a cold beer deserved more attention.

A quick drive around the Sintra Hills in the early evening was rewarded with a pair of Wood Pigeons, a Short-toed Treecreeper and in conifers near Murches a Firecrest.

Day 6 – 13 Mar

A day out south of Lisbon over the 25^th April bridge saw a visit to Albefeira Lagoon which was a little disappointing followed by an enjoyable walk around Cape Espichel.  Upon arrival at the Cape two Cory’s Shearwaters, two Balearic Shearwaters and several Gannets were seen attending a fishing boat.  The only Pallid Swifts of the trip were noted and two singing male Cirl Buntings were seen.  A Willow Warbler and a c25 Spotless Starlings finished off the visit.

Negotiating Satubel found me arriving at Prais de Sado saltpans at about lunchtime, which produced numerous Black-winged Stilts, several Kentish Plovers, a Grey Plover, two Dunlin, a Greenshank, three Avocet and four Greater Flamingos.

Driving south in search of the track to Panheiro had a light phase Booted Eagle drifting over me, whilst the track itself is now gated about a mile from the road stopping further access.  However a drive around the local area and other likely looking tracks produced a Great Spotted Cuckoo, two Great Spotted Woodpeckers, a Buzzard, a singing Woodlark and a Nuthatch.

Whilst returning north I stopped at Zambujal Marsh which held c1000 Black-tailed Godwits and c150 Glossy Ibis; probably the same concentration of birds noted a Barroco Marsh two days previously as when I returned there later in the week no birds were present.  Seventeen Spoonbills, c300 Avocet and three Mediterranean Gulls (two of which were impressive in their breeding plumage) brought the day to a conclusion.

Day 7 – 14 Mar

Today brought an early morning start and another visit to the Tagus Estuary area, the Ponta de Erva plains and surrounding areas.  Driving through the cultivated fields in the early morning saw two Black-shouldered Kites leaving the roost, numerous Green Sandpipers in the drainage canals, several Marsh Harriers and a Common Sandpiper.  Whilst leaving the area, heading north the expected Calandra Larks were located in display flight.

Driving further north from Porto Alto, I visited Muge Dam and was fortunate to see another light phase Booted Eagle, an Osprey, several Black Kites, three Buzzards and three singing Iberian Chiffchaffs.  Returning south and heading for the Vasco de Gama Bridge, I once again followed the same route as the other day through Pancas to Barroco Marsh, which was rewarding.  The only Jays of the trip were observed; a Southern Grey Shrike, another Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen.  On arrival at Borroco several Little Stints, at least six Common Sandpipers, a Greenshank, three Kentish Plovers and a surprise Purple Gallinule were noted.  More Village Weavers were very vocal and were joined by four Yellow-crowned Bishops.

Day 8 – 15 Mar

A trip to see our friends’ son play football for the local Portuguese side was not completely bird less with Chiffchaffs, a Fan-tailed Warbler and the only Western Orphean Warbler of the trip being observed in trees surrounding the pitch at Pyred.

Systematic Species List

Little Grebe	Tachybaptus ruficollis	Present in small numbers in suitable habitat
Cory’s Shearwater	Calonectris diomedea	2 from Cape Raso and 2 at Cape Espichel
Balearic Shearwater	Puffinus yelkouan mauretanicus	4 from Cape Raso and 2 at Cape Espichel
Northern Gannet	Morus bassanus	Several from coastal locations
Great Cormorant	Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis	Common in suitable habitat
European Shag	Phalacrocorax aristotelis	2 at Cabo de Roca
Cattle Egret	Bubulcus ibis	Widespread and numerous
Little Egret	Egretta garzetta	Good numbers at Zambujal Marsh and 1s & 2s elsewhere at wetlands
Great White Egret	Egretta alba	1 North of Ladoeiro at a roadside pond
Grey Heron	Ardea cinerea	Common
Black Stork	Ciconia nigra	1 flying up the river at Constancia Sul on the 10th
White Stork	Ciconia ciconia	Nesting on every pylon
Glossy Ibis	Plegadis falcinellus	C150 at Barroco and Zambujal Marsh – probably the same migrating group.
Eurasian Spoonbill	Platalea leucorodia	17 at Zambujal Marsh on the 13th
Greater Flamingo	Phoenicopterus rubber	Good numbers in the Tagus Estuary & 4 at Prais de Sado
Gadwall	Anas strepera	Several at Albefeira Lagoon and a few at Barroco Marsh
Mallard	Anas platyrhynchos	Common & Widespread
Northern Shoveler	Anas clypeata	Good numbers at Albefeira Lagoon and Barroco Marsh
Common Pochard	Aythya farina	1 female at Albefeira Lagoon
Black-shouldered Kite	Elanus caeruleus	1 just north of Rosmaninhal on the N533 and 2 leaving the roost early morning at Ponta de Erva Plains
Black Kite	Milvus migrans	1s & 2s encountered almost anywhere
Griffon Vulture	Gyps fulvus	5 at International Tagus reserve
Black Vulture	Aegypius monachus	2 at International Tagus reserve
W Marsh Harrier	Circus aeruginosus	Pairs at Wetland areas
Common Buzzard	Buteo	As for Black Kite
Booted Eagle	Hieraaetus pennatus	1 near Panheiro Track and 1 at Muge Dam
Osprey	Pandion haliaetus	1 at Muge Dam
Eurasian Kestrel	Falco tinnunculus	Common and Widespread
Quail		2 heard at Ponta de Erva plains
Red-legged Partridge	Alectoris rufa	2 on the N353 south of Idanha da Nova and 1 at Cape Espichel
Common Moorhen	Gallinula chloropus	Present in small numbers in wetland areas
Purple Gallinule	Porphyrio porphyrio	1 at Barroco Marsh on 14th
Eurasian Coot	Fulica atra	Common in wetlands
Black-winged Stilt	Himantopus himantopus	Numerous in salt pans and wetlands
Avocet	Recurvirostra avosetta	C300 at Zambujal and 3 at Prais de Sado
Kentish Plover	Charadrius alexandrinus	Small groups in suitable habitat
Grey Plover	Pluvailis squatarola	1 at Prais de Sado
Little Stint	Calidris minuta	At least 5 present at Barroco Marsh on the river bank
Dunlin	Calidris alpina	2 at Prais de Sado
Common Snipe	Gallinago gallinago	1 at Barroco Marsh and 7 by a roadside pool just North of Ladoeiro
Black-tailed Godwit	Limosa limosa	C1000 at Barroco Marsh on the and Zambujal Marsh on the were probably the same flock
Spotted Redshank	Tringa erythropus	1 at Zambujal Marsh
Common Redshank	Tringa tetanus	Small numbers in suitable habitat
Common Greenshank	Tringa nebularia	Singletons at Zambujal Marsh, Prais de Sado and Barroco Marsh
Green Sandpiper	Tringa ochropus	Common in drainage channels on the Ponta de Erva plains
Common Sandpiper	Actitis hypoleucos hypoleucos	1 at Ponta de Erva and at least 5 near Barroco Marsh on the river bank
Mediterranean Gull	Larus melanocephalus	3 present at Zambujal Marsh
Black-headed Gull	Larus ridibundas	Numerous in suitable habitat
W Yellow-legged Gull	Larus cachinnans michahellis	As above
Sandwhich Tern	Sterna sandvicencis	1 at Cascais seafront and 1 at Point de Erva
Woodpigeon	Columba palumbus	2 in the Sintra Hills
Collared Dove	Streptopelia decaocto	Common & Widespread
Great Spotted Cuckoo	Clamator glandarius	1 at Pinheiro track
Pallid Swift	Apus pallidus	4 at Cape Espichel
Common Kingfisher	Alcedo atthis	2 Pancas track at and 1 at Barroco Marsh
Eurasian Hoopoe	Upupa epops	3 in various suitable habitats
Great Spotted Woodpecker	Dendrocopos major	2 at Pancas Cork Oaks and 1 at Panheiro track
Crested Lark	Galerida cristata randonii	Common & Widespread
Woodlark	Lullula arborea	1 at Pinheiro track
Skylark	Alauda arvensis harterti	Common on the Ponta de Erva plains
Calandra Lark		3 displaying at the Ponta de Erva plains
Sand Martin	Riparia riparia	Several at marshy locations
Barn Swallow	Hirundo rustica	Many flybys in widespread locations
Red-rumped Swallow	Hirundo daurica rufula	2 near Pancas
House Martin	Delichon urbica	Present in villages when driving through
Meadow Pipit	Anthus pratensis	Numerous at Ponta de Erva plains and small groups elsewhere in suitable habitat
Water Pipit	Anthus spinoletta	1 at Barroco Marsh
Iberian Wagtail	Motacilla flava	1 at Prais de Sado, several at Barroco Marsh and Ponta de Erva plains
Grey Wagtail	Motacilla cinerea	1 at Boquilobo Marsh
White Wagtail	Motacilla alba	Common and widespread
Robin	Erithacus rubecula	1’s seen everywhere
Bluethroat	Luscinia svecica	1 at a roadside pond north of Ladoeiro
Black Redstart	Phoenicurus ochruros gibralteriensis	Common at Cape Espichel and 1 male at Bate Orelhas at the end of the Pancas track
Redstart	Phoenicurus phoenicurus	1 at Boquilobo Marsh
Common Stonechat	Saxicola torquata	Common and widespread
Blue Rock Thrush	Monticola solitarius	1 at Murches
Eurasian Blackbird	Turdus merula mauretanica	Common and widespread
Song Thrush	Turdus philomelos	Present in small numbers in wooded areas
Cetti’s Warbler	Cettia cetti	Common and widespread heard mostly but seen well at Borroco Marsh
Zitting Cisticola	Cistocola juncidis	Common and widespread in grasslands
Reed Warbler	Acrocephalus scirpaceus	1 heard singing at Barroco Marsh
Dartford Warbler	Sylvia undata	1 male at Murches
Sardinian Warbler	Sylvia melanocephala	The most numerous warbler – common and widespread
Orphean Warbler	Sylvia hortensis	1 at Pyred
Blackcap	Sylvia atricapilla	1s & 2s seen in suitable habitat
Common Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus collybita	Fairly common and widespread
Iberian Chiffchaff	Phylloscopus brehmii	3 singing at Muge Dam
Willow Warbler	Phylloscopus trochilus	1 at Cape Espichel
Firecrest	Rugulus ignicapillus	1 at Murches in conifers
Blue Tit	Cyanistess	Small numbers in Cork Oak woodlands
Great Tit	Parus major excelsus	As above
Nuthatch	Sitta europaea	1s in Cork Oak areas
Short-toed Treecreeper	Certhia brachydactyla mauretanica	1 in the Sintra Hills and 1 at Panheiro track
Penlduline Tit	Remiz pendulinus	2 at Barroco Marsh on 13th
Southern Grey Shrike	Lanius meridionalis	Several near Ladoeiro and 1 at the Pancas track
Jay	Garrulus glandarius	2 birds on the Pancas track
Azure-winged Magpie	Cyanopica cyana	Common at Int Tagus and a small group just north of Ladoeiro
Magpie	Pica pica	1s & 2s seen E of Castelo Banco
Carrion Crow	Corvus corone	Small numbers but widespread
Common Raven	Corvus corax tingitanus	2 seen South of Rosmaninhal - Int Tagus
Spotless Starling	Sturnus unicolor	Common at Int Tagus, Cape Espichel and Murches
House Sparrow	Passer domesticus tingitanus	Common and widespread
Chaffinch	Fringilla coelebs	Common in Cork Oaks
Brambling		A male & female at Boquilobo Marsh
European Serin	Serinus serinus	The most common bird everywhere
European Greenfinch	Carduelis chloris	Small groups in many locations
European Goldfinch	Carduelis carduelis	As for Greenfinch
Siskin	Carduelis spinus	1 male in trees at Murches
Eurasian Linnet	Carduelis cannabina	Small groups at Ponta de Erva plains and Cape Espichel
Cirl Bunting	Emberiza cirlus	1 male singing at Cape Espichel and 1 near Pancas
Reed Bunting	Emberiza schoeniclus	1 at a roadside pond north of Ladoeiro and 1 at Barroco Marsh
Corn Buntin	Emberiza calandra	Common in suitable habitat
Exotics
Village Weaver	Ploceus cucullatus	Common at Barroco Marsh
Yellow-crowned Bishop	Euplectes afer	4 at Barroco Marsh

Summary

This proved to be a really enjoyable week in a relaxed part of the world.  Several good and several surprising species were seen whilst also fulfilling the shopping and drinking obligations.  Without travelling too far from Lisbon a wide range of habitats may be encountered which are adjacent to each other maximising the chances of stumbling across a good spread of species.  With limited prior planning it is possible to visit several sites in one day.  The “N” (National) roads and Toll roads make travelling easy between sites, which enables more time for birding.