Birdwatching in Ria Formosa

If you’re staying in the Algarve and you like birdwatching, make sure to join Lands on our wonderful Ria Formosa bird watching walking tour. Enjoy a 3-hour private Algarve birding tour in the protected areas of Ludo and Quinta do Lago and discover the best of the Algarve bird life with an expert local guide.

This private tour departs from Faro to explore the protected areas of Ludo and Quinta do Lago. These two areas are extraordinary places for birdwatching. The fact is: these areas are some of the best birding spots in the entire Algarve and our guides are all fully qualified biologists with a passion for their local area. Put on your birding hat and have a great time out discovering one of the best birdwatching spots of the Algarve. What Birds to Expect on this Algarve Birding Adventure Ria Formosa is a mosaic of pine woodlands, saltpans, farmland, marshlands, and freshwater ponds. The local specialities here are the Little Bittern, the Purple Swamphen, the Red-crested Pochard, and the exotic Black-headed weaver — most likely seen in the reedy pool on the edge of freshwater ponds.

Several migrant passerines mark autumn, including Melodious and Willow Warblers, Tawny Pipit, and Bluethroat. The reed beds are vital for several nesting waterbird species and large numbers of migrating passerines during the autumn and spring migration. Some beautiful birds can be found in Ria Formosa all year round, such as the Spoonbill, the Black-winged Stilt, the Avocet, and the Kentish Plover. Other breeders include Collared Pratincole, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Yellow Wagtail, Woodchat Shrike, and beach-nesting Little Tern.

Winter is quite interesting due to the concentrations of waders and ducks that take refuge here. Other interesting visiting species during winter include the Caspian Tern, the Osprey, the Black-shouldered Kite, the Marsh Harrier, and the Booted Eagle. Sightings of reasonable numbers of the Greater Flamingo are common all year round. Excellent views of the sociable Azure-winged Magpie, the hard-to-miss Hoopoe, and the lovely Sardinian Warbler are also highlighted.

Join us on a birdwatching tour of this beautiful natural haven for birdlife, and if you’d like a great complimentary tour, try our Ria Formosa Birdwatching Boat Trip or any of our other Faro Boat Tours. Find out more information below and please get in touch if you have any questions.