We had a great time in Portugal!
From March 17 to 28, 2017 an intrepid group of 17 birders from the United States—all readers of Bird Watcher’s Digest—journeyed to Portugal for the first international Reader Rendezvous. We were guided by Portugal’s leading birder, João Jara, of Portugal Birds & Nature Tours and visited three primary regions in southern Portugal: Alcochete, Alentejo, and the Algarve. We totaled 180+ species, including favorites such as hoopoe, great and little bustards, European roller, bee eater, and Iberian imperial eagle. Here are a few images from “Birding in an Ancient Land: Portugal.” Thanks to our Reader Rendezvous sponsors: Swarovski Optik North America, Field Guides Birding Tours, and PhoneSkope. The bird images in this gallery (except for those credited to Roger & Kathy Horn) were taken through a Swarovski ATX 95 spotting scope using a PhoneSkope digiscoping adapter.
A male yellow wagtail in Alcochete.
A male yellow wagtail in Alcochete.
A squacco heron stalks the edge of a pond
A squacco heron stalks the edge of a pond
João Jara explains how cork is harvested from cork oaks.
João Jara explains how cork is harvested from cork oaks.
Delia shows off her dinner of prawns in Alcochete.
Delia shows off her dinner of prawns in Alcochete.
European blackbird.
European blackbird.
The hoopoe was a Rendezvous favorite in Portugal.
The hoopoe was a Rendezvous favorite in Portugal.
Our incredible guide João Jara was constantly on the lookout for birds.
Our incredible guide João Jara was constantly on the lookout for birds.
During the Alcochete portion of the Portugal Rendezvous, we took a boat trip on the Tagus Estuary.
During the Alcochete portion of the Portugal Rendezvous, we took a boat trip on the Tagus Estuary.
After lunch, on the streets of Castro Verde.
After lunch, on the streets of Castro Verde.
Just after seeing the Eurasian cuckoo in Alcochete.
Just after seeing the Eurasian cuckoo in Alcochete.
Our three intrepid guides, João Jara, Bill Thompson III, and Ben Lizdas.
Our three intrepid guides, João Jara, Bill Thompson III, and Ben Lizdas.
A flock of greater (Eurasian) flamingos in the Algarve.
A flock of greater (Eurasian) flamingos in the Algarve.
Our Rendezvous group in Alentejo.
Our Rendezvous group in Alentejo.
We got our first look at great bustards shortly after entering Alentejo.
We got our first look at great bustards shortly after entering Alentejo.
White wagtail.
White wagtail.
Stonechats were a daily sighting in Portugal.
Stonechats were a daily sighting in Portugal.
A male red-legged partridge calls from a rock along the Guadiana River.
A male red-legged partridge calls from a rock along the Guadiana River.
Male blue rock thrush in Mertola.
Male blue rock thrush in Mertola.
Male red-crested pochard.
Male red-crested pochard.
A great crested grebe in full breeding plumage.
A great crested grebe in full breeding plumage.
Bee eaters were a favorite of the Rendezvous attendees.
Bee eaters were a favorite of the Rendezvous attendees.
Great reed warblers are more often seen than heard. This one was at the EVOA Centre in the Tagus Estuary.
Great reed warblers are more often seen than heard. This one was at the EVOA Centre in the Tagus Estuary.
This adult female common kestrel was nesting in the bottom of a white stork nest.
This adult female common kestrel was nesting in the bottom of a white stork nest.
We heard several common nightingales, but only saw this one in Alcochete.
We heard several common nightingales, but only saw this one in Alcochete.
Our group birding in the cork oaks on our final day in Alcochete.
Our group birding in the cork oaks on our final day in Alcochete.
Bill took this image with a selfie stick as we watched little bustards from the birding bus.
Bill took this image with a selfie stick as we watched little bustards from the birding bus.
João scans for new birds in Alentejo.
João scans for new birds in Alentejo.
Kathy barely needed the field guide while in Portugal but she found us several great birds!
Kathy barely needed the field guide while in Portugal but she found us several great birds!
We enjoyed two fabulous dinners at Don Peixe Restaurante in Alcochete.
We enjoyed two fabulous dinners at Don Peixe Restaurante in Alcochete.
The grouper and shrimp stew is a house specialty at Don Peixe.
The grouper and shrimp stew is a house specialty at Don Peixe.
The desserts in Portugal are legendary.
The desserts in Portugal are legendary.
A castle dating from 318 B.C. dominates the town of Mértola in Alentejo. Barn owls nest in this tower.
A castle dating from 318 B.C. dominates the town of Mértola in Alentejo. Barn owls nest in this tower.
Enjoying dinner at a private ranch that caters to birders in Alentejo. We saw rollers shortly before this.
Enjoying dinner at a private ranch that caters to birders in Alentejo. We saw rollers shortly before this.
Connie, Myra, and Charlotte on an expedition to find kingfishers in Mértola.
Connie, Myra, and Charlotte on an expedition to find kingfishers in Mértola.
Listening for great reed warbler at the EVOA Centre in Alcochete.
Listening for great reed warbler at the EVOA Centre in Alcochete.
Nancy and Cheryl never stopped birding (or laughing) during the Portugal Rendezvous.
Nancy and Cheryl never stopped birding (or laughing) during the Portugal Rendezvous.
Collared pratincole at EVOA. Photo ©Roger Horn
Collared pratincole at EVOA. Photo ©Roger Horn
Flying great bustard. Photo ©Roger Horn
Flying great bustard. Photo ©Roger Horn
Rock buntings were singing in several places in Alentejo and the Algarve. Photo © Roger Horn
Rock buntings were singing in several places in Alentejo and the Algarve. Photo © Roger Horn
The European roller was a favorite sighting. Photo © Kathy Horn
The European roller was a favorite sighting. Photo © Kathy Horn
We found a spectacled warbler in Sagres in the Algarve. Photo © Roger Horn
We found a spectacled warbler in Sagres in the Algarve. Photo © Roger Horn
White stork at the nest. Photo © Kathy Horn
White stork at the nest. Photo © Kathy Horn