DVD:
This DVD takes you to the best birdwatching sites in the Algarve and also the plains of Castro Verde and the wetlands within a day’s drive of Lisbon. Nothing else gives you a such a realistic ‘feel’ for what it’s like to go there.
The best sites - whether you want to see swamphens and Little Bitterns in wetlands along the Algarve, or seabirds off the coast of Sagres, bustards on the Alentejo plains or the exotic species now breeding around Lisbon, this DVD shows you what the best places are really like.
The best birds - sit back and enjoy footage of over 70 species, including many of the specialities, all filmed using high-definition digital video cameras.
The best information - find out more about the sites and their birds, including tips on how to separate eagles from vultures, Crested Larks from Thekla Larks and what to listen for if you want to find birds like Little Bittern and Iberian Chiffchaff.
Travel around the country with Dave Gosney showing you what the birding is like at all the most popular sites and giving you a chance to enjoy footage of the best birds: Little and Great Bustards displaying, Little Bittern, Black-shouldered Kite, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Balearic Shearwater, Montagu’s Harrier, Iberian Chiffchaff, Iberian Green Woodpecker and Rock Bunting. There is also coverage of species that have successfully become naturalised in the area, including Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop and Crested Myna.
Running time: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Book:
This book is a comprehensive update to the ever-popular Finding Birds in Southern Portugal.
Dave Gosney writes: 'In the last 12 months I’ve been back to Portugal 3 times, checking and re-checking the information in my previous book, trying out new sites and, of course, filming the birds for the accompanying DVD. As a result I have re-written the original book and re-drawn the maps making it more up-to-date and more detailed than ever. Anyone going to the Algarve can use this book to help them find more birds - and birders who want to explore the areas around Lisbon will find this book invaluable too'.
Compared to other publications covering the same area, this one:
* Includes coverage of a greater range of sites, including the Port de Pollenca area where most visiting birdwatchers choose to stay
* Covers exact details of where to find difficult species such as Balearic Warbler, Moltoni’s Warbler and Moustached Warbler
* Is more up-to-date, based on recent trips
* Has maps which are exactly to scale - if the map suggests it’s 500 metres, that’s how far it will be
* Includes GPS co-ordinates to help you find the right turnings, parking spaces or viewing points
* Highlights the best areas only and summarises the key attraction in the first paragraph so you can easily decide whether to read on
* Has a map on the inside cover which serves as an index so you can easily find any site in the book
* Is light and portable
* Is complemented by a DVD showing you exactly what it’s like to go birding in many of these sites
Featured sites:
The Tejo estuary - right next to Lisbon and yet home to thousands of birds in winter.
Barroca D’Alva - the best place for finding exotic species such as Yellow-crowned Bishop, Black-headed weaver and Common Waxbill.
The Sado estuary - find out where to see hundreds of Glossy Ibis and raptors such as Black-shouldered Kite.
Santo Andre Lagoons - great birdwatching area with wetlands full of birds.
The Sagres peninsula - including advice on how to make the most of the seabird and raptor passage, including the best pelagic trips in Europe.
The Alvor estuary - a great place for waders, gulls and migrants.
Lagoa de Salgado - the best freshwater wetland in the Algarve, teeming with birds in the autumn.
Vilamoura - superb hides get you really close to Purple Gallinules and Little Bitterns.
Ria Formosa west - the area west of Faro, great for estuarine birds and with superb pools at Quinto do Lago and Ludo Farm.
Ria Formosa east - east of Faro, Quinta do Marim is a reserve with terrific hides and Tarifa is superb for gulls and other wetland species.
Castro Marim - find out exactly where to stand for Lesser Short-toed Lark and Spectacled Warbler.
Castro Verde plains - one of the best birding sites in Europe. Find out where to get the best views of Great and Little Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Black-shouldered Kite, Montagu’s Harrier and Spanish Imperial Eagle.
Elvas - another great site for bustards but also exceptionally reliable for Black-shouldered Kite.
