The countdown has begun

The countdown has begun
SPEA

The countdown has begun

23 July 2019

Dates have been set for the annual birdwatchers' migration to the Algarve. From 10 to 13 October, we’ll be back with 4 days filled with all kinds of activities. Alongside the popular birdwatching tours on land and sea, there will be sessions about moths, whale- and dolphin-watching trips and even a fossil hunt at Beliche Fort. Among this year's novelties is a strong presence of the arts, with a range of photography-themed sessions (from night birds to birds in flight, from field techniques to photographing stars) and illustration workshops (from field sketches to illustrating with ballpoint pen).

This year, the festival includes a book launch: the first Guide to the Birds of Vila do Bispo and Sagres will surely be a useful resource for anyone wishing to discover the birds that flock here in their thousands at this time of year. From Bonelli's and Short-Toed Snake Eagles to Egyptian Vultures, Griffon Vultures and Storks, thousands of birds soar overhead, searching for safe passage to Africa. At sea, equally astounding numbers of seabirds stream by, on epic journeys that can stretch from pole to pole. Trees, bushes and grasses are taken over by dozens of songbirds also headed south.

The poster-child for this year’s festival is the European Storm Petrel, a seabird whose size belies its impressive resilience.

The programme will be made available on 8 August, at which point registration opens. Follow the latest developments on Facebook and Instagram.