Ria de Alvor, Algarve

[Ccanutus]

Hi,

For those who have the chance to come in Southern Portugal, Ria de Alvor is a very nice and interesting place to visit. In terms of birds, more than 300 species have been recorded the last 20 years. The Association A Rocha also has a Study Centre in the area, very interesting to visit. There you can learn about moth trapping or bird ringing (more than 80 000 birds caught the last 25 years). The asociation also welcome ringers during migration time and walks to discover the surrounding can be arranged (more informatins on _http://www.arocha.org/pt-en/11401-DSY.html#dsy11400-DSY . Highlights of the moment in terms of birds are Flamingos (about 30), a Ruff (not common in the area), Black-winged Kite (a juvenile).

Come and visit us

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Some informations about Ria de Alvor (a very good spot in Southen Portugal):La Ria de Alvor | Ornithomedia.com

[Ccanutus]

Hi,

There are still places for the birdwatching trip in Algarve (Southern Portugal) starting on October 16th. More informations on Birdwatching weeks in Southern Portugal | A Rocha

See you

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The October birding week was a success! We saw more than 140 species. Highlights were Ruppell?s Vulture (in a flock of 100 Griffon Vultures), Bonelli's Eagle, Little and Great Bustards, Iberian Grey Shrike, Slender-billed and Audouin's Gulls, Caspian Tern, Spanish Sparrow... Ther are still places for the February trip. More informations on Birdwatching weeks in Southern Portugal | A Rocha

Guillaume

[Catherine]

That sounds amazing, Guillaume!

We saw a flock of about 40 Griffon Vultures once - on the French side of the Pyrenees.

Seeing them in a field across a steep valley, they looked like sheep at first. Well that was until the 'sheep' took wing!

What a size! With wings as broad as hangar doors, they circled above us for some time.

We'll never forget that experience!

[Ccanutus]

These Griffons were amazing indeed, but a few days later, they were about 1600! Sagres is definatly the best spot for raptor migration in Portugal.

[Ccanutus]

One more link for EcoServices (Birdwatching weeks in Southern Portugal | A Rocha) on Ornithomedia: Ornithomedia - Annuaire - Liste

[Ccanutus]

EcoServices wishes you all a wonderful new year, full of birds.

[Catherine]

Many thanks, Guillaume!

I wish the same for you and your bird tours - though reading what you've written below. that may not be too difficult!

[Ccanutus]

Some informations about Lagoa dos Salgados, one of the places visited by EcoServices, and a very good spot in Southen Portugal: Le Lagoa dos Salgados, un joyau menacé | Ornithomedia.com

[Ccanutus]

The first 2012 birdwatching week was a success! More than 140 bird species seen. Highligts were Bonelli's Eagle, a Griffon Vulture in a wetland, Little and Great Bustards, Black-bellied Sandgrouses, Lesser Kestrels, the first Pallid Swifts of the year... There are still places for the autumn trips. More informations on Semanas de observação de aves no sul de Portugal | A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

Hello Everybody

This year, in June, A Rocha Portugal and Cardiff University will organize another Storm-Petrel ringing campaign and we are looking for volunteers. This is usually great fun, and a good opportunity to do field work in Algarve (southern Portugal).

The dates are:
Team 1: 4 - 13 June
Team 2: 13 - 22 June
Team 3: 22 June - 1 July

Prices:
Portugueses - 400 €
Early bird booking (until the end of March) - £450 / €450
Normal booking - £500 / 500 €

For more information, contact me or Renata Medeiros ([email protected])

Guillaume Réthoré

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

The report for EcoServices' first birdwatching week has been published on a French birding website:Séjour dans le sud du Portugal en octobre 2011 | Ornithomedia.com and is also available on https://www.facebook.com/notes/a-roc...94352250593611

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The dates for the Spring 2013 trips are already on our webpage: Birdwatching weeks in Southern Portugal | A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

The Storm-Petrel ringing season finished last Friday. More than 300 birds have been caught and ringed, including some foreign controls (UK, Spain, Danemark).

[Ccanutus]

Hi Everybody,

A Rocha EcoServices and its guide will be at the British Birdfair in August. Come and visit ut!

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

This year's first autumn trip was quite successful besides the lack of sun. 141 species have been spotted. Highlights included Little and Great Bustards, Purple Swamphen, Bonelli and Spanish Imperial Eagle, Calandra Larks, Egyptian Vulture, Rock Thrush, Booted Eagle, Caspian Tern and Audouin's Gull.
There are still vacancies for the November trips. More informatins and booking at http://www.arocha.org/ecoservices or [email protected]

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

The second autumn birdwatching trip was quite successful again! We saw fewer species (only 137) but had fantastic views of Griffon, Black and Egyptian Vultures, and saw well Great Bustards, Booted and Spaish Imperial Eagles, Purple Swamphen and Bluethroats!
More informations on Birdwatching | A Rocha (new webpage).

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello and Happy new year to everybody!

A Rocha EcoServices wihes you all a wonderful new year, full of birds of course! The first activities proposed for 2013 are 3 birdwatching workshop taking place in January and February. More info at Birdwatching Workshop | A Rocha. We will continue the birdwatching holidays in 2013 and the autumn dates have already been decided: Please sign me up! | A Rocha

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

For Easter, A Rocha EcoServices organises a special Birdwatching holiday with Dave Bookless as a "guest star". There are only 4 vacancies left! More info at Easter Special with Dave Bookless | A Rocha or [email protected]

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

What the media says about our work: http://www.algarve123.com/en/Article...vw-a0.facebook

[Ccanutus]

Hello Everybody

This year, in June, A Rocha Portugal and Cardiff University will organize another Storm-Petrel ringing campaign and we are looking for people to join us. This is usually great fun, and a good opportunity to do field work in Algarve (southern Portugal).

The dates are:
Team 1: 3 - 12 June
Team 2: 12 - 21 June
Team 3: 21 - 30 June

Prices:
Early bird booking (until the end of March) - £500 / €575
Normal booking - £550 / 640 €

For more information, contact me or Renata Medeiros ([email protected])

[Ccanutus]

For those who are in Algarve between March 17th and 24th, A Rocha EcoServices proposes special prices for daily birdwatching trips in Algarve. Contact us for more informations: [email protected]

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

I am back on this forum after a few weeks busy doinf fieldwork and guiding people in Southern Portugal. In total about 200 species were seen during the last tours with lots of Bustards (Little and Great), Purple Swamphen (with a nice sighting of 5 together fighting), Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Rollers, Bee-eaters, Lesser Kestrels, Montagu's Harriers, Rock Thrush, Richard's Pipit, Audouin and Slender-billed Gull, Caspian TernBlack-bellied Sangrouses...
If you want to enjoy some of these birds, the 2014 spring dates are already available on Sign up for a week of Birdwatching with A Rocha
Visit, share and book!

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

ZcoServices now has a blog where you can find more news and information about Ria de Alvor! Have a look at Birdwatching in Southern Portugal

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The reports for the March and Esater Birdwayching week in Southern Portugal are available. You can find them hereTrip Reports | A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

This autumn, EcoServices launches a new kind of weekly program, lighter. More information at Birdwatching Week Light | A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

The report about the last spring birdwatching trip in Southern Portugal is availabla at http://www.arocha.org/pt-en/14115-DS...AVRIL%2013.pdf

[Ccanutus]

For those who want to discover Southern Portugal and its birds, there are still places available on the autumn tours. Have a look at Sign up for a week of Birdwatching with A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

You can see what our previous customers say about A Rocha EcoServices and theit experience with us at Personal Evaluations | A Rocha

[Ccanutus]

A Rocha EcoServices will be present at the British Bird Fair. Come and visit us, it is a good oportunity to meet us and know more about the Algarve and our tours.

[Ccanutus]

For those who are in the Algarve between Spetember 22nd and 29th, A Rocha EcoServices' daily trips are at special price. For more info, contact [email protected]

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The first autumn birdwatching week went well with 151 species spotted. The highlights were Great and Little Bustards, Griffon, Black and Egyptian Vultures, Bonelli and Spanish Imperial Eagle, Rock Thrush, Slender-billed and Audouin's Gull, Ferruginous Duck and Rock Bunting. There are still vacancies for the next trips. More informatin at Birdwatching | A Rocha or [email protected]


Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The report for the September trip is available at http://www.arocha.org/pt-en/14483-DS.../sept%2013.pdf.
Enjoy!

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,
Next June, as every year, A Rocha Portugal (in partnership with Cardiff university) will organize a Storm-Petrel ringing campaign. This is a unique opportunity to have an exciting time as part of a research expedition looking into the impacts of climate change on the smallest (and cutest) Atlantic seabird - the European storm petrel (stormie for short). Anyone can join, no previous experience needed and you are guaranteed to have an amazing time with the stormies, while enjoying the sun and the beautiful food in the south of Portugal.
The dates are :
Team 1: 26th May - 4th June
Team 2: 5th - 14th June
Team 3: 15th - 24th June
Team 4: 25th June - 4th July

And the prices:
£475 / 570€ for Christmas Voucher (booking made until the 10th January).
Normal booking - £550 / 640 €
Prices include, insurance, accomodation and food for 9 nights / 10 days and all the expenses related to fieldwork (transport, equipment, etc).


Please contact [email protected] for more details.

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

EcoServices wishes you all a wonderful new year, full of birds and we hope to see some birds with you this year!

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

In this beginning of 2014, A Rocha EcoServices became A Rocha Life, with a new logo as well.
A Few days ago also came out this short video about our activities: Discover A Rocha Portugal’s laid-back birding holidays on Vimeo

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

The dates for the autumn tours are available at Sign up for a week of Birdwatching with A Rocha

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

For those who are in the Algarve between April 13th and 20th, A Rocha Life has a limited number of places available for daily tours at special prices. Conatact us at [email protected] for more information.

Guillaume

[Ccanutus]

Hello,

The Easter Birdwatching week in Southern Prtugal went well with about 150 species spotted including Wood Warbler (rarity in Portugal), Bonelli's, Spectacled and Subalpine Warblers, Little and Great Bustards, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Kestrel... More info about the coming trips at Birdwatching | A Rocha

Guillaume