From 2nd to 5th October 2026, Sagres will once again become the epicentre of bird migration, and the setting for four days of unique experiences in contact with nature.
Registration opens on 2 September. Until then, the programme for the 17th edition of the Birdwatching & Nature Activities Festival in Sagres, Algarve (Portugal) is now available online at www.birdwatchingsagres.com.
The organisers invite you to explore the programme and choose the activities you’d like to take part in. Over the course of four days, visitors of all ages and levels of experience will be able to enjoy Portugal’s largest festival dedicated to birds and nature, through a varied programme designed for young and old alike.
What’s new in 2026
Among the new features of this year’s edition is the expansion of scientific bird-ringing activities, which have consistently sold out in previous years. In 2026, the Festival extended its collaboration to include a third scientific bird-ringing team operating at a new location, thereby responding to the wishes of the many participants who want to learn more about this practice and take the opportunity to see the birds up close. The Festival is also expanding its range of introductory birdwatching activities, for both families and adults.
For younger visitors, there are activities especially designed to spark curiosity and a love of nature, such as the Is this an insect? session, the Musical Eggs workshop, the sung story Corrupio and the chance to create a Tide Album.
The arts programme is also expanding this year, with more outdoor art workshops, photography outings dedicated to new themes (e.g. moths), and opportunities to explore, meditate and connect with nature through sound.
The programme also includes a beach clean-up at Martinhal in partnership with volunteers from the GEA project, and a talk on orcas’ interactions with boats — a line-up that promises to surprise and inspire at every turn.
As well as these new features, the Festival retains its classic activities: birdwatching excursions on land and at sea, walks, tours, talks and workshops. All designed to help participants make the most of the spectacle of autumn migration, which at this time of year transforms the Sagres region into a birding hotspot, as thousands of birds pass through on their journey south to spend the winter.
Bird of the Year: Razorbill
The species in the spotlight in this edition is the razorbill, a seabird found in Portuguese waters mainly during autumn and winter. An excellent diver, it feeds on small fish and can be observed along the Portuguese coast during migration and wintering. The choice of this species also highlights the challenges faced by seabirds, particularly bycatch in fishing gear, emphasising the importance of conservation work.
The Festival is organised by Vila do Bispo Municipal Council, in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA-BirdLife) and the Almargem Association. The 17th edition is sponsored by Nadara, Intermaché Sagres and Salema Ecocamp.
Follow the Festival on the website www.birdwatchingsagres.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/birdwatchingfestivalofsagres and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/sagresbirdwatchingfestival.
