The 17th Birdwatching & Nature Activities Festival, held in Sagres from 2 to 5 October, welcomed 1,568 participants from 30 countries across a programme of 305 activities.
Vila do Bispo Council, which promoted the event, highlighted a tally of 165 bird species. Among them was Eleonora’s falcon, a bird of prey seldom spotted in Portugal.
Friday, 2 October, stood out for a “strong migratory passage”. At spots such as Vale Santo, Cabranosa, and Ponta da Atalaia; birdwatchers recorded whinchats, common redstarts, and northern wheatears, among other species.
The sea delivered too, with eight species of large marine fauna logged, including Bryde’s whale and the smooth hammerhead shark.
“The Festival also provided moments of encounter, learning and knowledge-sharing between participants, experts and nature organisations,” the council said in a statement.
The event was promoted by Vila do Bispo Municipal Council and organised in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA-BirdLife) and the Almargem Association.
Source: Vila do Bispo Municipal Council
Photo credit: Vila do Bispo Municipal Council
