There are most birds in the winter half of the year, but even in September (which is summer here) a visiting birder spotted more than 40 species within walking distance. White storks are around all year, and there is a nest on a telephone pole at our neighbour´s. In fact, you can make a game with your kids/partner to see who spots most nests.
This year (2011) we are having more bee-eaters than before, the little owls are still around, and a couple of black-winged kites have been breeding in the area; they managed to raise two young.
Purple swamphen can be seen at the Ria Formosa visitor centre near Olhão, and by going 1 1/2 hour north to southern Alentejo you can find many of the same birds as in Spain; e.g. great and little bustard, spanish imperial eagle, and black stork. It is also quite easy to visit Doñana in Spain from here.
And a great thing about the Algarve is that there is also plenty to catch the interest of non-birding family members.
You can also find more information on www.fatbirder.com, www.birfdingpal.org and birdforum.net
You can find a short summary of birding in Portugal here
In September 2010, we found a kingfisher lying in front of the house. We could not see anything wrong with it, but it is not normal that they just lie there. It had probably flown into a window, but we decided to take it to the Wildlife Recovery Centre in Olhåo. They found nothing wrong with it and released it the same evening, after allowing it to rest and feed. Look here. It is a very pretty bird, and we feel lucky to see it that close. We have since confirmed that kingfishers are attracted by the fish in our fountain.
