The North of Portugal is a mountainous area with a few Natural Parks. The coast is a flat strip of land enclosed by sandy beaches and hills, perfect for those looking for aquatic and marine birds. This region is one of the richest in terms of habitats, as it combines coastal lines in the west and mountains in the centre and east sides. Therefore, the variety of bird species is quite diverse but especially abundant in aquatic birds and raptors.

The north and northeast part of the country is best for birding during spring and autumn migration and in the summer, as the temperatures are more tolerable both for birds and humans. Nonetheless, birding is suitable all year round!

Douro International Natural Park is a place you can’t miss. The landscape is characterized by the river valley with a deep canyon and steep slopes. This natural park is a great birding spot because of the presence of several endangered species, which hold here a significant portion of their nesting populations at the national and Iberian level. Some species you can watch here are: Black Stork, Black Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Golden Eagle, Golden Oriole, Red-necked Nightjar, European Bee-eater and Black Wheatear.

Little more to the south there is Faia Brava Natural Reserve, the only private-owned natural reserve, managed by an environmental association - ATNatureza. The place was created in 2000 with the aim to help preserve rupicolous birds.

On the North coast we highlight Ria de Aveiro on the São Jacinto Dunes Natural Reserve. Its dunes, saltmarshes and marine meadows are very important habitats, especially relevant for nesting of aquatic birds. In the winter, Ria de Aveiro gets filled with large numbers of waterbirds. Sholever, Wigeon and Common Teal are some of the most numerous species found. In the area you can also spot: Flamingos, Eurasian Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis, Ospreys and Bluethroat. During breeding season some of the most common species are White Stork, Purple Heron, Zitting Cisticola and Cetti’s Warbler.

Central Portugal, it is an area of great landscape diversity, from the interior mountains and plateaus, dominated by the biggest mainland mountain - Serra da Estrela -, several river valleys to plenty of pine and chestnut trees forests. On the coast, there are several beaches famous for their huge waves, but there are also important areas for seabirds.

One of the main places to visit is the International Tagus Natural Park. Here is possible to observe a wide variety of species of Mediterranean birds, birds of prey and cliff-breeding birds, including several that are among the rarest and most iconic specimens on the Iberian Peninsula. 

On the coast there are also several great birdwatching spots like Lagoa de Óbido and Berlengas (an amazing spot for seabirds).