Birding in Portugal - There is a wide variety of bird life in the Quinta's vicinity, notably one of Europe's most interesting ornithological enigmas, the Azure Winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana).
Also present near the Quinta are a wide variety of Warblers, Stonechats, two species of Shrike, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers, three varieties of Woodpeckers and three of Eagles, (Short toed, Booted and Bonelli's), as well as other raptors, notably Peregrine Falcons. The area also has one of the highest densities in Europe of Nightingales, and during the Spring one is rarely out of earshot of their beautiful song.
As well as the wealth of local species surrounding the Quinta, there are four areas within an hour and a half's car journey which are ideal for Birdwatching.
To the north east of the Quinta are the wide-open Plains of the Alentejo. The bird life here is truly stunning with specialities including Great and Little Bustard, Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Lesser Kestrel, Montagu's Harrier, Red rumped Swallow, Callandra, Thekla, Crested, and Wood Larks, Spanish and Tree sparrows, Black eared Wheatear, Roller, Collared Pratincole and Black and Red Kites amongst others.
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