Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Relatively common in the Alentjeo, especially around the villages of Mora and Pavia, north of Evora

White Stork (Ciconia ciconia)

Very common in the Alentejo, found nesting near to the minor roads and on top of farm buildings, definitely one of the birds of the trip

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Generally found on any of the large lakes that supply water to the Alentejo

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Again quite common in the Alentejo, but surprisingly absent in Marvão despite what appeared to be good kite country

Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)

One spotted soaring high near the Spanish Border in Marvão off the IC13. A good site, visited two years ago is near the village of Vila Velha de Rodão to the North

Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus)

Two seen hunting near Beirã where fantastic, the birds of the trip for me.

Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)

One female near Avis in the Alentejo

Montagu's Harrier (Circus pygargus)

A pair seen hunting by the road near Pavia offered excellent views.

Buzzard (Buteo buteo)

Relatively abundant in the Alentejo

Booted Egale (Hieraaetus pennatus)

After spotting the first bird near Beirã the floodgates opened and saw about 6, in the duration of two days. Most abundant on the IP2 near Estremoz, (all birds were pale morphs).

Bonelli's Eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus)

Two were seen together hunting from the viewpoint near Castelo de Vide in the north of the Marvão natural park. The site is also good for black storks but unfortunately they were elusive.

Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)

Surprisingly only two where seen near Pavia

Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus)

One heard in the nature park on our second morning.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)

Quite scarce spotted once near the crossing of the Tagus at Vila Franca.

Coot (Fulica atra)

Same as above

Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)

One by the Tagus near the bridge from Setubal

Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans)

Several in the Tagus harbour

Rock Dove (Columbra livia)

Quite abundant in  Marvão, especially in high areas such as Marvão itself, and Castelo de Vide

Woodpigeon (Columbra palumbus)

Abundant

Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto)

Abundant

Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus)

One heard near the amazing archaeological site of Santo Amador

Alpine Swift (Apus melba)

Only one spotted near the docks in Lisbon, surprisingly, this is the only alpine swift I've seen in two summer visits to Portugal.

Swift (Apus apus)

Quite common.

Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus)

In the park more common than swifts, often hunting insects together and offering great comparisons (useful for those damp, rainy days in October!)

Bee-eater (Merops apiaster)

Spotted daily when we were in the Alentejo often in twos or threes.

Hoopoe (Upupa epops)

About four seen in various localities near Marvão, especially in the farmland to the north of the town.

Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)

Two heard in the Alentejo.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major)

Again heard only in the Alentejo.

Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra)

One bird gave great views form the roadside near Porto Espada.

Crested Lark (Galerida cristata)

Very common in the Alentejo.

Thekla Lark (Galerida theklae)

Probably as above, however once I had positively identified one bird, I gave up trying to split them, a real identification nightmare!

Woodlark (Lullula arborea)

One heard near Fadagosa.

Crag Martin (Ptyonoprogne rupestris)

Quite scarce, but present in high areas such as Marvão and Castelo de Vide

Swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Very common throughout the whole country.

Red-rumped Swallow (Hirundo daurica)

Quite scarce but did see groups of several in the Alentejo, especially near Avis.

House Martin (Delichon urbica)

Very common

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

One seen near Avis

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)

Quite common in towns and villages

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)

One heard from the hotel at Marvão

Robin (Erithacys rubecula)

Quite common

Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos)

Very common in areas of the Alentejo where there is ample bush cove (e.g. near rivers).

Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)

Common in high areas.

Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)

Common in the Alentejo.

Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarus)

A fantastic male was displaying near the castle in Castelo de vide, an amazing performance!

Blackbird (Turdus merula)

Common in areas with some vegetation.

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Same as above.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)

Probably common but very elusive, and only two birds positively identified by song alone.

Orphean Warbler (Sylvia hortensis)

Again probably quite common in the park, but pinning down singing birds in such thick cover is very tough.

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis)

Quite abundant in the Alentejo

Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)

Abundant

Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)

Several parties of birds with this years young, always a joy to see, even in temperatures of 35ºC!

Crested Tit (Parus cristatus)

One heard near the viewpoint by Castelo de Vide

Coal Tit (Parus ater)

Often present in areas of pine stands.

Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus)

Abundant in areas with vegetation

Great Tit (Parus major)

As above.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

One heard calling in woods near Marvão.

Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus)

One heard calling and my non-birding partner spotted one fly past the car whilst I was looking at a booted eagle.

Great Grey Shrike (Lanus excubitor)

Widespread, but never common in the Alentejo, often seen perching on telegraph wires.

Woodchat Shrike (Larus senator)

Much more common than the great greys, again seen on telegraph wires.

Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

Common in wooded areas.

Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyanus)

Three spotted at the archaeological site of Santo Amador, gave great views as they moved around the tops of the cork oaks, beautiful birds.

Magpie (Pica pica)

Quite abundant.

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula)

Localised colonies in the Alentejo, rare away from such colonies

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

Common throughout.

Raven (Corvus corax)

Several seen in the Marvão and Castelo de Vide area.

Spotless Starling (Sturnus unicolor)

Widespread, but never in big groups or colonies like the common starling. Most abundant in the Alentejo near farm buildings.

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Very common.

Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)

Several seen, always nesting under the stork nests.

Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Quite common.

Serin (Serinus serinus)

Most common finch, especially abundant in the Alentejo.

Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris)

Scarce, only 7 seen around Marvão in the high areas.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

Several flocks seen.

Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)

As above.

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)

One heard calling in the Alentejo, was in retrospect, most likely to have been a Cirl bunting, as yellowhammers are rare so far south, and the song lacked the last note. However because I've never seen a Cirl bunting, I'm airing on the side of caution.

Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia)

Two at the viewpoint near Castelo de Vide including a very attractive male only 10 meters from me.

Corn Bunting (Millaria calandra)

Very abundant in the Alentejo, frequently singing from telephone wires.