Alvor Dunes

The afternoon unfolds with a peaceful walk along the wooden boardwalk that winds gently through the beautiful dunes of Alvor. Soft coastal winds move through the grasses while the sandy landscape reveals a lively world of birds hidden among the vegetation. Small passerines often appear along the path, including crested larks, zitting cisticolas, sardinian warblers, goldfinches and greenfinches. Their songs and quick movements bring life to the quiet dunes and create a rewarding experience for birdwatchers. When the tide retreats, wide mudflats appear across the estuary, attracting many elegant wading birds. Oystercatchers walk along the wet sand while sanderlings, grey plovers, dunlins and whimbrels search the shallow water for food. During the spring season the dunes also become important nesting grounds, where short toed larks, kentish plovers and little terns may be seen breeding. With some luck visitors may observe families of kentish plovers guiding their chicks across the sand or graceful little terns performing aerial displays above the shoreline.

The return journey brings a relaxing walk along the open beach where the sound of the waves accompanies the group back toward the meeting point. The coastal scenery often invites a pause to enjoy the sea and sometimes even a refreshing swim in the clear water. Afterward the exploration continues beside the calm marshes of the Ria de Alvor where more birdlife gathers in the shallow wetlands. Waders often rest and feed in these peaceful habitats while, during winter months, the striking bluethroat may appear among the reeds. The final moments of the excursion are relaxed and social, as the group gathers near the sea to enjoy a cool drink or a delicious ice cream while reflecting on the beautiful birds and landscapes experienced throughout the day.