Pulling cork in Portugal

The BBC’s Natural World recently focused on the wealth of natural history amongst the Cork Oak forests of Portugal’s Alentejo region that produce much of the world's supply of cork, and in turn support a flourishing eco-system.

Join Naturetrek on an 8-day two-centre holiday of botanical and birdwatching explorations from the windswept cliffs, dunes and heaths of the west coast to the marshes and saltpans of the south, and from the Cork Oak forests of the Monchique Hills to the open grass plains and parkland of the Alentejo, departing London 4th and 11th April 2009.

From the initial base in Mertola, with its Roman ruins and spectacular Moorish castle, explore both the flower-studded plains around Casto Verde for avian specialities such as Stone Curlew and numerous Montagu’s Harriers, and then rugged savannah country towards the Spanish border where Black Vulture and Black-bellied Sandgrouse range.

Oscillated Lizards, Europe’s largest lizard, are common in the plains around Mertola, and the rivers teem with terrapins and water snakes. Further highlights include a journey to the spectacular Pulo do Lobo gorge and waterfall, in the Guadiana valley, where Black Stork, Lesser Kestrel and Bonelli’s Eagle breed.

The holiday’s second centre overlooks the quiet mountain village of Monchique, a short drive from the highest point in the Algarve. Here, local Cork Oak forests are host to a wealth of woodland birds including Azure-winged Magpies and a range of colourful butterflies, including Swallowtails and Southern Festoons.

Down on the Algarve coast, dunes, heathland, pine woodland and valley farmland provides excellent botanising while local birds include Bee-eaters, Short-toed Eagles, Nightingales and Red-rumped Swallows. From this base various sites are visited along the coast including the dramatic Cape St Vincent, the southernmost extremity of Europe, and nearby Sagres Point allows the opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary limestone flora, resident Blue Rock Thrushes and Thekla Larks.

The tour costs £1,095 p/p including scheduled flights, pre-paid taxes, 3-nights accommodation in a traditional Pensao in Mertola and 4-nights in a family-run inn Monchique, all meals and wine together with expert guiding.

For more information, log on to Naturetrek.co.uk.