From Porto

Overview

The rugged, mountainous nature of the land that forms the Peneda-Gerês National Park, its harsh winters and scattered population, have ensured that the park remains a wild and unspoiled place to visit.

Aspects of its wildlife are almost unique in Portugal as is illustrated by the fact that a number of its breeding birds, for example Stock Dove, Common Snipe, Hen Harrier, Red-backed Shrike, Whinchat and Yellowhammer, are at the extreme south-western tip of their European range. It is also a stronghold for breeding Garden Warbler, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, Red Crossbill and Ortolan Bunting. More widespread southern European breeders include Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Melodious Warbler and Western Subalpine Warbler. As is to be expected in a mountainous region, diurnal raptors are a feature of the avifauna with European Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Snake Eagle and Booted Eagle especially enticing.

The park represents an important refuge for mammals. Roe Deer is reasonably numerous, while the small numbers of Iberian Ibex are slowly increasing. The curious, semi-aquatic and endangered Iberian Desman, a member of the mole family, inhabits mountain streams and there is even a presence of Iberian Wolf.
Small herds of ‘wild’ Garrano horses roam much of the park and it is not uncommon to meet up with the very distinctive Barrosã cattle recognised by their very long, lyre-shaped horns.

Our tour visits the wide range of diverse habitats exhibited in the park, from forests of oak and pine to riparian woodland, mountain scrub, pasture, lakes, rivers and streams and important areas of peat bog.

Due to the distance from Porto, Birds & Nature’s tours to Peneda-Gerês National Park are for a minimum of one full day. 

Main Species 

Common Quail, Red-legged Partridge, Eurasian Nightjar, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Common Cuckoo, Stock Dove, European Turtle Dove, Great Crested Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, White Stork, European Honey Buzzard, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Booted Eagle, Hen Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Barn Owl, Eurasian Scops Owl, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Wryneck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Common Raven, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Zitting Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Western Bonelli's Warbler, Iberian Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Western Subalpine Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Spectacled Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Eurasian Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, White-throated Dipper, Spotless Starling, Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Common Nightingale, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunnock, Grey Wagtail, Western Yellow Wagtail, Tawny Pipit, Tree Pipit, Eurasian Bullfinch, Red Crossbill, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Yellowhammer and Ortolan Bunting.

Prices

Full Day Private Tour

• 1 person – 360 €
• 2 persons – 420 €
• 3 persons – 480 €
• 4 persons – 540 €

(+ 60 € per additional person)