Sagres was buzzing with life once again as the Birdwatching & Nature Activities Festival brought together around 1,300 participants from 34 countries for four days.
Between October 2 and 5, the town at the southwestern tip of Portugal hosted 275 activities, including 153 free events, while 80 sessions sold out. The event was attended by dozens of families, organisers say, confirming the festival’s growing role in environmental education for younger generations.
Over the long weekend, 148 bird species were spotted, with highlights including the Kentish plover, Scopoli’s shearwater, marsh harrier, great shearwater, little bustard, and European honey buzzard.
But the festival wasn’t just for bird enthusiasts. Visitors joined boat trips to see dolphins and seabirds, attended photography and illustration workshops, explored insects, plants, reptiles, and even took part in nighttime bat identification and astronomy sessions.
Participants came from four continents, further establishing the event as a meeting ground for nature lovers from across the world. The event, organised by the Vila do Bispo municipal council in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) and Associação Almargem, also relied on the help of dozens of volunteers and partner organisations.
“This edition proved once again that Sagres is a top destination for anyone who wants to experience and protect biodiversity,” said the organisers. “The engagement of participants and the quality of the activities show that this is more than just an event – it’s a movement for nature.”
With the success of this year’s edition, plans are already in motion for the next festival. The 2026 Birdwatching & Nature Activities Festival will return to Sagres from October 2 and 5 once again, turning the Algarve’s wild coast into “Portugal’s birdwatching and environmental awareness capital.”
