Testimonials - Birdwatching Algarve

Feed-backs from my clients:

Hi Georg,

Many thanks again for a spectacular days birding on the 3rd September 2019. To achieve over one hundred species in a day was very special. Your local knowledge and field skills were much appreciated.
Our particular highlights were seeing the two species of Eagle (Booted & Short-toed) soaring with a Honey Buzzard and then finding two Tawny Pipits late in the day with a flyover Montague's Harrier.
If we visit the Algarve again we will certainly be in touch.

Kind Regards

Steve & Alison, UK

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"Georg, many many thanks for a Smashing Days Birdwatching on Thursday 13th June, a really Memorable day, nothing was to much trouble, your Knowledge of the Area and places the Birds could be Located was Amazing, highlights being the White Rumped Swifts and Rufous Bush Robin, along with The Amazing views of Golden Orioles, and Rollers, will definately use your invaluable Services again. Thanks Very Much for a Wonderful Day, Nigel"

Nigel Sivyer, UK
(June 2019)

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"We spent an excellent morning birding with Georg.  He introduced us to a number of habitats in the Ria Formosa Natural Parque near Faro, we saw many waders, waterfowl and passerines with a total of about 85 species.  Particular highlights included the Black Winged Kite, Booted eagle, Little bittern, wryneck, bluethroat, Purple Swamp hen, Black headed weaver and it's nest, spoonbills and temminck's stint.   While we had seen a number of the ducks before Georg was particularly good at getting birds in his long scope very quickly, allowing us to really study form and colour.  Georg was full of information without ever making us feel overdosed, not an easy combo.   I recommend him without hesitation."

Gill Pound
Caunes-Minervois, France
(20th Oct 2017)

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"Recently, Georg guided me for some great fall birding in the Sagres area.  Despite very windy conditions on that particular day, we saw over sixty species with fourteen life birds for me.  Many of the species had at that time of year very difficult plumages for me to identify quickly.  Georg’s encyclopedic knowledge of the warblers and raptors, especially, but actually all of the species made for a very interesting day of figuring out each species.  Georg also knew the terrain and locations so well such that he could find hard to spot birds like the Little Bustard in just the right lighting conditions. The raptor migration watch post proved to be a very exciting location with fourteen raptor species, including an Eleonora’s Falcon, a Black Vulture and a very dramatically melanistic Montagu’s Harrier coming by in a relatively short amount of time.  Georg knew each species within seconds their being spotted."


Ed Swan
Nature writer and guide
WA, US.
(September 2017)

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"We spent a very rewarding morning with Georg in the Olhao/Quinta do Lago area. He tailored the trip to find specific species we were interested in, and we were delighted to have great views of Western Swamphen, Little Bittern, Black-headed Weavers, Bee-eaters and Greater Flamingoes as well some harder to see birds like Black-winged Kite, Great Spotted Cuckoo, and Wryneck. Georg also helpfully advised on what to see near our accommodation and out to sea, as his pelagic trip was after our flight home. We'd definitely book up another birding tour if we're able to return to southern Portugal again."

Dan and Anna,
London, England.
(June 2017)

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"As novice, amateur birders, we had a terrific day with Georg in the Ria Formosa, Ohlao and Tavires region of the Algarve. He has an incredible knowledge of all of the birds of the area but we were most impressed with his obvious passion for even the common birds such as sea gulls. We saw over 80 different species during the day and learned a lot about their behaviour as well as their habitats. He was very flexible, easy going and personable. It was amazing how he could spot birds off in the distance and get the scope set up right away so that we could see them much better than with our binoculars.  It was a fun, fabulous day and we highly recommend him as a birding tour guide!"

Linda Lee & Mike Pharoah
Toronto, Canada
Feb 24, 2016

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"Thank you for a lovely day in the Serra do Caldeirão. Wondering through the peaceful wild flower meadows to the sound of nightingales and golden Orioles was magical and, thanks to your expertise and knowledge,  you managed to find six new species for my life time list - firecrest, dartford warbler, orphean warbler, iberian chiffchaff, blue rock thrush and rock bunting. It was a wonderful experience and I very much look forward to seeing you on my next visit to the Algarve"

Nick Moore, May 2014

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"Hi Georg

Just a quick thankyou to say how much we enjoyed our day and a half with you.  We will definitely visit The Algarve again."

John & Anne Humphreys, May 2014

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"Thank you Georg for the terrific trips we took with you this year following our very enjoyable trip to Alentejo in 2013. It was most interesting to revisit Alentejo to find some new birds such as Spanish Imperial Eagle as well as excellent views of others, such as Lesser Kestrel.
Your knowledge of the region and its wildlife makes such a difference to the experience and this was particularly true of the wonderful morning we spent at Tavira finding excellent views of Audouins's Gull and Slender-billed gull, both new to us, as well as numerous old favorites which are normally not readily found, such as Stone Curlew, Bluethroat and Woodchat Shrike.
We are  already looking forward to further trips when we are in the area in 2015."

Barbara and Brian Lockwood, March 2014

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"Hi Georg
Just writing to say a big thank you for the half day birding tour we spent with you at  Ludo and Quinta do Lago etc. on 27th Jan. 2014. We both enjoyed it and learned a lot from the experience. I got some great photos thanks to your vast knowledge of the area and bird life.
We will no doubt be returning to the Algarve in the near future and will have no hesitation in contacting you again for another day out.
Once again - Many Thanks Georg."

Best Regards
Malcolm and Rose Boon, February 2014

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Georg recently guided us on an very enjoyable birding trip in the Ria Formosa area. We had already been birding in Sagres and Salgados so he faced a difficult challenge finding birds we hadn't already seen. We found his expertise invaluable and in addition to an extensive list of waders and ducks we particularly enjoyed  excellent views of little bittern, purple swamp hen and black winged kite, in total adding 20 new sightings to our holiday list. Georg's extensive knowledge of the birds and habitat of the area really added to our enjoyment of a very productive trip. He works hard to find birds you express an interest in seeing and answers all questions patiently and enthusiastically. Georg is not only a very capable bird guide but also very good company, we would definitely recommend him.

Rachel and Paul Norris, Oct 2013

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Just an email to say thank you for guiding the Wildlife Travel group so well a week ago. We thought you were very professional, your
knowledge of birds is the best we have come across and the obvious enthusiasm to share that knowledge and wildlife in general was very apparent. We had some excellent sightings and over the week (including the Alentejo) we saw 150 species of bird of which 26 were new to us. This far exceeded our expectations and most of it was down to you, so many thanks again.

Best wishes,

Terry and Judy Wood, March 2012

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Dear Georg,
I wanted to write a short message to say thank you for a wonderful day
of birding in Southern Portugal.
Having never been on a guided tour before I wasn't sure what to expect
but I can honestly say that I enjoyed the day immensely and I thought
you were an excellent guide. Your knowledge of not only the bird
species, but also their habitats, ecology and behaviour made the
experience a highly memorable one and I would wholeheartedly
recommend a tour with you to anyone wanting to see and learn about
the birds of Portugal. That we saw not far from a hundred species of
birds in one day - including all the 'flagship' species that I had hoped to
see (especially at this time of year before the summering birds
arrived) was a bonus. It was your expertise and local knowledge that
made it all possible. On top of this, you were great company for a day
out birding!
I wish you all the best for this season and the future and will be
definitely be in touch if I find myself in Portugal again - hopefully next
time I can fit in a pelagic trip to see those petrels!
Kind regards and best wishes,
Rhodri

Rhodri Dafydd - Capel Garmon, North Wales (March 2012)

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Tuesday, 6th of March 2012, Georg took us on a birdingtrip in the
estuary of Ria Formosa. It took us 4 hours and we had a great time.
Although we are familiar with wading birds in the Netherlands, we saw a
lot of species which are hardly seen back home.
Georg was a pleasant guide. He made a real effort to show us
everything, answer all our questions an simply was good company. His
knew all there was to know about the birds in Ria Formosa.

Paula en Albert Mulder-van Dijk (NL)
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Just a line to thank you , from myself and Priscilla for the fabulous day's
birding you organised for us at the Cape.
We both appreciated your kindness and are in awe at your bird
knowledge! I would recommend your services to everyone
and we will ensure we meet again when we return next year!
In our 10 days we had wonderful birdwatching, in the most pretty
settings and our total birds seen was 147, with 39, yes 39, LIFERS! Most
of theses were seen on our day together - Keep up the Good Work!
Kind Regards from us both!

Will & Priscilla (September 2010)
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If you want to find birds in Southern Portugal, and have the desire to get
yourself a first class guide, totally fluent in English, thoroughly versed in
ornithological terminology and yet not lacking the common touch, you
should contact Georg Schreier. He is delightful company, patient,
knowledgeable regarding the areas where Portuguese birds can be
sought - and found and helpful and patient with his clients, as witnessed
by my disabled wife who, though having restricted mobility, was still able
to see - and study at length such gems as Rufous Bushrobin, Orphean
Warbler, Red-necked Nightjar etc, etc.. Need I say more?

Trevor & Angela Thomas (June 2010).
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Dear Georg,
we both wanted to say a big "thank you" for such a wonderful days
birdwatching in the Alentejo region. You were the best guide we would have
hoped for. Your knowledge, enthusiasm and patience with us was great. You
certainly gave us an unforgetable magical day.
We wish you every success in the future and when we visit the area again,
we would be delighted to arrange another day out.
Thank you so much.

Sharon & Clive Jones (Hampshire/UK) April 2009
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Report on our visit to Casto Marim (10th of April 2009)
Our visit to Castro Marim was very enjoyable and interesting. Without Georg
as our guide we would not have been able to recognise and see so many
wonderful birds. Georg was informative and could recognise birds not only by
sight but by their calls as well.
Some of the most fascinating sightings included: Spectacled Warbler,
Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Little Bustard,
Slender-billed Gull, Collared Pratincole, Azure-Winged Magpie, Red-rumped
Swallow and Montagu's Harrier. There were also the more common
sightings.
All in all a most enjoyable morning!
Regards

George, Peter and Evelyn from Winchcombe
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Dear Georg
A special "thank you" for a splendid and very full day’s birdwatching in the
Alentejo, followed by an evening owl and nightjar crawl in the Algarve.
We’ve been birdwatching in Southern Portugal on our own for some 20
years, but you were able to show us many new and interesting things, with
excellent sightings of key species, despite an unseasonably cold wind.
We enjoyed your company, insights and enthusiasm, as well as your help in
separating difficult species reliably -- you’re a real find!
Best wishes

Tony & Jill (London) April 2009

Hope you’re having a good season – you deserve to succeed. And we hope
to see you again before too long.
All best wishes from us both.
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A brilliant mornings birding with all my target species located very quickly
including 185 Little Bustards, 10 Great Bustards,
c12 Black Bellied Sandgrouse, 2 Griffon Vultures, 1 Black Shouldered Kite
plus lots of other good stuff. Local knowledge is
invalueable when seeking out certain species and Georg certainly has
plenty of that I can thoroughly recommend him as a guide.
Thanks again

Phil Jones
(October 2009)
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Went to Albufeira on the Algarve for some much deserved R&R mid-
October 2009, but I had also set my sights on a birdwatching trip for a
day. I'd already found Georg on the Internet at home and agreed a date
with him. So off we went on a sun-drenched Thursday morning to the
Alentejo plains, and later to a wetland near Faro. A beautiful day,
magnificent landscape (sun-baked rolling hills, impressive oak trees),
spectacular birds galore, and a super guide… We started off with the
great and little bustards (on my wish list), black-bellied sandgrouse,
followed by many, many other land and water birds including my
favorites, raptors (Spanish imperial eagle!!) and beautiful purple
gallinules, which were on my wish list as well. So many that I lost count…
Georg didn't, though. Afterwards he emailed me a list of the species
we'd seen (over 80), in English and Latin, including where we saw them
and their numbers. Astounding... As I am not an expert (yet) many birds
were new to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Georg was extremely
good in identifying birds (sound and sight), very patient, very
knowledgeable about birds and nature in general, and eager to share
his knowledge. Thanks to him this day turned out to be the highlight of
my stay in Portugal… It was a extraordinary experience, and I'm
definitely coming back for more J!!

Monique, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands (moontje44@hotmail.com)
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Many thanks for a great day on Wednesday, and also for the very
prompt and helpful species record.
Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with you – we learnt a lot
and saw some super birds. The raptor watch was something special.
(The rain at breakfast was pretty memorable too!)
We enjoyed your enthusiasm, we appreciated your patience in sharing
your extensive bird knowledge with us, and we valued your company.
As you’re threatening pelagic trips next year, and as snow is about the
only adverse element you haven’t produced for us yet, we’re thinking
about getting some wet suits…..!
We look forward to seeing you again.
Até logo

Tony
(October 2009)
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During one week, thanks to Georg, we saw much more than we
expected, and during the one day of the guided tour, learned a lot of the
birds and habitats of the area. We warmly recommend him and Casa
Rosa for bird-watchers – including those with little bird-watching
experience before.

Ilkka and Merja Kunnamo, Finland (October 2009).
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