‘Campo Branco’ in Baixo Alentejo is, if you enjoy the beauty of high plains (steppe), something special. It is here you will, if you are fortunate,
Alentejo, pronounced ah-lehn-TAY-zhu means ‘Beyond Tagus River’, and up in the plains you certainly feel a long way from anywhere. Human presence feels minimal. In fact the remoteness of Baixo Alentejo is one of the reasons why some historians are questioning whether the Battle of Ourique, when Portugal ousted the Moors, did in fact take place in Alentejo. Probably not something to mention though when you are in Ourique, especially if you happen to be visiting on St James Day when the Battle is commemorated!
Other birds you may see depending on when you go and how much time you have to sit somewhere quietly, are the Little Bustard, Lesser Kestrel, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlews, European Rollers, and the Montagu’s Harrier. You’ll definitely see the European White Storks though. You may even hear them.
The storks are numerous up here, especially on the road from Castro Verde to Mértola where there are dozens of purpose-built frames for them to nest on. A group of storks by the way is called a muster or mustering, and you can also use the collective noun phalanx. All sounds very troop like!
As well as stork nesting frames, you will spot very large window frames near Castro Verde. These frames apparently represent the nickname – A Window on the Plains – for the district of Castro Verde.
If you are not a birdwatcher then Castro Verde and the surrounding area is still well worth visiting. Probably not though in the summer as it can get very hot. A good time to visit is in the Autumn, and in particular over the third weekend in October, when Castro Verde hosts one of the biggest fairs in Alentejo – Feira de Castro. The fair dates back to the medieval period and is known for its promotion of local produce, handicrafts and cultural heritage.