In a statement, the Vila do Bispo City Council, in the Faro district, stated that this four-day festival, which ends on Sunday, is "the largest event dedicated to nature and birdwatching in Portugal."

"The public is invited to discover the magic of autumn migration, participate in unique activities, and celebrate nature in one of the country's most iconic places," the statement reads.

The festival begins today with the release of a wild bird rehabilitated by the Ria Formosa Wildlife Recovery and Research Center (RIAS).

According to the organizers, the festival will feature dozens of activities for all tastes and ages, including birdwatching trips on land and at sea, hikes, workshops, lectures, games, and creative workshops.

During the four-day event, all participants in the Birdwatching Festival will have free admission to the Sagres Fortress.

The organizers chose the blue thrush ("Monticola solitarius") as the star of this year's festival, describing it as "an elegant bird with a melodious song that inhabits the region's cliffs, symbolizing the free and wild spirit of the event."

The festival is organized by the Vila do Bispo City Council, in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) and the Almargem Association.

The full program and registration list are available at www.birdwatchingsagres.com