Access to the countryside is usually available to the considerate. In Portugal, there is a tradition that anyone can enter unfenced and ungated land on foot. Shepherds, goatherds and hunters readily take advantage of this custom. However, orchards and intensively cultivated land should not be entered without permission. Hunting preserves and estates can legally prohibit entry but are often double-fenced to keep in the game. Take care not to damage the temporary, string-like cattle fences (they are electric and usually powered by a large battery - sometimes with a small solar panel attached). Saltpan (salinas) operatives often tolerate casual visitors that walk on tracks but never enter the water or walk on the narrow earth walls (bunds) dividing the pans.

Algarvian country people are friendly. Give passers-by a cheery wave and wish him or her "bom dia" or "boa tarde" (after midday). If on private land or in a remote area, indicate to the curious what you are doing and point the direction you intend to go - you should not have any problems.

The hunting season extends from mid August to the end of February but shooting is only allowed on Sundays, Thursdays and public holidays. As ever, there are those that shoot at anything and at any time but compared to some Mediterranean countries the situation is reasonably good. Laws are mostly respected on nature reserves, where the penalties for transgression are especially severe. Elsewhere, the gangs of heavily armed hunters often seem to have things their way - on no account confront hunters. Persistent bangs in summer are often attributable to automatic bird-scarers, which are in use around crops and orchards and at Faro Airport. Bear in mind that fireworks are let off on any excuse, even in broad daylight.

A couple of words of warning for motorists. Take care on minor roads, as oncoming motorists never seem to expect other traffic and frequently cut corners at speed. Although the crime rate is low in the Algarve, theft from unattended cars, especially in high summer is a problem. It is best to take valuables with you and park where the car can be easily seen.

Other things
Always take a small notebook and one or two pens or pencils. Pocket digital notetakers are useful, especially when visiting an area where a large number of unfamiliar birds occur. Unknown calls and songs can also be recorded for later identification and discussion. Digiscoping is the buzzword for photography employing a digital camera (still or camcorder) in combination with a telescope. Now it is possible to photograph what appears through a telescope. Although the results do not compare in quality with the photographer's art, they often provide good records and support for a sighting of a rarity.
Dress sombrely, wear a sun hat and use lots of sunscreen. If out for a long day in the warmer months take plenty of water and do not forget something to eat - birdwatching consumes time.

Irritants
If susceptible to mosquitoes and horseflies, take a suitable repellent. There is only one effectively venomous snake in Portugal but it is terrified of man and its bite is not severe. Noisy village dogs can be frightening but are mostly all bark. If hackles are raised and the tail stops wagging reach for two stones and throw the first to just miss (or to hit if attack seems imminent) - the threat of the second stone is usually enough.