Active Travel

Birdwatching’s future in Portugal

Friday, 12 March 2010 00:00

recent study confirms that Portugal is an excellent birdwatching destination.This is because Portugal boasts a wide variety of landscapes and a high degree of diversity of natural habitats at short travelling distances (up to 2-3 hours by car), making it possible to carry out birdwatching programs in distinct habitats that harbor a high number of species, in particular, mountains, estuaries, escarpments, cork oak forests, coastal lagoons, and steppes used for cereal crops. There around 330 species of birds that may be observed on a regular basis, many of which are found in very limited numbers in the rest of Europe and the world. It has a considerable number of unique species in Europe such as, the imperial eagle and the azure-winged magpie, and others which, although not unique, are of major interest for birdwatchers such as great bustards, kestrels and bitterns and, also, species that can only be found in Portugal such as the Zino’s Petrel, long-toed Wood pigeon and the Azores bullfinch (source: SPEA). Other rare birds which can be observed in Portugal include: the Ruppell’s Griffon, the Ruppell’s Vulture, the mute swan, the Arctic tern, and the slender-billed Gull. In the archipelago of the Azores it is also possible to observe species of American origin that find refuge in these islands.Today, 21% of Portuguese territory is considered Protected Areas, that have strong natural values and a high degree of biodiversity in terms of fauna and flora together with environmental and landscape quality, offering a range of tourism entertainment activities adjusted to different Nature Tourism segments. The nature reserves of the Sado and Tejo Estuaries, Ria Formosa Estuary, Sapal de Castro Marim marshland, Alentejo, Guadiana Valley, Douro International and Tejo International Park are just some of the natural areas that are rich in ornithological resources. Lisbon is the only European capital adjacent to an area that is extremely rich in birdlife – the Tejo Estuary (only 20 minutes away), where it is possible to observe around 100 different species of birds in a single day.

There are currently 94 special protection zones or Important Bird Areas  in Portugal. These sites have international significance in terms of conservation of birds at a global level. They are identified through application of international scientific criteria and constitute a network of fundamental sites for conservation of all birds classified as having unfavourable conservation status.

Some of the most important birdwatching sites, according to the Portuguese Birdwatching Society are as follows:
Mainland
Norte: Douro International
Centro: Tejo International, Ria de Aveiro estuary
Lisbon: Tejo Estuary, Cabo Espichel, Lisbon and the Estoril coast (not an IBA)
Alentejo: Paul do Boquilobo, Castro Verde, Mourão, Moura and Barrancos, Lagoa de Santo André and Lagoa de Sancha
Algarve: Ria Formosa estuary, Castro Marim, Lagoa dos Salgados and the Southwest Coast

Archipelago of Madeira
Madeira: Ponta de São Lourenço, Porto do Funchal (not an IBA) and Ponta do Pargo
Deserted Islands
Island of Porto Santo (only the West part is an IBA but there are also other locations of interest for birdwatching)

Archipelago of the Azores
Island of S. Miguel: Pico da Vara
Island of Terceira:

Birdwatching companies:

Birds & Nature   www.birds.pt
Ventura do Mar (Madeira)   www.venturadomar.com
Mar Ilimitado   www.marilimitado.com
Madeira Aventura (Madeira)   www.madeiraventura.com
Windbirds (Madeira)   www.madeirawindbirds.com
Rotas da Terra   www.rotastaterra.com
Natura Algarve   www.natura-algarve.com
"Terra Azul"  (Açores)   www.terrazulazores.com
Lands   www.lands.pt
Relevos   www.relevos.pt   
Vertigem Azul   www.vertingemazul.com

Cruise the new big lake

Thursday, 25 February 2010 00:00

Europe's biggest man-made lake can be found in Portugal, with lots of the different options from a relaxing cruise or an extended boating holiday. Located in the heart of the Alentejo region, to the southeast of Évora, Alqueva Lake covers some 250 square-kilometers and is reachable from both Lisbon and the Algarve region by car in two hours. A range of boats can be rented for couples or families with weeklong winter rates from 1,140 euros with weekend and short-week (Mon-Fri) rates also available. Day visitors can enjoy a wide range of water sports on the lake as well as a leisurely cruise stopping off at various points of interest, including the tiny medieval walled town of Monsaraz.

Portugal is one of Europe’s top spots for bird watching

Thursday, 28 January 2010 21:46

Portugal’s diverse range of climates and habitats makes it the perfect retreat for the birding set. Whether it’s spotting tree birds in a cork oak along the plains of the Alentejo or catching a glimpse of a rare shore bird in the Algarve, Portugal offers a wide range of birding opportunities. It is home to 300 species of birds ranging from the Iberian imperial eagle to the azure-winged magpie. In the estuary of the River Tagus located a mere 20 minutes from Lisbon it’s possible to observe 100 bird species in a single day.

Some of the finest bird watching areas are located in Portugal’s protected forests and nature reserves. Occupying more than a fifth of the country, these national parks include river valleys, ocean estuaries and scenic mountains. In Northern Portugal, cruise the River Douro where Egyptian vultures build their nests. In the Tagus International Park outside of Lisbon, the ample hiking and biking trails provide an excellent opportunity to watch black storks and griffon vultures. In the Algarve, take a break from swimming and sunbathing on the golden beaches to cruise the Ria Formosa and the Sapal de Castro Marim marshland, two important wetlands populated by flamingos, herons and dozens of other species.

Birding in Portugal isn’t just limited to the mainland. The Azores and Madeira are home to exotic species not found anywhere else in the world, such as the Zino’s petrel, the long-toed wood pigeon or the Azores Bullfinch. The best spots are Ponta do Pargo, Ponta de São Lourenço and islands of Desertas in the Archipelago of Madeira, or Pico da Vara on the Azores island of São Miguel.

Where ever you go, you’re sure to be amazed by the spectacular landscapes. Go to www.visitportugal.com

Read more: Portugal is one of Europe’s top spots for bird watching

Walk the Azores

Sunday, 10 January 2010 00:00

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays of the UK  has added a new tour to a ‘quartet’ of beautiful islands in The Azores. The Azores offer a choice of many multifaceted walks, embracing villages, churches and attractive land and seascapes. The tours start in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel – the largest of the islands which is 40 by 10 miles in size and consists largely of a volcanic spine rising to 1080m From São Miguel they go west to São Jorge in the north – an island with tree covered cliffs and famed for its cheese and wines. Then comes the island of Pico which is dominated by a volcanic landscape the highest being 7,700 ft and then by boat across to the island of Faial for a days walking tour.