Algarve - Nature Reserves
 
Algarve nature reserves

1) Costa Vicentina    2) Ponta da Piedade   3) Ria de Alvor   4) Monchique  5) Margem do Arade   6) Sitio das Fontes   7) Rocha da Pena   8) Fonte da Benémola   9) Fonte Férrea   10) Ria Formosa   11) Fonte Férrea de Cachopo   12) Mata da Conceição   13) Vale de Asseca   14) Mata Nacional das Dunas de Monte Gordo   15) Reserva Nacional de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António   16) Margem do Guadiana.

Birds living in the Algarve all year round are a treat for any bird watcher but the Algarve is also right on the path of many migrating birds and they can be observed and studied when they make their stopover in one of the unique nature reserves.

 
 

The most renowned nature reserve and also the most important birding site is the Parque Nacional do Ria Formosa on the coast adjacent to Faro. Located in eastern Algarve, the park covers an area of 18400 hectares of dunes, saltpans, little isles, sand banks and swamps between Cacela Velha and Anção.

Algarve nature reserves ria formosa_natureThe beaches of the islands of Faro, Armona, Culatra, Barreta and Tavira form a natural barrier to the ocean. The Ria Formosa area, between the isles and the mainland, is of great importance for a wide range of breeding, passage and wintering birds. A labyrinth of salt-marshes, channels, areas of silt and small islands attract a wide variety of birds. It is one of the most important wetland areas in Europe in terms of bird life. The greatest diversity of species occurs during passage periods, spring and autumn.

ria formosa sultan chickenChosen as the symbol of the park, the sultan chicken or Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio), is a large bird with bluish feathers and bright red feet and beak. It is very rare and it is estimated that the population does not exceed twenty individual birds. In addition to birds the area has herpetological interest. It is one of the best sites in Europe to spot Chameleons.
Park Office: Interpretation Centre, Quinta de Marim, Quelses, 8700 Olhão Tel.: 289 704 134/5

Algarve nature reserves sapalIn the south-eastern corner of the Algarve, between the Guadiana River, the new Via Infante highway and the sea lies the Reserva Nacional do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de San António, one of the best birding areas in southern Portugal. The word Sapal stands for salt-water marshes.

silves storkA good place for watching birds is the Ria de Alvor. The lagoon, formed by the river estuary and a long row of sandy dunes that separates it from the sea. The Estuary has an enormous variety of natural habitats and biotopes that provide, along its perimeters, refuge, feeding or breeding areas for countless birds. Passage periods bring a wide range of migrants.

The Bio park de Monchique, which almost comprises the whole region, is a marvelous botanical garden with more than a thousand different species of plants. Iron oak, cork, and walnut, olive, arbutus and plane trees, together with hundreds of colorful wild flowers transform the Serra into a botanist dream come true. Bird watchers also, will not regret a visit. The valleys and woods of the Serra attract a good number of passerine migrants .

costa_vicentinaMake sure to visit the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina with its dazzling cliffs and stubborn vegetation. The most important migration watch point in Portugal.

Cape St. Vincent was once known as the end of the world, but not to the numerous birds and seabirds that use the cape as an orientation point or to take a break , before continuing their journey. Spring migration is relatively poor and the best time to visit is autumn. In addition to the bird life the area is botanically very important and it is home to several endemic species of plant.
INFO:Rua Joćo Mendes Dias 46-A
8670-086 Aljezur
Tel.: 269 708 400
Fax: 269 752 145
A very good web site about bird watching is: http://www.spea.pt or www.eurobirding.co.uk.

about the birdwatching hobby

Beside birds there is quit a variety of other animals in the Algarve. Wolves are not there anymore but there are still a lot of foxes and badgers. Reported sightings of lynxes are somewhat controversial and might not be true. More common is the genet cat. There are too many reptiles and amphibians to list them here but you can find chameleons, fire salamanders, lizards, newts, skinks, geckos, frogs, toads and terrapins.

snakeThe most common snakes are Horseshoe whip snakes, Grass snakes and Montpellier snakes, amongst others. The only poisonous one are Lataste’s viper which lives in the mountains and the Montpellier snake. Their bite is quit irascible but not considered very serious.
More about snakes here...

The pine processionary is a caterpillar that always marshes in single file from one tree to the other. It can provoke painfull swelling and itching, when touched.

scorpionmillipedThe sting of scorpions is painful and considered dangerous to infants as is the bite of some millipedes.

medronho butterfly_transparntdeathmothFor curiosity’s sake we mention Europe’s largest moth, the Death’s Head Hawkmoth and the medronho butterfly (Two Tailed Pasha) that is associated with the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).

 

Nature Pictures of the Algarve are here