a

Portas de Ródão

Vila Velha de Ródão  >  Portugal

Portas de Ródão are the natural ex libris of Vila Velha de Ródão and a must-see spot for birdwatchers.

Added* by Sandra Fernandes
Most recent update 2 veljače 2022

Description

The natural monument of Portas de Ródão is a breathtaking masterpiece of nature in the region of Central Portugal. River Tagus flows through two gigantic quartz rocks, truly reminding of “doors”. On the north top of Portas de Ródão, that can be easily reached by road, you will find the small castle of King Wamba (named after a Visigoth king), also known as the “Castelo de Ródão”. From this viewpoint you will have a wonderful panoramic view over the Tagus valley and you can find threatened birds, such as Crkavica, Sup starješina, Rüppell's Griffon, Suri orao, Prugasti orao, Zmijar, Patuljasti orao, Škanjac osaš, Crvena lunja and Crna Roda. Within the soaring birds, the Bjeloglavi sup are the one that stand out, as this natural monument is home to the largest colony in the country. Portas de Ródão is also a good spot to detect Leganj, Šumska sova, Kukuvija, Sivi Ćuk, Ćuk, Mala Ušara and the extraordinary Ušara. The best way to prospect the crags is taking a boat trip. Not only allows you to observe the Bjeloglavi sup more closely, but also allows you to detect other rupicolous birds, such as Modrokos andAlpski popić. The boat trip also allows you to observe Vodomar, Divlja Patka, Mali Gnjurac, Ćubasti Gnjurac, Mlakuša, Mala Prutka, Veliki Vranac, Siva Čaplja, Velika Bijela Čaplja, Mala Bijela Čaplja; and other birds that are in the river bank like Bijela roda, Gavran, Crna vrana, Vivak, Modra svraka and Svraka. A walk through the surrounding lands also allows the detection and observation of Prepelica, Crvenonoga jarebica, Afrička kukavica, Kukavica, Pupavac, Pčelarica, Vuga, Riđoglavi Svračak, Iberian Grey Shrike, Velika Grmuša, Grmuša Pjenica, Poljski Vrabac, Vrabac kamenjar and Juričica. In the skies you can also see several swifts: Afrička čiopa, Bijela Čiopa, Čiopa and Smeđa čiopa.

Details

Access

You can start the visit next to the bridge over the Tagus River and drive to “Castelo de Ródão”. You can also take the boat trip in the village of Vila Velha de Ródão or explore the surrounding areas on foot. See the map bellow.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , River , Reedbeds , Steppe , Canyon/cliff

Conditions

Rocky , Dry , Open landscape , No shadow

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Car , Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Give feedback
Rate this area