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Altiplano de Azoia

Setubal  >  Portugal

A 3,100 hectare conservation area in the Arrabida National Park with dry scrub and spectacular coastal cliffs. Good for seawatching and breeding passerines.

Added* by Iain Crawford
Most recent update 12 október 2022

Description

The Altiplano de Azoia is a windswept dry limestone plateau with wildflowers including gum cistus, green heather, yellow centaury and allseed. Butterflies; swallowtail, Spanish swallowtail. Reptiles; skinks, lizards and whiptail snakes. Mammals; beech marten, Schreiber's bat, horsehoe bats and genet.

Due north from the lighthouse (star mark on the map) there is a display of fossilised dinosaur footprints.

Breeding birds include Topplævirki, shrikes, Kornhæna, Korntittlingur, Trjálævirki, Hjálmsöngvari, Busksöngvari and Álmtittlingur. From the western headland at Cabo Espichel, Súla, Urðaskrofa, Urðaskrofa (diomedea) and Brúnskorfa pass by, and Förufálki, Fölsvölungur, Bláþröstungur and Húsaskotta breed on the cliffs. Also Alpasvölungur, Haukörn and Gljástari can be seen in the area.

The area is on a prime migration route. Expect Eyfálki, Mánaþröstur, Fjalllóa and Vingultittlingur.

Details

Access

The Altiplano de Azoia is west of Azoia town. Car parking indicated on the map below. Click on the P in the map to get directions.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Steppe , Canyon/cliff , Sea , Moors/heathland , Plateau , Grassland

Conditions

Hilly , Rocky , Open landscape , Dusty

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn , Winter

Route

Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Boat

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Links

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

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

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