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 египетски мршојадец, црн мршојадец, Rüppell's Griffon, златен орел, планински орел, орел змијар, мал орел, осојад, црвена луња and црн штрк. Within the soaring birds, the белоглав мршојадец 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 козодој, Шумски (Обичен) був, Кукавија, кукумјавка, ќук, ушест був and the extraordinary був. The best way to prospect the crags is taking a boat trip. Not only allows you to observe the белоглав мршојадец more closely, but also allows you to detect other rupicolous birds, such as модар дрозд andалпско попче. The boat trip also allows you to observe рибарче, Дива патка, мал нуркач, цуцулест нуркач, зеленонога блатна кокошка, речна тринга, голем корморан, сива чапја, голема бела чапја, мала бела чапја; and other birds that are in the river bank like штрк, гавран, Црна врана, калуѓерка, Iberian Magpie and страчка. A walk through the surrounding lands also allows the detection and observation of потполошка, Red-legged Partridge, цуцулеста кукавица, кукавица, Пупунец, пчеларка, саријазма, црвеноглаво страче, Iberian Grey Shrike, Оревасто коприварче, обично грмушарче, полско врапче, врапче камењарче and конопјарче. In the skies you can also see several swifts: White-rumped Swift, голема пиштарка, обична пиштарка and сива пиштарка.
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.