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Rate birdingplace Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António
Beschrijving
Alongside the River Guadiana between Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António, and covering an area of more than 2,000 hectares, lies a wetland area consisting of marshes, saltpans, inlets and rural areas of schist and red sandstone. It is the oldest nature reserve in Portugal, having been classed as such in 1975. A great place for birding. Among the bird species found here are Steltkluut, Kluut, Grutto, Reuzenstern, Flamingo, Bontbekplevier and Ooievaar, to name but a few. The characteristic vegetation of the marshes and the traditional saltpans results in a geometric patchwork of a landscape. Salt production is one of the main activities carried out in the marshes.
Details
Toegang
The Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim is located close to Villa Real de Santo Antonio on the eastern side of the Algarve, just a few minutes drive from the Portuguese-Spanish border and the Rio Guadiana river, and is well signposted from the main roads. Click on the P in the map for directions. Walking trails with interpretive signs fan out from the park's visitor center, located 1.8 km south of Castro Marim.
) om vogelnamen snel in te voeren via een aanklikbare lijst.
It's better to park just at the river
A large, sprawling site but many areas are private. On the other hand, it's really easy to access the track shown on the map. If you're not in a car, it's an easy bike ride on top-class cycle paths from Montegordo or Vila Real de Santo Antonio. It's about 1.6 km from Vila Real station on the Algarve railway, so walkable from there (NB Castro Marim station is a long way from the village and not convenient for the reserve). Kleine Trap reportedly gone from the site and Kleine Kortteenleeuwerik said to be confined to one small area.
The parking spot indicated in the map is not available anymore, but there is one a little further south.
Also Dwergarend, Gele Kwikstaart seen on the 17th October.
We visited this area in late March 2024. We only visited the area around the visitors centre so just south of the bridge between Spain and Portugal and the road that goes from the visitors centre to the river north of the bridge. We observed Zwarte Ibis, Steltkluut, Zwarte Ruiter, Grutto, Tureluur, Rode Patrijs, Groenpootruiter, Zwarte Ruiter, Slobeend, Bergeend, Gele Kwikstaart.