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Albufeira de Santa Maria de Aguiar

Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo  >  Portugal

This place is the most important wetland for water birds in the northern interior of Portugal. Also a good spot to observe soaring birds and passerines.

Added* by Sandra Fernandes
Most recent update 13 iunie 2022

Description

Albufeira de Santa Maria de Aguiar is housed in a valley with gentle slopes, where the Aguiar river flows. This reservoir is one of the most important wetlands in the district of Guarda. The scarcity of other wetlands nearby makes this area an important refuge for water birds, especially for Corcodel mare, with this reservoir having one of the most important population centers nationally. Of the water birds also stand out species like Rață lingurar, Rață mare, Rață sulițar, Rață pestriță, Rață mică, Rață cu cap castaniu, Corcodel mic, Lișiță, Găinușă de baltă, Piciorong, Ciocîntors, Stârc roșu, Țigănuș and Lopătar. On the banks of the reservoir and the streams that flow into it, the aquatic and riparian vegetation is occupied by Becațină comună, Cresteț pestriț, Stârc pitic, Stârc cenușiu, Privighetoare roșcată, Stufărică, Grelușel pătat, Lăcar mare, Lăcar de stuf,Lăcar mic and Pescăraș albastru.

As regards the surrounding area, the vegetation is dominated by farmland, pastures and small forest areas that allow the presence of landbirds. In the bushes and trees of the east bank it is possible to hear and, with luck, observe species such as Ghionoaie verde, Ciocănitoare pestriță mare, Ciocănitoare pestriță mică, Gaiță, Grangur, Potârniche cu picioare roșii, Prepeliță, Silvie roșcată estică. You can also observe species like Pupăză, Prigorie, Nagâț, Sfrâncioc cu cap roșu, Sfrâncioc mare iberic, Coțofană, Coțofană cu aripi albastre and Ciocârlan spaniol on the banks of this reservoir. You should also prospect the skies, which are often crossed by large birds of prey, such as Uligan pescar, Gaie cenușie, Hoitar, Viespar, Black Vulture, Vultur sur, Șerpar, Acvilă mică, Acvilă de munte, Erete de stuf, Erete sur, Uliu păsărar, Uliu porumbar, Gaie roșie, Gaie neagră, Șoim călător, Șoimul rândunelelor, Vânturel roșu. In the skies you can also see several species of swallows: Rândunică, Rândunică roșcată, Lăstun de stâncă, Lăstun de casă, Lăstun de mal; and swifts: Drepnea neagră, Drepnea mare, Drepnea palidă.

Details

Access

You can park your car next to the dam wall and explore all the area on foot. You can explore the dam wall, the east bank of the reservoir and the surrounding areas. See the map bellow.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , River , Lake , Mud flats , Steppe

Conditions

Flat , Dry

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Autumn migration , Spring migration , Summer , Spring

Route

Unpaved road , Wide path

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

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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