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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 Haziran 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 Bahri, with this reservoir having one of the most important population centers nationally. Of the water birds also stand out species like Kaşıkgaga, Yeşilbaş, Kilkuyruk, Boz ördek, Çamurcun, Elmabaş patka, Küçük batağan, Sakarmeke, Sutavuðu, Uzunbacak, Kılıçgaga, Erguvani balýkçýl, Çeltikçi and Kaşıkçı. On the banks of the reservoir and the streams that flow into it, the aquatic and riparian vegetation is occupied by Su çulluğu, Benekli suyelvesi, Küçük balaban, Gri balýkçýl, Bülbül, Kamış Bülbülü, Çekirge Kamışçını, Büyük kamışçın, Saz Kamışçını,Kındıra kamışçını and Yalıçapkını.

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 Yeşil Ağaçkakan, Orman alaca ağaçkakanı, Küçük ağaçkakan, Alakarga, Sarıasma, Kızıl Keklik, Bıldırcın, Bıyıklı Ötleğen. You can also observe species like İbibik, Arıkuşu, Kızkuşu, Kızıl Başlı Örümcekkuşu, Bozkır örümcekkuşu, Saksağan, İberya Saksağan and Thekla toygarı on the banks of this reservoir. You should also prospect the skies, which are often crossed by large birds of prey, such as Balık kartalı, Ak Çaylak, Küçük Akbaba, Arı Şahini, Black Vulture, Kızıl akbaba, Yılan Kartalı, Küçük kartal, Kaya kartalý, Saz delicesi, Çayır delicesi, Atmaca, Çakýr, Kızıl Çaylak, Kara çaylak, Gök doðan, Delice doğan, Kerkenez. In the skies you can also see several species of swallows: Kır kırlangıcı, Kizil kirlangici, Kaya kırlangıcı, Ev kırlangıcı, Kum kırlangıcı; and swifts: Ebabil, Ak Karınlı Ebabil, Boz Ebabil.

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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