The East Algarve is a popular gathering
ground for all types of nesting, migratory and winter water birds. These include the Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish
Plover, Little Tern and Audouin's Gull. The region is the only known nesting place in Portugal for the Lesser Short-toed Lark
and the Purple Gallinule is listed amongst the regions residents.
Birding enthusiasts flock to this region
particularly around the Castro Marim Reserve and the Ria Formosa Natural Park which stretches across 60 kilometre of
the coastline.
Castro Marim and VRSA Nature Reserve
This marshland nature reserve covers an area of over 2000 hectares, two thirds of which
is wetland made up of salt marshes, saltworks and creeks. The salt marshes are an important refuge and breeding site for waterbirds,
as well as for various species of fish, molluscs and crustaceans. The reserve is recognised as one of the most important wetland
areas in Portugal.
There is an Information and Exhibition Centre on the Nature Reserve and there are a number of routes that
can be explored on foot or mountain bike.
Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo Antonio,
Sapal de Ventra Moinhos,
Apartado 7 8950-999 Castro Marim
Tel: (00351) 281510680
Donana National Park ( Spain )
Whilst in the East Algarve you may wish to venture further afield as across the Spanish border there
is a 'must see' area for bird enthusiasts.
Donana National Park is the greatest of the surviving southern European wetlands and is unique
because of its position on bird migration routes, and the availability of water in a variety of marginally differing habitats.
Almost 130 species breed in the Donana and many more pass through during migration.
Donana is divided into a humid and a dry area. The humid area consists of flat salt marshes and lagoons
and around them on the drier ground are pine and scrub. In the dry area cork trees known as the Donana Aviaries give
shelter to many interesting bird colonies.
Residents include Spanish Imperial Eagles, Marbled Teals together with Crested Coots and Azure-winged Magpies.
In order to protect the delicate environment, visits
to the park are by conducted tour only. It is advisable to pre-book your visit well in advance. This can be arranged through the
visitor centre. Visitors are advised to schedule 2 days to explore the park.
Parque Nacional y Parque Natural de Doņana.
Centro de Visitantes El Acebuche, Crta. El Rocío a
Matalascaņas km.13,
Tel:- (0034) 959448711 or 959430432.
For further information contact Sociedad Espanola de Ornithologia (SEO/BirdLife), Observatorio Marismas del
Rocio, Paseo Marismeno s/n, 21750 El Rocio. Almonte (Huelva).
Tel/fax:-(0034) 959506093,
Email: andalucia@seo.org
Web address: www.seo.org
