The Tagus estuary (Estuário do Tejo) is a vital stop-over at the East Atlantic Flyway. The birding delights of the estuary are a 30-minute force from the Lisbon world airport. So shut, you may suppose there’s not anything one can do to beef up the positioning of this incredible birding spot. Alternatively, the Portuguese govt thinks in a different way and intends to place the world airport on best of the birding – certainly a lot nearer and but, no longer an development.
The entire estuary is international magnificence with pasture for preventing bulls, rice fields, mudflats, cork oak forests, salt pans and open water. The Lezírias de Vila Franca de Xira (ceaselessly and erroneously named Ponta de Erva after essentially the most southerly tip) are an broadly farmed house within the north of the estuary. To get there, force from the airport north at the A1 highway and take the go out 3 in opposition to Elvas-Evora-Vila Franca de Xira. Go the bridge and in an instant flip proper on the signal “observação de aves“. Alongside the 7 km to Porto Alto there are lots of entrances however handiest the primary one does no longer require a keycard. Gate opening occasions are aligned with the hole occasions of the EVOA – Espaço de Visitação e Observação de Aves. And don’t fear, I can write about EVOA in Spring.
Most of the people pass to Portugal in July or August to benefit from the 3 issues Portugal is legendary for: solar, sand and seafood. Birders are other – when you didn’t know but – and birders must steer clear of those exact same months because the plague. Normally talking, the most efficient months in Portugal are April and September/October however the Lezírias are excellent year-round. I love to near the 12 months with a talk over with as birds are like English pensioners in Benidorm – they flock in wintry weather.
The Lezírias supply each high quality and amount. It’s the Cristiano Ronaldo of birding spots – a lot of targets and excellent to have a look at (I’m informed). For high quality, imagine visiting the world referred to as 38 Moios, subsequent to EVOA. It’s the Portuguese resolution to the Patagonia Picnic Desk. There’s an outstanding listing of vagrants which were noticed there. Alternatively, for me it’s the sheer amount of birds that impresses and continues drawing me to the Lezírias. Massive flocks of Shiny Ibis actually darken the sky. A rice box could have hundreds of Black-tailed Godwit, simply believe going via those numbers on the lookout for the ones Bar-tailed Godwits and Lengthy-billed Dowitchers hiding among them. And sure, I notice I’ve misplaced my non-birding, non-nerdy readers at this level…
Just like the aforementioned English pensioners many songbirds fly south, and Portugal could also be a long way sufficient south to move. Bluethroats, Cetti’s and Chiffchaff will also be discovered within the brush along the canals and the estuary. The Skylarks and Northern Wheatears within the barren fields draw in all 4 Ecu species of harrier (however no Montagu’s for Christmas, sorry). Merlin and Quick-Eared Owl are nearly a “lifeless cert” in wintry weather. Virtually.
The one assured sighting will be the Zitting Cisticola.
Massive teams of Little Bustard aren’t unusual in wintry weather. I’ve noticed them once a year for the decade or so.
And after some intense birding it’s lunchtime already. There are 3 issues which can be nice about Portugal: wine, espresso and the meals. Depart the world throughout the gate once more and switch proper in opposition to Porto Alto. The Casa das Queijadas provides queijadas – cottage cheese pasties. They’ve many alternative sorts, and I selflessly tasted/examined a dozen other sorts. The unsponsored struggling I will have to undergo for this weblog… The ones pastries are wonderful, however in case you are somewhat peckish: on the Casa they serve a excellent lunch too. For the enthusiasts that wish to return to birding asap: take hold of a “bifana” or “prego no pão” to move.
You’ll additionally flip left on the gate, pass to Vila Franca de Xira and revel in some of the many eating places close to the river. If where is jam-packed, it is going to be excellent. Clearly, you are going to be spending top quality lunch time and birding might drop to your listing of priorities for the day. If you’re feeling responsible about that, scan the river for geese and ducks and try the muddy margins.
