 The Sado's Estuary Nature Reserve is one of the more important wetlands in Portugal and offers Birdwatching opportunities. Its symbol is the Bottlenose Dolphin, whose small population (about 30 individuals) is often observed while crossing the river by boat, between Setubal and Troia.
Your day begins in Praias do Sado, a wide area of saltmarshes and saltpans where you can observe large groups of Flamingos, Black-winged Stilts and Avocets. The Little Tern, several pairs of Kentish Plover and the Yellow Wagtail, find good nesting places here. The Osprey can be seen mostly during Winter and Spring.
Arriving to Zambujal, vast rice fields mark the landscape. In this area you may find flocks of White Storks feeding together with egrets, and sometimes with the rare Spoonbills. In the estuary, the Black-necked Grebe appears in good numbers during the high tide, while during the low tide hundreds of waders feed in the exposed muds.
In Pinheiro, one of the largest private properties in the whole estuary, extensive wooded areas are an excellent habitat for raptors. Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles and Black-winged Kites are all rather frequent species. In the woods, you may also observe Redstarts, Iberian Chiffchaffs, Woodchat and Great Grey Shrikes (including the Iberian subspecies of the later) and Bee-eaters. In the lagoons and rice fields it is possible to watch large numbers of ducks and egrets, including the Purple Heron, an uncommon breeding species.
In Monte Novo de Palma, you will cross a large area with Cork Oaks, occupied by numerous forest species, such as Short-toed Tree creepers, woodpeckers, tits, etc. In the South margin of the Sado's estuary, you will visit the vast rice fields and saltpans of Batalha, where Flamingos and Storks gather in big numbers. In Acude da Murta, a small dam with rich marginal vegetation, you will find in Spring a mixed colony with Little and Cattle Egrets, sometimes with the presence of rarer species, like the Night and Squacco Herons.
The last stopping place on your tour is Carrasqueira, with its typical beautiful harbor, installed in a vast saltmarshes area, during low tide, several waders may be observed, including Bar-Tailed Godwit.
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Starting from GBP £64.71 per person |
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