Trip to the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve (Birds & Archaeology Programme), with Birds & Nature
Dates: 4th February and 3rd March 2012

The programme Birds & Archaeology was conceived by Birds & Nature, in partnership with troiaresort and combines birdwatching (on the southern bank of the Sado estuary), with a visit to observe the Roman Ruins of Tróia.

The Roman Ruins of Tróia, classified as a National Monument since 1910, are the largest salted fish and fish sauces production complex known in the occidental part of the Roman Empire. Built in the first half of the 1st century, it soon became an urban settlement occupied up to the 6th century.
The Ruins are located on the northeast bank of the Tróia peninsula, which would have been an island in Roman times. It was probably the Achale island mentioned by Avienus, a Latin writer from the 4th century, in the work Ora Maritima, but there is no archaeological data to prove it. The settlement belonged to the territory of Salacia (Alcácer do Sal) and was mistaken, for several centuries, with the city of Caetobriga, which is now known to be the city of Setúbal across the river.
The ruins have been known since the 16th century and have had several campaigns of excavation, the first of them in the 18th century, ordered by Princess Maria, the future queen D. Maria I. Later on, in the 19th and 20th centuries, major excavations took place at the site.
The most characteristic feature of these ruins are the workshops with tanks where salted fish and fish sauces were prepared, among which is the famous Roman fish sauce garum mentioned by many Latin writers. These products were carried in amphorae produced on the northern shore of the Sado estuary, and taken by boat to Rome and other parts of the Empire.
Along with the fish salting workshops, a bath complex was uncovered with its usual rooms and pools for hot and cold baths, a residential quarter of houses with ground and first floors called Rua da Princesa, a rota aquaria (hydraulic water wheel installation), a mausoleum, necropolis with different kinds of graves and a Paleochristian basilica with wall paintings.
On the basis of a protocol celebrated in 2005 with Instituto Português do Património Arquitectónico (IPPAR) and Instituto Português de Arqueologia (IPA) (nowadays merged in Instituto de Gestão do Património Arquitectónico e Arqueológico (IGESPAR)), whose aims are the safeguard, recovery, restoration and valorization of these ruins, troiaresort has an archaeological team working at this site.

Regarding the birdwatching part of the programme, we shall visit several spots on the southern bank of the Sado estuary, namely Tróia, Comporta, Carrasqueira and Batalha, including several habitats: beaches, salt marshes, mudflats, salt pans, rice fields and pine woods. These areas are very interesting, especially at this time of the year, to observe species of several groups (seabirds, waders, wildfowl, herons, grebes and other aquatic birds (Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis). The list of species we shall try to observe include some rare or localized, namely: Red-breasted Merganser, Black-necked Grebe, Great White Egret, Osprey, Peregrine, Purple Swamp-hen, Caspian Tern, Short-eared Owl and even some very rare species like the divers.

Programme
10,00 hours – Meet at Tróia (Roman Ruins).
10,10 hours – Visit the Roman Ruins.
11,40 hours – Birdwatching at Tróia.
12,30 hours – Lunch (restaurant to be selected).
14,00 hours – Birdwatching at Batalha salt pans.
15,30 hours – Birdwatching at Carrasqueira and Comporta.
17,30 hours – Birdwatching at Comporta beach.
18,30 hours – End of the activity.

Price
35 euros per person. Price includes your Birds & Nature guide, visit to the Roman Ruins of Tróia guided by an archaeologist, free use of optical equipment, participant’s accident insurance and VAT.
Not included are lunch, transport during the programme and any personal expenditure.

Note
On excursions organized by Birds & Nature, we try to provide you with excellent birding experiences along with unique opportunities to take that once-in-a-life-time photograph.
Please note that the programme needs a minimum of 6 participants and will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants.

Have a look at the photos at: http://www.flickr.com/groups/birds-nature-archaeology/

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Birds & Nature Tours is a registered tourism company (RNAAT nº 25/2008 - Turismo de Portugal I.P.)