From Porto

Overview

Barrinha de Esmoriz is a coastal lagoon designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) and a protected site within the Natura 2000 network. The lagoon is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a narrow dune and is periodically opened to the sea. Covering an area of approximately 400 hectares, it comprises a mix of wetland habitats important to both breeding and wintering birds, while offering a vital stop-over point for numerous passage migrants in spring and autumn. A network of tracks and walkways provides extensive access to the site, which supports breeding populations of wildfowl, rails, grebes and herons, the last including Little Bittern and Purple Heron; however, a visit to Barrinha is likely to be rewarding at any time of year as, in addition to its notable breeding species that also include Kentish Plover, Iberian Chiffchaff, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Western Yellow Wagtail and Common Reed Bunting, the spring and autumn migration periods bring an abundance of waders (shorebirds), seabirds and passerines, among which are many that linger into winter. Further interest is provided by self-sustaining populations of four exotic species, namely Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Common Waxbill and Pin-tailed Whydah. Surrounding the lagoon and its associated wetlands are stands of pine woods and riparian woodland, as well as dunes and beaches, farmland and on a slightly raised plateau there is a tract of unmanaged scrub, all of which are explored on our tours of the site.  

The Douro Estuary Reserve is a small coastal site of some 66 hectares, incorporating a section of the south bank of the Douro River near Vila Nova de Gaia. Birds are mainly represented by a selection of waders, herons, gulls and terns, and are at their most numerous during winter and both passages. The reserve features an extensive dune system, known as Cabedelo, important areas of salt marsh along with tidal mudflats, while low-lying sand bars are exposed at low tide. Our tours visit all the different habitats, some of which are made easily accessible by convenient wooden boardwalks and two observation hides, one within the salt marsh, the other overlooking the sea and mudflats. 

The Jardim do Passeio Alegre at Foz is situated on the north bank of the Douro River and is host to two exotics – Monk Parakeet and Rose-ringed Parakeet – and a number of common songbirds.
A stroll along the riverside walk offers such common waders as Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Dunlin and Common Sandpiper, along with a variety of gulls and terns, depending on season. The pathway continues as a causeway out to sea to a lighthouse where, in winter, searching for a Purple Sandpiper or Rock Pipit can occasionally meet with success.   

Given the closeness of Porto to these sites, Birds & Nature has half day (morning or afternoon) and full day guided tours to these destinations.

Main Species

Egyptian Goose, Northern Shoveler, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Common Scoter, Plain Swift, Pallid Swift, Common Wood Pigeon, European Turtle Dove, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Little Grebe, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Black-winged Stilt, Grey (Black-bellied) Plover, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruddy Turnstone, Red Knot, Ruff, Sanderling, Dunlin, Purple Sandpiper, Little Stint, Common Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull, European Herring Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern, Black Tern, Great Skua, Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger), Razorbill, Cory’s Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater, White Stork, Northern Gannet, Great Cormorant, Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Bittern, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Great Egret, Little Egret, Osprey, Eurasian Goshawk, Western Marsh Harrier, Black Kite, Eurasian Hoopoe, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Wryneck, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Monk Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Woodchat Shrike, Crested Lark, Cetti’s Warbler, Willow Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Iberian Chiffchaff, Aquatic Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Melodious Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Garden Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Short-toed Treecreeper, Spotless Starling, Spotted Flycatcher, Bluethroat, European Pied Flycatcher, Common Nightingale, Whinchat, European Stonechat, Northern Wheatear, Black-headed Weaver, Yellow-crowned Bishop, Common Waxbill, Pin-tailed Whydah, Dunnock, Western Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, White Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Tree Pipit, Rock Pipit and Common Reed Bunting.  

Prices

Half Day Private Tour

• 1 person – 150 €
• 2 persons – 190 €
• 3 persons – 230 €
• 4 persons – 270 €

(+ 40 € per additional person)

Full Day Private Tour

• 1 person – 230 €
• 2 persons – 290 €
• 3 persons – 350 €
• 4 persons – 410 €

(+ 60 € per additional person)