In the western margins of the urban expansion of the city of Lisboa, the coast from Algés to Cascais consists in sandy beaches and rocky shores, and is an interesting strip of coastline for some species. This is where the river Tagus meets the ocean. Between the town of Cascais and Guincho beach, Cabo Raso is one of the best seawatching spots in the country. A part of the area in integrated in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park (PT). The highlights of the area are the great abundance of wintering Mediterranean Gulls, and the all-year round presence of Balearic Shearwaters and its post-breeding congregations in the area during summertime. These shores between Algés and Cascais also hold some waders in the wintertime, like Oystercatcher, Sanderling or Turnstone. Purple Sandpiper is regular and very easy to observe, especially near Santo Amaro de Oeiras. It is also reckoned to be one of the best places in Portugal to look for vagrant gulls in the winter. Some rarities like Ring-billed, Laughing, and Glaucous Gulls have been sighted, and scarce gulls like Great-black Backed Gull are regular. Some of the passerines common in the surrounding areas are Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and the exotic Crested Myna. Cabo Raso, due to its sea-level view point, is one of the most visited seawatching spots in the country. Common species include Common Scoter, Balearic and Cory’s Shearwaters, European Shag, Northern Gannet, Great Skua and Razorbill. The post-breeding migration season brings other regular species like Sooty Shearwater, Pomarine and Arctic Skuas. Rarities like Brown Booby and Sabine’s Gull have been sighted. Cabo Raso area is also an interesting place for migrant and vagrant passerines during migration passages. |
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