In the vicinity of the city of Setúbal, Estuário do Sado is one of the most important wetlands in Portugal. It holds an impressive diversity of habitats that include mudflats, saltmarshes, reedbeds, rice fields, pastures and wooded areas mainly with Cork and Pine.
Wintering waders gather here by the thousands. These are Greater Flamingos, Spoonbills, Avocets, Kentish Plovers, Dunlins, Black-tailed Godwits, and many others. During the migration passages species like Knot, Bar-tailed Godwit and Ruff are regular. Wildfowl also gathers here in great numbers, and some common species are Common Teal, Wigeon, Pintail and Shoveler. It is probably the best place in Portugal for Black-necked Greebe and Red-breasted Merganser. Also in the wintertime, Glossy Ibis gather on rice fieds, where Short-eared Owls come out to hunt at dusk. Other interesting winter visitors are Black-winged Kite, Caspian Tern and Bluethroat. Large flocks of Gulls and Terns can also be common, especially during post-breeding migration. Most of the waterbirds are gone during the breeding season, but other interesting species arrive, like Purple Heron, Reed and Great-reed Warblers. The surrounding wooded areas have a good variety of landbirds like Red-necked Nightjar, European Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Melodious Warbler, Woodchat Shrike, Golden Oriole and Azure-winged Magpie. Short-toed and Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier are some of the more abundant raptors. The area is classified as a Natural Reserve (PT). Municipalities: Setúbal, Alcácer do Sal, Grândola e Palmela IBA: learn more |
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Hotspots
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