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April 2023

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SPEA is an Environmental not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support research and conservation of wild birds and their habitats, by promoting sustainable development for the benefit of future generations.

Home > Where to watch > Flores

Flores

Flores is the largest island of the Western Group of the Azores, situated roughly half–way between Europe and North America.

The island is quite rugged, with dense forests (with many exotic species present), pastures and agricultural fields, and a central plateau with several lagoons. The number of resident species here is lower than is in most of the other Azorean islands, and species like Common Buzzard and European Robin are absent. Regarding seabirds, Cory’s Shearwater is very abundant, and other breeding seabirds are Litlle Shearwater, Manx Shearwater, Common Tern and Roseate Tern.

Some of the best birding spots are included in Flores island Natural Park.

However, due to its proximity with the American continent, the most notorial feature for birdwatching in Flores is the presence of Nearctic vagrants, some of them very rare in European territory. There is a small population of American Black duck in the central plateau lagoons. Other American ducks, egrets, waders, gulls and passerines occur regularly on the island, mostly in the Autumn. Due to the remoteness of the Flores, this phenomenon was ony recently discovered by birdwatchers, and in the last few years the list of rarities for the island has been increasing dramatically, as well as the number of birdwatchers visiting the island

Some of the rarities spotted in Flores in the last few years include, just to name a few: Pied-billed Grebe, Least Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Snowy Owl, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak or Bobolink.

Municipalities: Lajes das Flores, Santa Cruz das Flores

IBA: Costa das Flores

Hotspots

Fajã Grande - Westernmost point of Europe; Can produce interesting vagrants
Lagoons - Seca, Comprida, Branca, Negra, Funda, Rasa, dos Patos; These lagoons are some of the main natural atractions of Flores, and are a good spot for vagrant ducks or waders. Branca Lagoon has a bird observatory.
Ponta Delgada/Ponta do Albernaz - one of the best places to look for vagrant waders and passerines;
Lajes harbour - Interesting coastal area for waders or herons

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