Ria de Aveiro is a wide estuarine area resulting from the delta of river Vouga, and is one of the most important wetlands in North Portugal. It bathes the city of Aveiro, and the increasing human pressure poses threats like contamination, hunting and habitat loss. Despite that, it holds an interesting diversity and abundance of birdlife. The main habitats are sand and mudflats, areas with estuarine vegetation, meadows, and old salt pans, most of them abandoned or converted to fish ponds. There are also some reedbeds and rice fields.
In the winter, the Ria gets filled with large numbers of waterbirds. Various species of waders can be found, like Dunlin, Ringed Plover, Avocet or Redshank. São Jacinto reserve, particularly “pateira”, is the best place to look for ducks. Dabbling ducks like Sholever, Wigeon and Common Teal are some of the most numerous species found. The area is classified as Dunas de São Jacinto Natural Reserve (PT). Other wetland birds like Flamingo, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Osprey and Bluethroat are also present in the wintertime. But the Ria is also worth a visit in breeding season. Interesting breeding species include White Stork, Purple Heron, Zitting Cisticola and Cetti’s Warbler. At Salreu, there is an environmental centre, part of the BioRia project, managed by Estarreja Municipality, which offers an extensive network of paths, amongst other visitation opportunities. Municipalities: Aveiro, Ílhavo, Estarreja and Ovar IBA: learn more |
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Hotspots
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