São Jorge is one of the Azores islands least explored by birdwatchers, however it is considered to have some of the most beautiful landscapes of the archipelago. The resident birds of Faial are like most of the other Azorean islands, with Common Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Grey Wagtail, Blackbird, Blackcap, European Robin, Goldcrest, Common Starling, Chaffinch and Island Canary being the main species (most of these represented by subspecies endemic to the archipelago). Cory’s Shearwater is the most common breeding seabird. For seabirds, the best places to go are the East and West tips of the island, where you can have a view over nearby islets. Some of the best birding spots are included in São Jorge island Natural Park. Although the island doesn’t have inland lagoons, the coastal plateau areas of Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã de Santo Cristo have small lakes, and are the best spots of the island to look for vagrants, namely waterbirds, particularly during Autumn and Winter. Besides, the natural beauty of these places is just staggering. IBA: Ponta dos Rosais - Urzelina; Fajã das Almas; Ilhéu do Topo e Costa Adjacente; |
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Hotspots
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