Venture into the Ria Formosa Natural Park, an internationally renowned bird sanctuary: a labyrinth of canals, islands, and salt pans that hosts an incredible diversity of birds.
This protected area, classified as a Ramsar Site and SPA (Special Protection Area), is a site of global importance for the conservation of waterfowl.
Your guide is a marine biologist who studied the Ria Formosa from 2004 to 2011 and has guided in the park since 2019. There is no fixed script: the walk follows the tide, the season, and your interests, and he shares the science behind what you see, right where it happens.
The lagoon is rich in birds all year round, and each season brings its own: birds from northern Europe in winter, migrants passing through in spring and autumn, and resident species raising their young in summer. Flamingos are a regular sight in the salt pans, a feeding ground that draws a wide variety of birds, from local residents to species that come from other habitats to feed. Some groups have recorded close to 50 species in a single walk, though every walk is different and sightings are never guaranteed.
Gain insights into species, behaviors, habitats, and birdsong, on routes chosen for the best observation opportunities, always on marked trails and at a respectful distance from the birds.
