Artic terns and Audouini’s gulls in Ria Formosa

During a boat tour, they were just waiting for a photograph…

Photos were taken by Fernand Schoos. Thank you!

Spring arrivals

The Natural Park of Ria Formosa is important stopover for millions migratory birds. It was considered an IBA (Important Bird Area).
IBAs are key sites with international importance for the conservation of birds. Those places hold one or more globally threatened species; have an exceptionally large number of migratory birds.
Spring migration is starting. This is the time to look for the little tern, the kentish plover and more.
Is also the perfect time four a boat tour in Ria Formosa Natural Park. Join us!

Birding boat tour

Natura Algarve and SPEA will organize in 28th March a bird watching boat tour. With the first migratory birds arriving from south, Ria Formosa is the perfect spot to find waders. We provide binoculars, telescope and a boat with electric engine. This tour will be perfect for beginners on bird watching. It will start at 9am until 16pm, from Olhão. For more information please contact Alexandra Lopes alexandra.lopes@spea.pt +351 91 322 04 30.

Evidence of a new specie of storm-petrel in Azores

The first time that they talked about the evidence of a two seasonally breading populations of Oceanodroma storm-petrel in the Azores Islands was in 1996. Recent mtDNA and microsatellite analysis from storm-petrel populations has considerably advanced the understanding of their taxonomic relationships.
The investigators concluded that the hot-season Azores population should be considered a new specie. The species is both genetically distinct and genetically isolated from the cool-season population of Madeira Storm-petrel Oceanodroma castro.
The name suggested for this species is Monteiro strom-petrel Oceanodroma monteiroi.
Differences in the vocalizations permit species recognition, and the extent of primary feather wear and stage of moult aids to the separation of this specie, especially in during August. Monteiro's Storm-petrel is thought to be confined to the Azores archipelago, where it is currently known to nest on just two small neighboring islets. The total population size was estimated at 250–300 pairs in 1999.
For more detail, please consult:
Monteiro's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monteiroi: a new species from the Azores. MARK BOLTON, ANDREA L. SMITH, ELENA GÓMEZ-DÍAZ, VICKI L. FRIESEN, RENATA MEDEIROS, JOËL BRIED, JOSE L. ROSCALES & ROBERT W. FURNESS

Birdwatching on a boat tour

Visit the Ria Formosa salt marshes and observe a enormous variety of wading birds. The electric motor of the vessel allow us nice approaches guaranteeing the minimumj impact on the wild life.
More information about bird watching boat tour in the Algarve - Portugal.