c

Estuário do Ave

Porto  >  Portugal

The banks of Ave River offer good chance to break the monotony of urban life and spot gulls, waders as well as some passerines and sea birds.

Added* by hlousa
Most recent update 12 February 2020

Description

This spot is located 30 km north of Porto on the northern riverside of Ave estuary, where on low tide some mudflats become accessible for birds to forage. There is a nearby dock where gulls congregate. There (and looking from there to the southern river side), it's possible to spot Yellow-legged Gull (all year around) but it particularly pays off to keep and eye on gulls during winter since it's possible to find Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Gull and Great Black-backed Gull. On the mudflats it's easy to spot Ruddy Turnstone and Common Sandpiper. During migration the mudflats serve as a stopover site for waders and it's possible to spot Eurasian Curlew, Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit. On the trees and garden spaces its possible to find Blackbird, European Robin, European Goldfinch, Blackcap, Great Tit, European Serin and Crested Lark, to name just a few.

Details

Access

This area is accessible by car, bike or simply by walking. The easiest way to get to Vila do Conde is using a car or, even better, public transport. If you're driving, you can park your car on the places plotted on the map, if you're travelling by metro/bus this place is within walking distance. The best way to explore the area is by walking or riding a bike. The route displayed on the map is about 2 km one way.

Terrain and Habitat

City/village , River

Conditions

Circular trail

No

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

This spot is particularly good on low tide/rising tide. So it could pay off to plan accordingly.

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

Other birds you can see here

Show more birds Show less birds
Show more images Show less images

Comments & Tips

Click on the little bird icon () to insert bird names in your own language. The birdnames will automatically be translated for other users!