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Casa Luzia is located on the edge of Tavira, just a 3 minute drive from the centre of town. However, it has quite a rural aspect overlooking the Rio Formosa Nature Reserve.The salinas or salt-pans are a two minute walk from the villa. As a result, you will encounter a wide variety of species, such as Avocets, Black-winged Stilts, Kentish Plovers and Little Terns breed in the salinas. Throughout the year, Greater Flamingos, Eurasian Spoonbills and large numbers of migratory shorebirds occur. The sapal holds breeding Common Redshanks, Stone Curlews, Yellow-legged Gulls and Yellow Wagtails. |
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If you’re serious about maximising your birdwatching opportunities in the Algarve, there are guided tours available with knowledgeable leaders to show you around and point out the more notable species.
Reports on the Rio Formosa
Click here to read some useful reports on other enthusiasts' bird-watching holidays in the area. Of particular interest is the article by Alec Cheney which details sightings at the saltpans to the rear of the Casa Luzia villa, which can be seen in the photo on the right from the back to the villa. |
Canal de Tavira Now a UN recognised nature reserve, is important for numerous water-birds, especially beach-nesting Charadrius alexandrinus and Sterna albifrons and for wintering waders and duck. Over 20,000 water-birds winter regularly. Ilha de Tavira, an easily accessible tidal lagoon system, is home to Redstart, Melodious Warblers and more common migrants in the mixed vegetation in the dunes, which flood at high tide. Barrill Beach, near Santa Luzia is reached by a miniature railway or a 10 minute walk. There are many creeks – and the Canal de Tavira – where waders and terns are plentiful. On land, holidaying birders regularly sight Short-toed Treecreepers, the Azure-winged Magpie, Serin, Golden Oriole, Waxbills, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warblers and Nightjars.
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