Algarve and the Wetlands

The "Ria de Alvor" is the most important estuary of the western Algarve, and has about 350 hectares of sandbars, silts and saltmarsh. The small rivers Odiáxere, Arao, Farelo, and Torre, flow into the Alvor estuary forming a coastal lagoon with more than 2.5kilometers in length. The Alvor estuary is a place where the river freshwater meets the salt water of the sea, creating a gradient of salinity which associated with tidal dynamics and the presence of nutrients usually supports a great biodiversity. In more protected areas of the estuary, where water does not have too much turbulence, the marshes arise. Considered the most productive areas of the planet, they accumulate nutrients for the entire river basin of the rivers and even nutrients brought by the tides.

 

 

Approaching the Estuary by car.
 

This is the map, right next to the beach marking the footpaths.
 

The beach
 

and another view, taken already from the footpath at the start of our walk around the lagoon.
 

A view of the other side of the path. We were told by residents that most of the bird had already left., and they were right,
 

but we had to see for ourselves, and just taking in the natural beauty of this place, was such a pleasure. 

Our first sighting of the Black-winged Stilt.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bird calls and movements in the tall grasses told us there were birds in hiding..
 

Showing the path we took, starting on the left hand side of the embankment.
 

Our first sighting of the flamingos
 

If we had arrived two weeks earlier we would have seen dozens of different species, especially ducks and herons.
 

but we were happy to see whatever birds still remained.
 

They were rather far away, and these were the best shots I could get.
 

Click on the links below to see these great memes.
WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN, GOOD FENCES