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© Guillaume Rethore

Lagoa dos Salgados

37.09454 , -8.33143

Portugal

Lagoa dos Salgados is a coastal lagoon and one of the few fresh water lagoons in the Algarve. It is located between the Silves and Albufeira councils, near Pêra. The eastern side of the lagoon is occupied by hotels and a golf while on the western side, the lagoon ins surrounded by farmland wherge the rare Linaria algarviana can be found in spring. 

The species seen are the ones associated with wetlands. At the end of summer, Flamingso can be seen in big numbers and ducks, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis are present in winter. At this season, Bluethroats can be easy to see on the edge of the lagoon. Over the dunes, Short-eared Owls sometimes hunt at the end of the day. In spring, several waders such as Avocet and Black-winged Stilts breed while somedays several species of terns can be seen. During the autumn, many passerines feed in the bushes around the lagoon and many waders feed on the mudflats if the water level is right.  

This lagoon is an Important Bird Area but unfortunately has no protection status yet. It is however and famous birdwatching place in the Algarve. 

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 37.0945/-8.3314 (2019-07-05 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Lagoa Dos Salgados" (2019-07-05 00:00:00 )

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-21 14:35:58
Lagoa dos Salgados is a coastal lagoon and one of the few fresh water lagoons in the Algarve. It is located between the Silves and Albufeira councils, near Pêra. The eastern side of the lagoon is occupied by hotels and a golf while on the western side, the lagoon ins surrounded by farmland wherge the rare Linaria algarviana can be found in spring.  The species seen are the ones associated with wetlands. At the end of summer, Flamingso can be seen in big numbers and ducks, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis are present in winter. At this season, Bluethroats can be easy to see on the edge of the lagoon. Over the dunes, Short-eared Owls sometimes hunt at the end of the day. In spring, several waders such as Avocet and Black-winged Stilts breed while somedays several species of terns can be seen. During the autumn, many passerines feed in the bushes around the lagoon and many waders feed on the mudflats if the water level is right.     This lagoon is an Important Bird Area but unfortunately has no protection status yet. It is however and famous birdwatching place in the Algarve. 
Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-21 14:33:38
Lagoa dos Salgados is a coastal lagoon and one of the few fresh water lagoons in the Algarve. It is located between the Silves and Albufeira councils, near Pêra.  The species seen are the ones associated with wetlands. At the end of summer, Flamingso can be seen in big numbers and ducks, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibis are present in winter. At this season, Bluethroats can be easy to see on the edge of the lagoon. Over the dunes, Short-eared Owls sometimes hunt at the end of the day. In spring, several waders such as Avocet and Black-winged Stilts breed while somedays several species of terns can be seen. During the autumn, many passerines feed in the bushes around the lagoon and many waders feed on the mudflats if the water level is right.  

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)
Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio)
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta)
Kentish Plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus)
Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola)
Audouin's Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii)
Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea)
Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica)

Collared Pratincole (Glareola pratincola) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-21 14:36:54)

Kentish Plover (Anarhynchus alexandrinus) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-21 14:36:36)

Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-21 14:36:15)

Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-16 15:09:50)

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-16 15:09:41)

Audouin's Gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-16 15:09:31)

Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-16 15:09:20)

Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-16 15:09:09)

Bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-14 14:58:04)

Western Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-14 14:57:53)

Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-14 14:57:38)

Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) was added by Guillaume Rethore (2021-07-14 14:57:28)

  • Timing and strategy

All seasons are good except summer. In winter, many ducks and wintering waders can be seen. An Opsrey is usually present and Short-eared Owl can be seen hunting over the dunes. The Bluethroats are quite common in the vegetation along the lagoon. In spring, Purple Heron appear and sometimes several species of tern are seen fishing in the lagoon. Many wader feed in the lagoon if the water level is right during the autumn and many passerines feed in the bushes between the lagoon and the track. 

The afternoon is usually better since the sun will be behing you. 

The xploration of the place is done on foot.

It is easy to spend an afternoon there enjpying te birds

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:49
All seasons are good except summer. In winter, many ducks and wintering waders can be seen. An Opsrey is usually present and Short-eared Owl can be seen hunting over the dunes. The Bluethroats are quite common in the vegetation along the lagoon. In spring, Purple Heron appear and sometimes several species of tern are seen fishing in the lagoon. Many wader feed in the lagoon if the water level is right during the autumn and many passerines feed in the bushes between the lagoon and the track.  The afternoon is usually better since the sun will be behing you.  Park at the beach car park and walk to the blind. Frome there you can walk along the northern part The xploration of the lagoon (but stay place is done on the path) or use the boardwalk to explore the southern side.  foot. It is easy to spend an afternoon there enjpying te birds
Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:48
All seasons are good except summer. In winter, many ducks and wintering waders can be seen. An Opsrey is usually present and Short-eared Owl can be seen hunting over the dunes. The Bluethroats are quite common in the vegetation along the lagoon. In spring, Purple Heron appear and sometimes several species of tern are seen fishing in the lagoon. Many wader feed in the lagoon if the water level is right during the autumn and many passerines feed in the bushes between the lagoon and the track.  The afternoon is usually better since the sun wil will be behing you.  Park at the beach car park and walk to the blind. Frome there you can walk along the northern part of the lagoon (but stay on the path) or use the boardwalk to explore the southern side.  It is easy to spend an afternoon there enjpying te birds
Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:48
All seasons are good except summer. In winter, many ducks and wintering waders can be seen. An Opsrey is usually present and Short-eared Owl can be seen hunting over the dunes. The Bluethroats are quite common in the vegetation along the lagoon. In spring, Purple Heron appear and sometimes several species of tern are seen fishing in the lagoon. Many wader feed in the lagoon if the water level is right during the autumn and many passerines feed in the bushes between the lagoon and the track.  The afternoon is usually better since the sun wil be behing you.  Park at the beach car park and walk to the blind. Frome there you can walk along the northern part of the lagoon (but stay on the path) or use the boardwalk to explore the southern side.  It is easy to spend an afternoon there enjpying te birds
  • How to get there

From Portimão, go towards Faro. Pass Alcantarilha, at the end of the town, take the direction towards Armação de Pera. Turn left at the roundabout after the campsite. Go straight, pass a roundabout, at the second one turn right (directin Praia Grande), go straight, take the dirt track and park by the beach. 

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-16 14:53
From Portimão, go towards Faro. Pass Alcantarilha, at the end of the town, take the direction towards Armação de Pera. Turn left at the roundabout after the campsite. Go straight, pass a roundabout, at the second one turn right (directin Praia Grande), go straight, take the dirt track and park by the beach. 

Park at the beach car park and walk to the blind. Frome there you can walk along the northern part of the lagoon (but stay on the path) or use the boardwalk to explore the southern side. 

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:50
Park at the beach car park and walk to the blind. Frome there you can walk along the northern part of the lagoon (but stay on the path) or use the boardwalk to explore the southern side. 
  • Other attractions

Spanih Pond Turtles can be seen sunbathing on some parts of the lagoon. Water Vole and Otter also are also present. 

The beach is a few metres from the lagoon and accessible from the car park. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:59
Spanih Pond Turtles can be seen sunbathing on some parts of the lagoon. Water Vole and Otter also are also present.  The beach is a few metres from the lagoon and accessible from the car park. 

There is a hide, accessible by foot and a boardwalk along the lagoon. 

The café on the eastern end of the lagoon has toilets. 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-16 14:55
There is a hide, accessible by foot and a boardwalk along the lagoon.  The café on the eastern end of the lagoon has toilets. 

There is no surveillance at the car park so don't let anything visible on your vehicle. 

Being a lagoon, beware of mosquitoes in the morning and at the end of the day. 

There is no shade around the lagoon so bring a hat and sunscreen in summer. 

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Guillaume Rethore on 2021-07-14 14:56
There is no surveillance at the car park so don't let anything visible on your vehicle.  Being a lagoon, beware of mosquitoes in the morning and at the end of the day.  There is no shade around the lagoon so bring a hat and sunscreen in summer. 
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Guillaume Rethore

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2018-05-06 to 2018-07-13 Birding in Southern Portugal - May 2018 Guillaume Rethore
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