Bird watching- Shore and open sea
You can enjoy one of Europe's most spectacular migrations, as thousands of seabirds from the European seaboard and the Arctic islands skirt the shores of Galicia.
It's also possible to see birds from Macaronesia and from the Mediterranean,
A further spectacle is provided by other waterbirds, such as waders, ducks, geese and swans, which can be found in impressive numbers in the tidal estuaries of Ribadeo, Foz, Ortigueira, Corme, Laxe,Arousa and Vigo.
It's also possible to see birds from Macaronesia and from the Mediterranean,
A further spectacle is provided by other waterbirds, such as waders, ducks, geese and swans, which can be found in impressive numbers in the tidal estuaries of Ribadeo, Foz, Ortigueira, Corme, Laxe,Arousa and Vigo.
The Ría de Ortigueira is a tidal estuary with undulating banks in the northwest and northeast, and a little lower and flatter elsewhere, with extensive reedbeds and intertidal zones, especially in the River Mera estuary and at Ladrido. The Serra da Capelada mountains are very rugged, particularly to the northwest, with the highest cliff faces in southern Europe (Garita da Herbeira), where scrubland and groves of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris)are the predominant vegetation.
This ornithological tourism region also includes a portion of sea to the south of the western leading line of the Estaca de Bares peninsula.
Important overwintering area for waterfowl, herons and waders. Stop-off place for the Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and the Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus). Breeding ground for the European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius). Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1110001 "Ortigueira-Mera", 3,795 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1110002 "Costa Ártabra", 7,659 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1110010 "Estaca de Bares", 936 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000086 Ría de Ortigueira e Ladrido, 2,987 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region. Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Wetland Site, Ría de Ortigueira e Ladrido, 2,920 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region. |
Estaca de Bares and O'Barqueiro Estuary
Most northerly part of Galicia, looking out onto the Bay of Biscay, with somewhat rugged terrain (foothills of the Serra da Faladoira). The tip of Estaca de Bares is the most northern place on the Iberian Peninsula and an excellent vantage point to study the migration of birds and marine mammals. |
This area comprises the rugged cliffs of the coast between Bares and Loiba (Ortigueira), the final stretch of the River Sor, the Ría do Barqueiro and the environs of the beach at Xilloi (O Vicedo), incorporating two Sites of Community Importance, "Estaca de Bares" and "Costa da Mariña Occidental". It also includes an area of sea up to three miles offshore from the tip of the Estaca de Bares peninsula. The predominant vegetation is plantations of Eucalyptus globulus, which alternate with croplands near the tiny villages and scrubland beside the coast.
An extremely important transit area for seabirds and waders, especially in summer and autumn.
Natural Habitats of Community Interest: 9, in particular the cliffs supporting Atlantic and Baltic coastal vegetation and three types of heathland.
Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120017 "Costa da Mariña Occidental", 491 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Site of Community Importance (SCI ES11400111 "Gándaras de Budiño", 936 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000372 "Costa da Mariña Occidental", 2169 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region
An extremely important transit area for seabirds and waders, especially in summer and autumn.
Natural Habitats of Community Interest: 9, in particular the cliffs supporting Atlantic and Baltic coastal vegetation and three types of heathland.
Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120017 "Costa da Mariña Occidental", 491 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Site of Community Importance (SCI ES11400111 "Gándaras de Budiño", 936 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000372 "Costa da Mariña Occidental", 2169 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region
Ortegal Marine Area
Sea region in off the extreme north of Galicia, between the meridian of Punta Robaliceira (Cariño, 7º 57' W) and Coelleira Island (O Vicedo, 7º 37' W), extending to 43º 54' North. Excellent location for monitoring the post-breeding migration of seabirds, with the presence of numerous marine mammals relatively close to the coast. Exceptional region for the passage of seabirds, above all Shearwaters (Puffinus gravis, Puffinus puffinus, Calonectris diomedea), Gulls (Xema sabini, Rissa tridactyla, Hydrocoloeus minutus), Skuas (all European Stercorarius species) and Petrels (Oceanites oceanicus, Hydrobates pelagicus). Plentiful numbers of Morus bassanus, Larus fuscus, Larus michahellis and Sterna hirundo for most of the year. |
Lugo Coast
Extensive area to the northeast of Galicia, between the Coelleira Island (O Vicedo) and the Ría de Ribadeo on the border with Asturias. It takes in the coastal fringe to the north of the N-642 road between San Estevo (O Vicedo) and Ove (Ribadeo), in addition to the offshore area from the coast to the leading lines between Coelleira and Farallóns and between Farallóns and the mouth of the Ría de Ribadeo. |
The stretch between Burela and Ribadeo is a typical example of coastal platform: plains with fields, hedgerows and small isolated copses of deciduous trees. In the remainder of the ornithological tourism region, plantations of Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster)predominate, with small groups of English Oak (Quercus robur),Iberian White Birch (Betula celtiberica) and copses, above all in farming areas.
Important transit area for seabirds and waders, especially in autumn. Stopover for the Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia). Moderate wintering population of waterfowl, especially in Ribadeo and Foz, also Black-necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) and Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). Breeding site for the Corys Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Great Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus), European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Natural Habitats of Community Interest: 13, including estuaries, mudflats and sand-flats which are not covered by water at low tide. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120017 "Costa da Mariña Occidental", 491 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120005 "As Catedrais", 304 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120011 "Ría de Foz-Masma", 643 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1120002 "Río Eo", 1003 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. Natural Monument ("A Praia das Catedrais", 29 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region. Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000372 Costa da Mariña Occidental, 2169 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region. |
Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000373 Ría de Foz, 564 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Protected Wetland ("Ría de Ribadeo", 563 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Protected Wetland ("Ría de Ribadeo", 563 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Coast of Ferrolterra
Coastal area between the Caranza inlet (Ferrol) and the Ría de Cedeira, including the whole of the municipality of Valdoviño and an area of sea up to three miles from the coast at Cabo Prioriño. Rolling terrain, somewhat more rugged around Cabo Prior and the northern and southern extremities of Valdoviño, where scrubland is the predominant vegetation. Small coastal plains at Doniños, San Xurxo, Ponzos, A Frouxeira, Pantín and Vilarrube, all of which have their associated wetlands, often with reedbeds and willow trees. |
The most representative natural space in the area is A Frouxeira lagoon, a haven for thousands of winter visitors and a important number of birds stopping off on their migration. The Gabeiras Islands and the nearby small islands are seabird breeding sites. As Forcadas reservoir (to the south of Vilarrube) and the Ría de Cedeira complete this list of places of interest within this ornithological tourism region.
Breeding ground for the Spanish Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus lusitanica), the European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus), the European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), the Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax), the Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) and the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). Important wintering and transit area for waterfowl, herons and waders. Resident population of Coots (Fulica atra) and Little Grebes (Tacybaptus ruficollis). Stop-off site for Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) and Bitterns (Botaurus stellaris). Natural Habitats of Community Interest: 29, including the coastal lagoons, five types of dune environment, four types of heathland, blanket bogs and alluvial forests of alder (Alnus glutinosa) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior). |
Site of Community Importance (SCI ES1110002 "Costa Ártabra", 7,659 ha), partly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Wetland Site "Lagoa e areal de Valdoviño", 7ES025; 255 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region
Protected Wetland ("Lagoa e ar eal de Valdoviño"; 740.70 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000258 Costa de Ferrolterra-Valdoviño, 4266 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Wetland Site "Lagoa e areal de Valdoviño", 7ES025; 255 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region
Protected Wetland ("Lagoa e ar eal de Valdoviño"; 740.70 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.
Special Protection Area for Birds (SPAB ES0000258 Costa de Ferrolterra-Valdoviño, 4266 ha), wholly included in the ornithological tourism region.