Current view: Text account
Site description (2002 baseline):
Site location and context
The central area of the site is constituted by little plateaus cross-cut by river valleis that run up to river Douro, where abound marshes rounded by hedgerows, crop-lands, vineyards, etc...Shrublands of cistus, genistas and holm oak are also important and forest of oaks and cork trees.
The cliffs provide exceptionally good breeding habitat for raptors and other soaring birds that feed in near plateaus where agricultural and cattle breeding activities are developed. Is also important for mediterranean and pseudo-steppic birds.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area is almost undisturbed by human activities, although important cliff-nesting species are sometimes disturbed by boating and fishing in the reservoirs along the cliffs. The ongoing abandonment of cultivation and sheep-raising will reduce the food resources currently available for the large raptors.
National:Parque Natural do Douro Internacional, 85,146 ha, includes all the IBA.Special Protection Area Douro Internacional e Vale do rio Águeda, 50744ha overlaps with IBA.SIC proposal Douro Internacional,36187ha, includes 33756ha of IBA.
International:Special Protection Area Douro Internacional e Vale do rio Águeda, Candidature SIC Douro Internacional.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper River Douro and Águeda valleys (Portugal). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-river-douro-and-águeda-valleys-iba-portugal on 23/11/2024.
