Arquivo de Center of Portugal - Wildlife Portugal

Chestnuts

Autumn is also the time for some wild fruits, like chestnuts, which is common and well appreciated in many mountain areas of Portugal. It was of major importance on the rural communities of the old days, as it represented an important source of food that could be used throughout the year. Nowadays, chestnut woods represent [...]

Zêzere Glacier Valley

Summer image of the Zêzere Glacier Valley About 30,000 years ago, the appearance of this location was considerably different. Provided by the strict Wurm climate, Estrela Mountain reached its glacier peak in the highest altitudes. The mass of ice that carved and covered the Zêzere Valley surpassed 300 meters thickness. This one was fed by [...]

Sustainable Jungle visit and interview

Interview to Wildlife Portugal and exploring Faia Brava Reserve Last February, we have hosted Lyall and Joy, a young couple native from South Africa and founders of the communication project Sustainable Jungle, a platform to promote awareness for the preservation and protection of wildlife and the environment, to inspire others to find value in nature, […]

Mediterranean scrub

Colors of Autumn in the Mediterranean scrub The slopes along the valley of Douro Internacional Nature Park, in some parts covered by Mediterranean scrub, are now colorful due to the season and the plants that compose this vegetation formation. It is mostly Turpentine Tree (Pistacia terebinthus), that acquires orange and red colors and make an [...]

Red Kite

Red Kite is now a common bird at our hide As winter establishes so some wintering birds choose our region. Is the case of the Red Kite, a bird of prey, which numbers increase during the cold season. Being also a scavenger, they also use the vulture feeding-station for food supply. They are now a [...]

Griffon and moon from our hide

From our hide's window we have the opportunity to observe the approaching of the vultures, having several ways of photographing them in flight. In some special times of the year, we get the moon visible in the morning sky, just in front of us. You just have to wait for that moment when a vulture [...]

Black Kite at our hide

Diving to steal A Black Kite drops down to steal a piece of food just in front of our hide's window. Instead of searching for food on the ground, it prefers to take pieces in flight and eat them still flying or perched on a tree, away from the scavenging confusion. More information about our [...]

Photo moments through our hide

Griffon vultures drinking water One of the most interesting photo moments we get through our hide for vultures. On warmer days, the vultures do not refuse the water we use to fill the natural cavities of the rock. After a fast meal, nothing better than water to push down the food. More information about our [...]

Hide for vultures fully operational!

It is now working in full and with great results, our hide dedicated to the photography of vultures. Located in Faia Brava Reserve, on the Côa valley, this hide is integrated in the Reserve's vulture feeder and it was supported by Rewilding Europe. We start feeding and testing the structure since last March. Our first [...]

Hide for vultures getting ready

At Faia Brava Reserve, the hide we are building for vultures is almost ready. We will finish the construction fase during December and, in January we'll start testing it. This structure will give support to 5 photographers and one of the main features is the large window with special glass, to allow more inner confort [...]