Norte

Norte is the most northerly region of Portugal, covering some Norte is the most northerly region of Portugal, covering some 21,278 km² (13,222 square miles). It borders Spain to the north and east, Centro to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is the third largest region, but the most populous, with around 3.6 million inhabitants. Its administrative centre is Portugal’s second largest city, Porto. Its greater metropolitan area has a population of around 1.8 million people. The area is famed for its wines.

Northern Portugal is a mountainous region, some of which form natural parks. Peneda-Gerês National Park, Montesinho Natural Park, and the Alvão Natural Park. The highest peak is Serra do Gerês is over 1,500 meters. To the west is a flat strip of land on the Costa Verde; one side are sandy beaches and on the other side low hills, with a flat plain between, the largest of which is the coastal plain between Cávado and the Ave rivers. The area is known for its long stretch of sand dunes, which accumulated during the Little Ice Age. Part of this is protected as the Northern Littoral Natural Park.

Douro River – ©Gerry Labrijn CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Some of the River Douro forms the border with the central region, and the other major rivers are the Minho, Lima, Neiva, Cávado and Ave, which predominantly flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Inland, the Tâmega is a major tributary that empties into the Douro River. The Minho River marks the northwest Portuguese-Spanish border.

Oporto Terraced Vineyards – ©Feliciano Guimarães CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The region as a whole has a warm Mediterranean climate on the coast and a hot Mediterranean climate along the Duro Valley. The region has temperate summers and mild winters, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, so that the daytime temperature rarely drop below 10 degrees Centigrade or exceed 30 degrees.

Birding Norte

Birding in Norte offers diverse habitats, from the rugged Peneda-Gerês National Park, Montesinho, and Alvão Natural Parks, to the coastal areas like the Litoral Norte Natural Park. Any time of year can be good for resident species including many raptors in the uplands and waders in the estuaries, but the best time to visit is during autumn and spring migrations.

Northern Littoral Natural Park in Esposende – ©PedroPVZ CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The estuary of the River Cávado, despite its small size and its urban location is good for waders, herons like Spoonbills and wildfowl such as Ruddy Shelduck, but the Douro Estuary Nature Reserve is the best wetland for variety and numbers of birds as well as convenience as it has bird hides and is accessible via a walkway. The reserve has a coastal front, a dune restinga and an interior area of estuary and marshes. Just about any waterbird can turn up and it is also good for other species including the Hoopoe and Turtle dove. Then dunes and scrubby areas hold many passerines including Golden Oriole, Woodlark, Serin, Red-rumped Swallow, Bonelli’s Warbler and Zitting Cisticola.

Peneda-Gerês National Park – ©manjerix CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The mountain ranges, river valleys, and mixed forests offer excellent birding too. Such as Golden Eagle and Spanish Imperial Eagle soaring over Peneda-Gerês, with Short-toed Snake Eagle hovering over its rocky terrain and wandering Griffon Vultures. There are Blue Rock Thrush and White-throated Dipper in the fast-flowing streams.

Almost anywhere in the region you will find White Stork nesting on chimneys and church towers and Iberian Magpies. Black Redstart is often around towns, with European Bee-eater over the vineyards and orchards. Iberian Grey Shrike and Black Wheatear favouring more open areas.