Birdwatching is much more than a pastime; it is a powerful tool for connecting people with nature and promoting bird conservation.
Birds are vital indicators of the health of ecosystems. Their presence or absence reveals changes in the environment, from air and water quality to the effects of climate change.
If you’re reading this, it’s because you already know this. We thank you for being part of the people who are aware of this and help us to keep habitats in balance.
In this article we will delve a little deeper into the importance of conservation and give you tips on how to do this. We will also tell you which are the best spots for birdwatching in Costa da Morte. Let’s go there!
Birdwatching: a bridge to conservation
As we have said, birdwatching is much more than a recreational activity; it is a gateway to knowledge, a tool to promote respect for the environment and a direct link to the biodiversity that sustains our planet.
Birds, present in all the world’s ecosystems, are vital indicators of the health of our environment.
Birds play essential roles in ecosystems. They are pollinators, seed dispersers, pest controllers and nutrient recyclers. Despite their importance, birds face increasing threats from human activity.
The loss of birds is not only an ecological tragedy, but also a cultural one. Many traditions, myths and artistic expressions are inspired by these winged creatures, which connect us to the past and enrich our collective identity.
What birds can be found in Costa da Morte?
Throughout the year, you will be able to see almost three hundred different species of birds in this corner of the planet.
Some of the most typical birds to see are waders, gulls, gannets, shearwaters and buntings. Also mallards and marsh harriers.
With luck and a little more patience, the last Iberian pairs of guillemots can also be seen.
Best spots for birdwatching in Costa da Morte
Traba Lagoon
This wetland is a haven for numerous species of water birds, such as grey herons, mallards and curlews, especially during the migration seasons.
Sisargas Islands
Off the coast of Malpica de Bergantiños, the Sisargas Islands are a natural sanctuary for seabirds. These virtually uninhabited islands are home to shearwaters, puffins and other species that nest on their cliffs.
Río Anllóns Estuary
This estuary is a protected area that offers a unique environment to observe waders such as curlews and plovers. In addition, the contrast between the river, the fields and the dunes creates an ideal composition for landscape photography.
Birdwatching viewpoint José Luís Rabuñal
The town council of Cabana de Bergantiños wanted to recognize the more than thirty years that José Luís Rabuñal Patiño, one of the most important ornithologists of the Spanish state, dedicated to the observation and study of birds in the cove of A Insua, naming it after him.
This viewpoint is a wooden hut integrated into the landscape. Inside you will find information panels with the migratory routes of the birds that arrive at the Anllóns River Estuary, the spaces occupied by the birds in the area, the rarities that could be observed on occasion, how to recognize birds or tools to observe them.
Birdwatching trips to the sea
The Costa da Morte is described by some people as the best area in Europe for birdwatching from the sea, as by the Asturian ornithologist Daniel López-Velasco. So the sea is one of the points we had to add in this article. There are boats that organize outings to go to photograph birds a few miles from the coast.
Bird watching, combined with photography, is an enriching experience that connects technique with patience and love for nature. It is an activity that is still quite unknown in the area, but you already know that this treasure is here. So we are waiting for you to witness it.
If you come to watch and take pictures of birds in the area and decide to upload them to Instagram, tag us on the account @visitacostadamorte where you can also be inspired by those who have already felt the magic of this space before.
