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close| Location | Portugal, Centro |
| Central coordinates | 7o 15.00' West 39o 43.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A4i, B1i, B2, C6 |
| Area | 25,764 ha |
| Altitude | 150 - 319m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2002 |
Ornithological information This area has a great value due to its wide diversity of species, withh special importance of cliff-nesting species and some steppic birds in plain areas. This site holds the greates population in Portugal of ciconia nigra and a significative proportion of large raptors. Also it is the only place in Portugal with breeding Aegypius monachus and still it is possible to found a Pterocles alchata.
Site description Steep valleys with cliffs and Mediterranean scrub, located at the eastern border of central Portugal. The riverbed is much wider than it was 25 years ago, due to the construction of a large dam, and now allows the small-boat traffic of professional fishermen and recreational purposes.This site includes a great diversity of habitats that hold a wide mediterranean animal and vegetal diversity.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | breeding | 2002 | 18-19 breeding pairs | good | A4i, B1i, B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus | resident | 2002 | 1-5 breeding pairs | poor | C6 | Least Concern |
| Red Kite Milvus milvus | breeding | 2001 | 1 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Near Threatened |
| Black Kite Milvus migrans | breeding | 2001 | 6-10 breeding pairs | medium | C6 | Least Concern |
| Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus | breeding | 2002 | 20-22 breeding pairs | good | B2, C6 | Endangered |
| Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus | resident | 1999 | 110-112 breeding pairs | good | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus | resident | 2002 | 1 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Near Threatened |
| Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus | breeding | 2001 | 5-10 breeding pairs | medium | C6 | Least Concern |
| Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos | resident | 2002 | 6-7 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Least Concern |
| Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciatus | resident | 2002 | 5-7 breeding pairs | good | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus | breeding | 2001 | 11-20 breeding pairs | medium | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata | resident | 2002 | 3-6 breeding pairs | good | C6 | Least Concern |
| Eurasian Eagle-owl Bubo bubo | resident | 2001 | 6-10 breeding pairs | medium | C6 | Least Concern |
| Red-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus ruficollis | breeding | 2002 | 10-100 breeding pairs | medium | C6 | Least Concern |
| Calandra Lark Melanocorypha calandra | resident | 2002 | common [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla | resident | 2002 | frequent [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata | breeding | 2002 | rare [units unknown] | - | C6 | Least Concern |
| Black Wheatear Oenanthe leucura | resident | 2001 | uncommon [units unknown] | - | B2, C6 | Least Concern |
| Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius | resident | 2002 | 80-200 breeding pairs | medium | C6 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tejo Internacional | Natural Park | 23,441 | protected area overlaps with site | 16,627 | |
| Tejo Internacional, Erges e Pônsul - PTZPE0042 | Birds Directive | 25,775 | protected area overlaps with site | 24,205 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | Broadleaved evergreen woodland | 10% |
| Shrubland | Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis | 55% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Rivers and streams; Water fringe vegetation | 15% |
| Rocky areas | Inland cliffs; Scree & boulders | 5% |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Arable land; Forestry plantations; Perennial crops, orchards and groves | 15% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| agriculture | - |
| forestry | - |
| hunting | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| water management | - |
Management considerations Important cliff-nesting species are disturbed by boating and fishing activity in the reservoirs along the cliffs. In recent years several forest plantations (Eucalyptus) and special hunting areas have been established along the edge of the site, which have affected birds. In particular, there have been attempts in the hunting areas to control predators, including large raptors (`Other' threat).
Protection status National Natural park 23441ha, 16627 ha overlaps with IBA Special Protection Area Tejo Internacional, Erges e Ponsul,25764 ha overlaps with IBAInternational: Special Protection Area Tejo Internacional, Erges e Ponsul
References Pacheco & Monteiro (1999)Pacheco et al. (1999)Rosa et al.(1999)Rosa et al. (2001a,b)
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Upper River Tejo. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013
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