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PT031
South-west coast of Portugal
Location Portugal, Alentejo,Algarve
Central coordinates 8o 50.00' West  37o 22.00' North
IBA criteria B1iii, C2, C3, C6
Area 74,562 ha
Altitude 0 - 217m
Year of IBA assessment 2002

Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves



Ornithological information Important nesting area for rupicolous birds, like Falco peregrinus. passage zone for soaring birds and transahrian migratory passerines. Last iberian breeding area for Pandion haliaetus, recently extinct.The only european site where Ciconia ciconia nests in cliffs and rocky islets. Areas of agricultural plateaus are important for steppic non-breeding species like Tetrax tetrax, Otis tarda and Burhinus oedicnemus.

Site description Extensive area, following coast-line, that comprises the atlantic coastal band between S. Torpes and the Burgau. Alternate dunes and sandy zones, cliffs and ravines, islets and rocks, with water lines where included firths, rivers and streams. From the main water courses that dischargue in this area, River Mira and Riveira de Odeceixe are to relate. This IBA's territory can be divided in three areas: the litoral plateau, between S. Torpes and Vila do Bispo, mainly sandy, it represents the most continous and large area; the litoral mountains, that border at the East the big plateau; and the barrocal (place full of ruts, crags and caves), that begins at S. Vicente's coast and extends to the East, in a little calcareous hills chain.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
White Stork Ciconia ciconia resident  2002  64 breeding pairs  good  C6  Least Concern 
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus resident  1996  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus passage  2001  20-100 individuals  medium  C2  Endangered 
Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus passage  2001  200-400 individuals  medium  B1iii, C2  Least Concern 
Short-toed Snake-eagle Circaetus gallicus breeding  1996  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus passage  2001  500-1,000 individuals  medium  C3  Least Concern 
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus passage  2001  300-800 individuals  medium  C2  Least Concern 
Red-billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax resident  1996  10-20 breeding pairs  medium  C6  Least Concern 
Thekla Lark Galerida theklae resident  2001  frequent [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Blue Rock-thrush Monticola solitarius resident  2001  common [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris resident  2001  common [units unknown]  -  C6  Least Concern 

Protected areas

Protected area Designation Area (ha) Relationship with IBA Overlap with IBA (ha)  
Costa Sudoeste - PTCON0012 Habitats Directive 118,267 protected area overlaps with site 63,487  
Costa Sudoeste - PTZPE0015 Birds Directive 74,415 is identical to site 73,405  
Monchique - PTCON0037 Birds Directive 76,008 protected area is adjacent to site 0  
Ponta de Sagres Biogenetic Reserves 4,240 unknown 0  
Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Nature Park 89,572 protected area overlaps with site 60,624  

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Broadleaved evergreen woodland; Mixed woodland  -
Shrubland Sclerophyllous scrub, garrigue and maquis  -
Wetlands (inland) Standing freshwater  -
Coastline Rock stacks and islets; Salt marshes; Sand dunes & beaches; Scree and boulders; Sea cliffs and rocky shores; Shingle & stony beaches; Tidal rivers & enclosed tidal waters  -
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) Arable land; Forestry plantations; Other urban and industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards and groves  -
Sea Open Sea; Sea inlets and coastal features  -

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
fisheries/aquaculture -
hunting -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -
forestry -
urban/industrial/transport -

Management considerations Due to ongoing land-abandonment, the extent of scrub is increasing at the expense of non-intensive farmland. Coastal erosion is a problem and the development of tourist infrastructure poses strong pressures. Cliff-nesting birds are disturbed by professional and amateur anglers. A few endemic plant species occur at this site.

Protection status National Natural Park Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina; Special Protection Area Costa Sudoeste; SCI propossal Costa Sudoeste.International Special Protection Area Costa Sudoeste; SCI propossal Costa Sudoeste; Biogenetic Reserve (Council of Europe) Ponta de Sagres.

References Palma & Beja (1994), Beja et al. (1998), Catry (2002).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: South-west coast of Portugal. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 22/05/2013

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