Percurso do rio (PR III)

Share Image

Part of the small route network of lagoons of Bertiandos and S. Pedro d'Arcos protected area beginning next to the Environmental Interpretation Center. One of the most interesting areas is S. Pedro d'Arcos lagoon, a rare biotope responsible for the classification as a Wetland of International Importance. The wooden walkway allows a quiet stroll and the observation shelter provides some moments of rest, while watching the waterfowl and enjoying the beauty of the lagoon landscape. The pasture zones limited by hedgerows that have been kept for decades by cattle grazing and the area of “tapadas”, characterized by the alternation between the pastures open spaces and the ones enclosed by dense arboreal vegetation, are other interesting aspects. From Freixa bridge, the route will be in permanent contact with Estorãos river, the main one of this hydrographic basin. It borns at 325 m altitude, in the Formigoso mountain range, and has an extension of 14 km, of which 3.5 km are in this protected area. Most of the priority conservation species of this protected area are associated with aquatic habitats, namely to Estorãos river. In the freshwater fish stand out the Achondrostoma arcasii, the Threespine stickleback and the Iberian Nase. In migratory fish, which take advantage of the river section in the larval stage and as an ecological corridor for the spawning sites, trout, eels and salmon stand out, the latter being one of the most endangered species at the Portuguese level . The Sea Lamprey, in regression in the Lima river, also occurs in the Estorãos river. This one is still important for several species of amphibians and birds with aquatic habits, such as the Common Kingfisher. Both species of water snakes, present in the protected area, are completely dependent on this biotope, also vital for the otter. On the walk to the new stone bridge, you can also see the rich riparian gallery composed of trees such as willows, alders, oaks, ash trees and birches.