This is a super place for a few days of birdwatching, situated in the municipality of
Miranda do Douro is in Northeast Portugal. The park was established to preserve the landscape and its Flora and Fauna.
The river runs through a deep gorge or canyon, which acts as the natural border between Portugal and Spain and runs for just over one hundred kilometres.
Many hydroelectric dams along this stretch of the river need to be more sparsely populated.
We have visited in different climatic conditions, but the cool breeze is there no matter the weather.
Looking back up the river towards Zamora in Spain and Salamanca, I see both are too distant.
From another vantage point, we could see the snow-capped Sierra Gredos far away on the horizon.
The Griffon Vultures can be close here.
Below, we could see the entire eight-foot span of their wing.
Some come incredibly close!
Two beautiful Red Rumped Swallows search for nesting material on the canyon edge.
Guess when you can fly, it doesn't matter much about the long fall; we stayed well back!
Below on another outcrop, a male Black Redstart calls for a mate.
The Griffon Vultures fly on the thermals all day long, following the sheep and goat trails through the Olive trees.
And keeping an eye on us!
The slightly smaller Egyptian Vultures pass much faster across the Spanish side of the river.
Peregrine Falcons and Lesser Kestrels take it in turn to scan the rock face.
The mighty Alpine Swifts, with their twenty-one-inch wingspan, power, and speed, leave you in awe.
The sound of their wings as they scythe past fills the air.
Once again, it was time for us to move on!
Miranda do Douro is in Northeast Portugal. The park was established to preserve the landscape and its Flora and Fauna.
The river runs through a deep gorge or canyon, which acts as the natural border between Portugal and Spain and runs for just over one hundred kilometres.
Many hydroelectric dams along this stretch of the river need to be more sparsely populated.
We have visited in different climatic conditions, but the cool breeze is there no matter the weather.
Looking back up the river towards Zamora in Spain and Salamanca, I see both are too distant.
From another vantage point, we could see the snow-capped Sierra Gredos far away on the horizon.
The Griffon Vultures can be close here.
Below, we could see the entire eight-foot span of their wing.
Some come incredibly close!
Two beautiful Red Rumped Swallows search for nesting material on the canyon edge.
Guess when you can fly, it doesn't matter much about the long fall; we stayed well back!
You never know who will perch on the edge; here it is a Calandra Lark.
Below on another outcrop, a male Black Redstart calls for a mate.
The Griffon Vultures fly on the thermals all day long, following the sheep and goat trails through the Olive trees.
And keeping an eye on us!
The slightly smaller Egyptian Vultures pass much faster across the Spanish side of the river.
Peregrine Falcons and Lesser Kestrels take it in turn to scan the rock face.
The mighty Alpine Swifts, with their twenty-one-inch wingspan, power, and speed, leave you in awe.
The sound of their wings as they scythe past fills the air.
Once again, it was time for us to move on!
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