1110 people from various parts of the country, as well as from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Spain, Ukraine, Ireland, Austria, Italy, France, Finland, Luxembourg, Pakistan, Lithuania, Sweden, Brazil, Venezuela , Paraguay, Argentina, United States of America and New Zealand, participated in the 12th edition of the Festival of Bird Watching & Nature Activities.
This edition of the Festival also counted, in the online aspect, with the realization of webinars pre-festival attended by 189 people.
For this reason, the Municipal Council of Vila do Bispo points out, “adherence to the Festival leaves the organization very satisfied, in what was the return to normality, following the guidelines of the General Directorate of Health”.
This year it was possible to observe, in the skies of Sagres, more than 130 species of birds, including two rarities: the whistling warbler and the carmine breast.
Among the most common birds observed during the Festival, but which always cause a stir among the participants, the Britango, osprey and red-billed jay stand out.
A common kestrel was also returned to nature (Falco tinnunculus), retrieved at RIAS, one of the most emotional moments for some participants.
In addition to birds, insects, dolphins and a bryde whale were also observed, the first sighting and record of this species in the seas of Sagres.
During five days, more than 200 activities dedicated to nature were carried out, with some highlighting due to the participation of the participants. This is the case of the activity “Mel de Sagres – 2000 Years of History”; photography workshops, with sponsor SONY offering a camera to a participant; the Tertúlia Aves & Vinho; the activities with the youngest around the book “Os Aventureiros e os Piratas da Falésia”, by Isabel Ricardo, whose story unfolds at the Festival.
The organization also highlights the return of shopkeepers to the festival, with 16 stores in attendance, with a wide range of products.
For Rute Silva, Mayor of Vila do Bispo, «the success over the years and the recognition of this festival in the national and international scene, as a great event of bird watching and nature activities, is due to the effort and collaboration of all and thanks to all partners, volunteers, associations, companies, sponsors and participants who joined this initiative».
Aware of the importance of this event for the municipality's economy, the mayor also considers that “the future of Vila do Bispo is what nature gives us. We just have to use it sensibly and sustainably».
It is along these lines that we are starting to think about the next edition, scheduled for the first weekend of October 2022.
The Bird Watching & Nature Activities Festival is the largest national event dedicated to nature, being organized by the Municipality of Vila do Bispo, in partnership with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) and the Almargem Association.
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