Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve

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Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural do Estuário do Tejo) is a protected area in Portugal near Lisbon. It’s classified as IUCN category IV (habitat and species management) and is a Ramsar Wetland since 1980. The reserve was created in 1976 and covers about 14,192 hectares. The Tagus estuary itself is the largest in Portugal and western Europe, around 34,000 hectares, with extensive wetlands, salt flats, creeks, marshes, and nearby farmland. The reserve sits mainly in the upper part of the estuary, in the Alcochete, Benavente and Vila Franca de Xira area.

Why it matters: The estuary is a crucial habitat for fish, molluscs and crustaceans, but its biggest importance is for birds. In winter, up to about 120,000 water birds can be found here, including more than 10,000 ducks and 50,000 shorebirds. The pied avocet often makes up a large share of Europe’s wintering birds. The area also supports many other species, such as flamingos, geese, eagles, ospreys and many small songbirds. It is an important stopover for migrating birds in spring and autumn.