Birdwatching

The Tapada Nacional (National Deer Ranch) of Mafra is, quintessentially, the place where larger-sized birds find peace, shelter and the food necessary for their development. Among these are the Bonelli’s eagle, the northern goshawk, the black vulture (the largest nocturnal bird of prey in Europe) and the honey buzzard, in addition to another 60 species of small birds.

Outside the fenced enclosure of the Tapada Real, there are primarily four observation centres:

1 – Riverside areas of Cheleiros and Carvalhal

2 – Valley of Senhora do Ó and Foz do Lizandro

3 – Beaches to the north of Ericeira and up to Ribeira d’Ilhas

4 – Charneca, and particularly the point of Messapez, Talefe.

All of these places are home to a large variety of species, such as the green sandpiper, the common sandpiper, the moorhen or the white stork, in addition to a wide range of passerines.