This year ATNatureza/Faia Brava is once again organising its 15th edition of the Birds of Prey Identification, Biology and Conservation Course. The course will be held on June 14, 15 and 16, in partnership with ObservArribas.
This year's edition will feature several big names in ornithology in Portugal, such as António Araújo, António Monteiro, Jorge Amaral, José Jambas, Paulo Catry and Ricardo Brandão, as well as one of our biologists, Eduardo Alves.
The course will have a theoretical element to introduce some basic concepts about the biology and identification of birds of prey in our region, as well as topics about their conservation. There will also be a practical aspect with several field trips to different habitats to observe and identify various species during the weekend.
Prices (registration includes insurance)
Registration until May 17th:
Students - 80€
Members* - 90€
Non-members - 130€
Registration from May 17th to June 7th:
Students - 90€
Members* - 100€
Non-members - 140€
*Members with compulsory membership fees
Places: 15
Minimum number of enrolments: 10 (the course will only take place with the minimum number of participants)
Information required for registration (to be sent by e-mail)
Full name
Tax number
Inform the type of enrolment (student, member, non-member) - In the case of a student, attach a multipurpose certificate for the current academic year
Date of birth
For registrations, please send the information by e-mail to geral@faiabrava.pt Schedule:
June 14 – Theory module:
15:00-16:00 – PAVILHÃO DOS DESPORTOS FIGUEIRA DE CASTELO RODRIGO
Introduction to the course and presentation of ATNatureza – António Araújo
Biology and ecology of birds of prey – António Monteiro
16:00 – 17:00
ATNatureza in the conservation of birds of prey – Eduardo Alves
Vulture biology and conservation – Paulo Catry
17:00 – 17:15
Coffee break
17:15- 17:45
Capturing and marking birds of prey and their applications in conservation – José Jambas
18:30 – 19:30
Identifying diurnal birds of prey – Jorge Amaral
Identifying nocturnal birds of prey – Ricardo Brandão
19:30
Returning bird of prey to the wild – CERVAS (Ricardo Brandão)
Close of the day
June 15 – Practical module:
8:30
Departure from Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo by bus (to be confirmed)
Agro-forestry prey observation trail (Nave Redonda – Mata de Lobos – Almofala – Barragem de Aguiar – Vermiosa – Vilar Torpim – Reigada)
13:00
Lunch on the go by the chapel of Sto. André, Vale do Águeda
14:00 – 18:00
Watching large gliding birds of prey in the Águeda Valley
Census and counting techniques for rupicolla colonies in the Águeda Valley
20:00
Group dinner (optional) at "A Cerca" restaurant in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
22:00
(Optional) night-time prey detection output
June 16
8:30
Departure from Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
Watching birds of prey in the Douro International
12:00
Lunch on the go
13:30
Watching birds of prey in the Faia Brava Reserve
17:00
Arrival in Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and closing of the course
Other details
Lunches will be on a rota basis and the responsibility of the participants, as will overnight stays (https://cm-fcr.pt/visitar/onde-dormir/)
Recommended equipment: Comfortable clothing and footwear for mountain walking, hat, sun cream and water.
The organisation and trainers will have optical equipment that participants can use, but we can't guarantee equipment for everyone, so it's recommended that you bring your own binoculars.