EDP Foz-Tua: Terrestrial Birds – Compensatory Measures Program, Compensatory Measures MC40a/MC46a1 (Protection of Important Areas for Avifauna) – Exploration Phase [2018-20]

Study Extent

The study was conducted in part of the sub-basin of river Tua under influence of the Foz-Tua Hydroelectric Dam, in the seven designated micro-reserves in the lower part of the Tua valley, up to up to 45 km from the Tua mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Murça and Mirandela .

Sampling

Sampling was designed to compare the species richness and abundances of the bird communities inside (“intervention” points) and outside (“control” points) the micro-reserves along time, in order to assess the benefits of the planned conservation actions for these areas (not yet implemented), in regard to the avifauna descriptor. A total of 20 sampling points distributed in pairs (one “intervention”, one “control”), among the main habitats in each of the seven micro-reserves, were surveyed throughout a long term monitoring program. All points were sampled at least once in the spring, in the early morning or late afternoon. Each sampling event had a duration of 10 minutes, in which all birds seen or heard in three bands of 50m around the point (<50 m, 50-100m, >100m) were recorded. Species identification and age and sex determination were recorded (when possible) during the field work, and with the help of appropriate field guides when needed.

Quality Control

All observations were carried out by qualified technicians

Method steps

1. To be completed

The taxonomic coverage spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 11 orders, 32 families, 54 genus and 69 species.

1. Chordata
   rank: phylum
2. Aves
   rank: class
3. Accipitriformes
   rank: order
4. Anseriformes
   rank: order
5. Apodiformes
   rank: order
6. Bucerotiformes
   rank: order
7. Columbiformes
   rank: order
8. Coraciiformes
   rank: order
9. Cuculiformes
   rank: order
10. Galiiformes
    rank: order
11. Passeriformes
    rank: order
12. Pelecaniformes
    rank: order
13. Piciformes
    rank: order
14. Accipitridae
    rank: family
15. Anatidae
    rank: family
16. Apodidae
    rank: family
17. Ardeidae
    rank: family
18. Columbidae
    rank: family
19. Alcedinidae
    rank: family
20. Meropidae
    rank: family
21. Cuculidae
    rank: family
22. Phasianidae
    rank: family
23. Aegithalidae
    rank: family
24. Alaudidae
    rank: family
25. Certhiidae
    rank: family
26. Cettiidae
    rank: family
27. Corvidae
    rank: family
28. Emberizidae
    rank: family
29. Estrilididae
    rank: family
30. Fringillidae
    rank: family
31. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
32. Motacillidae
    rank: family
33. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
34. Oriolidae
    rank: family
35. Paridae
    rank: family
36. Passeridae
    rank: family
37. Picidae
    rank: family
38. Phalacrocoraciade
    rank: family
39. Regulidae
    rank: family
40. Sittidae
    rank: family
41. Sturnidae
    rank: family
42. Sylviidae
    rank: family
43. Troglodytidae
    rank: family
44. Turdidade
    rank: family
45. Upupidae
    rank: family

Data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the valley of the River Tua (Northeast Portugal), up to 45 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Murça and Mirandela.