Movhera Foz Tua: Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura, Aves Muscicapidae) - Ecological Monitoring (PME) and Compensatory Measures (PMC) Programs, Exploration Phase [2021-2023]

Study Extent

Data were collected within a 3-km buffer around the Tua lower valley (Northeast Portugal), up to 3 km from the mouth, in the municipalities of Alijó and Carrazeda de Ansiães.

Sampling

Sampling was designed to cover Black Wheatear main reproduction area along the Tua River lower valley under influence of Foz-Tua dam, particularly in the last 7 km of the river, where most couples have their territories. The area was intensively searched by performing random transects (by car or on foot) on all known or potential territories, in winter and summer/autumn (one visit) and in spring (two visits). Specific searches were performed in and around the six stone walls built in the area – two in the right margin of the Tua (Alijó) and four in the left margin (Carrazeda de Ansiães). Although the method relied mainly on visual observations, singing playbacks of the species (five minutes each) were performed along the transect to enhance bird responses. Species identification and age and sex determination were recorded (when possible) during the field work, 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 dataset taxonomic coverage spans 1 phylum, 1 class, 1 order, 1 family, 1 genus and 2 species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Passeriformes
   rank: order
5. Muscicapidae
   rank: family

Data were collected within a 5-km buffer around the Tua lower river valley (Northeast Portugal), in a selected area with suitable habitat near the mouth, which includes the most of the species territories in the Tua valley, at the municipalities of Alijó and Carrazeda de Ansiães