Movhera Foz-Tua: Terrestrial Birds – Compensatory Measures Program, Compensatory Measures MC40a/MC46a1 (Protection of Important Areas for Avifauna) – Exploration Phase [2021-23]

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, 15 orders, 38 families, 64 genus and 73 species.

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Chordata
   rank: phylum
3. Aves
   rank: class
4. Accipitriformes
   rank: order
5. Anseriformes
   rank: order
6. Apodiformes
   rank: order
7. Bucerotiformes
   rank: order
8. Charadriiformes
   rank: order
9. Ciconiiformes
   rank: order
10. Columbiformes
    rank: order
11. Coraciiformes
    rank: order
12. Cuculiformes
    rank: order
13. Passeriformes
    rank: order
14. Pelecaniformes
    rank: order
15. Piciformes
    rank: order
16. Podicipediformes
    rank: order
17. Strigiformes
    rank: order
18. Suliformes
    rank: order
19. Accipitridae
    rank: family
20. Anatidae
    rank: family
21. Apodidae
    rank: family
22. Upupidae
    rank: family
23. Charadriidae
    rank: family
24. Scolopacidae
    rank: family
25. Ciconiidae
    rank: family
26. Columbidae
    rank: family
27. Alcedinidae
    rank: family
28. Meropidae
    rank: family
29. Cuculidae
    rank: family
30. Aegithalidae
    rank: family
31. Alaudidae
    rank: family
32. Certhiidae
    rank: family
33. Cetiidae
    rank: family
34. Corvidae
    rank: family
35. Emberizidae
    rank: family
36. Estrilididae
    rank: family
37. Fringillidae
    rank: family
38. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
39. Motacillidae
    rank: family
40. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
41. Oriolidae
    rank: family
42. Paridae
    rank: family
43. Passeridae
    rank: family
44. Phylloscopidae
    rank: family
45. Regulidae
    rank: family
46. Sittidae
    rank: family
47. Sturnidae
    rank: family
48. Sylviidae
    rank: family
49. Troglodytidae
    rank: family
50. Turdidade
    rank: family
51. Corvidae
    rank: family
52. Ardeidae
    rank: family
53. Picidae
    rank: family
54. Podicipedidae
    rank: family
55. Strigidae
    rank: family
56. Phalacrocoracidae
    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.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.