Paúl de Arzila Natural Reserve
Presentation
Category: Nature Reserve
About 13 km from the city of Coimbra lies the Paul de Arzila Nature Reserve, on the left bank of the Mondego River, which spans the municipalities of Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, and Condeixa-a-Nova.
It is a wetland comprising two distinct areas: an alluvial plain, where there is an extensive reed bed and some agricultural activity, and a protected area that extends along the slopes flanking the valley, which is mainly forested and also used for agriculture, on the land surrounding the urban areas. Paúl de Arzila is classified as a Nature Reserve due to its ornithological importance, as it is an autumn passageway for trans-Saharan migratory birds; it is also a feeding and resting area for various species, a shelter for strictly marsh-dwelling nesting species, and a wintering ground for Palearctic species. The symbol of this Reserve is a purple heron (Ardea purpúrea), given its importance as a nesting species in this protected area.
Extra Information
Around it there are patches of pine and eucalyptus trees.
Paúl is home to a varied population of birds (it is an important autumn passage for passerine migrants and nesting area for reed-birds) and mammals.