Paul do Boquilobo Nature Reserve
A natural paradise between Torres Novas and Golegã
The Paul do Boquilobo Natural Reserve is located between the confluence of the Almonda river and the Tagus river, along the junction of the municipalities of Torres Novas and Golegã in the southeastern part of the parish of Brogueira.
Since 1981, the Paul do Boquilobo Nature Reserve has been considered by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. This was the first Portuguese protected area to integrate the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. It is recognized the importance of the Reserve as a natural wetland and as a place of shelter for a large number of birds, as a place of reproduction, feeding and resting on migration routes.
The Biosphere Reserve contributes to the conservation of natural values, preserves the landscape, conserves ecosystems and species, promotes the balance of nature and promotes sustainable development.
The reserve is a rich wetland and its vegetation is marked by a wide variety of aquatic plants, such as willow. In July, it usually has a colony of thousands of herons and between November and February it is a resting and feeding place for arrabidos, plovers, teals and duck-rabbits.
Access to the reserve is via the Quinta do Paúl road or via the Golegã/Azinhaga road. It belonged to D. Afonso Henriques and later to D. Fernando de Castro and later to his descendants.
The life of Paúl do Boquilobo, an alluvial plain of swamps and wetlands, depends on the flows of the Tagus and Almonda rivers.
With a scenario marked by immense webs of channels covered by various aquatic plants and willows that grow on its banks, the herons are the symbol of the Park and make their nests all over the space. It is the largest colony of herons on the Iberian Peninsula. These birds flock to this protected area from February onwards to nest and stay throughout the summer.
With an impressive silence and tranquility, Paúl do Boquilobo is a fantastic place to watch the various migratory birds that pass there throughout the year. There are about 200 species of birds, mostly aquatic. It is also common to see herds of horses in the protected area that feed on the meadows or that simply walk.
You can take a guided tour, organized by the Reserve Headquarters. More information here.