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Flores has a length
of 17 km, a width of 12.5 km, and a total area of 143 square kilometres.
This westernmost point of the Azores, Europe and the Western Palearctic,
has a dramatic landscape with high peaks (highest point at Morro Alto
with 914 metres), deep valleys, large woods, many crater lakes, and waterfalls
dropping hundreds of metres. The main municipalities, or towns, are Santa
Cruz in the east with the airport, and Lajes in the south with the main
port. There are about 4.000 inhabitants in the island.
Its name derives from the abundance of flowers growing
in its ravines, and the prospect of wilderness draws adventurous walkers
here during the summer!
Maps
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A
general map with birding localities could be viewed here
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Download
or open a detailed and resizeable map here.
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Coordinates for birdwatching sites.
Specialties
Flores is probably the island with the highest potential for Nearctic
migrants. American Black Ducks are present all year round.
Birding localities
Santa Cruz
Except for being a good place for sea watching, Santa Cruz has two major
areas worth visiting. Check all the costal areas around the town with
its cliffs, and small harbour, where you might find cormorants, waders,
gulls and terns. The airfield also hosts roosting gulls as well as a few
waders like Sanderlings and with luck Buff-breasted Sandpiper. You normally
get best views of the airstrip from the northeast or southwest.
The crater lakes
There are seven lakes to visit, but just four of
them use to hold any number of birds. The other three are all deep crater
lakes with no visible shores, and normally carry just the odd heron or
duck. All the lakes are on higher altitude, and unfortunately in late
autumn and winter often swept in fog and clouds, with a frustrating low
visibility. You can reach the lakes by turning off from the main road
going westward from Santa Cruz. After a downhill less than 10 km from
Santa Cruz, there is a small road to the south. Taking that, and after
another 2 km turning right you find Lagoa da Lomba, that sometimes holds
ducks and a few snipes. From here you can continue southwest on winding
roads, ending up between the deep Lagoa Funda, and the more interesting
Lagoa Rasa. The other four lakes are north of the Santa Cruz main road,
but further west, just a few kilometres from the Fajá Grande turnoff.
The most westerly turnoff leads to Lagoa Funda (Negra) and Lagoa Comprida,
both deep and mostly without any interesting birds. The other more easterly
turnoff will get you straight up to Lagoa Seca, and Lagoa Branca. Lagoa
Seca to the right is a small rather deep crater lake but with a lot of
vegetation, and here you normally find interesting birds – at least
American Black Ducks, both genuine and a number of hybrids. A little further
on, where the road bend uphill to the north (and eventually reaches the
Santa Cruz-Ponta Delgata main road far north), you will se Lagoa Branca
straight on. This is probably the lake with the highest potentials. There
is also since 2008 a birdwatching
hide at the west side of the lake.
Lajes
Check the harbour area for gulls, terns, or the occasional wader or duck.
Do not miss the almost hidden inner northern parts, with the beach where
a little stream emerge into the harbour. Like on many other places on
Flores sea watching can be good, though the best places normally are in
Santa Cruz.
Fajã Grande
Facing west this relatively low land, with lots of small fields and large
woods, probably are one of the best places in the Western Palearctic to
find Nearctic land birds. There is a lot of cover for the birds, and you
can spend hours here, and still think that you just have started to search.
If the weather is fine, this is however very nice surroundings, with many
small roads and tracks to walk. Start by doing the area west of Fajã
Grande and work your way all the way up to Ponta. Then try the more wooded
area to the southeast, where you except for migrants may see the endangered
local Woodcock. There is also a walking path between Fajã Grande
and Fajázinha. Just where the road down to Fajã Grande passes
two river bridges, there is a path leading up to Lagoa do Patus (or Poco
da Alagoinha), a small pool often holding a few ducks.
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Lagoa do Patus,
or Poco da Alagoinha, can be reached walking the path uphill 800 meters
from the road between Fajázinha
and Fajã Grande.
Photo: Staffan Rodebrand |
Ponta Delgada
This most northerly point of Flores that has mostly open farmland is another
hotspot for Nearctic land birds. Search the lower parts of the village,
and particularly the point itself between the turn-point at the small
harbour, the northernmost point, and the deserted buildings around the
old soccer field. Except for possible migrants, you also have to keep
an eye on the sea, where shearwaters and gulls are resting or passing
by. On the winding road from Santa Cruz you pass one rubbish dump, which
sometimes holds a number of gulls.
Where to stay and getting around
The island is small, but the winding roads still takes some time. However,
if you are staying in Santa Cruz you will soon reach all major sites by
car. The best option is probably Hotel Ocidental, if you make sure to
get a room with a terrace or balcony on the seaside. The sea watching
from here could be very good, and viewing from your room or balcony means
better conditions if it is rainy or windy. Another option is to rent a
small cottage in the quiet countryside at Aldeia da Cuada in the Faja
Grande area.
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Here you'll find more information and photos from Flores
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