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São Jorge is a long and slim island, and
has a length of 56 km, a width of 8 km and a total area of 246 square
km. All along the island is a mountain ridge with the highest peak Pico
da Esperanca at 1053 m. The coast is steep and wild but here and there
are "fajãs", which are gentle sloping rather flat coastal
areas. These areas are cultivated and the semi-micro climate allows farmers
to grow coffee and tropical fruits.
The population of the island is about 9 500, with the
main part along the southern coast and in the main municipalities at Velas
and Calheta.
Maps
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A
general map with birding localities could be viewed here»
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or open a detailed and resizeable map here.
Birding localities
Most of the high cliffy
terrain of the island is covered by pastures, woods and shrubs with large
impenetrable areas and most of the interesting localities are found along
the coasts. All the "fajãs" as well as most of the harbours
are worth checking. Most famous is Fajã dos Cubres on the eastern
north coast where a lot of very rare birds have turned up.
Ilhéu do Topo
Just off the eastern point of São Jorge is
Ilhéu do Topo. This is a small islet with a grass covered plateau
on top. Now a Nature Reserve with lots of breeding seabirds. There are
more than two thousand pairs of Cory's, as well as small colonies of Little
Shearwater, Madeiran Storm-Petrel, and Roseate Tern. The island is rather
far out and you will need a scope with high magnification to see the birds
from the outlook below the lighthouse at Ponta do Topo. During migration,
and in winter, you might find resting waders here, as well as numerous
gulls and terns.
Ponta dos Rosais
Some small high cliffs outside the western point Ponta dos Rosais is a
resting area for shorebirds. Here is probably a good place for sea watching,
with lots of breeding seabirds in the neighbourhood, and with birds moving
to and from northern rough seas and more sheltered waters inside the central
Azores archipelago. You can find a few lookouts near the lighthouse .There
are however high cliffs and areas with earthslides - so take care.
Fajã dos Cubres and Fajã dos Tijolos
There are many
"fajãs" along the coasts but the best for birds are Fajã
dos Cubres, and to some extent Fajã dos Tijolos. Both are flat
lowlands with small freshwater lagoon-like lakes below steep almost vertical
cliffs. Here are refuges for ducks, herons and waders, and the rarity
list is long including species like Little Blue and Great Blue Heron.
Both "fajãs" are on the north coast just opposite Calheta.
You can easily reach Fajã dos Cubres by car but you have to walk
from Cubres to Tijolos (3km one way) on a poor track. There is more vegetation
in Cubres which probably makes it better for birds than Tijolos.
Where to stay and getting around
The best place
to stay in is probably Velas, where you can find one hotel, two recidencias,
and some private accommodation. This is an island with not so many visitors
so there are not that many options. Anyway, Velas is near most of the
best birding spots, so if you are not spending a long time on the island
your best option to get around may be to arrange for taxi rides and pick
ups.
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Here
you'll find more information and photos from São Jorge |
