EAZA Bird TAG meetings 2016 Lagos, May

Transcription

1 EAZA Bird TAG meetings 2016 Lagos, May Wednesday 18 May Tivoli Lagos hotel Icebreaker Thursday 19 May Tivoli Lagos Hotel Time Topic Introduction/update Bird TAGs Coffee break Galliformes TAG Lunch EAZA Hornbill TAG Coffee break EAZA Passeriformes TAG Dinner, Adega da Marina Restaurant

2 EAZA Bird TAG meetings 2016 Lagos, May Friday 20 May Tivoli Lagos Hotel Time Topic Falconiformes TAG Coffee break Toucan and Turaco TAG Lunch Ratite TAG Transport to Zoo Visit Lagos Zoo Farewell dinner, Zoo Restaurant O Cangalho Saturday 21 May Tivoli Lagos Hotel Time Topic EAZA Ciconiiformes and Phoenicopteriformes TAG (incl. coffee break) Lunch EAZA Parrot TAG Coffee break Closing session Dinner, Adega da Marina Restaurant

3 EAZA Bird TAG meetings 2016 Lagos, May Sunday 22 May (optional) Time Topic Departure Tivoli hotel Boat trip from Baleeira Harbour, Sagres (seabird watching) Lunch Bird watching Back at the hotel

4 EAZA Midyear BirdTAGs meeting Lagos Zoo, Portugal May 2016 Registration form Name: Institution: Mobile phone: Registration fee includes rent of meeting room, coffee break and lunches. Lagos Zoo invites you to attend the icebreaker at Tivoli Lagos Hotel on Wednesday 18 May from 6pm and dinner on Friday 20 May at the Zoo Restaurant O Cangalho I will attend the EAZA Bird TAGs Meeting from May 2016, including dinner arrangements on Thursday 19 May and Saturday 21 May, 170 If you register before 15 April the fee is 140 I will attend the EAZA Bird TAGs Meeting from May 2016, excluding dinner arrangements on Thursday 19 May and Saturday 21 May, 140 If you register before 15 April the fee is 110 Single day fee, including dinner 60 Sunday, 22 May 2016 from 8am 4pm bird watching tour (for more information see page 4). The tour is offered by Lagos Zoo (incl. lunch buffet). I will join! PAYMENT; It would be appreciated if the registration fee is paid on forehand (see bank details). Although it will also be possible to pay at the beginning of the meeting, cash or by credit card. Bank details are: Parque Zoológico de Lagos, IBAN PT , SWIFT CCCMPTPL. Please mention your name and EAZA Bird TAGs. 1

5 This image cannot currently be displayed. For special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, gluten free or other allergies) please get in touch with Arrival/departure I intend to arrive on (date), (morning/afternoon/evening) I intend to depart on (date), (morning/afternoon/evening) (*) We will get back to you separately regarding your exact arrival/departure time, as this would be relevant for the suggested transport to Lagos. Lagos Zoo offered to arrange one or two shuttles for free on Wednesday afternoon. Hopefully most colleagues can benefit from this offer, otherwise you have to travel via the normal transport channels (see how to get there ). Return the completed form to: EAZA Executive Office, William van Lint (william.van.lint@eaza.net) or Tel For furthe questions: Lagos Zoo, Paulo Figueiras (paulo.figueiras@zoolagos.com) or Tel , or mobile HOTEL RESERVATION Lagos Zoo made special arrangements with two hotels; Tivoli Lagos and Lagosmar. Please be aware that the TAG meetings will take place at Tivoli Lagos Hotel lagos/o hotel.aspx. Prices at Tivoli Lagos Hotel are, including breakfast; Single room 55/night or Double room 75/night. For a hotel reservation please get in touch with the hotel directly, Ana Mourão (ana.mourao@tivolihotels.com). Don`t forget to mention BirdTAGs meeting Lagos Zoo. TIVOLI LAGOS, Rua António C. Santos, Lagos Algarve Portugal T , F

6 Hotel Lagosmar Prices at Lagosmar are, including breakfast: Single room, 38 /night (normal price is 47 night) or double room, 44 /night (normal price is 56Euros). For a reservation please contact the reception directly: Tel: , Fax: or by e mail: info@lagosmar.com Other hotels nearby are: Hotel Vila Galé Lagos, Meia Praia, , gale lagos/. Given that Lagos is a wellknown touristic destination there is a variety of accommodations available. How to get in Lagos By plane: Most logical is to fly to Faro (Faro Airport 88.5 km, 1h by car A22). From Faro airport there are a few alternatives on how to get in Lagos, by shuttle, train or bus. From Faro Airport to Lagos or to the hotel by shuttle, Yellow fish transfers. This is the easiest way to get to Lagos from the Airport. Yellow fish Transfers people 68, 8 people 80 [Lagos zoo offered to make reservations, based on your travel schedule, so if you are interested and won t arrive on Wednesday afternoon please get in touch with them to discuss this further] There is no train station at Faro Airport, you have to go to Faro first. You can get in Faro station by Taxi ( 11/ 16), a 10 minute drive or by bus circuit 16 ( 2.20) this will take 20 minutes. There is a direct train from Faro to Lagos, which takes 1h 45minutes. In Lagos it is a ten minute walk to the hotel. For timetable find here: horarios Other alternative is to go by bus ( 5.85) 2h50 minutes. For the timetable please check: bus.com/. For the bus you also first have to travel by taxi to Faro. 3

7 BIRDWATCHING TOUR SAGRES COAST AND BOCA DO RIO In the morning we will take a ~2,5h pelagic trip from Baleeira Harbour in Sagres, where we will try to find some seabird species like Cory s Shearwater Calonectris borealis, Balearic Shearwaters Puffinus mauretanicus, Northern Gannet Morus bassanus and possibly some scarcer species like Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis, a vagrant form the South Atlantic. We will hopefully see some Common Dolphins Delphinus delphis. Sagres is nowadays known to be one of the few places in continental Europe where some pelagic seabird species may be observed. After navigating south, the boat will stop and chum may be used. It is possible to watch in close proximity and photograph some of the rarest species. All this in an outstanding scenery far from the coast. After lunch we will explore some of the region s natural hotspots like Vale Santo open fields, and Cape St. Vincent rocky and scrubland area. We will be looking for migrant and/or breeding species like European Bee eater Merops apiaster or Red rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica, and resident specialties like Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius or Red billed Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. If in time, there will also be a chance to explore other nearby areas on our way back, like Boca do Rio, a charming coastal valley. The valley's proximity to the coast means that it can be a magnet for many species of birds travelling back and forth during migration. This more westerly part of the coast of the Algarve is a mecca for bird watchers, and although the Sagres Peninsula (further out to the west) is the 'Holy Grail' for those hoping to spot rare species during the autumn and spring migrations, the area around Salema and Boca do Rio gets its fair share of winged wonders that we can enjoy. Booted Eagles, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures and Black and White Storks all stick close to the coast during their journeys, and in bad weather many will stop off and take a break before moving on. Black eared Wheatears, Golden Orioles and Nightingales are also recorded from this part of the Algarve. 4

8 LAGOS Lagos is a fantastic town in the western Algarve that can certainly be enjoyed by all age groups. It is full of historical interest with its origins dating as far back as 2000 years BC when it was known as Lacobriga. Lagos has always had a seafaring connection, originally visited by Phoenicians and Carthaginians and then, during the 15th century, was the base for the 'voyages of the Discoveries' instigated by Henry the Navigator when trade between Africa and Portugal brought a great deal of wealth into the town. The older part of Lagos is still circled by the city walls that were constructed during the 16th century when it was the residence of the governors of the Algarve and the fort, Ponta da Bandeira, by Batata beach is part of the 17th century fortifications that were added to protect the town. Behind it (on the opposite side of the road) is the Porta de São Gonçalo (St.Gonçalo s gate) with a watchtower on either side and just to the right of this is the Governors' Castle (of Arab construction). The square next to the Governors' castle is the Praça Infante Dom Henrique with a statue of Prince Henry looking out to sea. To the left of the square at the back is Igreja da Santa Maria. The facade of this church is 15/16th century but it was rebuilt in the 18/19th centuries. Walk along the cobbled street at the back of the square just past Santa Maria church and you will come to the famous Lagos 'golden church' of St. Anthony which was rebuilt in 1769 entrance to this church is through the museum at the side and both the museum and the church are well worth visiting. On the opposite side to the churches is the 'Slave Market' from the 15th century, where slaves brought back from the discovery voyages were sold. There is another church, St. Sebastian, dating from 14th to 16th century, which is on a hill just behind the fish market with fantastic views over Lagos bay. Lagos is certainly full of history, but it is also a vibrant town with lots going on the next square along, in the middle of town, is Praça de Gil Eanes and this is often the setting for evening entertainment throughout the year a comical unicyclist, live music or a medieval fair are just some of the events we have enjoyed. If Portugal are playing football, or there is a major competition on, the cafes will have the big screens up in the square and everyone joins in the excitement (very good naturedly as well). 5

9 There are several streets leading off Praça de Gil Eanes, with restaurants to suit all tastes! The centre of Lagos really isn't very big, but it can be a bit confusing! There are loads of bars that stay open until the early hours and in the summer time the centre of town is alive with people of all ages enjoying themselves. To explore a little further, carry on along the Avenida dos Descobrimentos (avenue of the Discoveries) which runs along the water front and you will come to the very modern, Lagos Marina. There is a footbridge over the Bensafrim River to the marina which, on one of Lagos' windy days, can be a very blowy walk, but you do get a lovely view of the town and the 'boats' in the marina! The 450+ berth marina, which has both the Euromarina Anchor Award and the Blue Flag award, has a variety of shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy, all with a great view of the 'boats'! 6