Visiting A Rocha Portugal, Cruzinha

Marcial ringing a Hoopoe in Cruzinha

Which Day?

Every Thursday (even Bank Holidays!) the Cruzinha team open the doors of the Field Study Centre and make themselves available to anyone who wishes to learn more about the work of A Rocha both in Portugal and internationally.

What Time?

We suggest you come a little before 10 a.m. The program for the morning is:

10:00 - Moth trapping;
10:30 - Self guided walk on our nature trail;
11:00 - Refreshments
11:30 - Exhibition room: What is A Rocha?
12:00 - Bird-ringing demonstration

(please note: the bird-ringing and moth identification takes place all morning, depending on the weather, with respective explanations at the indicated times)

Bert and Aleksa (EVS volunteers) identifying moths

Qualified to ring?

If you are a ringer and wish to participate please fax through a photocopy of your licence in advance. However, the vast majority of our visitors from complete amateurs to highly experienced ornithologists (and everyone in between) enjoy a pleasant time sitting around the ringing table and watching the expertise and precision as this scientific activity is carried out. For some it represents a moment of seeing a bird in the hand for the very first time or the exhilaration of a rarity – new for them! Occasionally we are without a qualified ringer and on these mornings we regret that it is impossible to provide this demonstration. We appreciate your understanding.

What’s Involved?

In addition to the morning scientific demonstrations and explanations, visitors are welcome to browse in our small Exhibition Room and chat with team members and volunteers. There are books and other items, mostly fair trade, for sale as well as free literature and tips and advice! As a token of our hospitality we offer refreshments – hot or cold drinks and home-made cake and visitors are welcome to chat with new friends under the shade of our rubber tree.

To complete a memorable morning´s visit to the Alvor estuary we suggest you incorporate a walk or drive down to the headland to see what there is to see – and there is always something of interest.

How to get to Cruzinha

Directions:

Wryneck at Cruzinha

Cruzinha is situated 1.5 km down an unsurfaced track, which is directly opposite the turning to Mexilhoeira Grande, equidistant between the local cities of Portimao and Lagos. You can come on the new motorway and take the Alvor exit or on the “old” EN125 road. Any problems call the centre on (+351) 282 968 380.