Pechar
Castrelo de Miño e baixo Avia reservoir
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Pechar
Castrelo de Miño e baixo Avia reservoir
Play Ampliar
Pechar
Castrelo de Miño e baixo Avia reservoir
Play Ampliar
Pechar
Castrelo de Miño e baixo Avia reservoir
Play Ampliar
Pechar
Castrelo de Miño e baixo Avia reservoir
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Castrelo de Miño e lower Avia reservoir

Around the 1970s, the waters of the Miño, which fertilised a large valley, were stopped. Decades later, certain birds take advantage of the new conditions in the valley. 

A point of attraction for waterbirds

Contrary to what happens with many other dams, the banks of this dam retain dense vegetation, which enables it to host a rich bird community. The water surface measures over 10 km long and barely one and a half kilometres at its widest, near the dam. The environment is surrounded by vineyards.

Numerous waterbirds come to nest and, above all, to winter in the reservoir. Nearby, the banks of its tributary, the Avia river, provide an opportunity to watch a number of birds.

The routes
Mapa de Castrelo de Miño e lower Avia reservoir
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Route by car or by bicycle: San Paio - Astariz

BEST TIME

From December to March and from April to June

DISTANCE

12 Km

DURATION

1.5 hours by car and 3 hours by bicycle

DIFFICULTY

Any difficult

COUNCILS

Castrelo de Miño, Ribadavia

PATH

San Paio - Astariz

Mapa de Route 1
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Key points on the route:

  1. On the water's surface great crested grebes are frequent, as are common pochards and tufted ducks.
  2. It may seem paradoxical, but a high-tension wire (1), which has one of its supports in the reservoir, acts as a perch for numerous birds, especially great cormorants.
  3. Pay attention to the riparian forests through which the route passes (2), as they are excellent for common nightingale and iberian chiffchaff in spring and cetti's warbler throughout the year.
  4. Birds flying over the reservoir and its surroundings must be observed carefully. In spring they are generally black kites but occasionally a western osprey is seen in migration.

Route on foot or by bicycle: Ribadavia - A Quinza

BEST TIME

From April to June

DISTANCE

5,5 Km

DURATION

2 hours on foot and 1 hour by bicycle

DIFFICULTY

Any difficult

COUNCILS

Ribadavia

PATH

Ribadavia - A Quinza

Mapa de Route 2
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Key points on the route:

  1. The route starts in Ribadavia (1) where numerous swifts common swift and common house martin can be seen in spring.
  2. Follow the Avia river north (2), stopping to watch grey wagtail on the banks and the rapids.
  3. In the many riparian forests (3) there are common nightingale, cetti's warbler and cirl bunting in the surroundings.
Common Swift
Apus apus
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo
Common Wood Pigeon
Columba palumbus
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
The birds

In winter various waterbirds such as the common pochard and tufted duck, in addition to great cormorants and grey herons, among others, come to the reservoir. In spring, great crested grebes and black kites are common.

Tips and resources

  • The wetland birds are sensitive and so distance must be kept. Particularly in this reservoir, birds may be far away, so it is important to use a telescope.

  • The journey on foot from Ribadavia is ideal for beginners to birdwatching due to its comfort and accessibility. 

Arriba