A flamingo’s nest was reported in the Salgados lagoon, in Algarve, Portugal. The birds are incubating the eggs, and if they succeed, it will be the first confirmed case of nesting of this species in Portugal.
The flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus), a well known pink bird, has come to be threatened. A big conservation effort resulted in an increase in population numbers, in southern Europe and northern Africa. It is relatively common in winter in coastal wetlands in the south of Portugal, but so far the birds never nested here.
The Salgados lagoon is a coastal pond of great interest for biodiversity, constantly visited by bird watchers. Because of its bird population, SPEA, the Portuguese partner for BirdLife International, advocates the classification of the lagoon as a Special Protection Area. SPEA points out the need to implement management measures to help address threats to this site.
This year steps were taken to regulate the water level of the pond, in order to avoid nest destruction episodes, such as unfortunately has happened in previous years. The results are positive so far. This is crucial in the spring season, so birds like the flamingo, the pied avocet and the black-winged stilt will continue to breed there.