Lagoa do Peixe National Park

Lagoa do Peixe National Park is a nature reserve on Brazil's Atlantic coast in Rio Grande do Sul that combines sand dunes with multiple coastal lagoons. The landscape features flat areas with different water bodies and dune systems running parallel to the shoreline.

The Brazilian government created this protected area in 1986 to preserve vital stopover sites for migratory birds between Patagonia and North America. The park later gained international recognition as part of a shorebird protection network.

The name comes from the fish populations that once filled these lagoons and remain central to the area's identity. Local fishing traditions continue to reflect the connection between people and these waters.

Bird watching is rewarding throughout the year, though certain species are more common during specific seasons. Visitors should prepare for changing weather and bring suitable clothing and binoculars for observing wildlife.

The park is a life-saving stopover for rare flamingo species, particularly Andean flamingos making long journeys between the Andes and the Brazilian coast. These bird sightings reveal the extraordinary importance of the lagoons for sustaining migrating populations.