Azibo Reservoir Protected Landscape, Nature reserve in Macedo de Cavaleiros, Portugal.
Azibo Protected Landscape is an expansive nature reserve centered on a large reservoir in the Trás-os-Montes region. The area features a mosaic of Mediterranean and Atlantic plant communities across several thousands of hectares, creating diverse habitats for wildlife.
The dam was constructed in the late 1970s as an irrigation project for the surrounding agricultural areas in the valley. This development transformed the landscape and created a new water body that reshaped local ecology and land use.
The reservoir has become an important gathering place for local communities, who use its shores for recreation and connection with nature. Visitors can observe how the water shapes daily life in the surrounding villages and their relationship with the landscape.
The reserve has two beach areas along the shoreline and several trails for exploring the natural surroundings on foot. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven terrain on some paths.
The reservoir supports a large population of Great Crested Grebes, water birds with distinctive head feathers that have become the symbol of this protected area. Birdwatchers come specifically to spot these elegant birds during their time here.
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