First of all I have to say one thing I forgot to mention Matutes and other blog entries. It is not necessary that an area has a trail for us to walk in that area. The world is waiting for us with no footpath and just starting to discover. I grew up in rural areas, since childhood I grew accustomed to having my tracks and then just follow marked trails in order to have an opinion about your track.
The Baixo Vouga Lagoon is a perfect example of this. are miles and miles of trails. Do not expect the mark, put your feet on the path and find this area so rich. It is completely flat but what it lacks in land is offset by the landscape, flora and fauna.

Rio Antu

Well then come on to the rail pedestrian marked today. The Journey of Antu, as the name implies, the course along the River Antu, the most important river of the county Estarreja with only 6kms circular.
We start walking path along the train station Estarreja. Actually begins a few meters on the Estero Largo Estarreja but you can go by train and see just an indication of the route.
The route is composed entirely of wide gravel roads where farm machinery are from time to time. The first part follows the river with little water but clean. One can see fields, livestock and poultry often, especially herons who walk not far from the cattle. Many excavations have banks of the river crayfish, an exotic species harmful.

Flooded fields

The second part of the course, after the pumping station, travels in the opposite areas flooded or filled with reeds or rice-growing areas, where it is easily possible to see different species of birds from eagles storks passing by blackbirds and crows. Of course the little sparrows are those who show themselves in greater numbers and are keen to mark their presence with joyful songs. Butterflies and dragonflies are still emerging. Reptiles is that there will not be easy to spot. According to information along the way we find: siskin, warblers-the-hedges, Malhadinha, small butterfly-the kale, devil's horse, dragonfly Iberian-tailed-blue, wonder, delta-brown, toirão, weasel, mole, otter, rat-bat-large, water-rat, snake-in-water-paste, Iberian frog, newt-of-orange belly, slow-water-viperous, frog-green. water-lizard, small-egret, kingfisher, sparrow, swallow-of-chimneys, water-hen, eagle d'asa round. The more elusive are the fox, cuckoo-Mediterranean firefly, red heron, relative (to the time since I saw one!) And eel.
In the end still time to get their feet wet in the river despite the very low temperature of the water.
We conclude therefore that is where a pedestrian is required to take at least binoculars, to lack of proper photographic equipment. Recommended!

Location Antu's Path

The River Garden Route is a route quite small but it was clear that we can spend all day there! This is a route that lies within the semi-circle formed by the route of the Bocage while having its own characteristics. The paddy fields, where the note perfectly little use of pesticides, followed by an observation tower to give to use binoculars and cameras appropriate.

Green fields

In this it follows a green corridor flanked by water bodies, fields, reeds and trees. A true festival of colors and shapes. As for the list of species of informational signs are: white stork, chaffinch, willow bark, black kite, sparrow, kestrel, a group of insects comprising: Malhadinha butterfly, small butterfly-the kale, the moth- five-spotted dragonfly-Iberian-tailed-blue, devil's horse, butterfly-swallow-tail, by the tower: reed warbler, reed-small, reed-escrevedeira, acacia the-cob, herb-pine, red-crayfish-Louisiana (harmful exotic species) in the corridors: jay, robin, black willow, coal tit, tit, magpie, alder, reed- sea, weasel, yellow lily-of-marshes, slow-viperous-water, water-rat, red heron, board-wide, blue tit, sapo midwife, gineta, sparrow-deer, lizard of water-saving, siskin, silva, alder, warbler-of-mounds and lugger. Even if you only get to see some of these species on a normal visit, you need more reasons to visit this area?

Frog

This time of year is still rich in small frogs that jump from the grass as we walk. Many, perhaps hidden from predators, they were not quick to jump and would have to be careful not to tread.

View the location of the River Garden Route

Already for some time that curiosity about the other tracks pedestrians of Salreu made ​​me look out the train window each time step for those sides. After proving the Salreu Path , the longest and most emblematic, finally reached the point that my feet could not help but have been visiting the Bocage Path and River Garden Route, routes that are spread over Salreu and shins. With a near 4 km and another with just 2kms perceives are paths to slowly, very well observe around us, and why not leave the marked paths to explore other areas. After all the area is completely flat. Not being circular is easy to jump from one to another and all begin and end on a path parallel to the railway line.

View

I began the path of the Bocage. Going by car and left after the bridge is necessary to go about 1km and crossing with other tracks to find the path of the Bocage, always with the right side of our mountains, far from there. Then it is followed by broad, flat and good roads. So good that we have the chance to find cars. Actually there were two vans if I am not mistaken. Probably the people who work in these fields so it is not to condemn. This place has its own characteristics, so that it forms a unique habitat in Portugal.

Bocage

The environment Bocage is above all characterized by fields separated by hedges, so characteristic of romanticism image associated with it, so it is precisely this landscape that we find. There are few times that we all hung on a gate made of branches and look lost. The look and thought. We forget the camera.
There are many animal and plant species we can find. Of course, some are much more visible than others but it seems that there are kingfishers, water lilies, reeds, water-hen, water-lizard, otter, bat-gardener, heron, weasel-of-rushes fox, eagle d'asa round, mallard, marinhoa ​​cattle breed (indigenous), finch, hawk, fennel, Galician-owl, badger, owl-the-woods, spotted woodpecker, hawthorn, roll-mad, oak and oak handle. A list so rich!
Making the way in which I did, from north to south, just next to a railway bridge, just below the station Canelas. Going up north parallel to the line soon found the route of the River Garden. Prior to these there is a stretch of water with a small pond where, this time of year, fish were trapped and the birds get to feast. With an appropriate lens and / or binoculars is highly advisable to sit in the shade of a tree and wait! Will soon have magnificent images.

View location Bocage's Path

Birds to feed on

Salreu rails by the Earth

Routes pedestrians but many made ​​the night a few! It was with this thought that I accepted to participate in the photo tour proposed by night Rails Earth : The Path Salreu. To me the photo I took because it had little machine! I only see the sights of the night.
Despite the cold and drizzle, the sounds and colors of the night end up in some way worth it, on top of a full moon night.
It is possible, indicating the more experienced see some animals or at least your silhouette. This is a very easy route, integrated into the Biore, Baixo Vouga Lagoon, an area full of wildlife. Are 8.5 km circular start and end in the old port of Salreu.
Our tour moved slowly, peppered with stops for photos, chat and lessons from the host. We ended up having a surprise and some sausages cooked up in the middle of the night on a Tuscan tables of the way.
Finally, a different experience of walking is recommended to all!

Course Map of Salreu / Directions.