Lagoa de sancha

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Lagoa de Sancha

Lagoa da Sancha is described in both Gooders ‘Where to Watch Birds in Europe’ and Rose ‘Where to Watch Birds in Spain and Portugal as being a good wetland for Little Bittern, Purple Heron and wintering Bluethroat. Between them they describe it as being south of Santo Andre and west of the road to Sines but I have previously searched in vain to find it. When I finally found it in 2012 it was obvious that no-one would ever locate it without either using Google Earth or the following instructions and map:

From the roundabout at the north end of Vila Nova de Santo Andre (the turn off to sites 5, 6 and 7 in Finding Birds in South Portugal - see map on page 11) follow the road south towards Sines for 6.9 km until you see a crossroads of sandy tracks (38.0151N, 8.8195W). Turn right here and follow the track to the first junction. Keep left here along a smaller track with a fenced area to your right. When the fence ends, take a track to the right then head left through a line of tall trees. Follow this sandy track into the pine wood and park (eg 38.0130N, 8,8301W) where you see a sign for the reserve. Beyond the sign is a path up through the pine forest; walk this path and keep going, keeping as close as you can to the wooded valley on your right. The lake is at the coastal end of that valley, visible from the same path.