A walk through Baldaio is always a joy. Not only for the stunning scenery, but also for the large number of birds that come together there, especially during migration and wintering.

A look at the sea off the beach, the marsh or the dunes that mark this entire wetland complex can provide a great variety of birds which at times reach surprising numbers.

Birds resting at the gates of the Costa da Morte

Until the 1960s, Baldaio was one of the major wetlands in Galicia. After that, a series of unfortunate environmental actions jeopardised its state of conservation. Today, however, thanks to the protection of the environment it is possible to enjoy a mosaic of ecosystems that are home to countless living beings, with a special place reserved for birds.

The routes

Route by car: Caión - Port of Razo

BEST TIME

Between September and February

DISTANCE

23 Km

DURATION

3 hours

DIFFICULTY

None

COUNCILS

A Laracha, Carballo

PATH

Caión - Port of Razo

Key points on the route:

  1. The port of Caión (1) is excellent for watching wintering seabirds such as the razorbill, the murre and, at times, the grey phalarope.
  2. From the nearby point of As Olas (2) northern gannet, cory's shearwater, great skua and auks can be seen passing.
  3. Nearby is As Salseiras beach (3), where there are European herring and great black-backed gulls.
  4. From here, take the turnoff towards Noicela and the Baldaio campground. Once there, scan the reeds from the wooden walkway (4) in search of water rails, zitting cisticolas and, during migration and winter, the ruff and eurasian rock pipit, respectively.
  5. Next, travel northwards to see the lagoon's drainage canal (5). common ringed plover, sandwich tern and northern wheatear can be seen there.
  6. Continue towards the gate and the area closest to the wetland (6), where there are waders, gulls and snow buntings.
  7. Returning to Noicela, head towards Rebordelos (7) to try to spot brambling and eurasian bullfinch.
  8. Sambide and the reedbed south of the Baldaio wetland (8) are ideal for watching water rail, eurasian curlew and, at times, common shelduck.
  9. Back on the road, the route crosses Lema, Cambre and Arnados. On the way keep watch out for eurasian tree sparrows and, at times, yellowhammers.
  10. After a few kilometres, we reach Razo da Costa and the port of Razo (9) where the route ends with black-throated loons, great northern loons and european shags.

Route on foot or by bike: Castrillón - Outeiro reedbed - Baldaio reedbed - Castrillón

BEST TIME

From autumn to spring

DURATION

2-3 hours on foot and 1-2 hours by bicycle

DIFFICULTY

Low

COUNCILS

Carballo

PATH

Castrillón - Outeiro reedbed - Baldaio reedbed - Castrillón

Key points on the route:

  1. From the centre of Castrillón (1), take the road to the village of Outeiro and, from there, take a trail perpendicular to the beach to the Outeiro reedbed (2) to see the water rail and common reed bunting.
  2. The trail then continues east through the dunes (3). On the way keep watch out for kentish plover and snow bunting. Upon reaching the reedbed adjacent to the Baldaio wetland look for eurasian curlew and zitting cisticola. Waders and Anatidae can be seen in the lagoon (4).
  3. Reach the beginning of the dam (5), without disturbing the birds in the reeds, by searching for previous paths until reaching the access road to the dike and then to Lema. Next, climb up through farm areas to Castrillon (6), while keeping watch for redwing and the occasional brambling.

Route on foot or by bike: Baldaio wetland entry - Pedra do Sal - Baldaio campground and return

BEST TIME

From autumn to spring

DURATION

2-3 hours on foot and 1-2 hours by bicycle

DIFFICULTY

Low

COUNCILS

Carballo

PATH

Baldaio wetland entry - Pedra do Sal - Baldaio campground and return

Key points on the route:

This is a coastal route through a dune area (1) using existing roads. It is a good opportunity to watch the latest larks in the area, in addition to skylarks and, at the right time, northern wheatear. At high tide, A Pedra do Sal (2) is a regular stopping point for waders. Between August and December it is also a crossing point for seabirds such as cory's shearwater, razorbill and murre.

The birds

Baldaio still guards space and food for thousands of water birds: ducks, herons, cormorants, waders, gulls, terns and many passerines. In the right season (September to May) it is as easy as paying attention to the tide (best when it starts to lower) to see eurasian curlews and european whimbrels, grey plovers, black-tailed godwits, dunlins, common redshanks, oystercatchers and common ringed plovers, together with grey herons, egrets, great cormorants, spoonbill and many ducks. It is easy to watch the flight of western marsh and northern harriers through the dunes. Off the beach, great northern loons, northern gannets, balearic shearwaters and cory's shearwater and great skuas are sure to delight bird watchers. The kentish plover is a common nester in this natural space, the jewel of the region of Bergantiños.

Tips and resources
  • Avoid entering the reeds due to the sensitivity of this habitat, except in the area of the gates through which we can enter.

  • In Caión, use of a telescope is recommended for watching the passage of seabirds.

  • In winter, the use of rubber boots to make your way along some of the stretches in the routes is necessary.

Arriba