Five bird species still singing in Portugal this autumn
Although the breeding season ended months ago, several bird species remain vocal across Portugal this autumn, according to ornithologist Magnus Robb. These include the pied flycatcher, migrating from as far as Finland or Siberia, the wren, the tawny owl, now louder as juveniles compete for territory, the European robin, which sings year-round including birds arriving from northern Europe, and the common sandpiper, heard mostly at night during migration. Each species produces a different, recognisable call, offering a chance to notice them while out and about.
LPN training explores karst heritage of Serras de Aire e Candeeiros
On 26 September, LPN's training centre ran a one-day course on the karst and ethnobotanical heritage of the Maciço Calcário Estremenho. Participants visited the Almonda spring, linked to archaeological finds including the roughly 400,000-year-old Aroeira 3 skull, the Pincha de Minde sediment deposit, the Alviela springs and its Carsoscópio science centre, and walked the Ribeira dos Amiais trail. The programme connected geology, water circulation, biodiversity and traditional plant uses, and was supported by the Alviela Ciência Viva centre, ICNF and EPAL, aiming to give teachers tools for environmental education.
Vieira do Minho revives historic Santiago pilgrim route
Vieira do Minho council has presented a revised and updated second edition of a book documenting an old variant route connecting to the Caminhos de Santiago, linking it to Braga's historic ties with pilgrimages and Portuguese queens. The book, written by Alberto Francisco Gonçalves Vilela and Luís Miguel Sampaio, maps a centuries-old path through the Caminho de Torres and the Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros. Council president Filipe Oliveira said the municipality wants to recover this heritage route and turn it into a resource for the area's future.
Portugal's slow bread revival brings back ancient grains and sourdough
This opinion piece traces the revival of traditional Portuguese bread, contrasting industrial loaves with the renewed interest in slow fermentation and sourdough. It describes how Portugal's bread varies by region, from maize and rye broa in the north to wheat loaves in the Beiras and dense Alentejo bread. A new generation of bakers, researchers and artisans, described as "archaeologists of bread", are reviving native seeds such as trigo-barbela, spelt and Khorasan wheat, reanimating communal ovens and stone mills, and supplying both urban artisan bakeries and, increasingly, more affordable sourdough options in supermarkets.
Alentejo pine nut moves towards EU protected status
The Forest Producers Association of Alentejo Litoral (ANSUB), affiliated with UNAC, is preparing a certification process to seek Protected Geographical Indication status for the pine nut known as "Pinhão de Alcácer". The designation would cover sandy soils across the Tagus and Sado river basins, an area extending beyond the municipality of Alcácer do Sal. The initiative also involves setting up a Pine Nut Producers' Group and defining the product's characteristics, production methods and traceability criteria, aiming to boost recognition and profitability for forest producers.
Madeira Nature Festival opens with €221,000 investment across eight councils
Madeira's Nature Festival runs from this Tuesday until 11 October, backed by a €221,000 investment from the Regional Government, tourism secretary Eduardo Jesus announced. Activities span land, air and water across eight of the region's eleven councils, including Funchal, Porto Santo and Porto Moniz. New additions include yoga, interactive geosite trails, Tibetan sound bowl therapy and circus performances, alongside the Whale Festival and the Echoo Madeira Nature Fest at Chão das Feiteiras. Hotel occupancy for the period stands at around 91%, similar to last year.
