RIVER RELIANCE
I
am lucky to live on the bank of the Ribeira de Odelouca, upstream from the Barragem de Odelouca which is a huge water resource for the Algarve region. However, here we are in February and the river is still dry.
Usually, the autumn rains kickstart the river in October or November and, even though we had some autumn/winter rains, the river remains dry except for pools in the deeper sections of the riverbed.
This may cause a problem for humans with both drinking water and agriculture supplies but, of course, there are many species of wildlife reliant on the river. As we head into spring, I sit here constantly checking the forecast for persistent rain which may give life to the river.
A similar situation occurred in 2017/18 when no rain during the autumn fell leaving the river dry until February 28 when it seemed to rain for six weeks. The rainfall was so heavy and persistent that the river changed from dry to flood overnight.
The wildlife flourished in 2018 so the late start of the river did not seem to impact and, hopefully, we will receive the downpours we require in the coming weeks.
Here is a selection of some of the local wildlife that rely on the river running. Wildlife is very resilient and resourceful when it comes to food and, therefore, I suspect currently there are no real concerns. The wildlife also has the option to search out the smaller private ‘barragens’ (reservoirs) for a food source whilst the river remains dry.
Common king isher
No river, no fish, no food for the kingfisher. It’s a simple as this. The Ribeira de Odelouca has a thriving common kingfisher population along the northern stretch, upstream of the barragem and you can often see and hear kingfishers.
When food sources become scarce, kingfishers will head further downstream in search of a food supply. I have even witnessed a kingfisher at a garden pond in Vale do Lobo in the winter months. Not only am I lucky to have the kingfishers on the stretch of the river I live on, but also they nest on my land too.
Thankfully, the river pools must be providing some food resources as I spotted one this morning at one of the pools. When looking for kingfishers along the riverbanks, you’ll often hear their high-pitched call before spotting a flash of blue as it flies low over the water.
Please be aware of your surroundings when spotting kingfishers as their nest sites are very vulnerable to