Ponds of Pedro Miguel
"Why do you never recommend Pedro Miguel's ponds to visit?"
A Pico customer asked me this question one day.
A really good question!
It is a beautiful place in Faial to visit, but it goes unnoticed by most tourists, perhaps it is little publicized, or perhaps because it is difficult to explain the access ...
Pedro Miguel ponds are located, as the name suggests, in Pedro Miguel parish, 360 meters above sea level, in the southern foothills of Lomba Grande, in an area classified as a Protected Area for the Management of Habitats or Species.
A pond is a wetland area, whose water level varies throughout the year, with the seasons and climatic conditions. This type of habitat provides life support for several species of birds. Wintering or nesting, this place is one of the most important areas on the island of Faial for shelter and food for several species of birds.
According to censuses carried out by Nature Watchers, more than 30 species have been sighted in this area.
Until 2012, this area was used for cattle herding and was a degraded area with little interest for tourist use. Thus, in 2012, the PNF, through the Regional Government, acquired the pools of Pedro Miguel and recognized its importance, not only for the conservation of birds but also for its high educational, scientific and playful potential.
In this way, an environmental requalification project was developed, which involved the removal of invasive species and the planting of about 5000 plants of typical medium altitude species.
A shelter for bird watching was also built, an activity with a high potential for tourism, between October and February, a season considered low, from the tourist point of view. In this project, it is worth highlighting the concern shown by the local populations, having involved them in the recovery of this area through volunteering and having allowed the rediscovery of a forgotten area.
Bibliography: Melo – João, M.B. (2015). Relatório Integrador da Atividade Profissional para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Florestal e dos Recursos Naturais. Instituto Superior de Agronomia – Universidade de Lisboa.
More information about de subject: Charcos de Pedro Miguel | Aves dos Açores (wordpress.com)
http://siaram.azores.gov.pt/centros-interpretacao/JardimBotanico-Faial/Polo-PedroMiguel/_intro.html