The island of Morraceira consists of vast expanses of marshes, reed beds, salt pans, fish farms, and rice paddies, covering an area of approximately 600 ha and stretching 7 km in length.
It is a place of enormous ornithological interest, with one of the richest communities of wading birds, which, particularly during periods of migratory passage, frequent the estuary at low tide and take refuge in the salt pans when the tide rises. During the nesting season, diversity is reduced, with the black-winged stilt and the ringed plover standing out. Larger birds can also be observed, such as flamingos (often exceeding a hundred), little egrets, and gray herons.
Flocks of black starlings are sometimes seen in the surrounding area, joined in winter by spotted starlings.
The island of Morraceira is separated by two river branches: the northern branch, which is deeper and more dynamic—a subsystem of the Mondego—and the southern branch—a subsystem of the Pranto, which is less dynamic and silted up.
Around the Mondego estuary, from Vila Verde on the north bank Lavos on the south bank, with the island of Morraceira in between, the river was surrounded by the sinuous geometry of the estuaries and the rigorous grid of plots, veritable salt gardens where marnotos - agricultural sculptors - developed a local technology that made the most of the natural conditions of this estuary.
Salt mining in the Mondego estuary was once a major part of the local economy. In fact, salt production provided a livelihood for 3,000 families, which corresponded to approximately 10,000 people directly dependent on income from this activity. Throughout the history of the nation, salt production in Figueira da Foz has been a benchmark in our country's economy.
Source: CMFF