Birdwatching and birding by ear : An accessible and inclusive tourism proposal for the city of Lagos

Abstract

Accessible tourism goes beyond the physical dimension, associating services with sensory experiences, considering the specificities of people with disabilities. Birdwatching and birding by ear can be a good example of an activity that links visiting new places with outdoor activities. It can bring positive outcomes to the visitors through the benefits of being outside and connecting with nature, consequently, with ecosystem services; moreover, it can be an inclusive and accessible activity. Urban areas are increasing all over the world. In a sustainable context, green and blue infrastructures have received increasing attention in urban strategies. They create new habitats, contributing to urban biodiversity and, at the same time, providing many ecosystem services that guaranty well-being for the communities. The main goal of this study was to inventory and characterize the bird community in the urban area of Lagos, a touristic city in the South of Portugal. Birdwatching and birding by ear in the city could have the potential for an inclusive and accessible touristic activity. Three different sites along the city were sampled and a total of 35 species were sighted and identified. Some of these species could be identified through specific websites which describe the bird and give the respective bird singing sound. Most species identified were migratory, which increases the potential to sight different species through the year. The three sites' location has high potential to be integrated into accessible walking routes or tours, which increases the relevance of this study.