Luz de Tavira or just Luz as it appears on some maps, has an impressive church but is known better for being a bottleneck on the notorious N 125. Luz refers to the recently rebuilt Roman lighthouse and that is where to head. When the tidal mud is exposed, this part of the Ria Formosa is a major feeding ground for shorebirds. At high tide, it looks scruffy. The site is found by forking left (signposted Tôrre d'Aires) after leaving Luz de Tavira on the N 125 towards Faro. Follow the narrow road to the lagoon - a continuation of the Canal de Tavira. The creek is popular with Fisherman, bait-diggers and small boat owners but the birds are tolerant of disturbance. The farmland inland adds diversity. The mudflats, the adjoining sapal and Ilha de Tavira beyond can be viewed from the gravelled road. Bar-tailed Godwits particularly like this stretch of the creek. The road continues along the shoreline and where it turns inland an area of long abandoned impoundments can be explored to a point where the open sea opposite Fuzeta is visible. To the west, a small river enters the sea and beyond this is a fish farm. The area attracts an excellent variety of shorebirds, good numbers of gulls, cormorants, flamingos, spoonbills and in winter is good for Bluethroats. The road eventually rejoins the N 125 east of Livramento. Where the road turns inland is Marisqueira Fialho, which provides wonderful fish and seafood at rock bottom prices but go early or book.