With 379.57 ha Litoral de Vila do Conde e Reserva Ornitológica do Mindelo Regional Protected Landscape covers the seashore (“litoral”) area of Vila do Conde council between Ave, River mouth, to the north, and Onda River mouth, to the south. This is also the only preserved litoral area between Barrinha de Esmoriz and Esposende seashore (Litoral Norte Nature Park).

The habitat mosaic includes coastal sand dunes, rocks, wetlands, bushlands and crop fields. Flora includes several Portuguese endemic species, with highlight Coincya johnstoniii and Jasione maritima in coastal sand dunes.

In terms of fauna there are 81 bird species, 57 of which have a conservation status. The most relevant areas for birds are the Ave River estuary and the beach and marsh zone nearby, the IC1 road bridge and the original area of Mindelo Ornithological Reserve. This protected area is also an important refuge for amphibians as 14 of the 17 species present in Portugal exist here.

Mindelo Ornithological Reserve (Reserva Ornitológica do Mindelo) was classified in 1957, being the 1st protected area for birds in Portugal and was then managed by the Zoology Institute of Porto University, where director was Professor Santos Júnior (1901-1990), an important Portuguese ornithologist that have studied this area.