Stork And Raptor Migration Across The Strait Of Gibraltar
In March John Butler told us about the spring migration. Now he deals with the autumn migration.
In late July the southward migration begins and usually lasts through to October / November, but without doubt the optimum time for bird of prey movement is during late August and September. The birds are returning to their wintering sites and amongst them will be the young birds, which having been raised during the breeding season, are on their first migration. These young birds will remember the route and will be able to make the journey back north the following spring.
For people planning to watch the birds during this migration period the choice of sites is so much easier. The vast majority of raptors and storks will leave Europe from a relatively small area around the town of Tarifa.
The prime sites, as far as I am concerned, are La Cazalla and El Trafico, two hillside viewpoints in the Montes de Tarifa, just to the north-east of the town. These positions give you excellent views of the strait, the town, the Moroccan coastline and the mountain flyways used by the birds for their approach. Most of the raptors will converge at these points to start the sea crossing. On previous visits to these sites, I have counted over 500 Booted Eagles and almost 150 Short-toed Eagles in just a few hours, along with varying numbers of Honey Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Lesser Kestrels, Montagu’s Harriers, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Black Kites and both Black and White Storks. Occasionally, in adverse weather conditions, a massive backlog of migrating raptors and storks may be found near these sites as they wait for the wind conditions to improve.
Numerous Spanish and European rarities have been recorded during this period and recent sightings have included Ruppell’s Vultures, Spotted and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Lammergeiers, Long-legged Buzzards, White Pelicans and Eleanora’s, Lanner and Red-footed Falcons.
A network of bird observatories has been created at strategic points throughout this region, some coastal and some inland, which are manned by Sociedad Espanola de Ornitologia (S.E.O.) workers and volunteer recorders during the peak migration periods, and an annual report of these records is produced jointly by the SEO and the Consejeria de Medio Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucia (A.M.A.).
Most of the observatories are a simple, semi-circular, covered construction of concrete and stone with bench seating and a table. Unfortunately they are open on all sides and offer no protection against the strong wind that often affects the area. However, on calmer days they do provide some comfort for your raptor watching.
My favourite site at Cazalla, in the Montes de Tarifa, can be easily reached from the main N-340 highway by turning inland on to a track a few metres before the km. 87 marker. The track leads uphill to a large, white flat-roofed building where you can park and watch the birds.
There is an ornithological centre (Estacion Ornitologia de Tarifa) just on the landward side of the N-340 at km. 78.5 where directions to the other observation points can be obtained. If the centre is open you will also be able to get other useful information about the area from the staff. John Butler
John is one of the foremost authorities on bird watching in Andalucia. He lives in the Doñana and organises bird watching expeditions in that area. To contact John either ring him on 955 755 460 or go to his web site www.donanabirdtours.com.
