Birding the Strait of Gibraltar: Bald Ibis and much more

Birding the Strait of Gibraltar is a rewarding experience most days of the year. Although both migratory periods are known to provide the most surprising amounts of birds, all winter and late summer also offer an attractive journey in this strategic migratory point. The success rate is heavily influenced by the winds; as a general rule, we must head to the eaternmost part of the Strait in westerlies, and vice versa. I met up with my friends from Norway in the Costa del Sol and headed to the Algarrobo view point very early in the morning. Although a bit cloudy we could see +200 Black Kites and a few Griffon Vultures coming in. We soon checked some other view points and added a few species, always outnumbered by the Black Kites. We visited a Northern Bald Ibis colony nearby, that lead us 7 pairs of these extremely beautiful and mistic birds, very much devoted to love on these days. Then a quick car-based birding session around the marshes of Barbate gave us perfect sights of waders and a Montagu’s Harrier. After a short cultural visit to Tarifa village, the day finished at the Punta del Carnero cliff site, where one by one, we welcomed 19 Short-toed Snake Eagles in just a few minutes. Although this site widely provides for at least 2-3 full days of birding, we enjoyed an intensive great journey of spring migration. Birding the Strait of Gibraltar is highly recommended to anyone visiting the South of Spain. Here’s an excellent view of the Northern Africa’s mountain range as seen from the Strait:

birdwatch strait of gibraltar