Birding the Strait
- One of the best migration sites in the world
- Up to 500,000 gliding birds in autumn
- 100% of the passage of the Balearic Shearwater
Algeciras / Tarifa
Spring / Fall
A day of activity
Private groups
Migration in the Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar attracts birdwatchers who seek out this world-famous environment for migration, one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in Europe. Large gliding birds migrate twice a year between Europe and Africa (28 species of raptors and two species of storks) and birds of the marine environment migrate between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea (35 species of seabirds and shorebirds).
Temporality of migration
A phenomenon visible every day of the year, although each species follows a specific timing and order. The pre-nuptial migration, with the birds flying from Africa to us, culminates between February and April. The post-nuptial, with the incorporation of juvenile and greater abundance, culminates between mid-August and November.
The importance of winds
Winds in Tarifa are crucial for the migration of gliding birds that take advantage of the currents to cross efficiently. Strong winds can force the birds to fly low or delay their crossing. We will learn how to position ourselves according to the winds to detect the migration.
Passerines also migrate
This migration is massive, between 30 to 50 million birds per year, but the phenomenon goes largely unnoticed because it occurs mostly at night. Passerines can be observed during the day in sedimentation before resuming their travels.
Seabirds in motion
60,000 Scopoli ‘s Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea). 23,000 Balearic Shearwaters (Puffinus mauretanicus), 100% of the world population passes through the Strait. 30,000 Common Razorbills (Alca torda). 100,000 Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus).
Large gliders in the Strait
Tour variants and options
The day will be organized according to the prevailing winds.
Additional information
Summary
Outline
500,000 gliders
1 Mº seabirds
30-50 Mº passerines
Thousands of cetaceans
Temporality of migration in the Strait of Gibraltar
What is included in the Migration Tour
- Specialized professional guide
- High-end telescopes
- High-end binoculars
- List of potential species
- Door-to-door passenger pickup/destination
- Accident insurance
The “plus”. One of the areas of greatest interest for its biodiversity in the Iberian Peninsula. The magnificent monarch butterflies, an American migratory species established here.
