bird migration / Cadix tour

Meeting at Sevilla international airport. We will visit two important wetlands where waders and waterfowl thrive. Water levels are highly dependent of waterfall and very variable between years. First stop at a freshwater marsh, the former branch of the Guadalquivir River “Brazo del Este” in Doñana, surrounded by harvested rice paddles. We will then pass through a landscape of farmland range. Second stop in the Bay of Cadiz, nearby the Atlantic Ocean, to explore well preserved coastal pine woods and saltmarshes. The migration of Red-Veined Darter is not unlikely in autumn near the coast. Accommodation near Vejer de la Frontera for two nights.

We will start the day searching for the resident Bald Ibis, a species of incredible aspect, which spend its times between inland cliffs, beaches and grazed field. The area hosts an array of beautiful habitats, the last unspoiled Andalusian coastline, Mediterranean woodlands and matorrals, cattle meadows and “La Janda”, a considerable lagoon which was turned in the 1960’ into a mix of arable land, rice paddle and canals: a stopover for many birds on migration, both waterfowl and raptors. Spanish Imperial Eagle has been reintroduced there recently. This is also the best area in Europe to search for a butterfly, Zeller’s skipper at fall.

The Strait of Gibraltar is the west-southern tip of Europe and a funnel for migrating birds which spend the winter in Africa. It is widely celebrated for being the major migrating route of various raptors and storks in the Palearctic. We will look during the day at the best migration watchpoints to be testimony of one of the most spectacular natural events in Europe. Migration and day planning are very dependent of wind condition and therefore variable. On the invertebrate side, migrants such as Painted Lady or Red Admiral are also on their way to the southern limit of their range. The countryside is usually very dry at this time of the year and we will find relief under the shade of a “canuto”, a dense gallery woodland along short streams of Andalusia, and a perfect habitat for the giant African Grasshopper. We will stay two nights near Tarifa.

The Strait of Gibraltar divide the Atlantic Ocean from the Mediterranean Sea, a narrow passage which is compulsory to cross for migrating marine fauna such as pelagic birds, tuna fishes, cetaceans (Sperm and Fin whales) … and merchant navy. It is a traffic hotspot for supertankers and whale watching (possibly the best spot in the Iberian Peninsula). We will enjoy a boat trip to look at sea birds and dolphins (5 resident species including the Killer whale), then spend some time at “Los Lances” beach where seabirds and waders will be on passage, and hike along the coastline.

We will travel from Tarifa and stop at various watchpoints to enjoy the views, the landscapes and the on-going migration (!). Africa is only 14 km away. Nevertheless, we will explore a land of Moorish occupation for seven centuries. Los Alcornocales is a large Cork Oak forest which dominate the countryside between the sea and the mountains. We will make a break near Castellar at a colony of Monarch butterflies, a species which colonized the area from America and is not migrating in Europe. The little known, yet fantastic, Genal Valley will offer wonderful views over the region, and with some luck, butterflies displaying the hill topping behaviour. Accommodation for two nights at the white village of Benarrabá.

The Sierra de Grazalema is part of an impressive and complex range of limestone mountains, home to a rich wildlife which was not present at sea level and is protected by a dense network of natural/national parks. We will search birds such as Black Wheatear, Chough and Blue rock thrush, mammals such as Ibex. September is not a very good season for insects in those dry habitats, although Desert Darter is on the wing. Farewell dinner and Moth trapping for nocturnal insects.

Early departure to the airport, with a few stops for quick biodiversity checks (we never know)