Tarifa - Autumn Migration Tour

September  5th  - 12th 2015

Southern Spain is a great place to visit during September because of its unique geographical position which is directly beneath the busiest bird migration fly-way on the planet.

During September southerly raptor migration is at its peak,the weather is beautiful and many summer migrant breeding birds are still present. You will be based at a good quality hotel frequently used by birding groups and chosen because of its close proximity to Tarifa where migrating species pass in their hundreds of thousands.

 

 

As well as thousands of Kites, Honey Buzzards, Eagles, Storks, Harriers, Hawks and Falcons you can still witness huge flocks of Bee-eaters, Swallows, Swifts, Martins and waders. The bushes, woods, heaths and scrubland hold many warblers, flycatchers, shrikes, orioles, finches, wagtails and larks. Red-necked Nightjars are present and can be seen during our night walk

 

 is so mild and very similar to the pleasant English spring days of late April. You can leave the drab, dark days of the English winter behind you and enjoy clear blue skies and fabulous clear light.

Bird watching at this time is very interesting because you get to find out where some of the northern European species spend their winter and you can catch up with quite a few scarce European breeding species.

Reed-fringed coastal lagoons and estuarine salt marshes support a great number of wintering birds with some surprises in store. The Bluethroat, though very elusive, maybe encountered along the scrub line and Penduline Tits may be found feeding in nearby reed-beds. The larger lagoons host Shoveler, Teal, Pintail and Greylag Geese. Along the salt marshes and river banks we may find a whole host of waders such as, Golden and Black-bellied Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Snipe, Little Stint, Greater & Little-ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, Ruff, Redshank, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpiper. Gulls and Terns may also be present with Audouin's and Slender-billed Gull, Sandwich and Caspian Tern a good possibility. Smaller passerines may include, White Wagtails, Zitting Cisticola, Serins, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Bramblings, Siskin and Blackcaps. The lagoons and marshes are patrolled by Peregrine Falcons, Merlin, Marsh and Hen Harriers, Osprey and Kestrels.

Larger inland lagunas hold Greater Flamingo, Purple Swamphen, Red-knobbed Coot, White-headed Duck and occasionally Marbled Duck. Common Crane, Glossy Ibis, Great Egret and large flocks of Calandra Lark. Little Bustard and White Stork may be found in other areas not too far away from our base.

A day in the mountainous region near Ronda should add the likes of Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Cirl Bunting, Red-billed Chough, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli's and possibly Golden Eagle. The Hoopoe sometimes over-winters along with small numbers of Barn Swallow, House Martin, and Water Pipit.

On a winter bird-watching break such as this you may see up to 150 different birds including some prized species.

What is included in our 7 day Andalucian tour?

• Airport transfer.
• Seven night's accommodation with breakfast, home cooked evening meal and wine.
• Six full days of guided birding and some birding on arrival and departure days.
• The guiding services and all land transportation.
• Picnic lunches and drinks on each day tour.
• A "tick-list" of seasonal birds of the region.

What is not included?

• Air fares.
• Personal holiday insurance.
• All items of a personal nature, i.e. Drinks and telephone calls.

Latest Trip Reports

• TARIFA - AUTUMN MIGRATION TOUR - SEPT 2015 : Friday, September 4, 2015 - Friday, September 11, 2015

  Migration watching at Tarifa is extremely weather dependent, this year it was an unusually hot summer with little in the way of strong autumnal winds and subsequently migrant raptors passed over very early and very high up. Apa...

  View Report