Main Tour

Day-by-Day Itinerary

The Strait of Gibraltar is a mere 9 miles across at its narrowest point. This crossing, however, can be quite challenging, or even lethal to raptors and other birds migrating through the area. As it turns out, strong easterly winds, locally known as levante, can potentially blow birds out into the Atlantic, which many drown as a result of this. On the other hand, strong westerly winds, poniente, have a similar effect but birds end up in the Mediterranean. Under normal conditions, winds can blow steadily for a few days in a row, which usually result in a rather poor migratory flights. But once winds stop, or diminish in intensity, the conditions emerge for a big push across the Strait, and thousands, or even tens of thousands of raptors and other birds can be observed in a single, or a few days. Therefore, the flight path of migrating birds can shift from day to day. To account for this, we will rely on constant contact with official counters and other birders in the area to adjust our daily strategy to make the best of our time in the Strait.

The following itinerary is to give you an idea of the alternative sites we will visit, rather than laying out a rigid plan. We will adapt to prevailing wind and weather conditions, and the resulting flight behavior of the migrating hawks, and will rely on local knowledge and constant communication with official migration counters to maximize our chances of a great Strait of Gibraltar experience.

Day 1

11 March

Arrival in Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport (IATA code AGP) and transfer to the Hotel Plaza del Castillo. Around 3 pm, we will visit the Guadalhorce River Mouth Nature Reserve, as an introduction to the Mediterranean avifauna. We can expect Greater Flamingo, White-headed Duck, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover, Whiskered Tern, European Bee-eater, Iberian Yellow Wagtail, Spotless Starling, Crested Lark, Red-rumped Swallow, Sardinian Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti´s Warbler, Serin, the exotic Ring-necked Parakeet, and the first Booted Eagles of the trip! 6.00 pm, get back to our hotel and relax. 7.00 pm, join afternoon arrivals at dinner. Overnight at the Hotel Plaza del Castillo.

Day 2

12 March

7.30 am, breakfast. 8.30 am, check-out. This morning we will drive to Tarifa, our base to explore the birds of the Strait of Gibraltar and its cultural riches for the next few days. We expect to arrive there in 2-3 hs depending on traffic. The sight of the Rock of Gibraltar will announce our imminent arrival in the area. We will head directly to some of the best raptor migration observatories upon arrival, eat a picnic lunch there, and enjoy the flight. Short-toed Snake Eagle, and Booted Eagle, Black Kite, Marsh, and Montagu’s Harriers, Egyptian Vulture (EN), and Eurasian Sparrowhawk, are to be expected. In the afternoon, we will visit the El Estrecho Natural Park. Here we will look for Audouin’s and Mediterranean Gulls, Kentish Plovers and Terns. Indeed, this is probably the most reliable site to find Lesser-crested Terns on migration from the Mediterranean population breeding in Libya. The surrounding pastures are excellent for an array of passerines including Zitting Cisticola, Tawny Pipit, large flocks of Corn Buntings and the Iberian race of the Yellow Wagtail. 6.00 pm, check-in at the Meson de Sancho. 8.00 pm, dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the Meson de Sancho.

Day 3

13 March

7.30 am, breakfast. This morning we will visit the hawk-watch in Punta Camorro. This place is one of the best raptor migration lookouts in the Strait of Gibraltar. Then, we will spend some time observing raptor migration from a nearby coastal hawkwatch, with good chances to observe seabirds including Cory´s and Balearic Shearwaters too. Lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit the Bolonia and Sierra de La Plata area, within El Estrecho Natural Park, which offers one of the most beautiful scenic views of the Strait of Gibraltar. From there you’ll see the African coast, sand dunes, cliffs and the ancient Roman city of Baelo Claudia—a real highlight. Cliffs in this area hold a large Griffon Vulture colony, and nesting sites of the endangered Egyptian Vulture (EN). Vagrant in southern Spain, and typically an African raptor, the critically endangered Ruppell’s Griffon (CR) is regularly seen here too. Griffon Vultures will be fully engaged in chick-rearing and will offer spectacular views. This is also an excellent place to observe the Blue Rock Trush, Cirl Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear and Thekla Lark. Depending on wind direction, Bolonia area can be an excellent raptor migration spot. 6.30 pm, back at the hotel to relax. 8.00 pm, dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at the Meson de Sancho.

Day 4

14 March

7.30 am, breakfast at the hotel. Today we will explore La Janda and its surroundings, north of Tarifa, looking for some of the most interesting species in the region. Our first stop will be in agricultural lands where Montagu’s Harriers breed. Then, we will drive through one of the best preserved coastal areas in Spain, to the Barbate Marshes. Here, noisy flocks of Collared Pratincoles are very showy and Stone-Curlews hide in the islets of the former salt plants. Black-winged Stilt, Pied Avocet, Common Redshank and Greater Flamingo occur here as well. The next stop will take us to the striking Northern Bald Ibis breeding colony. After a successful reintroduction project, this critically endangered species is breeding again in the Strait of Gibraltar, holding over 22 pairs and 90 individuals in 2017. This is a unique chance to observe and photograph one of the rarest bird species on Earth. Lunch. We will devote the afternoon explore La Janda. This former lagoon, now turned into agricultural land, combines large communities of passerines, waterbirds, and raptors! Marsh Harrier, Black-winged Kite, Black Kite, Booted Eagle and Short-toed Snake Eagle forage here. Moreover, this is one of the best places in Spain to observe the rare Bonelli’s Eagle, and the near-endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle (VU). Hundreds of Cattle Egrets hang their nests in the riparian vegetation where a few Glossy Ibises breed as well. Purple Swamphen and Great Reed Warbler can be observed in the reedbeds. Calandra Larks are abundant in the fields and Little Owls are often active in daytime. With a bit of luck, we will have the chance to observe an Eagle Owl at its day roost. 6.30 pm, back at the hotel to relax. 8.00 pm, dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at the Meson de Sancho.

Day 5

15 March

Today we will focus on the Spanish Imperial Eagle (VU). Endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, the Spanish Imperial Eagle is one of the most emblematic birds in Europe. Nearly extinct in the 1960s, its population is currently recovering thanks to conservation efforts. We will explore different breeding territories and foraging areas in search of adult and immature birds. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn more on the ecology and management of this iconic species. We will also visit Los Alcornocales Natural Park, often regarded the Mediterranean Jungle. This is the largest Cork Oak Forest in the continent and an excellent site to look for forest species, including Iberian Chiffchaff, Firecrest, and the elusive Northern Goshawk. The bark of the oaks is harvested in a traditional fashion to make wine cork. Dinner and overnight at the Meson de Sancho.

Day 6

16 March

Today we will depart early from the Hotel, as we will visit the Outskirts of Doñana National Park in Cádiz (1:45 hours’ drive from Tarifa), East of Guadalquivir River. This is one of the least visited and most rewarding birding areas in Doñana. A mosaic of fish farming and salt work facilities, along with lagoons, vineyards and pastures, creates a diverse wetland. Large numbers of flamingos, waders (ca. 20 species), egrets and herons will be present in the area, along with Slender-billed Gulls, Little and Caspian Terns and Purple Swamphens. Lesser Short-toed Larks are easily spotted here as well. Our main targets will be the White-headed Duck and the Marbled Teal, which often provide good views in the pools. Despite being away from the Strait, we will have many chances to observe migrating raptors in this region, including Osprey. In the afternoon, and before heading back to Tarifa, we will visit the the only breeding colony of Little Swifts in Europe. Dinner and overnight in Meson de Sancho.

Day 7

17 March

7.30 am, breakfast. Then head out  for another exciting day of raptor migration watching in the Strait. We will follow local advise depending on wind direction and intensity and will hit the hawk-watches with best chance of offering a good flight. The focus will be on completing our raptor list and enjoying the migration. Picnic lunch at a hawkwatch. Afternoon trip to Algerciras (25 min drive) to get tested for Covid-19, if this requirement for boarding return flights is still in place at the time the tour is conducted. 6.30 pm, back at the hotel and relax. 8.00 pm, dinner. Overnight at the Meson de Sancho.

Day 8

18 March

7.30 am, breakfast and check-out. Today we will head inland, to the mountains of Cádiz and Málaga provinces, a radically different landscape. The limestone environments offer beautiful scenery where we will have the chance to observe Black Wheatears and Rock Sparrows. Griffon Vultures are widespread here, and we will have the chance to observe both Bonelli’s, and Golden Eagles. We will drive through several Pueblos Blancos (white villages), which are typical in this region of Spain. We will overnight in Ronda, one of the most charming historical cities of the country, and considered to be home of modern bullfighting. This is also the home of the Spanish Ibex. The city is on a mountain range approximately 750 m a. s. l., where Crag Martin, Alpine Swift and Red-billed Chough are widespread. Peregrine Falcons of the Mediterranean brookei subspecies breed here. Check in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel Hotel Maestranza.

Day 9

19 March

7.30 am, breakfast and check-out. Drive to Cazorlas. We will visit El Chorro lookout, an emblematic area located in the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas which holds a pair of Peregrine Falcons and where we will have our first chance to spot the Bearded Vulture. This impressive raptor was reintroduced in this area and is now breeding in some cliffs of the nature reserve. At the end of the day, we will head to Burunchel, where we will eat dinner and spend the night in the charming Hotel Curro de la Sierra de Cazorla. Night in Burunchel. 

Day 10

20 March

Today we’ll visit Sierra Cazorla Natural Park, Segura and Las Villas looking for raptors with a special emphasis on the Bearded Vulture. Other raptorial highlights today may include Golden Eagle, Goshawk, and Peregrine Falcon. Other non-raptor species possible in the nature reserve are Red-billed Chough, Crested Tit and Short-toed Treecreeper, among others. Dinner and overnight in our hotel in Burunchel.

Day 11

21 March

After breakfast and some easy birding around our hotel, we will head south to find the nature reserve of the Fuente de Piedra lagoon. It's an emblematic site where we will look for Black-winged Kite, Western Marsh Harrier, and Lesser Kestrels. The lagoon also holds the largest breeding population of Greater Flamingo of the Iberian Peninsula. We will spend the last night in the charming Hotel Los Dolmenes de Antequera.

Day 12

22 March 

In the morning we’ll visit the El Torcal de Antequera where limestone outcrops are inhabited by some remarkable wildlife, including the Spanish Ibex. We will also look for the Black Wheatear, and we will have another chance to look for the regional subspecies of Golden Eagle. Then we will go to Málaga Airport where we will end the trip.