Strait of Gibraltar Birding Day trip

between two continents

In the southern corner of Spain is located the Strait of Gibraltar. It is the natural bridge between Europe and Africa, only 14 km away.

Every year, thousands of birds fly over the strait during their migrations between Spain and Morocco, and many of them stop over to feed and rest. The strait is also an obligatory gateway for many sea birds during their migrations between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

We can find a great diversity of habitats, which further increases the diversity of birds in the area. Cork oak forests, scrubland, dune beaches, wetlands…Of special interest is the former Laguna de la Janda (La Janda Lagoon), in the past one of the biggest wetlands in Spain.

The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the best worldwide points to observe migrating raptors and other soaring birds. In one day you can observe how it is overflown by hundreds or thousands of White Storks, Black Kites, Griffon Vultures, European Honey Buzzards, Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles, Egyptian Vultures… You will simply love this place. Furthermore it is an excellent place to observe sea birds, like the Balearic Shearwater, and migrant passerines.

In la Janda, apart from the diversity of wetland birds, it is possible to observe the Spanish and Bonelli’s Eagles. In winter time even Lesser Spotted and Greater Spotted Eagles and Pallid Harrier may be present.

In our journey we can also visit the only unique European colony of Northern Bald Ibis, one of the most threatened species all over the world, who currently only lives in Morocco and Andalusia.

Some other species originally from Africa, (and arrived a while ago in recent colonization) such as Ruppel’s Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard and Common Bulbul can be spotted here.

Visit one of the best raptor migration spots at a worldwide level.
Possibility to see very rare and localised bird species in Europe.
Good seawatching opportunities.

Between Tarifa and Algeciras there are numerous bird migration observatories. We will visit the most productive observatories (which varies with wind direction and intensity).

Depending on the time available and your targets we can also visit La Janda and other areas such as Barbate Marshes, Los Lances Beach, Sierra de la Plata

Blog: Migration of soaring birds in the Strait of Gibraltar

You can also join one of our birding holidays to the Strait or arrange a private trip of several days. Ask us.

northern doñana - copy

Most wanted birds

RESIDENTS
Northern Bald Ibis
Northern Bald Ibis
spanish imperial eagle andalusian birds
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Rüppell's Griffon Vulture
Rüppell's Griffon Vulture
Balearic Shearwater
Balearic Shearwater
Audouin's Gull
Audouin's Gull
Common Bulbul
Common Bulbul

+

SUMMER
Red-necked Nightjar
Red-necked Nightjar
White-rumped Swift
White-rumped Swift
Bonelli's Warbler
Bonelli's Warbler
Iberian Chiffchaff
Iberian Chiffchaff
Western Orphean Warbler
Western Orphean Warbler
Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin
Rufous-tailed Scrub-Robin

+

WINTER
Great Bittern
Great Bittern
Pallid Harrier
Pallid Harrier
Red Kite
Red Kite
Osprey
Osprey
common crane andalusian birds
Common Crane
black stork andalusian birds
Black Stork

+

MIGRATION
Ortolan Bunting
Ortolan Bunting
european roller andalusian birds
European Roller
western orphean warbler andalusian birds
Western Orphean Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
Subalpine Warbler
Rufous-tailed Rock-Trush
Rufous-tailed Rock-Trush
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Great Spotted Cuckoo

+

Yelkouan Shearwater
Slender-billed Gull
Garganey
Gull-billed Tern
Black Tern
Lesser Crested Tern

Red-crested Pochard
Golden Eagle
Southern Grey Shrike
Eurasian Black Vulture
Lesser Spotted Eagle
Greater Spotted Eagle

Egyptian Vulture
Purple Heron
Collared Pratincole
Pallid Swift
European Scops Owl
European Bee-eater
Woodchat Shrike
Greater Short-toed Lark
Red-rumped Swallow
Black-eared Wheatear
Western Olivaceous Warbler
Spectacled Warbler

Squacco Heron
Black-shouldered Kite
Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Booted Eagle
Bonelli’s Eagle
Lesser Kestrel
Little Bustard
Little Swift
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Iberian Green Woodpecker
Calandra Lark
Thekla Lark
Blue Rock Thrush
Spotless Starling
Spanish Sparrow
Rock Bunting

 

   MAIN HABITATS

Scrubland       Rice fields       Sea

 

   TOP BIRDS

Northern Bald Ibis, Rüppel’s Vulture, Balearic Shearwater

 

   LOCATION

150 km from Seville (1 h 40 min) 

 

   DURATION

From Seville: ≈ 12 hours.
From Tarifa: ≈ 8 hours.

 

   AVAILABILITY

Recomendable February-May and July-October.

   Pick up service in Seville or close to destination point, (Tarifa-Algecira area), free of charge. For long distance pick up a supplement fee will be applied.

   Local guide fluent in English.

   Paper checklists of the birds to observe.

   Free access to identification guides and quality optical materials.

   All taxes.

   Doñana Wings is included in the Tourism Registry of the Andalusian Government as an Active Tourism company (AT/SE/00129) and holds a Liability Insurance (82168675) and Accidents Insurance (82164529) with AXA SEGUROS Company.

    Meals and drinks.

    Accomodation.

If you have to cancel the tour due to reasons related to COVID-19 (impediments to travel, infection…) you will be reimbursed 100% of your booking, no matter when you cancel. In other cases:

– Cancellations at least 7 days before the tour: 100% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellation due meteorological conditions: 100% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellations from 7 days before the tour until 2 days before the tour: 50% of the amount will be refunded.

– Cancellations less than 48 hours before the tour or “No show”: 0% of the amount will be refunded.

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