Cazalla - Tarifa - Migration Watchpoint

Cadiz Province > Spain

A key raptor watchpoint on the Strait of Gibraltar. 35-40 million birds migrate over this point every year.

Added* by John Cantelo
Most recent update 19 January 2023

Description

It has been estimated that 35-40 million birds migrate over the straits every year. Daily totals vary enormously depending on both local and more distant factors but can be staggering exceptionally involving 10,000+ White Stork and more than twice as many Black Kite and European Honey-buzzard! In easterly winds this is the go to site to witness the mass migration of raptors and storks. In spring the main raptor passage extends from February to early May whilst Autumn passage mainly runs from late August until October although raptors may still be present outside this period. Larger numbers pass through in autumn when exceptional numbers generally follow a period of adverse conditions locally or further north in Spain. Each species has its own period of migration which for the most frequent species this can be sumarised as follows

White Stork – Spring Feb-April (peaks early March): Autumn July – Sept (peak late August) Black Stork – Spring Feb-April (peak late March): Autumn Sept-Oct (p eak late Sept) European Honey-buzzard: Spring Late April – May (peak Early May); Autumn August-Sept (peak Early Sept) Black Kite: Spring Feb - April (peak March); Autumn July – Sept (peak early August) Egyptian Vulture : Spring Feb – May (peak late March); Autumn Aug – Sept (peak early Sept) Griffon Vulture : Spring Feb – June (peak early May); Autumn – Sept – Oct (peak early Nov) Short-toed Snake Eagle : Spring Feb – May (peak early March); Autumn – Sept – Oct (peak late Sept) Booted Eagle : Spring March – May (peak late March); Autumn – Sept – Oct (peak late Sept) Montagu's Harrier : Spring April- May (peak early April); Autumn – Aug – Sept (peak late August).

Less frequent but regular species, include rare and scarce birds such as Atlas Long-legged Buzzard, Rüppell's Griffon, Lanner Falcon and Eleonora's Falcon.

Details

Access

Access is only posssible when arriving from the direction of Algeciras. Those driving from Tarifa will need to continue for several kilometers towards Algeciras before finding a safe place to reverse direction.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Hilly , Open landscape

Circular trail

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

Spring , Autumn

Best time to visit

Spring migration , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Wheelchair

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

Bring a folding chair and plenty of water. At peak times parking can be difficult. Best times for mass migration of birds tends to be from c10.00 - 12.00 and again in mid/late afternoon.