9-11 Sept - A brief visit to Tarifa for the autumn migration of raptors across the Straits of Gibraltar, to link up with a British tour group. Overall, 544 birds of prey, of 13 different species, seen in 2 days, the majority being Booted Eagles (172), Black Kites (107), Short-toed Eagles (32) and Honey Buzzards (62). Very windy on the 10th with a gale force easterly wind which curtailed the migration, but still some excellent sightings, the highlights being high numbers of juvenile Montagu's Harriers, a flock of 80 Black Kites early morning on 11th, 25 Egyptian Vultures descending to roost late afternoon on 10th, and large flocks of Bee-Eaters migrating south totalling over 320 birds. Compared with previous years, I was surprised not to see more Honey Buzzards as I was earlier in September, and I didn't see any flocks of Storks moving. Despite disturbance, several smart Audouin's Gulls were on the beach at Tarifa. Red-rumped Swallow and Alpine Swift also seen.
Photos - 3-5 Short-toed Eagle; 6 Booted Eagle (taken in 2009); 7 Honey Buzzard (Surfbirds); 8-9 Marsh Harrier; 10-12 Montagu's Harrier; 13-14 Red-rumped Swallow; 15-16 Audouin's Gull. All except 7 taken by JM.
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