A brief trip to Tarifa for the autumn raptor migration, courtesy of Air Miles (1). A fairly strong easterly wind and sunny weather. A steady stream of raptors moving, Booted (7-8) and Short-toed Eagles (9-11) being obvious, and some birds especially Honey Buzzards (12-14) were also moving much higher, only visible through binoculars. Two Black Storks (17) and an Osprey (15) moved through, also a stream of Swallows, with Red-rumped Swallow, Pallid (18-19) and Alpine Swift also being seen along with several flocks of Bee-Eaters. The resident Griffon Vultures were usually in evidence (16).
An evening drive around La Janda (20) produced at least 500 White Storks (21), as well as 6 Marsh Harriers and 3 juvenile Montagu's Harriers (22-23). 4 Glossy Ibis (24) and an immature Spoonbill were seen in flight.
A late evening and early morning visit to Tarifa beach (25) gave views of various waders, including Kentish Plover (28-29), Sanderling (30), Whimbrel, Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit, as well as good views of at least 20 smart Audouin's Gulls (26-27). The adjacent rough fields held a Tawny Pipit and a flock of Yellow Wagtails. A few Cory's Shearwaters were moving offshore early morning in typical lazy looping flight. All in all, a fairly impressive tally of birds for a day and a half! All photos JM.
Honey Buzzard - 91
Booted Eagle - 139
Short-toed Eagle - 33
Black Kite - 5
Osprey - 1
Montagu's Harrier - 3
Marsh Harrier - 5
Sparrowhawk - 6
Lesser Kestrel - 9
Black Stork - 2
White Stork - 500
Glossy Ibis - 7
Spoonbill - 1
Bee-Eater - 78
Alpine Swift - 3
Pallid Swift - 25
Red-rumped Swallow - 3
Audouin's Gull - 20
Cory's Shearwater - 7
Kentish Plover - 31
Bar-tailed Godwit - 2
Whimbrel - 8
Sanderling - 30
Turtle Dove - 5
Tawny Pipit - 1
No comments:
Post a Comment