7-9 Sep - early September must mean Tarifa (1-5) and the raptor migration, and as usual an amazing migration spectacle at the Straits - fairly calm weather with little wind, and Africa (Morocco) clearly visible. In 2 days I saw over a thousand raptors cross the strait, thermalling high in flocks before heading south - a slightly early visit this year meant good numbers of Honey Buzzards (7-10), and I saw over 200 in flocks of up to 30 - very variable in plumage, but identifiable on flight pattern and profile. Among the Booted (15-19) and impressive Short-toed Eagles (11-14), a couple of rarities were picked out by the local watchers - a juvenile Bonelli's Eagle, and, best of all, an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle (20-21), which dwarfed the other birds. An amazing flock of c250 Black Kites materialised out of nowhere, and several small groups of Black Storks (25) also passed amongst the more numerous Whites (26). Several Montagu's Harriers (23-24) circled high overhead. Calling groups of Bee-Eaters (36-37), and Pallid Swifts also passed in groups (34-35), together with a couple of high speed Alpine Swifts.
2 Short sea watches , morning and evening, resulted in over 20 Cory's Shearwaters being logged, and 2 adult Audouin's Gulls (38) were on the beach at Bolonia. Tarifa beach held a few dapper Kentish Plovers (30).
La Janda wetlands (6) produced an amazing count of over 500 Glossy Ibis (28-29), as well as an immature Purple Heron, Black-winged Stilts (27), 4 Snipe and Green Sandpiper. As well as the expected Marsh Harriers (22), 2 Black-shouldered Kites, rare but regular here, were seen hovering. This area is also good for large numbers of passerines, including Stonechats (m31, f32) and Crested Larks (33).
Each autumn visit is different, but this year the highlight was the groups of Honey Buzzards moving through south on their epic journey. Photos JM.
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