Gibraltar, and raptors........

5-7 Sept - Exceptional times this year during the covid epidemic, and my first trip abroad since Sweden in Feb. Gibraltar being one of the few destinations open to visiting without quarantine. I've been here a few times before in early September, and the raptor passage is awesome in the right conditions - the movement and numbers of birds always dependent on wind strength and direction. This year no exception despite a slow start. Large numbers of Honey Buzzards cross the straits to Morocco in early Sept, low early morning then high later in the day after the thermals build up. A mixture of adults and juveniles, with the adult males having distinctive white underparts and grey heads,the browner females, and a variety of juvenile plumages - all with the distinctive pigeon like head, languid wingbeats and barred tail. Good numbers of Short-toes Eagles and Booted Eagles, with many Black Kites, and a supporting cast of Egyptian Vultues and Marsh Harriers. Parties of Bee-Eaters also passed over, their liquid contact calls drawing attention to them even when very high. Finally, a boat trip in the bay gave good views of Cory's Shearwaters, as well as dolphins....... a great trip as usual.