Tarifa & Gibraltar: Whales, Dolphins & Autumn Migration

Tour Code: ESP02

A 5-day, short break to observe autumn bird migration from Tarifa and 'the Rock' and the cetaceans of the Straits of Gibraltar.

5 days from
£1,095 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£975
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Strait of Gibraltar is just 14 km wide, providing a host of migrating birds with an ideal point to cross the Mediterranean, while ‘the Rock’ itself acts as a welcome staging post. We’ll arrive during the peak of the autumn migration and make short excursions each day to scan the skies for raptors and other migrating birds by means of gentle walks or sitting in the sun! We’ll also head out to sea on one or more mornings to look for whales and dolphins in the Strait of Gibraltar by boat. We’ll be based for all four nights in the small characterful town of Tarifa, an ideal location from which to view the bird migration.

  • Up to 18 species of raptor, plus a wealth of migrant passerines
  • White-headed Duck & Purple Gallinule
  • Cory’s & Balearic Shearwaters, European Storm-petrel, gulls & terns
  • Common, Bottlenose & Striped Dolphins plus Long-finned Pilot Whale
  • Fin & Sperm Whales plus Orca possible
  • Barbary Macaque & Barbary Partridge

Grading

A standard wildlife tour, including boat trips (weather permitting) and gentle wildlife walks only.

The Rock of Gibraltar is famous to some for being a peculiar English anachronism: a ‘little England’ precariously holding on to its privileged position as a last great outpost of the British Empire, whilst steadfastly guarding the gateways to the Mediterranean and North Africa. For the naturalist, though, it conjures up many other associations. This majestic limestone buttress forms a staging post for great numbers of migrating birds, for the Strait of Gibraltar is just 14 kilometres wide and provides the migrants with an ideal crossing point of the Mediterranean. This is especially true for raptors, and other soaring birds, which make use of the thermals along this rugged coastline to gain height before one of the most perilous sections of their bi-annual migration.

We will arrive, during the peak of the autumn migration, on the southernmost tip of the European continent. Our holiday will comprise a 5-day exploration of both Gibraltar and Cadiz Province, based for four nights in a comfortable eco-lodge just outside the small Spanish town of Tarifa, an ideal base from which to enjoy the region’s cetaceans and the bird migration … with minimum travel and maximum relaxation! All the areas we plan to visit are within an hour’s drive of our accommodation, allowing us time both for gentle walks and to sit in the sun as we scan the skies for the next wave of raptors. Our schedule will be flexible, based on the predicted weather for each day, which is crucial if we are to catch both the peak movements of birds and ensure good sea conditions for our boat trips.

On one or more mornings, weather permitting, we will travel out into the Strait from either Tarifa or Gibraltar to look for cetaceans. Three species of dolphin — Common, Bottlenose and Striped — are resident, and are often particularly abundant in September. There are also several resident groups of Long-finned Pilot Whales in the area. These enchanting animals are usually extremely obliging and unconcerned by the approach of the small motor-vessel we will be using. In addition, other species such as Fin Whale, Sperm Whale and Orca occur in the area, and we are likely to see such migrant seabirds as Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel, as well as other marine wildlife like Ocean Sunfish and sharks. Our boat trips will be two to three hours in duration and will be followed by lunch. There are a number of migration watch-points in the nearby hills which double as handy picnic sites. During September the skies are usually dominated by soaring birds. Movements can include up to 18 species of regular raptors, especially Booted and Short-toed Eagles, with another 10 or so possible, together with Black and White Storks. The views from the hills can be quite superb as raptors wheel around our heads.

After lunch we may continue watching the migration or explore the local area. There are several different wetland habitats within easy driving distance of Tarifa, where we may find passage waders, terns and gulls, including regular species which can be scarce elsewhere, such as Audouin’s Gull and Caspian Tern. If we have time, and our schedule allows, the Bay of Cadiz area is particularly good for a wide variety of species, including such specialities as White-headed Duck and Purple Gallinule, and the coastline is excellent for migrant passerines. We will also explore ‘the Rock’ itself. This is not just a migrant hotspot and the only site in Europe for the famous Barbary Macaque and Barbary Partridge, but also offers a number of sites of historical and geological interest, the most impressive of which is St. Michael’s Cave, an enormous natural limestone ‘cathedral’ in the heart of ‘the Rock’ that provides a welcome break from the heat of the day.

Part of our morning on ‘the Rock’ may be spent at Jew’s Gate participating in a morning’s ringing of the migrant birds that have been caught overnight. This will give us an insight into the rigours of migration for some of these birds, which will probably include several species of warblers, flycatchers, chats and others. If we are really lucky, and the weather is right for grounding migrant birds, we may also be able to take part in an evening ringing session, hoping for Red-necked and European Nightjars and Scops Owls, which often make landfall here.

The beauty of this area at this time of year is that anything can and does happen. A pod of Orcas pops in to check out the local tuna boats, a day of inclement ‘levanter’ winds has migrants bursting out of every bush, a sky that was empty one day is filled with eagles the next or a vagrant Cream-coloured Courser is found on the beach at Tarifa. Whatever happens, we will not be far away when it does!  

DETAILED INFORMATION
Sample Itineraries

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Gibraltar and transfer to Tarifa
Day 2/4
Tarifa
Day 5
Fly London
cloud_downloadDownload Full Itinerary
WHAT'S INCLUDED

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable eco-lodge just outside Tarifa, all rooms with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All food included in the price.

Reviews
Dates and Prices

Dates and Prices

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Wed 9th Sep - Sun 13th Sep SPACES £1,095
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
 £975
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Not available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £95
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
TL Niki Williamson

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the turtle dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is Fair to Nature and benefits wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Andalusia, where she works full time as a wildlife guide, showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar as well as all the other stunning wildlife Spain and North Africa have to offer.

Sun 13th Sep - Thu 17th Sep SPACES £1,095
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
 £975
Room sharing options:
If a customer on this departure has already expressed an interest in sharing a room it will be flagged here. We will identify if there are sharing options for male, female or both.
 Not available
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
 £95
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Niki Williamson
TL Niki Williamson

Tour Leader: Niki Williamson

Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the turtle dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is Fair to Nature and benefits wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Andalusia, where she works full time as a wildlife guide, showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar as well as all the other stunning wildlife Spain and North Africa have to offer.

WHY NATURETREK?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!