Sierras and Strait interim report

Limosa guide Fernando Enrique Navarrete has just returned from the latest successful trip exploring the Strait of Gibraltar and the Ronda mountains and reports:

“This year, the prevailing westerly winds, known locally as Poniente, treated us to several outstanding days of raptor migration. We witnessed hundreds of White Storks, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Honey Buzzards, and Black Kites, along with smaller numbers of Egyptian Vultures, Black Storks and various harriers, just to name a few.

The same conditions also made for excellent seawatching, with strong movements of Balearic and Cory’s Shearwaters and several tern species. A highlight was two Lesser Crested Terns passing close by our boat.

Cetacean encounters were equally memorable, with three different species recorded. Rüppell’s Vultures, an African species regularly but not always easily seen in the area, put on a particularly impressive show.

Other southern specialities spotted by the group included Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Little Swift, White-headed Duck, and Northern Bald Ibis.

Our time in the Ronda mountains flew by, filled with superb sightings such as Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Sparrow, Rock Bunting, Western Subalpine Warbler, and Iberian Chiffchaff.

A truly rewarding journey, and one that reminds us once again why this region is such a world-class destination for birding and nature lovers.”