Bird Watching

 

Remember that birds arriving in spring and travelling north arrive on lower levels. The groups are not as big either. The ones that travel south in autumn, starting here in August, are concentrated in the mountains behind and the surroundings. Before leaving, they circle and concentrate up to 200 birds (of prey) and off they go. The difficulty for raptors and birds with a big wingspan, such as storks and herons, is that they rely fully on thermal conditions. While this is missing above sea it is the reason why they gather here were the distance to the other continent is only 16km. Often they stay for a while to forage and save energy before going south. The arriving birds in autumn are often exhausted and have to rest for a few days in the mountains behind Ojen

Raptor

Watching migration of small birds is more difficult, as they migrate in small flocks from area to area before they make the passage. They also do not rely on thermic conditions, which makes their passage easier. Especially after storms, many small birds are forced to shelter in the bushes along the coast. Bushes full of different warblers can be found and Punta Secreta.

The most visible birds on migration are the Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Honey buzzard and Buzzard, Bee-eater, Storks

Honey buzzard

Hundreds a day are normal in passage periods and it is nice to know that a colony of Griffon vultures is always present. The possibility of close views of them makes this area attractive.

Booted EagleStork