THE ROCK
WHALES, DOLPHINS & AUTUMN MIGRATION
5-DAY SHORT BREAK
Naturetrek offers a 5-day short break focusing on the autumn bird migration via 'the Rock' and Tarifa, and the whales and dolphins of the Straits of Gibraltar, departing London 14th September 07.
The Rock of Gibraltar is famous for being the last great outpost of the British Empire, steadfastly guarding the gateways to the Mediterranean and North Africa. This majestic limestone buttress forms a staging post for great numbers of migrating birds - the Straits of Gibraltar are just 16 kilometres wide providing 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. Naturetrek’s tour focuses on Gibraltar and Cadiz Province, spending three nights in the small Spanish town of Tarifa and one night on ‘the Rock’, both ideal bases from which to enjoy the region’s cetaceans and the bird migration. Explorations will include boat trips and gentle wildlife walks. Three species of dolphin — Common, Bottlenose and Striped — are resident in the Straits of Gibraltar and are particularly abundant in September. There are several resident groups of Long-Finned Pilot Whales, with Sperm Whale and Orca also occurring, and skywards, migrant seabirds such as Cory’s and Balearic Shearwater and European Storm Petrel. There are several different wetland habitats, within easy driving distance of Tarifa or Gibraltar, where passage waders, terns and gulls, including regular species which can be scarce elsewhere, such as Audouin’s Gull and Caspian Tern, may be spotted. As well as being a migratory hotspot and the only site in Europe for the famous Barbary Macaque and Barbary Partridge, Gibraltar also offers a number of sites of historical and geological interest. St. Michael’s Cave, an enormous natural limestone ‘cathedral’ is perhaps the most impressive, providing a welcome break from the heat of the day. A morning at Jew’s Gate allows hands-on participation during a ringing of migrant birds caught overnight. This gives naturalists an insight into the rigours of migration for some of these birds, which could include several species of warblers, flycatchers, chats and others. It may also be possible to take part in an evening ringing session, hoping for Red-necked and European Nightjar and Scops Owl, which often make landfall here.
The tour costs £795 p/p including scheduled flights, transfers, hotel accommodation, all meals plus expertly guided boat trips and wildlife walks.
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