TARIFA ALBUM
In mid September 2011 we took seven members of the Bradford Ornithological Group to southern Spain, visiting the east side of the Guadalquivir Delta and Tarifa. We had a great time, with masses of migrants streaming through. As well as hundreds of Honey Buzzards, Booted Eagles, Black Kite and Short-toed Eagles we saw smaller numbers of Black Storks, Montague's Harriers and Lesser Kestrels. During the trip we also saw Little Swift, White-headed Duck and Marbled Duck. Surprises came in the form of a winter plumaged Marsh Sandpiper and this Royal Tern, a rarity from West Africa with fewer than 50 European records!
Tarifa, with the old fortified town in the background
Glossy Ibis and Black-winged Stilt, Brazo del Este
Short-toed Eagle over Tarifa (above adult, below immature)
Mediterranean Scorpion (we still haven't worked out why Irene turned over a hardened cow pat to find it !)
A windy day at Tarifa beach. This Royal Tern is a true rarity from West Africa.
Lesser Kestrels gather to roost in an araucaria tree
Greater Flamingos and waders at Bonanza
Long-finned Pilot Whales at point-blank range in the straits.
Relaxing after a walk through Ronda
Honey Buzzard migrating south.
Griffons at a feeding station.
the 'rock'
female Red-veined Darter
Bee-eater
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A selections of pictures by Sheila Ryde, customer on our September 2009 Tarifa trip....
raptor watching at the Straits of Gibraltar The Straits of Gibraltar with the Moroccan coast beyond
Short-toed Eagle heading across the Strait Pale-phased Booted Eagle
Eurasian Griffon Vulture Ruppell's Griffon Vulture, all the way from Senegal!
Juvenile Montagu's Harrier Black Stork heading to Africa. Good luck!
Monarch butterflies are regular. This one was in the hotel garden. Two-tailed Pasha, Europe's largest butterfly.
Spoonbills and a Marbled Duck
Kentish Plover rest on Los Lances Beach, Tarifa
Greater Flamingos at Bonanza Saltpans
Red-billed Chough, Ronda Ronda Gorge
Black-winged Stilt Bar-tailed Godwit
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