The miracle of migration
For birders, Gibraltar is a must-visit destination for its incredible spectacles of migrating birds every spring and autumn. Whether it’s raptors overhead, songbirds in the bushes or seabirds passing offshore, there’s always so much to see.
If you’re into birding, then Gibraltar is a spectacular place. It is here that, given the right weather conditions, you can witness many thousands of birds on migration, plenty of which pass at extremely close quarters.
Although bird migration can be unpredictable, at Gibraltar there is always something to see, and in the right conditions it can be truly amazing. While you wait for productive winds, there are plenty of other things that you can be doing. Many of Gibraltar’s resident birds are Mediterranean specialities – Blue Rock Thrush and Sardinian Warbler are familiar breeders at the famous Rock of Gibraltar. Peregrine Falcons, which breed here in some of the highest densities found anywhere on Earth, patrol the impressive cliffs. In spring, they defend their nests vigorously and will attack the even the largest passing eagles and vultures, making for a spectacle seen in few other places.
Also patrolling the cliffs are the Mediterranean subspecies of European Shag. These birds form one of only two breeding colonies left on the mainland coast of Mediterranean Iberia, nesting within the Gorham’s Cave Complex. This site was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2016, on account of the extraordinary discoveries of Neanderthalic culture that were made here. On a good spring day, you can observe birds of prey arriving from Africa, while seabirds fly by and peregrines patrol overhead, all against the backdrop of these cathedral-like caves.
Unique birdlife
If this were not enough, you can also see a bird species at the Rock that you cannot find anywhere else in mainland Europe. The beautiful Barbary Partridge lives in the dense scrub of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve and other vegetated areas on the lower slopes, which form part of the recently created Gibraltar National Park. Like the famous Barbary Macaques, the partridges were brought to Gibraltar from North Africa in the 18th century.
But it is for the bird migration that Gibraltar is most famous. There is migration of one form or another all year round, but spring and autumn are best for species and sheer numbers. Spring starts early in these latitudes, and you can see the first contingents of arriving raptors even in February. By then Swallows have appeared and the Rock is a garden of wildflowers. Things will get even better as spring progresses, with March, April, May and even June producing a succession of raptors: Black Kites, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Snake and
Booted Eagles and European Honey Buzzards come in sequentially during the spring, along with other species in smaller numbers.
When bad weather hits during spring migration, the birds of prey stop crossing. However, the rain brings down many smaller migrants which settle on the Rock to await better conditions. At such times, arrivals of warblers, chats, larks, pipits and wagtails can be amazing. There is always a chance of a few rarities turning up – perhaps migrants that have drifted from further east, such as Red-throated Pipit, or even from the other side of the Atlantic, such as a Myrtle Warbler in 2021. When the weather clears, you can expect one of nature’s great shows as all the birds of prey that have been held up on the North African coast make a rush for it, with thousands crossing the Strait in a short space of time.
Autumn highlights
The autumn is also excellent for raptors, particularly from the end of August until mid-October. This period is a great time to observe seabirds as well. The gatherings of Cory’s Shearwaters are incredible, reaching many thousands of birds at times. Coinciding with the appearance of flying fish, tuna and dolphins, which gather to feast on the fish, the seabirds are ready to take their share of the spoils.
It’s not just shearwaters that flock here. Depending on the time of year, large numbers of other seabirds will attend these feeding frenzies – Northern Gannets, Audouin’s Gulls, skuas and terns can all add to the spectacle, while there is always the chance of a rarity showing up. In recent years, Lesser Crested Terns have been using the Bay of Gibraltar as a migration stop-over.
Gibraltar’s small size means that you can get around from one site to the next quickly. The vagaries of the weather make for an exciting stay during migration time. What will arrive next? In between ornithological surprises you can enjoy the landscape and Mediterranean flora of the Rock, including some of its endemics, an amazing array of butterflies and a rich heritage. Its small size also makes it the ideal birding destination for the family: beaches, parks, restaurants and birding sites are all close to each other, and all of it in a safe and friendly environment. ■