Excellent guides; went to many different habitats so saw lots of birds; great value for money as this could not have been achieved by an individual planning it. The hotels were very good and food throughout including picnics was delicious. This was an energetic trip but accomplished a great deal - the short break to Morocco I particularly enjoyed as it gave a brief view of the people and places there as well as birds.
P.Q. Leicestershire
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Spain and Morocco: Birding on Two Continents!
Tour Code: ESP38An 8-day birdwatching holiday focusing on the spectacular autumn bird migration visible from both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, as well as Moroccan Marsh Owl, Moussier´s Redstart, cetaceans and Barbary Macaques.
£1,895 (Inc flights)
£1,695
Highlights
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Summary
The Strait of Gibraltar is 14 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, but it represents a significant barrier for migrating birds crossing from Europe to Africa, or vice versa, each year. On this tour we will have chances to view this spectacular migration from both Spain and Morocco. We begin on the Spanish side of the Strait and, from our comfortable eco-lodge base, we’ll look for huge concentrations of raptors and a host of other soaring birds as they leave for Africa. Next we make our own crossing by ferry to Morocco, where we begin by visiting key wetland sites which support an ever-changing array of migratory and resident wading birds, gulls and terns, as well as autumn roosts of the stunning Moroccan Marsh Owl. After travelling up through the mystical forests of Bouhachem, where we hope to see wild Barbary Macaques, we finish our Moroccan stay with a night high in the Rif Mountains. On our return to Spain, a variety of wetland, woodland and mountain sites still await our exploration, which should bring us more exciting species such as Northern Bald Ibis and with luck, Spanish Imperial Eagle. We will also head out onto the water ourselves to look for local cetaceans. The autumn seabird passage will also be underway, and we hope for views of Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel.
- Migration-watching from Europe and African sides of the Strait
- See Moroccan Marsh Owls leaving their wetland roost
- Six or more tern species possible during a boat trip onto teeming Moroccan wetlands as well as Red-knobbed Coots, Marbled Duck and thousands of feeding waders
- Mountain birding in Morocco bringing Moussier´s Redstart, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush, Bonelli´s Eagle and Atlas Long-legged Buzzard
- Shearwaters, petrels, dolphins and pilot whales all possible on boat excursion in the Strait
Grading
Grade A. Gentle walks only.
Legend has it that Hercules used his fabulous strength to separate the continents of Europe and Africa, creating the Strait of Gibraltar. The point at which these two great continents converge is the focal point, twice-yearly, for one of the world’s most impressive bird migrations. This tour focuses on enjoying the spectacle from both sides of the Strait, with time spent in both Africa and Europe — a holiday offering a taste of two continents! Every year, millions of birds make the journey across the Strait between these continents, making use of uplifts and thermals which swirl around the Rock of Gibraltar and the majestic Moroccan peak of Jebel Musa. An estimated 250,000 raptors pass over this rugged terrain during these periods. The Strait may be just 14 kilometres wide, but for nature it is a significant barrier and we will enjoy subtle differences and similarities, both avian and cultural, throughout the tour. After crossing to Africa, tapas and Rioja give way to the aromas of spicy street food and mint tea, and familiar European birds become ‘African Blue Tit’ and ‘Maghreb Magpie’.
We begin with a flight to Gibraltar, from where we transfer to our delightful ecolodge accommodation in quiet woodland near Tarifa. Our base at Huerta Grande is ideal for watching the migration as it is located between two natural parks in the hills above the Strait of Gibraltar, amongst seven hectares of Laurel and Cork Oak forest. In the right weather conditions, we should witness many hundreds of migratory birds making the crossing to their wintering grounds in Africa, including Short-toed and Booted Eagles, Griffon Vultures and White Storks.
We next make our own crossing, to northern Morocco by ferry, before beginning our exploration of the African side of the Strait. The estuary of Merdja Zerga, a sweeping wetland on Morocco’s Atlantic coast south of Tangiers, is famous amongst birders as the last known winter haunt of the legendary Slender-billed Curlew, a bird now sadly presumed extinct. None have been seen here since 1995, but the beautiful drawings of those who journeyed here in the early 1990s can still be seen in the cherished bird log on display in a quiet estuary-side café. Here, as we head out on a small boat, we can expect an array of gulls and terns — Audouin’s and Slender-billed Gulls are numerous here, while Little, Black, Whiskered, Gull-billed, Lesser Crested and Caspian Tern are all regulars. Waders probe the mud in their thousands, amongst them Sanderling, Dunlin, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Grey Plover and Avocet, competing with the local shellfish collectors for the shoreline’s rich pickings. We will stay until dusk, for then we have a chance of seeing elusive Moroccan Marsh Owls as they leave their roosts. We will also search some of the area’s quiet backwaters where shy Red-knobbed Coots and both Whiteheaded and Marbled Ducks may be found.
The Barbary Macaque lives mainly in mountain ranges in north-west Africa and is the only species of macaque found outside Asia. We will travel through the Forest of Bouhachem in the Rif Mountains where, amongst the Portuguese Oaks, there is a small population of these engaging monkeys. As we hope for an encounter, we will also be on the lookout for other forest residents such as Levaillant’s Green Woodpecker, Atlas Pied Flycatcher, African Chaffinch and African Blue Tit. Arriving at our second Moroccan base in Chefchaouen, we will have free time to enjoy the soukhs and narrow, winding blue-washed streets of this pretty mountain village, known as Morocco’s ‘Blue Pearl’. At Talassemtane National Park in the Rif Mountains, we will hopefully enjoy views of several species of raptor such as Atlas Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle. Smaller but equally splendid jewels can be found in the form of the stunning Moussier’s Redstart and Black Wheatear, whilst Blue Rock Thrushes are frequently encountered.
Back in Spain during the last part of our holiday, we will take a boat excursion, weather permitting, into the Strait to witness the seabird passage. We will be on the lookout for Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters and European Storm-petrel among other species, plus the three species of resident dolphin (Common, Bottlenose and Striped) and the resident pods of Long-finned Pilot Whale.
This holiday offers the chance to see the bird migration on both sides of the Strait, as well as to make comparisons between avifauna across the short stretch of water dividing Europe and Africa. After a week’s exciting birding it will be time to leave this avian highway bottleneck and make our own flight home, with memories of the spectacular flow of birdlife over the Strait and some special species from both Spain and Morocco fresh in our mind.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
A quiet eco-resort near Tarifa and comfortable hotels in Morocco; all rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
All food included in the price.
Reviews
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This was the best view ever of the whales. Swimming right alongside the boat.
D. & P.H. Gloucestershire -
Huerte Grande truly outstanding in all respects. Both leaders worked hard to find birds for the group, catering for different skill levels. Whales wonderful and excellent views of Moussier's Redstart, Montagu's Harrier and Marsh Owl.
H.Q. West Yorkshire -
Being an apprentice bird watcher your tour leaders were very helpful and very patient. Nothing was too much trouble when asking a question. It was a fantastic bird watching trip and the picnics superb!
P.H. Bedfordshire -
I really did enjoy it all!
R.F. Bedfordshire -
Well done to all at Naturetrek - this is our fifth tour with you and again thoroughly enjoyed it. We will be with you again. Starting to look for the next one!
C.L. Hampshire -
Simon (leader) was second to none. Superb. Amazingly knowledgeable about birds and had great local knowledge. Also very sociable, amusing and good company. The flexibility and local knowledge of the leader meant that we saw so many birds AND had a great time.
K.E. London -
I enjoyed the variety of birds/animals and locations. Huerta Grande lodge was excellent with superb food. The "quirky" hotels in Morocco were fabulous! The enthusiasm and knowledge of our guides was excellent - Simon Tonkin and Alejandro Onrubio.
M.L. Hampshire
Dates & Prices
2024
Tour Leader: Simon Tonkin
Simon was raised in Plymouth and his early birding habitats were rubbish tips, sewage outfalls and fish factories. It all started when, at nine years old, his enthralment with the natural world led him to sneak out with his father's massive binoculars at first light, returning home many hours after dark covered in estuarine mud and other indescribable detritus, to face the music! Fulfilling a boyhood dream, Simon worked for the RSPB full-time for fifteen years; the first projects he was involved in were to protect breeding Hen Harriers and Bee-eaters in the North of England. Simon has lectured in ornithology, specialising in a variety of subjects including bird ethology, migration and bird populations. He has worked in farmland bird conservation for the most of his RSPB career and recently worked at the RSPB's headquarters in Sandy. Simon has conducted research on Corn Bunting crop nest site selection and on the seed palatability of farmland granivores. He also co-launched Operation Turtle Dove, co-ordinating efforts in the UK and internationally to save the species from extirpation. Simon has worked as the Conservation Manager for Conservation Grade, working on ground-breaking and exciting conservation projects in Spain, Portugal, Central America, Morocco, Senegal and the Gambia and is widely travelled in these countries, being particularly familiar with their avifauna, lepidoptera and mammalian species. Simon now lives in the epi-centre of migration in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, working on a variety of conservation projects, and tour leading throughout the year for Naturetrek.
2025
Tour Leader: Niki Williamson
Niki was given a YOC membership for her 6th birthday, and has loved nature ever since. She worked and volunteered for the RSPB for 12 years, managing habitats, brandishing power tools with varying levels of success, and honing her birding skills in some of the best wetland, upland and coastal habitats in the UK. She was part of the Eastern England Farmland Advisory team for eight years, working with nature-friendly farmers to make the countryside a better place for wildlife, eventually heading up the team. Niki is particularly passionate about the plight of the Turtle Dove and was part of Operation Turtle Dove, working to ensure a future for this desperately declining bird. As well as the UK, this work took her to West Africa, where she worked closely with Conservation Grade to survey migratory and resident farmland bird species and their habitat needs, to see how local growers could produce peanuts in a way that is fair to nature and of benefit to wintering migrants. Niki now lives in Southern Spain, near Tarifa, where she has worked full time as a wildlife guide for four years, with a focus on showing people the wondrous migration spectacle of the Straits of Gibraltar. She leads tours here for Naturetrek in spring, autumn and summer, and also leads in various other destinations across Spain, including Coto Doñana, Sierra de Morena, Extremadura, Serranía de Ronda, as well as across the straits in Northern Morocco.
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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