Date: March 12 – 20, 2022

Cost: $3700 per person ($250 deposit required upon booking)

Impressive numbers of raptors crossing the Strait, returning from Africa onto Europe to breed, need to overcome the nine-mile long water crossing. As thermal currents develop only weakly over water, soaring raptors lose altitude as they progress across the Strait. By the time they reach the European shores, they can be flapping just a few feet above the waves. As a result, a more significant proportion of birds are seen flying lower, even below eye level, and a lot closer than in autumn affording great looks and photo opportunities.

Over the last decade, spring season counts averaged around 80,000 Black Kites, 10,000 Booted-Eagles, and 12,000 Short-toed Eagles. During this period, other raptors on migration, although in smaller numbers, including Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Sparrowhawk, Montagu’s and Marsh Harriers, Osprey, Lesser Kestrel, and Eurasian Hobby.

In addition to watching the raptor migration, we will explore the former lagoon of La Janda, searching for other resident raptors such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, and Black-winged Kite. Spain also boasts some of Europe’s finest general birding, a fact we will take full advantage of.