Bird Migration Expedition

A chance to witness one of nature's most exciting phenomena

As summer turns to autumn, hundreds of thousands of birds converge on one small area in SW Andalucia, before making the hazardous sea crossing to Africa. For those in the know, there is a window in Autumn, when the well positioned visitor can witness the awe inspiring spectacle of mass migration.

In the excellent company of two great ornithologists, we will be taking our time to enjoy each habitat and the camaraderie of the journey.

Frontier Director, Callum Christie, has been organising this special interest trip for a decade. This part of Spain has been his home for over 20 years and he has witnessed the bird migration on several occasions. The feedback from previous clients bears testimony to the richness and cameraderie of this particular birdwatching holiday.

The Landscape

South West Andalucia is a country of contrasts. Snowy sierras, arid plains, rich fertile valleys and hillside, forested mountains, vast sandy beaches and coastal marshes. With its geographical proximity to north Africa, this is a highly significant area.

The Strait of Gibraltar, where Europe and Africa are separated by only 7.7 nautical miles, is the favoured crossing point for hundreds of thousands of species. Here at the narrow extremity of the "European Flyway", migrating birds are funnelled to the very furthest tip of the continent.

Europe's Southernmost Nature Reserves

World-famous Doñana National Park covers 543 km²(337 mi²) and has a biodiversity and wildlife that is unique in Europe. The park boasts a great variety of ecosystems such as marshes, shallow streams, and sand dunes in Las Marismas delta region, where the Guadalquivir river flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Europe's southernmost protected area, El Estrecho Natural Park covers 189 km² (73 mi²) on the Strait of Gibraltar. This is Europe's last stop for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds before they fly to Africa.

Some Bird Species To Be Seen...

Spanish Imperial Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Short-Toed Eagle, Montagu's Harrier, White Stork, Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s Eagle, Blue Rock Thrush, Spoonbill, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Flamingo, Azure Winged Magpie, Caspian Tern, Black Stork, Bee Eater, Hoopoe, Egyptian Vulture, Stone Curlew, Common Snipe, Black-Tailed Godwit, Purple Heron, Great Bittern...

Our Birding Holidays' Guides

David Lindo is popularly known across the UK as "The Urban Birder", encouraging city dwellers to look up and marvel at the range of birds in British cityscapes.

Peter Jones is a highly respected ornithologist with an international reputation. He regularly leads small groups of travellers to some of the world's most diverse bird habitats. Here in SW Andalucia, Peter is on his adopted "home ground". As our resident expert, Peter will be able to show both beginners & experts all the local hotspots and some rarer species.

DAY 1        Transfer from Malaga Airport

Free Pick up in our Chauffer Mini Bus with Air Con from Malaga Airport. Transfer to hotel in the Serrania de Ronda, with birding stops along the way.

DAY 2        Lagoons and Sierras

Transfer westwards to El Rocio in the Doñana National Park, a birdwatching paradise. A chance to visit fresh water lagoons, wildlife, and the river Guadalquivir en route.

DAY 3        Rio Odiel Estuary and Nature Reserve

Bird tour in a unique eco system rich in seabirds and waders. An important feeding zone for migrating species.

DAY 4        Coast and Marshes

Transfer towards the southermost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, with plenty of birding stops in a variety of habitats.

DAY 5        Straits of Gibraltar

The bird watching highlight of the tour.  A chance to see the amazing spectacle of mass bird migration.  Your guides will pick the best hot spots, depending on wind direction, from where you'll marvel at the sight of hundreds and thousands of migrating Raptors and other species.

DAY 6        The Straits of Gibraltar

A rare chance to catch a sighting of other migrating creatures!  A 2 hour boat trip (weather permitting) into the Strait to catch a sight of Dolphins, Pilot Whales maybe some of the larger Cretacious mammals. Ocean wandering Pelagics also on view.

DAY 7         The Straits of Gibraltar

More bird watching, and trip inland to see the bird migration approach towards the Strait.

DAY 8         Transfer to Malaga Airport

Callum has hand picked some excellent hotels.

All rooms are very well appointed with air con and en-suite facilities as standard.

Breakfasts and Dinners with wine are included.

Lunches will be taken en route each day during your birdwatching tour and may be either at local restaurants or take the form of picnics.

The Sea Safari Experience

The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait where the cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet the Mediterranean Sea. This creates a unique marine environment for numerous species of marine mammals such as dolphins, orcas, sperm whales, blue whales, and pilot wales.

We have organised a boat trip into the Strait of Gibraltar to observe migrant seabirds above the waves, as well as the pods of resident dolphins and whales in the depths below.

On previous outings our clients have been thrilled by the sight of cetaceans as they surface where the waters of the Mediterranean and Atlantic waters merge.

This is one of the highlights of the whole trip, set against the impressive backdrop of the Pilars of Hercules; Jebel Musa in Morroco and the Rock of Gibraltar. It's an experience to be savoured which leaves a lasting impression.

The Rock of Gibraltar and Europa Point from the Sea