Birdwatching at the Strait of Gibraltar

<p>Every spring (late February to May) and autumn (August to November), hundreds of thousands of birds of prey funnel through the Strait of Gibraltar on their way between Europe and Africa. Honey buzzards, black kites, short-toed eagles, Montagu's harriers, Egyptian vultures, ospreys, and marsh harriers all pass through in numbers that are hard to believe on peak days. Gibraltar is one of the best and most accessible migration watchpoints in Europe.</p> <p>The main spots are O'Hara's Battery (the highest point of the Rock at 426 metres), the Mediterranean Steps on the eastern face, and the Apes Den area where raptors circle on thermals before making the crossing. The Upper Rock Nature Reserve is the place to be, accessible via the rock tours or on foot from the town centre.</p> <p>No specialist tour operators are currently based in Gibraltar for birdwatching, but the Upper Rock is publicly accessible within Nature Reserve opening hours (09:00 to 18:15 daily). The Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) publishes seasonal bird counts on their social channels. The Strait is also visible from La Línea de la Concepción on the Spanish side, and from Tarifa (the closest point to Africa) for those based nearby.</p> <p>Nature Reserve entry is £13 for adults. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Peak autumn migration runs late September through October.</p>