Welcome to my blog covering the world of birding and many key areas around natural history. Recent topics include Autumn migration and conversation work around Andalucia.
Autumn Migration
Autumn, or ‘post nuptial’ migration across the Strait of Gibraltar is without doubt, one of the most spectacular and awe-inspiring ornithological events in the whole of Europe. As day length shortens, average temperatures begin to drop and available food resources diminish, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds from all over northern and Western Europe head south into the most southerly corner of Spain. Some will finish their journey here and remain for the winter, however, the majority will simply stopover here for a short while to...
read moreBirds and the conservation of La Janda
Introduction In the most southerly corner of Spain, just a few kilometres inland from the Strait of Gibraltar and adjoining the mountains and forests of the Parque Natural de los Alcornocales to the east lies the La Janda basin, one of the most remarkable and critically important places for birds in Europe. In the spring hundreds of thousands of birds migrating north from Africa rest and refuel here before flying onto the breeding grounds in western and northern Europe. In autumn these birds, together with their young once again stop over here...
read moreOne day in September
Picture this: the pale greys and tawny browns of the dramatically undulating north-African coastline, dominated by the impressive Monte Hacho; Hercules southern foothold at the “End of the World”. Above this ancient scene, a cloudless sky, deep azure in colour and of extraordinary clarity, whilst below, the Strait of Gibraltar; 14.3 km of intensely blue green sea, separating the Mediterranean from the Atlantic. A light breeze, a mild levante, was gently swaying the scattered trees near where we stood just eighty metres above Europe’s...
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