Cazalla with the 'White Elephant' in the background.
One of the aims I set myself when I started blogging and posting about birding in Cadiz province, was to dismiss the idea that birding here only meant witnessing the phenomenal passage of raptors in spring and, particularly, in autumn. That said, I find it hard to deny that this world class ornithological spectacle isn't the 'jewel in the crown'. Perched somewhere along the Algeciras-Tarfia coastline as waves of storks, kites, buzzards, vultures and eagles head south has to be one of the top two or three birding experiences in Europe. No question too that it's up there with the best that the world can offer.
The passage is carefully monitored by the 'Foundacion Migres' (www.fondacionmigres.org) supported by volunteers from across Europe. Their watchpoints (see the photo at the top of the page) are dotted along the coast. They produced detailed reports (in Spanish) giving details of the migration and analysing the figures so painstakingly collected. All good stuff and yet ....... To be honest, with the honourable exception of some (usually Scandinavian) volunteers, I've often felt someting of an unwanted interloper when I've arrived at 'official' watchpoints. When I've left it's felt like I'm slinking away rather than saying 'Cheerio!' to like-minded enthusiasts (as it should be). Now, to be fair, to a great degree the fault is mine as I don't speak Spanish and, of course, the watchers do have a serious job to do. Even so, it's always seemed to me that the absence of even the most rudimentary 'whiteboard' detailing recent (or even current) movements has typified the attitude that, somehow, visiting birders are a nuisance to be endured. Surely, I've argued with the more friendly types, some sort of effort to inform or educate wouldn't be too hard to organise! Yes, I know their work is 'pure science' and above such petty populism, but without public support where would conservation be?
The passage is carefully monitored by the 'Foundacion Migres' (www.fondacionmigres.org) supported by volunteers from across Europe. Their watchpoints (see the photo at the top of the page) are dotted along the coast. They produced detailed reports (in Spanish) giving details of the migration and analysing the figures so painstakingly collected. All good stuff and yet ....... To be honest, with the honourable exception of some (usually Scandinavian) volunteers, I've often felt someting of an unwanted interloper when I've arrived at 'official' watchpoints. When I've left it's felt like I'm slinking away rather than saying 'Cheerio!' to like-minded enthusiasts (as it should be). Now, to be fair, to a great degree the fault is mine as I don't speak Spanish and, of course, the watchers do have a serious job to do. Even so, it's always seemed to me that the absence of even the most rudimentary 'whiteboard' detailing recent (or even current) movements has typified the attitude that, somehow, visiting birders are a nuisance to be endured. Surely, I've argued with the more friendly types, some sort of effort to inform or educate wouldn't be too hard to organise! Yes, I know their work is 'pure science' and above such petty populism, but without public support where would conservation be?
The new white board at Cazalla
So imagine my delight when I rolled up to the watchpoint at Cazalla and found a new white board proudly standing in the sun and detailing yesterday's sightings and giving the 10 year averages for the main migrant species. Better still, weren't those volunteers just a little more friendly? They even waved 'good-bye' as we left! To cap it all, now that I'm back home, I find that they've set up an excellent daily blog (http://datosmigres.blogspot.com/) to give regular updates about what's happening. It's in English and Spanish too! It's just a pity that the main 'Migres' website doesn't seem to have a link to this welcome new venture. (To be honest it might have one, between its lousy design and my linguistic incompetence, I couldn't find one).
Things are looking up in other ways too. All hope may be lost for the 'white elephant' across the road at Cazalla - an expensive purpose built watchpoint/cafe that somebody forget to organise water for or safe access to - but February this year work was due to start on a new centre here. Political, technological and, in all likelihood, financial considerations have ousted the army from one of its old coastal batteries just below the Trafico watchpoint (SW 13.1 if you have my notes) and the buildings are being converted into an international study centre on migration. I would be delighted if this 'internationalism' extended to having their website (and other materials) in English, but that probably reflects more badly on me than on them. Either way let's hope it'll have room for birdwatchers like me whose interest in birds is more aesthetic than scientific. Let's hope too that there will be some money left in the pot to resource a modest information/education centre at the Mirador del Estrecho. It'd be a shame if all those 'ordinary' tourists - from many countries and with varying levels of interest - were left out of the equation. You don't have to stand there long to hear gasps of delight as the great kettles of birds glide south. They don't need much - little more than a few noticeboards and someone to offer a handy 'scope and tell them something about the birds that they so obviously instinctively admire. After all, directly or indirectly, most of them probably helped to pay for the new centre. So it's only 2.5 cheers for the moment - let's hope that when the centre opens they'll have earnt all three!
The planned Migres centre - see their webpage for more information
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