Birding sites within walking disatnce of Tarifa
Tarifa is, understandably, best known for the extraordinary raptor migration across the strait of Gibraltar. However, anywhere else it would be celebrated for the regular occurrence of Lesser Crested Tern, the recently discovered presence of Wilson’s Petrel offshore and the regular migration of small passerines in numbers now rarely witnessed in the UK. This short note deals solely with areas within walking distance of Tarifa.
The narrow tarmac road off the N340 (accessed only from the direction of Tarifa) towards the Trafico watchpoint (a)
still has notices warning that it’s a military road and access is prohibited. However, for some years a raptor watching viewpoint has operated from behind a large and obvious white villa. This site gets much the same birds as nearby Cazalla, but birds tend, perhaps, to be lower and offer closer views. Hence it can be a good spot for photographing raptors. Formerly a restricted military area, until recently the road ended abruptly at a barrier and guardhouse, but now you can drive through the abandoned military base and park above Punta Camorro. The views across towards Africa from here are stunning. Obviously, it’s also good for passing raptors, but keep a sharp eye on migrants here – both
Seebohm’s Wheatear and Moussier’s Redstart have turned up in recent years.
still has notices warning that it’s a military road and access is prohibited. However, for some years a raptor watching viewpoint has operated from behind a large and obvious white villa. This site gets much the same birds as nearby Cazalla, but birds tend, perhaps, to be lower and offer closer views. Hence it can be a good spot for photographing raptors. Formerly a restricted military area, until recently the road ended abruptly at a barrier and guardhouse, but now you can drive through the abandoned military base and park above Punta Camorro. The views across towards Africa from here are stunning. Obviously, it’s also good for passing raptors, but keep a sharp eye on migrants here – both
Seebohm’s Wheatear and Moussier’s Redstart have turned up in recent years.
Africa from above Punta Camorro (note shelter to the right)
Common Bulbul - May 2013 Formerly a restricted military area, until recently the road ended abruptly at a barrier and guardhouse, but now you can drive through the abandoned military base and park above Punta Camorro. The views across towards Africafrom here are stunning. Having parked near the raptor watching lookout a particularly good option is to walk back down the road past the old guardhouse, but then immediately turn along a gravel track back towards Tarifa (b). This track passes through some woodland then beside a couple of small houses. On a good day expect dozens of Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, plus Wrynecks, Bee-eaters, warblers, etc. The track then joins a steep path which takes you down to a small wooden bridge from which you can either climb back up to where you left your car or along the coastal footpath (c - Colada de la Costa). The latter takes you either back towards Tarifa (c1 km) or east towards Guadalmesi (c8km). Although not ideally sited for seawatching with suitable onshore winds you can see Gannets, shearwaters (mainly Cory's & Balearic), skuas (mainly Great) and gulls (inc. Audouin’s). In recent years, a small number of Common Bulbul have been found in the Tarifa area which underscores what a great area it is for unusual birds!
Cover near Punta Camorro - (c) on map
Horse riders failing to notice the posts marking the boundary of the Nature Reserve! Playa de los Lances which is on the western side of Tarifa is much better known than Punta Camorro. To reach the area take the board walk northwest from Tarifa (d) or, when approaching from the north, pull off near some rubbish bins on the right just before the CEPSA garage (e) and walk down to the hide. Being open ground with relatively little cover it’s not as good for holding small passerine migrants other then pipits, larks and wheatears.
However, where it scores is the fact that there’s huge sandy beach with a large tidal pool which attracts a wide variety of waders (inc. Kentish & Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, etc.), gulls (esp. Audouin’s) and terns (inc. Lesser Crested). Raptors also frequently drift over adding spice to the birding.
The downside is that, despite its status as a Nature Reserve where such activities are banned, the area is frequently disturbed by dog walkers, horse riders and particularly surfers with the latter brazenly setting up within metres of the
small hide here. A code of conduct and publicity having been tried without success in spring 2013, in an attempt to
discourage surfers and protect the reserve, 700 posts were rammed into the sand. However, in an act of organised eco-vandalism within weeks over 600 were removed (see www.tarifaaldia.com/index.php?opcion=39&id_new=8942). So if you want to avoid confrontations, go early or when the winds are unsuitable for surfing. It can also be worth to
head further along the beach to check out the belt of pines for migrants.
However, where it scores is the fact that there’s huge sandy beach with a large tidal pool which attracts a wide variety of waders (inc. Kentish & Grey Plover, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper, Knot, etc.), gulls (esp. Audouin’s) and terns (inc. Lesser Crested). Raptors also frequently drift over adding spice to the birding.
The downside is that, despite its status as a Nature Reserve where such activities are banned, the area is frequently disturbed by dog walkers, horse riders and particularly surfers with the latter brazenly setting up within metres of the
small hide here. A code of conduct and publicity having been tried without success in spring 2013, in an attempt to
discourage surfers and protect the reserve, 700 posts were rammed into the sand. However, in an act of organised eco-vandalism within weeks over 600 were removed (see www.tarifaaldia.com/index.php?opcion=39&id_new=8942). So if you want to avoid confrontations, go early or when the winds are unsuitable for surfing. It can also be worth to
head further along the beach to check out the belt of pines for migrants.
Looking along the boardwalk by the hide back towards Tarifa
Long-finned Pilot Whale off Tarifa Tarifa itself is a pleasant place with interesting ‘old town’. Amongst the many Pallid Swifts look out for the odd Little and White-rumped – both have been seen over the town. Raptors often fly low over the town which also has a small population of Lesser Kestrel. The big attraction here, though, is the opportunity to take a boat trip to see cetaceans – Common, Striped and Bottlenosed Dolphins, Long-finned Pilot Whale are all fairly common, but you need to be lucky to see Sperm or Finn Whales. Orcas have declined hugely in recent years and now tend to appear in small numbers and only for a short period in late July/early August (I’ve yet to see one in half a dozen trips). However, this is
precisely the time when small numbers of Wilson’s Petrel have been seen on specially chartered boat trips. Given how recently this phenomenon has been discovered other seabirds may yet also turn out to be more frequent than records suggest. Even on whale watching trips you have a fair chance of getting good views of Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters, Great Skua and Audouin’s Gull. (Note - Tarifa island is still in the hands of the military and inaccessible to those without a permit).
precisely the time when small numbers of Wilson’s Petrel have been seen on specially chartered boat trips. Given how recently this phenomenon has been discovered other seabirds may yet also turn out to be more frequent than records suggest. Even on whale watching trips you have a fair chance of getting good views of Cory’s and Balearic Shearwaters, Great Skua and Audouin’s Gull. (Note - Tarifa island is still in the hands of the military and inaccessible to those without a permit).
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