There is a quiet, powerful drama that unfolds in the far south of Iberia once the frantic rush of autumn migration has settled. While many birders pack up their scopes in September, we know that the true heavyweight spectacle is only just beginning.
We’ve just uploaded our eBird Trip Report from our recent “Unknown Vulture Spectacle” tour. With a total of 122 species recorded, it was a journey defined by mountain gems, coastal rarities, and a staggering avian phenomenon: the mass dispersal of thousands of Griffon Vultures.
The Main Event: Metric Tonnes of Soaring Wings
If you think you’ve seen migration, nothing prepares you for the late-autumn “staging” in The Straits. This isn’t just a trickle of birds; it is a massive, coordinated push of thousands of juvenile Griffon Vultures, all converging at the continent’s edge.
Standing at the watchpoints, we watched as the sky literally filled with these soaring giants. They gather at such incredible density that you are looking up at literally metric tonnes of soaring wings overhead. These immense, swirling “kettles” hang in the air as they wait for the precise thermal conditions needed to bridge the gap to Africa. This youth dispersal is a high-stakes masterclass in survival and a spectacle you simply cannot witness anywhere else on earth. Seeing the sky heavy with the sheer volume of these majestic scavengers is, quite simply, one of the most underrated wonders of the natural world.
The High Sierras: Ronda and Grazalema
Our adventure began among the dramatic karst peaks and river valleys of the Serranía. In the high country of the Sierra de Grazalema and the surrounding limestone ridges, we tracked down the mountain specialties that thrive in this rugged terrain:
The Resident Giants: Alongside the dispersing juveniles, we watched the resident Griffon Vulture colonies. We also had incredible views of Golden Eagles patrolling the ridges.
Black Wheatears and Blue Rock Thrushes claiming the rocky outcrops.
Rock Buntings, Cirl Buntings, and Dartford Warblers busy among the mountain scrub.
The Straits: Rarities and Late Surprises
Reaching the coast, we focused on the unique vulture dynamics that define The Straits.
The Rüppell’s Vulture: The ultimate! We successfully found this African wanderer among the amassing Griffon Vultures—a bird that is becoming a legendary part of our #FlywayBirding story.
The Rule-Breakers: Nature always keeps us on our toes; our list included a remarkably late European Honey Buzzard braving the late-season winds.
Coastal Specialists: we watched Slender-billed and Audouin’s Gulls and an array of Shorebirds.
