It was at around 5 AM that I happily woke up to get ready to set off the the most southern point of Europe, Isla de Tarifa. This is still a military zone so you need permission to get in. Twenty minutes before arriving, I noticed it was not going to be a bright summer morning. It was foggy and there was a quite strong wind, not ideal circumstances for birdwatching. But... you don't come to this far away place every day so I decided to make the best of it. In the end, it turned out to be a worthwhile experience.
 |
| This Gull seemed more affected by the early hour than me |
This place is also called Gulls Island, and for a reason. Hundreds and hundreds of Gulls are gathering and breeding here. Yellow-legged Gulls. Or rather Lesser Black-backed Gull? The eternal dilemma. Perhaps the main reason why Gulls are not the most popular species with birders. And due to their sometimes aggressive nature not with most people actually. But if you take the time to observe them they are fascinating. |
| Some interesting plumage |
 |
| A ringed one |
Land-based Gulls are of course an easy target to photograph. This cannot be said of the Shearwaters. They live on the ocean and only come ashore to breed. Fortunately some came relatively close and allowed me to take some decent shots.
 |
| Scopoli's Shearwater |
 |
| Scopoli's Shearwater nearly touching the water |
 |
| Scopoli's Shearwater |
Some more of the species that were observed are shown in the photos below:
 |
| Great Cormorant |
 |
| Gull-billed Tern |
 |
| Eurasian Whimbrel |
 |
| Sandwich Tern |
 |
| Black-headed Gull |
Due to the distance of most birds overflying the Strait, this is perhaps not the most interesting spot from a photographic point of view. However it is a place that I will visit again, preferably during migration, in the hope of seeing more different species.
Happy birding!
Henry.
