It is also the best time to identify some Rüppell’s
vultures or spotted vultures, and although these are
African species, during the last few years it has not
been uncommon to spot them feeding on carrion or
mixed within a flock of griffon vultures.
As autumn progresses, the presence of winter is
becoming increasingly conspicuous, and birds such
merlin’s, hen harriers, short-eared owls, northern
lapwings or the ubiquitous black redstart appear, but
it is during this period when one particularly spec-
tacular bird appears across the skies in our region.
With its characteristic trumpet-like call and its large
wingspan, cranes are arriving at the old Janda la-
goon from countries as far away as Finland, Poland,
Estonia and Sweden among others (own data obtai-
ned through bird leg band readings).
Although the different ecosystems that exist in
the former lagoon of the Janda and the Tarifa coun-
tryside (rice paddies, grains, extensive livestock
areas and wild olive groves) are of special interest
to wintering birds, their wealth in terms of small
game with native species such as the hare, the red
partridge and especially the abundant rabbit, as well
as introduced species such as the common phea-
sant, undoubtedly make this territory a place of vital
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importance for the juvenile dispersion of the great
Iberian eagles. Young and immature examples of
species such as the Bonelli’s eagle, Spanish imperial
eagle and the scarce golden eagle, visit the Janda
lagoon and its surroundings during this time of year,
and it is therefore not uncommon to observe these
gems of Iberian avifauna whilst they are hunting.
Like a highway, the natural passage through the
Straits of Gibraltar never shuts its doors, and when
some birds are yet to finish their journey to Africa,
others wake to their reproductive needs and begin
their voyage back to Europe. Such is the case for the
white stork, which even this early in the season can
be observed in small flocks entering the valley of li-
ght, and other areas such as the valley that forms the
Sierra de Fates and de la Plata.
As you can see with the different migratory phe-
nomena that occur in the Strait of Gibraltar and the
Janda, birds are continually coming and going from
one place to another according to their environmen-
tal requirements. Therefore, the Straits and the re-
gion of the Janda is one of the best places in the
world where nearly all year round, you can witness
and enjoy one of the most spectacular events that
exist in nature, “the bird migration ”.
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