Between two oceans and two continents, Tarifa is a privileged place for observing migratory bird movements, especially soaring birds, providing a rare natural spectacle.
The Strait of Gibraltar is, along with the Bosphorus in Turkey, one of the most used by birds for their migration to warmer areas points. Millions of them perform each year a round trip from the African continent to breeding sites located in Europe. Our Strait is therefore the main gateway between the two continents and an ideal resting place for birds before embarking on their journey by sea. The wedge shape of the peninsular south favors these shifts, leading them so fast to the nearby African continent, just 12 kilometers away.
Types of migration:
Prenuptial: Between March and May. In spring, when the weather is milder in Europe, birds that have spent the winter in Central and South Africa return to their breeding grounds for reproduction.
Postnuptial: Between August and October. When young birds are already developed again on their journey back to the south in search of places with a favorable and abundant food weather.