Malaga - Tarifa

[Keith Reeder]

Hi all...

Yep, another "birding holiday" question!

;)

I'm off to Tarifa (Spain) at the end of September 2005.

The flight from Newcastle gets me to Malaga, then it's a drive along the Costa Del Sol to Tarifa itself - it's about 100 miles, and I imagine that there'll be plenty to see on the way.

Is anyone familiar with the Malaga-Tarifa road?

I ask, because I'm trying to decide whether to spend my whole time in and around Tarifa, or to head back to Malaga for the last night (early flight home, y'see).

Ideally I'd like to know whether the road is likely to cause any problems: is it a busy road? Or is it simply a leisurely drive back in a couple of hours and on to the plane?

You get the idea, I'm sure.

Any advice will be gratefully received (as would any advice about birding sites!)

;)

[Andrew Rowlands]

Hi Keith,

Best to get the latest flight out of Newcastle to land in the quiet hours! This road has had the reputation of one of the most dangerous in Europe! (I think it's dropped down the chart in recent years) Once you are a few miles south-west of Puerto Banus (Estepona?) it should be ok; like anywhere new, try to get 'your eye in' before you venture out on to it.

I found it ok on my visit, a few years ago; picked up my car and was on the way out by 0200 hours ;) - did some birding around Ronda just after dawn. I was staying near Chiclana de la Frontera (Cadiz), so I didn't need to use the N340 again until my last day; I then did the full Tarifa to Malaga stretch during the afternoon - not too bad really but it did get a little congested.

And yes, I'd drive it again, tomorrow, given the chance!

Have a good one,

Andy.

[Jules Sykes]

Hi Keith
Was on this road myself in September driving back north after a Tarifa trip and it was fantastic, and the tolls are not extortionate. Worst part was getting up towards Almeria, anyway good look what ever you decide.

[John Butler]

Hi all...

Yep, another "birding holiday" question!
I'm off to Tarifa (Spain) at the end of September 2005.
it's about 100 miles, and I imagine that there'll be plenty to see on the way.
Is anyone familiar with the Malaga-Tarifa road?
I ask, because I'm trying to decide whether to spend my whole time in and around Tarifa, or to head back to Malaga for the last night (early flight home, y'see).
Ideally I'd like to know whether the road is likely to cause any problems: is it a busy road? Or is it simply a leisurely drive back in a couple of hours and on to the plane?
Any advice will be gratefully received (as would any advice about birding sites!);)



Hi BlythKeith.

The N-340 from Malaga to Tarifa is Dual carriageway right up to Algeciras (near Gibraltar) and then it's only a 17 kilometre (11 miles) drive to Tarifa.
On the whole it is an excellent road, although there can be some congestion in and around Fuengirola in the mornings. This can easily be avoided by taking the new E-7 Toll-road between Fuengirola and Marbella. It costs about 5 euros (£3). A direct run should only take about 90 - 100 minutes.

There are several good birding sites on the way and I recommend the estuary of the Rio Palmones, at the village of Palmones. It is very good for river and seabirds as well as migrating storks, vultures, buzzards, harriers, kites, eagles. passerines, etc.
Turn off the N-340 at the junction at Km 112 and follow signs for the village. You can't miss the river, estuary and tidal salt marshes and there is a long promenade that overlooks the site.

A great place for raptor watching in the Tarifa area is La Cazalla. Turn right, off the N-340 onto a small track EXACTLY at the km 87 marker, drive to the top of the hill and park. This is THE prime place for raptors, as it is from here that the migrating birds begin their crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa.

Try Bolonia in the early morning for White-rumped Swifts. I had five of them flying and feeding (within a few metres) by a small stream (the Arroyo de Alpariate) that flows onto the beach, at 8.15 in the morning on the 19th of September this year.
Waders, such as Little Stints, Dunlin, Curlew Sandpipers, Kentish and Little-ringed Plovers are also to found at this stream and Auduoin's Gulls are also usually present on the beach.
Try offshore viewing for passing Gannets and shearwaters.

Try La Janda for Stone Curlews, Little Bustards, storks, raptors, waders, ducks, shrikes, owls and passerines. You will probably be too early for Common Cranes but you may catch the Black-shoulderd Kites there.
Turn right, off the N-340 , onto a track at km 56, opposite a bar called Venta de Ratin.

You may find my book a handy aid to your tour as it covers all these sites and a dozen others between Malaga and Tarifa and also includes all the major raptor migration viewing sites in the Tarifa area.

Enjoy the birding.

Regards from Donana.

John.

[Ragna]

You must try Tarifa rubbish tip amazing site of up to 400 Black Kites in the air and in the trees, white stork and griffons there as well.Cant remember how to get there as we only found it by accident(trying to take ashort cut back to Jimena where we were staying). I am sure someone on here will know how to get there.

[Keith Reeder]

Thanks for the brilliant advice, everyone.

I have no idea how I'm going to get through the next year now!

;)

[Kevin Wade]

Taking the toll roads from Fuengirola to Marbella, from Marbella to Estepona, and then from Estepona to Sotogrande, it is possible to be in the Tarifa area in a little over 90 minutes from the airport. May I thoroughly recommend to you John Butler's book, mentioned by John above, if you decide to take a more leisurely trip along the Malaga coastal road. Also Andy Paterson and Ernest Garcia's Where to Watch Birds is very useful.
Regards
Kevin

[Keith Reeder]

Thanks for that, Kevin.

And - as I rudely forgot to say to John - I have every intention of picking up his book: it sounds like an absolute essential!

;)