[phil baber]

Flying from Bristol, England. Any help appreciated as to where a good hot-spot would be at this time in Europe. The Med sounds ok. But which island, region or country would be the safest choice to be in a migration warm point?

Any thoughts, very much appreciated! Thank you!

[Robert L Jarvis]

Mallorca, see report just posted in trip reports.

[Stephen C]

Phil

I've sent you some details for the region around Barcelona for your consideration but I'll post some links here for your convenience (or may be in case anyone else tunes in):

BEST LOCATIONS (seasonal focus) - http://www.catalanbirdtours.com/spai...migration.html

TOP BIRDS - http://www.catalanbirdtours.com/bird...catalonia.html

and some seasonal photo galleries on FACEBOOK, starting with this Autumn summary - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...6748382&type=1

All the best and hope you manage to find a good spot.

[phil baber]

Thanks Stephen and Robert. Most interesting. Spent a good week in Menorca in May. Will eventually post trip report.

[Mick Sway]

Hi Phil
Portugal, the Algarve is excellent at that time of year.
We normaly go a little later, report here.
lso Lesvos is quite good for return migration.
The people are friendly and the sites very accessible.
There are a few September Lesvos trip reports here..
Best of luck whatever you decide.
Mick

[Robert L Jarvis]

Nick mentions the Algarve which does have a good variety of birds. The downside is, an awful lot of driving is involved to get to the various hotspots.

[pete wragg]

Originally Posted by phil baber

Flying from Bristol, England. Any help appreciated as to where a good hot-spot would be at this time in Europe. The Med sounds ok. But which island, region or country would be the safest choice to be in a migration warm point?

Any thoughts, very much appreciated! Thank you!

Bulgaria.

BalkanHolidays fly from Bristol to Varna.
A package to Albena puts you in striking range for Kaliakra,Shabla and Durankulak.Or get flight only.
Fantastic migration and lots of potential for finding rare stuff.

Pete.

[pete wragg]

Originally Posted by pete wragg

Bulgaria.

BalkanHolidays fly from Bristol to Varna.
A package to Albena puts you in striking range for Kaliakra,Shabla and Durankulak.Or get flight only.
Fantastic migration and lots of potential for finding rare stuff.

Pete.

They actually fly to Bourgas ,not Varna.

[phil baber]

Mick, Robert and Pete,

Thanks very muchly!

[temmie]

Have you considered Batumi, Georgia?
Pretty sure nothing beats Batumi in autumn: 100.000ths of raptors, great potential finding vagrant passerines, some regional endemics (Great Rosefinch, Guldenstadt's Redstart, Caucasian Snowcock, Cauc. Black Grouse), and lots of other stuff...

All info here: www.batumiraptorcount.org
and the up-to-date results of the raptor count here:
http://trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp...0110827&taal=2
http://trektellen.nl/trektelling.asp...0110826&taal=2

[rdspalm]

Try Hortobagy National Park in Eastern Hungary. I was there two years ago in early October. Brilliant spot.

[rosbifs]

Narbonne and gruissan if it's migration. Maybe organbidexka in the basque region of France.

Posted up a few bits before from migraction.net

http://www.migraction.net/index.php?...frmDoy=262&f=0

Is a snap shot of one day mid September last year.

Lots of places to explore in the area as well as the migration watchpoint.

[rosbifs]

Other birds include moustached warbler, difficult in September but connected in April thus year, slender billed gull, purple gallinule, dartford and scrub warblers.
Marsh birds.
Eagle owl.
I usually get there at the beginning of October (not necessarily a selling point) so would hate to promise things like black eared wheatears, wood chat shrike and other breeding birds which may have already left.....

[pandachris]

Got to be Barcelona. A few migrants in the city, raptor migration in the hills just inland and easy to get to, a day out with Stephen C (or more days, perhaps ot hit several environments) and La Merce festival to keep you (very) entertained at night, if mid-September encompasses 22nd-25th (dates vary). Birds might be better at some spots but the night life is unequalled.

[RobertaG]

What about flying to Bordeaux, very easy from Bris. Public transport also easy - TGV out to Bassin d'Arcachon, stop off at Le Teich.
Not been in September yet but a very short visit In May was great and autumn migration reputedly excellent.
Plus the advantage of great food and wine!

[phil baber]

Thanks so much everyone for your useful and kind advice. In the end we plumped for south-east Algarve and we will be based on the Ria Formosa Reserve. So Mick, I guess that you "Swayed" our decision! (Sorry about that!)
A trip report will follow, and very many thanks everyone for providing great advice, and making an interesting thread for everyone else thinking of travelling in mid-September!

[rosbifs]

Realise you are going or have gone to the algarve but check out what you could have seen....

http://www.migraction.net/index.php?...list&year=2011

This is in addition to local birds.....

Hope the eleanoras kicks around for one more week..............