Birding Guide to Cadiz Province (Spain) (1 Viewer)

[John Cantelo]

I'm pleased to announce that the three versions of my site guide to Cadiz province (and nearby areas) are now available online as a 'flip book' and for download. As previously they are free, but a suitable donation to a wildlife charity of your choice would be appreciated.

The three guides are -
1 - Birding Cadiz (cover photo: Cattle Egret) which is a quick guide to a dozen essential sites aimed at those with little time on their hands. It has site maps and photographs.
2 - Cadiz Birding (cover photo: Purple Heron). This more dtailed 93 page guide covers almost 80 sites (inc. sub-sites) and includes over 60 site maps. In addition to detailed site notes it gives general non-birding advice about visiting this area. Appendices also give details about passage periods, abundance and status. Photos are limited to a handful of general habitat shots. (Note the title on the cover is the same as the version below - only the file name is different!)
3 - Birding Cadiz Province (cover photo: Bee-eater). Although having the same text as the guide above, this 110 page 'deluxe edition' (!) has numerous photos of the sites included.

They can be found – I bet you wondered when I was going to tell you – at http://issuu.com by searching the site under ‘Cadiz Birding’. The flip book version is immediately available, but to download them you have to join ‘ISSUU’ (it’s free). Thus far almost 800 “impressions” have been made, but I've had very little feedback so if you've time please leave a comment. Any feedback, suggestions, alterations, updates to these notes would be much appreciated

 

[John Cantelo]

If, as I hope is the case, some of you have now downloaded or at least looked at my notes I would very much appreciate feedback on their utility and whether or not it's worth having three different versions.

So any comments re. 'concise' version vs the two 'full' versions and the 93 page 'non-photo' version vs the 110 'photo' version would be greatly appreciated. Is it useful to include photos of the sites or does it make the whole thing too long? I am short of a few shots and don't want to waste time when I'm next in Spain taking the photos I lack if it's not worthwhile.

Also, since mentioning it here and elsewhere only reaches a fraction of the potential audience, should I head off down a commercial route? Frankly, I'd rather give it away to interested parties, hope for updates in return and keep it fresh & accurate. On the other hand a commercial guide would be reviewed, listed in book outlets, etc - all things I can't do - and available to more people.

Comments please.

 

[John Cantelo]

Over 200 additional impressions have been made - now close to 1,000 - but still no feedback ......

 

[TwoDipsfromAmsterdam]

John

Lack of responses may reflect the time of year. Spring and summer are likely to be the most popular times for visiting southern Spain and when people start planning their trips hopefully they will use your guide(s) and provide feedback when they get back home.

Well, that's my theory anyway!

David

 

[occasional]

Hi John,

I am one of those who has downloaded but have only had time to take a quick glance since then. I certainly expect to make at least one comment, however it is necessary to get the facts straight first.
It is certainly a usefull document.

O

 

[John Cantelo]

Thanks both - I guess that you may well be right David and as 'O' implies in his comment this isn't a good time of the year for a leisurely browse. My trouble is, of course, that I'm keen to iron out any errors before the spring when I'll be working on the inevitable 'next edition'. I'm also considering sending the link to various birding magazines for review to get the notes better known, but want to get it right first! The old socialist in me still wants to give them away, but circulation/publicity is a problem - hence my desire to prolong & keep alive this thread!

 

[Andrew Rowlands]

Maybe no feedback yet in the way of comments John, perhaps they will come once the area has been (re)visited?

All 3 publications are rated 5* and all have positive feedback in the way of the 'thumbs up' counts.

 

[occasional]

One suggestion which might require a certain amount of work is that you should attach some sort of "recommended months" to the various watchpoints around the Strait.

The expected level of visible migration is a function of both time of year (month?) and wind, but there appears to be no source of published information and it has always been difficult to extract the information from those who know.
For example, it appears that in August Cazalla is reliably more interesting than Algarrobo whatever the wind, but in September Algarrobo is likely to be interesting even in east winds.

The Migres observers (and their predecessors) appeared to have information of this sort, but I was never able to persuade them to divulge the information explicitly.

 

[eddy the eagle]

Having lived in Cadiz for over ten years and covered many spring and autumn migrations during that time I can say that it is not a matter of which site is best for any given month but it all depends on the wind direction on any given day and the species that is migrating at the time.Late July/early August for white stork and black kite at Cazalla and booted eagles and honey buzzards at Algarrobo late August and September with other species at both at any time.There are no hard and fast rules and everyday is different,I normally start a day at Algarrobo and if it is quiet move on to Cazzalla.In the spring I start at Punta Carnero and if nothing shows move on to Punta Cammora or Traffico further west.I hope this helps any pending visitors to this magnificent region. Eddy

 

[John Cantelo]

Thanks Eddy & Occasional for your input. I wonder if the perception that Cazalla is better in August reflects that westerlies are maybe less dominant than later in the autumn,

 

[eddy the eagle]

Yes John,the wind plays a great part in where the birds cross the staits.Also white storks and black kites are seen roosting in La Janda before crossing and this would put them on a more westerly track during August. Eddy.

 

[occasional]

Eddy,

Would you be kind enough to define "spring" and "autumn" for the purpose of watching migrating raptors ?

O

 

[eddy the eagle]

Looking at my notes my earliest black kites were 29th Jan 2012,egyptian vulture 17th Feb2012 and then on all species until mid May to late May for the honey buzzards.With regards to Autumn White storks and black kites during early August and then all species from end of August until early October with Griffon vultures late Oct to mid November.In my opinion late March early April in the spring and late August to mid September are the optium months for watching raptors.Hope this helps Eddy.

 

[occasional]

Looking at my notes my earliest black kites were 29th Jan 2012,egyptian vulture 17th Feb2012 and then on all species until mid May to late May for the honey buzzards.With regards to Autumn White storks and black kites during early August and then all species from end of August until early October with Griffon vultures late Oct to mid November.In my opinion late March early April in the spring and late August to mid September are the optium months for watching raptors.Hope this helps Eddy.

So if we said last week in February through to end May for spring migration and beginning of August to mid-October for autumn migration, those would be the periods when one might particularly want to use the inland watchpoints ?

 

[occasional]

Thanks Eddy & Occasional for your input. I wonder if the perception that Cazalla is better in August reflects that westerlies are maybe less dominant than later in the autumn,

I think a quick look at the Migres website would put that theory to bed - westerlies dominated in August 2012.

In fact interest at neither Cazalla nor Algarobo is dependent on wind direction in any simple way. As Eddy points out, it is the species which are passing at a particular time which is partly responsible for determining what is to be seen.

 

[eddy the eagle]

Occasional,this is not an exact science.It depends on many factors,ie where the birds crossed into the Iberian peninsular and which route they took,western,eastern or central.It would be difficult to predict where best to see migratory raptors in land but in Cadiz province the majority enter from the north at Grazalema, from the west via Jerez and from the east via Ronda often following the river valleys.A good point to watch the migration inland is the area around Ubrique and Grazalema but the advantage of coastal sites is they are often at a low altitude after crossing the Straits which is better for observation and photography.The cork oak forests provide roosting sites and can be utilised by all species and first light in the morning can reap benefits when the birds start the day but they soon gain height and can be difficult to observe when they are high up.In my opinion the best places to watch the spring migration are from Punta Carnero in the east to Los Lances beach in Tarifa to the west.For the autumn migration from Algarrobo Algeciras to Baloña in the west.A daily check on the wind condition is vital,in very strong easterlies the birds from the west make their way east along the coastal hill with birds often flying at head height until they reach the Gibraltar area when they cross.But sometimes they go as far east as Malaga before crossing.In strong westerlies the birds can cross anywhere from Chiclana in the west to the hills around Tarifa with those birds arriving from the north and east making their way west via the Algeciras hills and the valley of Ojen behind them.Hope this answers your question. Eddy.

 

[occasional]

Eddy,

You put forward some interesting theories.

Where is the source for the concept of three routes across the Iberian peninsula ? I gather some studies were done which highlighted the particular importance of rubbish dumps but I have never been able to find them.

And your theory that birds maximise their chances of successfully crossing the Strait by flying into strong winds before crossing, seems to be in conflict with the conventional belief that in westerlies most birds cross the eastern Strait and in easterlies birds tend to cross the western Strait.
A quick scan of the GONHS website also seems to indicate that your theory is not supported by the evidence.

And you have not answered my question. I am aware that one can sit on the coast in November watching incoming migrants from Africa, but it is not something that one would recommend in a guidebook.

O

 

[eddy the eagle]

I have no scientific evidence to suggest these routes,they are from my personal observations whilst living in this country.The rubbish dump near to my home in Los Barrios is due north from the coast about 15 kilometers inland and is used mainly by black kites and white storks with at times 1000´s of birds in the area.For birds crossing from Spain to Africa it is my experience that they do not want to get blown into the vastness of the Atlantic thus leaving from further east gives them a diagonal route to Africa without fear of getting blown into the Atlantic to the west and of course the opposite applies to those birds on a strong westerly.I can only go on what I have seen.We are talking of relatively short distances between say Baloña in the west and Gibraltar in the east and often I have been to Punta Carnero only to find the birds are crossing further west at Cazalla.I cannot say that on a given day with a given wind the birds will be in a given place.With regards to November no migrants arrive from Africa this is when the Juvenile and immature Griffon vultures leave Spain in their 100´s.Kind regards Eddy.

 

[John Cantelo]

Occasional,this is not an exact science.It depends on many factors,ie where the birds crossed into the Iberian peninsular and which route they took,western,eastern or central.It would be difficult to predict where best to see migratory raptors in land but in Cadiz province the majority enter from the north at Grazalema, from the west via Jerez and from the east via Ronda often following the river valleys.A good point to watch the migration inland is the area around Ubrique and Grazalema but the advantage of coastal sites is they are often at a low altitude after crossing the Straits which is better for observation and photography.The cork oak forests provide roosting sites and can be utilised by all species and first light in the morning can reap benefits when the birds start the day but they soon gain height and can be difficult to observe when they are high up.In my opinion the best places to watch the spring migration are from Punta Carnero in the east to Los Lances beach in Tarifa to the west.For the autumn migration from Algarrobo Algeciras to Baloña in the west.A daily check on the wind condition is vital,in very strong easterlies the birds from the west make their way east along the coastal hill with birds often flying at head height until they reach the Gibraltar area when they cross.But sometimes they go as far east as Malaga before crossing.In strong westerlies the birds can cross anywhere from Chiclana in the west to the hills around Tarifa with those birds arriving from the north and east making their way west via the Algeciras hills and the valley of Ojen behind them.Hope this answers your question. Eddy.

A very useful review, Eddy. I don't have easy access to weather forecats when in Spain and the way winds whip round the village makes exact wind direction hard to discern. Even when I'm at the coast some days seem much better than others regardless of wind direction/force. I've downloaded the winds/BoP movements for this autumn and mean to analyse them to work out what happens.

As a point of interest my notes include a table indicating when various raptors migrate. It's not perfect, but i hope it helps,

 

[John Cantelo]

I have no scientific evidence to suggest these routes,they are from my personal observations whilst living in this country.The rubbish dump near to my home in Los Barrios is due north from the coast about 15 kilometers inland and is used mainly by black kites and white storks with at times 1000´s of birds in the area.For birds crossing from Spain to Africa it is my experience that they do not want to get blown into the vastness of the Atlantic thus leaving from further east gives them a diagonal route to Africa without fear of getting blown into the Atlantic to the west and of course the opposite applies to those birds on a strong westerly.I can only go on what I have seen.We are talking of relatively short distances between say Baloña in the west and Gibraltar in the east and often I have been to Punta Carnero only to find the birds are crossing further west at Cazalla.I cannot say that on a given day with a given wind the birds will be in a given place.With regards to November no migrants arrive from Africa this is when the Juvenile and immature Griffon vultures leave Spain in their 100´s.Kind regards Eddy.

This certainly accords with my far more limited observations,