Spainish East Coast Seawatching (1 Viewer)

[Julian Sykes Wildlife]

Hi
First time i've tried this so please bear with me. I am a huge seawatching fan with me spending a lot of time in Fife (Fife Ness & Kinghorn) plying my trade to varying amounts of success. The bug started in Yorkshire where you can be slightly spoilt for sea-bird rarities. Anyway i am soon moving to the East coast of Spain (30Km north of Benidorm) and was wondering what the Med was like for sea-watching. Obviously i have read some of the books and realise both med Shears and Cory's are regular but what about the other species. Also what if any are the optimum weather/wind conditions for good passage. Any info would be gratefully received.
Cheers Jules

 

[birdman]

Hi Jules,

I don't have a great deal of experience of the east of Spain, but I was lucky enough to pay a visit to Cap de Creus, in the very NE corner of the Country, which is supposed to be pretty decent for seawatching.

It is certainly a good vantage point, but I guess you still need the right conditions!

My book tells me that Cory's and Yelkuoan Shearwaters are resident, along with such non-sea-birds as Bonelli's Eagle, Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush and Firecrest.

I'll quote the book now...

"Cap de Creus itself is a prime sea-watching location. Yelkouan and Cory's Shearwaters pass by in summer, especially around dusk and early morning, or during onshore winds." (Where to Watch Birds in Spain and Portugal - Laurence Rose - ISBN 0-600-58404-6)

Just south of the Cap is Aiguamolls de l'Emporda, which I can thoroughly recommend for non-sea-watching.

 

[Julian Sykes Wildlife]

Hi Birdman
Thanks for that, i have just purchased the very good 'Birdwatching guide to Eastern Spain' and it highlights the species that are usually recorded and the accidentals as well. Yet i feel with all sea watching locations it is trial and error. get out there at all times of the year in different weather and wind conditions and see what turns up.
Years ago i was privilaged to sea watch off Flamborough fairly regularly with Andrew Lassey who pretty much put the place on the sea watching map. He told me how in the 70's he looked at a map of the East Coast and saw the potential for good sea-birds at that location. So he used to drive there from Halifax (a 2 hour journey) and persevered with varying times and conditions until his efforts were rewarded and the rest is 'as they say' history. Strangely enough prior to settling in Yorkshire he used to sea watch from Fife Ness (where i am now) and always held it in high regard.
Anyway i suppose what i am saying is i am just going to find a potentially good site, sit down and scan the sea for a few hours, and see what happens.
Cheers Jules

 

[birdman]

Good Luck

:t: