Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

I was sat taking a break from trying to photograph the constant stream of Raptors flying over head, in the distance a Sparrowhawk was flying fast and low over the barren hillside, it seemed to be flying in my direction, so I picked up my camera and tracked it, eventually the Sparrowhawk flew so close I thought it would bump into the lens, just flying up at the last minute! The Raptor passage was still full flow, managed to get one last Booted Eagle picture and a bit later a whole flock of White Stork, that seemed to prepare to cross the strait once or twice, eventually getting half way across and then returned back again!

The Gibraltar Strait is definitely a place I have vowed to return to, to witness and try and photograph the amazing spectacle again.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

Short-Toed Eagle's flying over the Cazalla watch point.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

The last and busiest day at Cazalla watchpoint, great conditions or though very hot, and not helped by a dodgy stomach (should have stuck only to the safe pubs in Gibraltar for food)

Raptors flying over the lowest, included Egyptian Vulture, Booted Eagle and Short-Toed Eagle.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

Short-Toed and Booted Eagle's from the watch point at Cazalla.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

The above photo is one last picture of the Marsh Harrier that was showing well at La Janda the day before. The next day I was back at the watch point of Cazalla, a slower day than before, but still a constant passage of Migrating Raptors. One Raptor that was flying at a lower altitude was a juvenile Honey Buzzard and during the day, one of the Short-Toed Eagle's just about came in to range.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

Still a novice at working out which part of the Gibraltar Strait would yield best results in relation the conditions and wind direction, by trial and error I searched for watch points along the main coast road, using the distance markers I eventually found Cazalla, this turned out to be the best watch point, regardless of conditions. Many Booted and Short-Toed Eagles were crossing, although quite high up, flying a little lower was a Goshawk, notoriously difficult to photograph, although I probably only managed a good record shot, I was pleased with the result. After it all slowed down it was on further west to La Janda, where a juvenile Montagu's and a Marsh Harrier were showing well.

Gibraltar Strait, September 15th -22nd 2010.

It had always been an ambition of mine to visit Gibraltar, during the migration season. Research done before, suggested the Rock itself was good for photography, although I soon learnt that conditions had to be right! The famous Apes were there, bullying tourists who either were eating food and didn't seem to know the consequences or looked like they had food. On the first day, there was a steady Booted Eagle passage and on the second day just the four Sparrowhawks. I followed wind directions a bit more after this!