Migration in The Straits of Gibraltar
Just by the beating of wings, suspended in the blue silence, spellbound to a voice calling from over the horizon, like a parade of majestic creatures passing an invisible gateway through the thermal currents, these amazing birds are again going through the spectacular cycle of the migration. Seemingly tireless, they bring us a brilliant performance full of vibrant colours and shapes. Two seasonal passes happen throughout the year; before and after the breeding periods, from North to South from mid summer until autumn and South to North in the spring. Two unique moments that can not be missed by anybody passionately interested in Mother Nature.
Watching from below, various degrees of beauty and flowing movement from the heights can be seen as the marine birds cross amongst the sea mist, the waves and the wind. They appear to be following a line between these seas, a cross section route there and back, from the immense ocean of the Atlantic to the calmer seas of the Mediterranean, which is blended in without importance for distances or continents.
The phenomenon of a spectacular migration is a deeply moving experience of great intensity and beauty. Mountain ranges, dense forests, countryside’s, wetlands, beaches, and cliffs. The unforgettable experience of sightseeing is represented respectfully within the Natural Parks of Los Alcornocales and El Estrecho, which have always been a territory for refuge and survivors.
“Casa de Posta” is valued nowadays for holding the blueprints of time. The History we inherit from our Neolithic and Bronze Age ancestors, for one example, is shown by the prehistoric cave paintings with motifs of poultry within “Tajo de las Figuras”. You can also hear the echo’s of old bird songs that relate to bibliographies from the 14C, but it was not until the late19C and beginning of the 20C that these areas were discovered by naturalists from all over Europe. Multiple publications show that throughout that time we had visitors who fell in love with these enclaves, such as Lieutenant Colonel L. Howard L. Irby when he wrote his captivating work on “Ornithology in the Straits of Gibraltar” published in London in 1898, and which to this day is still indispensable.
We give a toast that we are able to enjoy this beautiful enclave, and to wander through time with the help of an attractive catalogue for birds, combined with some of the most unforgettable panoramic views, a touch of human and friendly local villagers who are kind and knowledgeable, and spanning diverse civilisations.
Welcome to a place where birds fly.