Inglorious Bustards

03/09/2026

Strong, gusting Levante winds over the last few days have made crossing The Straits even more treacherous for migrating birds. Many soaring migrants are having to double back and wait or postpone their sea crossing entirely, despite their clear desperation to take the leap!

This wind-lock has put us right in the thick of incredible, swirling masses of Black Kites, Booted Eagles, Egyptian Vultures, and towering columns of White Storks, alongside the very first arriving Black Storks.

The proximity has been simply amazing, with masses often at eye level, witnessing breathtaking encounters as they pass by our guests.

We have been treated to some truly clear, breathtaking moments. The strong winds have brought incredible, close-up encounters with European Honey Buzzards, which for many of our group have been a standout highlight.

PEAK here in The Straits!

31/08/2026

The Honey train continues to gather pace with over 33,000 European Honey Buzzards crossing the continental divide here between the 24th - 30th August.

Joining them ever increasing numbers of Booted (1,393) and Short-toed Eagles (455) with increasing numbers of Egyptian Vultures and the first of the Black Storks now arriving!

Autumn migration in The Straits is full

Data from our conservation partners Fundación Migres · CIMA Centro Internacional de Migración de Aves

28/08/2026

Yesterday, unusual August rain swept in from the west of The Straits, halting soaring bird migration mid-flow.

A brief break in the weather caused birds to stage right at the edge of the continent, with some impatient travellers already making the crossing as rain rolled in once again. This caused absolute bedlam! European Honey Buzzards and Black Kites had to dry out on the ground and in the trees as they waited for a gap.

As the weather cleared, thousands upon thousands of European Honey Buzzard and Black Kites passed right over us, desperate to make their cloaca-clenching journey across the divide!

A day that will live long in the memory, and the exact reason why this is the absolute centre of .

17/08/2026

Between the 10th and 16th of August, 106,765 Black Kites, 25,780 White Storks, 614 Booted Eagles, 481 European Honey Buzzards, 237 Short-toed Eagles, 76 Egyptian Vultures, 56 Montagu’s Harriers, and many more crossed The Straits on into Africa.

This group of 637 White Storks soared directly over our heads yesterday before finally making their crossing!

(data from our conservation partners Fundación Migres · CIMA Centro Internacional de Migración de Aves)

16/08/2026

As the days progress, the players in the great migratory dance are beginning to shift.

The seemingly relentless march of Black Kites and White Storks continues as tens of thousands cross the divide between continents most days, for instance yesterday's numbers saw 22,000 Black Kites and 7,500 White Storks making the crossing!

Now joining the spectacle are the vanguard of European Honey Buzzards, while Booted and Short-toed Eagle numbers steadily build. High above, Alpine Swifts and European Bee-eaters fill the gaps in between.

Today we also added Eleonora's Falcon whizzing through our watchpoint, and an immature Spanish Imperial Eagle cruised over.

12/08/2026

Rambling Through the Roots: How Kotu Creek’s Mangroves Got Their Groove Back

Ebru guides us through the creeks ©️ Inglorious Bustards Floating through restored mangrove forests aboard a brightly painted wooden pirogue, travelers find themselves a part of a truly inspiring local conservation success story....

Discover how community-led mangrove restoration in Kotu Creek, Gambia, is protecting wildlife, locking away carbon, and supporting local livelihoods.

05/08/2026

With the wind now shifting to a poniente, the eastern side of The Straits is pumping!

As the wind turns, it changes the departure point, now pushing the spectacle over to the east.

The river of raptors is flowing—a steady, massive stream all day, including over 5,000 Black Kites attempting to cross the divide in just one hour.

📍 The Straits of Gibraltar

05/08/2026

Swift Weekender — Trip Report 2026

All five European swifts in one action-packed weekend! Read our latest trip report from Andalucía as we connected with rare White-rumped and Little Swifts, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins, Northern Bald Ibis, and thousands of migrating Black Kites across The Straits....

Read our Swift Weekender trip report from Andalucía. Track down all five European swift species, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins, Northern Bald Ibis, and migrating Black Kites.

04/08/2026

Sky-High Adventure: Tracking European Honey Buzzards Over The Straits

From masses of European Honey Buzzards streaming over coastal watchpoints to intimate views of rare Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins and nesting Northern Bald Ibises—explore the highlights from our spring expedition across The Straits of Gibraltar and Andalucía's rich wetlands!...

Witness spring migration across The Straits of Gibraltar & Doñana. Read our trip report featuring European Honey Buzzards, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robins, Northern Bald Ibis & Long-finned Pilot Whales.

04/08/2026

Glorious Bustards, Duck-filled Days and Eagle-icious Views! A week of top-tier birding in the Serranía de Ronda 2026

From the dramatic peaks of the Serranía de Ronda to the vast steppe plains of Osuna, read all about our winter adventure across Andalucía! Spotting Great Bustards, White-headed Ducks, Bonelli's Eagles, and vibrant Greater Flamingos—all alongside local plant-based field feasts....

https://ingloriousbustards.com/2026/08/04/winter-birdwatching-andalucia-trip-report/