As the Strait of Gibraltar is the narrowest crossing point for birds migrating to and from Europe and Africa, the Rock offers unrivalled bird watching opportunities. Gibraltar also has its permanent residents such as the Barbary Partridge, which originally was only to be found in North Africa. Over 200 species of birds have been recorded, many of which are migratory. Gibraltar, at the head of the Strait, is a prominent headland, which accumulates migrants during the passage periods. The vegetation on the Rock, unique in southern Iberia, provides a temporary home for many species of migratory birds that stop to rest and feed before continuing migration for their crossing over the desert and sea. In spring they return to replenish before continuing their journeys to Western Europe, journeys which may take them as far as Greenland or Russia. The bird watching high season extends from February to June, and from July to October, although interesting species can be seen throughout the year. For example, Gibraltar also has its permanent residents such as the Barbary Partridge, not found anywhere else on the mainland of Europe. Full details of the bird passage through Gibraltar can be found on the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society website: www.gonhs.org
Another website strongly recommended is that of Ornisun Enterprises Limited at www.ornisun.com At this website you will have a detailed breakdown of what birds you can see when both at Gibraltar and selected sites in Spain close to the Rock. You can contact them on 00 350 56280000 or through their e-mail at birdwatching@ornisun.com
For spectacular migratory movements, visits should be made during the main passage periods, although the species to be seen depends very much on the month.
February - March
February to March is good for Cory Shearwater, Black Kite and Short-toed Eagle.
March – April
During late March to April there is a good variety of passage raptors including Black Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Marsh and Montagu’s Harriers, Buzzard, Booted Eagle and Osprey.
April – May
Are excellent for migrating passerines and large falls occur in the Strait area after bad weather.
July – August
July and August are probably the best sea-watching months. There are large numbers of Balearic and Cory’s Shearwaters offshore and there is a large westward movement of thousands of Audouins’s Gulls which pass close to the shore. Other seabirds are likely at this time. July to August is also the peak of the southward migration of the White Stork, Black Kite and Swift.
August – October
The last week of August and the first ten days of September are the best for large numbers of raptors on migration, especially Honey Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture and Montagu’s Harrier. Black Storks and Short-toed and Booted Eagles follow at the end of September and in early October. The main passerine activity in autumn is in late September to mid-November when large falls occur after bad weather. Finch migration during October and early November is spectacular.
Birds move through the area of the Strait throughout the year, making is difficult to divide the year by seasons. The bulk of migration takes place from March to May and from August to October but not all species conform to this pattern. White storks, for example, pass south across The Strait in large numbers during late July and early August, and return northward from the end of October. Any time of year can be rewarding for the visitor.
ALL YEAR
Interesting species which can be found throughout the year include:
Balearic Shearwater, Spoonbill, Greater Flamingo, Marbled and White-headed Ducks, Red Kite, Griffon and Black Vultures, Goshawk, Spanish Imperial, Golden and Bonelli’s Eagles, Barbary Partridge, Purple Gallinule, Crested Coot, Little and Great Buzzards, Avocet, Stone-curlew, Kentish Plover, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Eagle Owl, Dupont’s and Thekla Larks, Crag Martin, Alpine Accentor, Black Redstart, Black Wheater, Blue Rock Thrush, Cetti’s Dartford and Sardinian Warblers, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Great Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Chough, Spotless Starling, Spanish and Rock Sparrows, Serin and Hawfinch.
APRIL - SEPTEMBER
Those wanting to observe the greatest variety of species should visit during mid-April to mid-June. At this time birds are still migrating north and most of the summer visitors have arrived to breed. Among the interesting summer visitors are:
Little Bittern, Night Squacco and Purple Herons, Black and White Storks, Black Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel, Black-winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Gull-billed and Whiskered Terns, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Scops Owl, Red-necked Nightjar, Pallid, Alpine and White-rumped Swifts, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Short-toed and Lesser Short-toed Larks, Red-rumped Swallow, Tawny Pipit, Rufous Bush Robin, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Thrush, Savi’s Great Reed, Olivaceaous, Melodious, Spectacled, Subalpine, Orphean and Bonelli’s Warblers, Woodchat Shrike, Trumpeter Finch and Ortolan Bunting.
NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY
The winter period, which may be considered to start in November and end in February, is also and interesting time as winter visitors from the North arrive and the residents species are still around. It is a good time to observe waterfowl, waders and some passerines, in large numbers and some raptors such as Red Kite and Hen Harrier are most abundant at this time. The winter is a suitable time for a short visit as the weather is usually mild except in the mountains. Interesting wintering species are: Greylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Crane, Black-tailed Godwit, Mediterranean Gull, Alpine Accentor and Penduline Tit.
THE MIGRATION OF BIRDS
During the height of the last glacial advance 18000 years ago, the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkans become refuges for birds which could not survive the rigours of the climate further north. During this period much of Iberia was covered in deciduous and coniferous forests of a similar type to those nowadays found in central and northern Europe. With the retreat of the glaciers and the return to more temperate environments all over Europe, many species of birds began to re-colonise these areas. Birds from Iberia advanced over much of Western Europe and those from the Balkans moved into Eastern Europe. In winter, as the climate deteriorated, these birds would return to their southern homes. The migratory patterns of many birds were thus established with West European birds migrating south-west in autumn and East European birds flying southeast. Other factors have modified this basic pattern in the case of a number of species of birds but the trend still holds true for a large number of species of land birds.
Tropical Africa is the major wintering zone for thousands of millions of European migratory birds. Many of these birds are reluctant to fly over the sea on migration and the Mediterranean Sea presents itself as a formidable barrier. For this reason vast numbers of West European birds congregate to cross the Strait of Gibraltar in autumn and return across in the spring. Gibraltar, at the head of the Strait, is a prominent headland which accumulates migrants during the passage periods. The vegetation of the Rock, unique in southern Iberia, is temporary home for many species of migratory birds which stop there to rest and feed before continuing the migration.
Gibraltar’s proximity to the sea and to another major hurdle in the migration, the Sahara Desert, makes it an essential landfall. In autumn migrants from the north feed on the Rock and deposit large layers of fat which may double their body weights. This fat is used during the migratory flight over the sea and desert (during which the birds do not feed) to provide energy and water. In spring the migrants have finished the desert crossing and stop at Gibraltar to replenish reserves of fat before continuing towards Western Europe. This journey may take them as far as Greenland or Russia.
Gibraltar is the winter home for other migratory birds from Western Europe which find food and protection on the Rock. Ringing research has shown that many individuals return to winter on the Rock in successive winters having performed many journeys north and south in the intervening periods. In the case of the Crag Martin, a species of swallow which only weighs around 22 grammes, individuals have returned to winter on the Rock for seven years.
The Rock of Gibraltar is therefore a stop-over for migrating birds of many species and a winter quarter for others. These species are protected in their breeding areas. Transit points and winter quarters must also offer protection if international conservation is to have any real meaning. All birds in Gibraltar are protected by law which means that they cannot be hunted. It is equally important that the habitats which they utilise for feeding and shelter are protected from urban development and therefore destruction. The loss of vegetation from the Rock or the progressive fragmentation of vegetated areas on the Upper Rock would reduce the sizes of the birds populations living there, whether as residents or in transit, to unacceptable levels. The protection of the Rock’s habitats is a commitment which goes beyond Gibraltar, it is an international commitment which forms part of a global strategy for the protection of birds with more than one home.
Explore Gibraltar’s spectacular underwater world with more than 30 wrecks, reefs and pinnacles to choose from. Gibraltar offers excellent sport for beginners, experienced open water and wreck divers. There are three established diving schools that offer diving opportunities. All provide equipment, so all you need is a swimsuit and a towel to participate. However, if you prefer to use your own diving equipment, there is no restriction for bringing it into Gibraltar.
For scuba divers there’s everything from “try a dive” to advanced instruction. There’s lots to see under-water, from ancient relics to wrecks and you can obtain scuba diving qualifications from the “NAUI”, “PADI” or “BSAC” schools in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar, set at the gateway of the Mediterranean, enjoys a temperate sea, giving the diversity of sea life one would expect in such water. With the constant influx of fresh water from the Atlantic Ocean, Gibraltar enjoys teeming marine life in a vibrant display of colours. You are likely to come across octopus, moray eels, plenty of bass, bream, sea mullet, sunfish nudibranch and a host of others along with rays and congers.
Seven Sisters, a collection of rocky pinnacles, close to the shore and suited to novice and experienced divers, has evolved over thousands of years to provide a home for a breathtaking array of corals and 165 different species of invertebrate. Visibility can be excellent making it great for underwater photography, and with long hot sunny days and mild evenings night diving is a must.
Another favourite reef is Europa Reef, found to the south of Gibraltar, where the adventurous diver can enjoy good reef diving with drop offs and caves. Roman and Phoenician anchors can still be seen scattered along the reef together with grouper meagers, and an abundance of marine life. Rosia Bay, where the flag ship HMS Victory brought Nelson’s body after the Battle of Trafalgar, provides a sheltered area with a sandy sea-bed for dive training and try dives.
The Square, Marina Bay Tel: (+ 350) 200 73147 Fax: (+ 350) 200 74754 E-mail:fred@gibnet.gi
Fishing
Well-equipped boats offer big game fishing for Bluefin Tuna, Broadbill Swordfish and various
shark, according to season. The environmentally considerate can catch, tag and release.
Gibraltar is a good catch for anglers due to the unique positioning of The Rock with the Atlantic merging into the Mediterranean via the Strait. There are good fighting fish to be had, like the Conger Eel, or tasty fish like the fourteen species of Bream. Book a fishing trip and discover this angler’s paradise first-hand.
Gibraltar is home to a wealth of plant life - palms and jacaranda, lavender and jasmine, clematis, honeysuckle, geraniums and bougainvillaea live side by side with many rarer species including two, Gibraltar Candytuft and Gibraltar Sea Lavender, named after the Rock itself. Great efforts are continuously made to ensure that the Rock's natural environment is kept as unspoilt and beautiful for future visitors as it is today. A large area of the upper rock has been designated as a nature reserve and Gibraltar's famous public park, the Alameda gardens, has recently been transformed into a new botanical garden to rival the best in the world.
Opened in 1816, adjacent to a historic parade ground, the Alameda gardens present a magnificent botanical collection. Mediterranean pines and olive trees form a canopy along with Dragon Trees and palms from the Atlantic islands.
Beds display flora, cacti and succulent plants from far off sub-tropical places including South Africa, the Far East, Australia and California. In this oasis, a spectacular amphitheatre has been restored to its former glory and is open on special occasions for concerts and stage shows. Guided tours are available by arrangement.
Lower St. Michael’s Cave was discovered in 1942, accidentally, whilst blasting a second entrance at St Michael’s Cave in order to prepare it for use as an emergency hospital during the Second World War. Today, there are organised tours available to the general public. The tour normally lasts around three hours, however due to the fact that there is some scrambling and minor climbing with ropes involved, duration times may vary. The cave is totally in its original natural state (although it is fully lit). This cave could be referred to as a show cave as most known formations may be found here. One of the sites visited during this tour is a beautiful underground lake and fortunately for the visitor, who will no doubt not want to forget this wonderful espeleological experience, photography is permitted.
People are advised to wear stout shoes and casual clothing. Group sizes range from a maximum of ten and a minimum of five. Due to the unusual nature of this tour, children under the age of ten years are not allowed. Three days prior notice is also necessary for bookings. For details and costs contact the numbers below.
This is an opportunity for you to go on a gentle and interesting walk. The tour starts at Casemates Square at the entrance to the Main Street in Gibraltar. Licensed tour guides will take you on a tour of the City Centre. The tour will take you back through time, discovering Gibraltar’s past and its history during the Moorish, Spanish and British periods and you will learn about the development of its people and its culture. The Tour takes about one hour to an hour and a half and is mostly wheelchair friendly. Total tour distance approximately one kilometre. To book a walking tour please call the number below.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 12:15 pm at the Clocktower by the Watergate at Casemates
These tunnels were excavated during 1939-1944 by the Royal Engineers and a contingent of Canadian Engineers, and are an extension to The Great Siege Tunnels excavated during The Great Siege of 1779-83. The Rock is in fact honeycombed with a 32 mile-long network of tunnels. There are fascinating tours of these tunnels, which are conducted by a guide from H.M. Forces.
Persons wishing to go on these fascinating tours are advised to bring a torch and to wear comfortable shoes. Recommended party sizes are a maximum of fifteen and a minimum of six or seven and the price for the tours is £2.00 per person. The average duration of a tour is three hours.
Licensed tour guides will take you on a tour lasting approximately 52 minutes with a 15- minute comfort break where refreshments are available. Tour includes static exhibitions and photographic displays.
Tours run throughout the day from 1000 hours – 1800 hours daily.
Tel: (+ 350) 200 45957
Cable Car Tour
The Cable Car is the best way to the "Top of the Rock" and a must-see attraction for all visitors to Gibraltar. The journey takes passengers 412m above sea level in approximately 6 minutes offering spectacular views all the way. From the Top Station one has uninterrupted views southwards across the Strait of Gibraltar to Africa; westwards, of the City of Gibraltar and across the Bay to Algeciras; a birds eye view of Gibraltar airport and Spain to the north; and the blue expanse of the Mediterranean and the beaches and cities of the Costa del Sol to the east. A self-service restaurant is located within the Top Station complex where passengers will be able to pick up a quick snack and a drink whilst taking in the spectacular views around them. Group bookings can be taken in advance.
Pocket Multimedia Tour: A personal state-of-the-art Interactive Multimedia Guide is available to all passengers on arrival at the Top Station, allowing passengers to gain an insight into Gibraltar's fascinating history whilst being guided around the Top Station terraces. The commentary is available in eight languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Portuguese and Hebrew and was the first of it's kind to be offered in Europe.
A cable car runs a continuous shuttle to the top of the Rock, daily excluding Sundays
Opening Times: 9:30 - 5:45pm
A great way to discover Gibraltar is with your own personal tour guide. Gibraltar’s taxi drivers are experienced guides who have extensive knowledge of Gibraltar’s history, flora and fauna, the legends, the sites, and more importantly where to take the best pictures.
The average tour lasts around 1½ hours. From just £7 you can visit some of the main tourist sites. (Minimum 4 people).
It is difficult to imagine a better place to learn to sail than Gibraltar. The climate is warm, the Bay is sheltered but open sea, and indeed ocean, is close by. The sailing centres offer a full range of courses, from Competent Crew to the most advanced RYA qualifications.
Gibraltar is a duty-free shopper’s heaven and still continues to offer duty free goods despite changes elsewhere in Europe. Prices at the airport, notably for tobacco and spirits, are among the least expensive in the world.
Shops are normally open by 9.30 am and stay open all day through to 7pm on weekdays, many close Saturday afternoon, and most, if not all, close Sunday. (Please note times may vary).
Main Street, Gibraltar’s principal shopping thoroughfare, runs almost the length of town and the shops are filled with goods of all kinds at attractive prices. Turn off Main Street into the little lanes and alleys and there are even more shops. Items to look out for include jewellery, both precious and semi-precious, watches, fine glassware and porcelain, leather goods, perfumes, silks and cashmere.
Take home a unique souvenir from the Gibraltar Crystal Factory (www.gibraltarcrystal.com). Here you can see master glass blowers crafting molten glass into beautiful items of crystal. All products are genuinely handmade each with their own certificate of authenticity.
An electrical shoppers paradise, Main Street shops offer computers, cameras, optical equipment, TV’s, radios and hi-fi systems.
Gibraltar is VAT-free so you will find that your pound goes further when you visit the pedestrianised shopping area in the heart of the town and enjoy the excellent shopping experience.
For information on Shop Mobility please click here.
