26 Feb 2019: Migration of Kites -Tangier

Shadow Man, Tangier, Morocco

The wind had abated slightly as I drove eastwards along the Mediterranean coast to the port of Tanger Med, about 40 km from Tangier. Along the way I birded the coast, as well as numerous ponds and farmlands, but was not able to tick any new species. Back in Tangier, while eating lunch at an open-air restaurant in Rmilat Park, near Cape Spartel, I found the first of literally hundreds of Black Kites crossing the Strait of Gibraltar on their annual migration to Europe and Asia. This was an awesome sight to behold! The kites flew as low as possible against a strong headwind, and when reaching the coast used the updraft from the cliffs to gain height in order to cross the narrow stretch of sea to Spain. The next afternoon, while again enjoying a kebab sandwich in the park, the stream of kites were still crossing over to Europe.

Black Kite, Tangier, Morocco