The osprey which was satellite tagged this year has crossed the peninsula and flown over the Strait of Gibraltar

-URDAIBAI RESERVE- El águila pescadora marcada por satélite este año sobrevuela la península y da el salto por el estrecho. 

A view of Africa from the coast of Tarifa

On Friday 15th September, Aline spent the night in a tree in an area of pastureland. 10km away from this spot there was an important event in 1212. The Navas of Tolosa Battle marked an important victory for allied Christian forces fighting against a powerful Muslim army. Led by Don Diego Lopez de Haro, Lord of Biscay, the cavalry played an important role in the outcome.

Early on Saturday morning, Aline flew over the Guadalen and Giribaile Reservoirs. She did not stop off to fish, however. It is interesting to note that most young ospreys do not catch fish until they arrive in their wintering grounds. In order to fuel their incredible journey, they use fat stores built up from the food provided by their parents prior to the migratory period. In Aline's case, food was provided everyday by staff of the Urdaibai Bird Center who placed mullets on the feeding platforms in the marsh.

"Aline" can be seen here wearing a device with an antenna. She is on a feeding platform with other ospreys from the project in the Urdaibai marshes.

At 11:00 she flew over Mancha real and then on to Bermejales Reservoir near Alhama de Granada. At around 19:00 she reached the coast and slept on an electricity pylon in the region of Marbella. Sadly, many osprey die when they stop to rest on pylons. Electrocution has caused the deaths of three of the ospreys from the project.

On 17th September Alina flew over the Bolonia Roman Ruins

Fortunately Aline came to no harm and continued on her journey She flew over Estepona and Algeciras, which are near the Strait. At first she was afraid to venture out into the open sea and continued to hug the coast till she reached Chiclana de la Frontera.

 Sundown, La Janda

Finally she braved the crossing and after reaching African soil at 17:00, she stopped for a well-earned rest in a forest 20km south of Tangier.