Description
The Parque Princesa Sofía is an urban park in the town of La Línea de la Concepción. It's located in the Strait of Gibraltar area, one of the best birding places of Spain and Europe, specially during migration periods. This park attracts, surprisingly, lots of passerines or songbirds of many species. One of the advantages is that these birds are much more easy to find, see, and even to photograph, than in other places. Moreover, with westernly winds, you can also see lots of soaring birds.
Until the end of 2019 around 120 species have been seen. The best dates are, of course depending on the species, from mid March to mid May in spring, and september and october in autum. Some of the species you can find in good numbers are: migrant smrdokavra, rjavoglavi srakoper, hribska listnica, severni kovaček, svetlooka penica, taščična penica, sivi muhar, črnoglavi muhar, pogorelček, repaljščica, drevesna cipa and vrtni strnad. Wintering vrbji kova ek, travniška cipa and šmarnica. Resident črni škorec and žametna penica. Among the rarities, we have had: mušja listnica (anually in october), rožnati škorec, mali strnad, gozdna cipa, mlinarček and zlati vrabec.
In Facebook, look for the group "Fauna del Parque Princesa Sofía de La Línea", in "Files" you can download a PDF with the complete list of birds.
Details
Access
This park is in La Línea de la Concepción city and close to the border with Gibraltar so it's very easy to find. Usually there are places to park close to or near the park, either on the street or in carparks. To explore the park is better to go walking.


