Tag : Tarifa

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  • Common dolphin
    08January

    Cetacean Field Course in Tarifa (Spain)

    12 days in July 2017 (exact dates to be confirmed)

    The Tarifa field course is Odyssea’s most popular project. Situated at the southernmost tip of Europe, Tarifa is the perfect setting for a cetacean field course. The Strait of Gibraltar is home to seven species of whales and dolphins: pilot whales, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, common dolphins, sperm whales, fin whales, and killer whales. The first four species are year-round residents with the pilot whales being the most commonly observed species. Our field course in July usually coincides with the presence of killer whales, which hunt the tuna passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. Fin whale sightings are rarer; nicknamed “greyhound of the sea”,  a small number of fin whales move each year from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and despite their size they can be easily missed.

    During the field course, you’ll be introduced to the biology and ecology of whales and dolphins, with particular focus on the seven occurring species. You will be accompanied by experienced marine biologists who will teach you about the main methods used to study these animals, namely behavioural observations and photo-identification. You will be able to put your newly acquired knowledge to use during the boat trips with our partner Turmares. During a visit of a local rehabilitation center, you will learn more about the biology of dolphins and marine turtles and the threats they face (e.g. plastic pollution, entanglement, or noise pollution).

    Tarifa and its surroundings are also famous for its excellent bird-watching opportunities and is a must-do activity! There is usually also time for a trip to Roman ruins, the Rocks of Gibraltar and various sandy shores. For an account from one of our past interns, we’d recommend reading Livia’s article here.

    For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us under info@odyssea.lu. Information on exact dates and prices will be published as soon as available.

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  • Killer whale Tarifa
    09November

    TARIFA Strait of Gibraltar

    killer whales

    Ever wanted to look an orca in the eye without chlorine water and speakers blasting music? Tarifa is the place to go. In summer, Odyssea takes you to the southernmost point of continental Europe, in the Strait of Gibraltar. Along with a half dozen other people, you get to embark on the legendary Jaquelin, Turmares’ whale-watching boat, to look for killer whales. You’re very likely to encounter other marine mammals as well: several species of dolphins and, if you’re lucky, even the occasional transiting fin whale. You learn the technique of photo-identification, a method used to recognize individuals using the unique markings on their dorsal fins. Aside from the time spent out at sea, you also get to explore the town of Tarifa, and a trip to Gibraltar and the Top of the Rock, as well as to the ancient roman ruins of Bolonia, are mandatory.

    You’ll get to know the good ol’ chucky doll on a fence on the side of the road, meet the monkeys in Gibraltar, realize that Pierre seems to know EVERYONE in town, eat the best pizza in the world after cutting it with scissors, maybe get seasick and miss the sightings, but that’s ok, the others will show you their pictures. You can sunbathe on the beach and frolic in the waves, climb the top of the dune in Bolonia and ideally roll down in the hot sand. Basically, it’s a trip where you learn a lot from Pierre’s evening lectures and field work, but you also get to know people who share your interests, and have loads of fun with the team.

    Text written by Livia Gavard, whose company brought us a lot of joy and laughter during the field courses in Tarifa and Florida.