Yesterday afternoon at about 2pm, we had a flock of some 200 birds start circling above our house and a nearby river.


They look like some kind of bird-of-prey but I don't recognise them or have I ever seem them in such large numbers.

After about 45 minutes they took flight (ha, ha) over the mountains some 10Kms away.

Any one any idea what they were and whether it's normal for them to flock in such large numbers?

Aren't they Griffon vultures?

my OH's first instinct was some kind of vulture, too!

Yep yep

We were out sunbathing this spring, and I opened my eyes to see 7 of them less than 10 metres up, in a tight circle over us checking us out, but as soon as they saw me move, they flew off disappointed.

The one centre left is standing on lunch.

Thanks all.

Are they normally seen in such vast numbers?

Yuk, I don't like vultures. No idea if they congregate in large numbers.

I prefer Storks!

Griffon vultures go South for their winter holidays and can be seen in large numbers crossing the Strait of Gibraltar.

What you saw was possibly a group on it's migratory route.

I have seen groups out looking for food but usually in flocks of less than twenty.
However once food is located especially if it is large, say a cow, then many birds can congregate. The photo I posted was part of a group of maybe 100 birds on the ground.

Lucky you hadn't dropped off to sleep.
They'd probably have had you for breakfast.

Naaahh, the snoring would have put them off.