Elegant Tern - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

10-Day Bird Photography Trip

May 2022 Thanks to the kind support and recommendations of some previous clients from Singapore, I was contacted early this year by Sudip, who was interested in a 10-day bird photography trip in the Valencia Region. After some considerable email exchanges, his priorities and target species became clear, and work began on designing the perfect plan. As he wanted a combination of field and hide photography, ten days gave us the time and opportunity to deliver a twin-centre holiday. Accordingly, the first half of the trip was spent in the province of Alicante, using the beautiful and historical village of Biar as his base. (I stayed in my home in the mountains very close-by). Sudip really appreciates good food too, so I chose an authentic guest house where there is also a high quality restaurant serving local dishes at reasonable prices. For the second half of the trip, we moved to Valencia, where Sudip stayed in a small hotel in the heart of the historical quarter. Biar, in the highland interior of Alicante As the trip was focussed firmly on high quality photography, this report deals with the key species…

Two fantastic days with clients from Sweden.

When clients return it´s always a special feeling, and in mid May, Alexia from Sweden did exactly that. She´d previously visited Valencia and we did a trip to Albufera together. Not long after her return home she contacted us and we arranged a 2 day birding break in Valencia, which she was to combine with a cultural break in the city. This time she came with a friend, Lena. I was delighted to see Alexia again, and to meet Lena. Both very friendly and great company. On our first day we visited one of Valencia´s coastal wetlands. A walk along the beach gave views of Audouin´s Gull and Whiskered Tern. We had great views of Turtle Dove, a bird that appears to have done very well here this year. The lagoons held White Headed Duck, Little Ringed Plover, Great Egret and a solitary lingering Dunlin. We also enjoyed watching the Tern colony which comprised Common, Little and Sandwich. We were delighted also to see the Elegant Terns that apper to be returning to Valencia each year to breed. On the walk back to the car we stopped to enjoy amazing…

Bird Watching Trip from Valencia City

Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a bird watching trip from Valencia City for two clients from Switzerland. They were both enthusiastic biologist, keen on discovering the bird life of Albufera Natural Park. Having collected them from their hotel in Valencia, we made a short journey to one of the most important wetland of Spain. Our day began in a reserve area with superb views of Collared Pratincole, Kentish PLover and huge flock of Flamingo. After a short walk in the forest we arrieved to a different observatory in front of a sea-bird colony, which holds five different species such as Elegant Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Mediterranean Gull and Slender-billed Gull. Also Avocet and Black-winged Stilt were with chicks. After a picnic in the forest we continued driving through reedbeds and out into open country where we were treated to views of Squacco Heron, Purple Heron and Purple Swamphen. This time of the year, rice fields are essential for food supplies and the best place to get great views of the bird life diversity. We´d made an early start that morning so we were back at the van…