Great Bustard in Spain - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

Multiple Visits to the Steppe and Cereal Plains.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve spent quite a few days up on the steppe, enjoying this unique landscape and the fabulous bird life that thrives here. The first trip was for 4 lovely clients from Barcelona, well travelled nature lovers who were visiting the area and were keen to see Great Bustard above all. Another day was part of a 3-day trip for Jason from the USA and the other was simply a day´s birding with my partner Itziar to enjoy the spectacle of Great Bustard courtship displays. Great Bustard Each day was a great success in that we found and enjoyed superb views of good numbers of Great Bustards, but as with birding anywhere, no two days are ever the same! On the first trip, we were delighted to see recently arrived Woodchat Shrike and passing Bee Eaters. The Lesser Kestrels that breed in this area had indeed returned from their wintering grounds and gave us some great views as they swooped and hovered around the semi ruined buildings where the colony was already established. After a little searching amongst a pile of rocks, we finally located the…

Bringing 2023 to a close up on the steppe.

I’d like to begin this post by wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and bird packed 2024. Last year was something of a record for Valencia Birding, with more clients than any year since our foundation in 2011, so I feel very grateful to all for such support, and very much look forward to the coming year. Over the next few months, we’ll be adding some new trips and birding breaks, so please watch out for that. As always, we continue to offer a range of “standard” trips, but often provide specially designed outings and holidays depending on the clients’ needs, wishes and preferences. More on that later. Steppe scenery – huge plains dotted with lagoons. This area is situated to the south west of our region. The final two trips of 2023 were both to the steppe, one for a returning client and friend from the UK, and one for a Spanish family who were visiting the region from their home in Madrid. We were blessed both days by great weather, with blue skies and thankfully very little wind. The moment having found and watched the Great Bustards, with…

3 Day Birding Break from the Historical Town of Xativa (March 2023)

Few clients have travelled as far as James to visit the region, so when he told me he was coming from Australia, I was keen to help him to design something special! As part of his longer stay in Spain, he wanted to visit the city of Valencia for a few days but to stay in a smaller, more relaxed place. After some discussion, we opted for a three night stay in Xativa, three days of birding in different habitats, and then I would leave him in Valencia after our third day so he could spend a few nights there. The historical town of Xativa Xativa is a very historical town, with a fascinating past. Its castle, museum and narrow streets are a delight and there’s a good selection of places to eat, as well as a beautifully restored guest house that I often use for visitors, Casa Aldomar. The mountains of Alicante Day 1 – Mountains. I collected James from Casa Aldomar, which is located in the historical centre of the town on our first day, and we made the easy journey to the mountains in the interior of…

2-Day Birding Trip from Alicante

8th & 9th September 2022 Day 1 : Coastal Wetlands & Saltmarshes. After the summer break, our trips kicked-off again in early September. I tend not to offer many trips during the summer months as the heat can often have an impact on the quality of the trip, which of course, is of paramount importance. Erling, from Iceland, had previously contacted me to arrange a couple of day´s birding whilst he was on holiday with his family in the Alicante region. Erling, a professional entomologist from the Icelandic Institute of Natural History, is clearly a well-known figure in Icelandic birding circles and beyond, so it was a privilege to meet both him and his brother-in-law Gudni, and to spend these days together. For our first trip, we chose to visit the wetlands of Alicante. Armed with a list of target species, we made the journey from Alicante and soon arrived at our first reserve. Within just a few minutes, we were watching Purple Swamphen, one of the targets for the day, which got the trip off to a great start. Swifts, House Martins and Crag Martins were all feeding above…

3-Day Birding Trip from Valencia

25-27 May 2022 I recently designed and provided a 3-day birding trip for a lovely couple from the UK. Ian is a life-long birder and has been keen to do an overseas birding trip for a while. Once we began to discuss possibilities, his wife decided to join him on at least one of the days, but in the end, I’m delighted to say that she came along on every trip. They stayed in a hotel in the historical centre of Valencia, one that we use frequently owing to its authenticity, location, quality and value. It was from there that we began our first trip, to the mountains. Day 1 – Mountains Our first day dawned with almost cloudless skies and very little wind, perfect conditions in which to explore the highland interior of Valencia. After a drive of around 50 minutes, we stopped for breakfast at a small village before heading into the hills. Our first sighting was Black Wheatear, which was a “lifer” for Ian. A Raven flew by as did a pair of Griffon Vultures. Our stroll through the woods gave sightings of Serin, Sardinian Warbler and…

2 days birding from Alicante – each day with a surprise!

19th & 21st April 2022 Over the Easter break, I provided a 2-day birding trip for a group of birders from Finland, who were staying in Alicante. All experienced and well travelled, this was their first time in this region, so they were full of anticipation, and had a few key species that they’d like to see. Our first day was spent in the wetlands of Alicante. As soon as we left the car, we were greeted by the sound of Corn Buntings singing in the nearby fields, Zitting Cisticola above us and Common Reed Warbler in the marsh. A local soundtrack for sure! The first lagoon held Red Crested Pochard, Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis and a Common Sandpiper. Having only spent around twenty minutes at the reserve, we were soon enjoying views of two of their target species, Red Knobbed Coot and Marbled Teal, birds for which Alicante is a crucial stronghold. Red Knobbed Coot As we strolled across the reserve to visit a couple of hides, we had views of Great Reed Warbler and Little Ringed Plover. A Cuckoo was calling in the distance. The hides gave us…