As professional and licensed bird watching guides, we clearly work along guidelines and codes of practice to ensure that ethics are applied, and to minimise environmental impact. A special priviledge that we enjoy is that of access to restricted and protected areas of many nature reserves throughout the Valencian region.
Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a bespoke birding trip to one of these highly protected areas, a “green filter” reserve within the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. My client for the day was Oscar, a very experienced birder from Bilbao. We were warmly welcomed by the reserve manager, who outlined the recent sightings. We were very fortunate in that there had been sightings of a rarity – the Citrine Wagtail, so of course Oscar was very eager to see this unusual visitor.
He was also keen to see the many wading birds that frequent this wetland reserve. So, we spent the morning very quietly exploring the reserve, and enjoying the spectacular bird life on display.
Dunlin
Our patience eventually paid off, and rewarded us with great views of the Citrine Wagtail! The timing of our visit also coincided with the recent arrivals of some of the area´s summer visitors, such as the Collared Pratincole.
We had a great visit, and the day´s species list included :
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Mallard, Garganey, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole, Avocet, Black- winged Stilt, Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Common Snipe, Ruff, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti´s Warbler, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Robin, Yellow Wagtail and Citrine Wagtail.