Last Sunday, Yanina and I were pleased to provide a day of guided birding for a client from UK. Thomas was spending the weekend in Valencia and had arranged a trip with us. Despite it being a stormy day in Albufera de Valencia, we managed to adapt the trip to miss almost all of the heavy rain that fell that day!
Having collected Thomas from his hotel in central Valencia, we made the short trip to Albufera, where we began the day in a protected reserve. We were welcomed by the explosive song of Cetti´s Warbler, and with a little patience we soon had views of this elusive little bird. The reed beds also gave views of Great Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler (we were fortunate as they are at the point of departure for their autumn migration) and Fan-tailed Warbler. A juvenile Night Heron passed overhead.
Garganey
Photo courtesy of Ewout Ruysbergh
The first lagoon gave good views of Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe, Garganey, and eventually a Green Sandpiper. As we walked through the reserve, we were treated to views of huge flocks of Glossy Ibis, well in excess of 100 birds.
Great Crested Grebe
We then spent a little time on an observation tower looking across the reserve, from where we enjoyed views of Flamingo, Purple Swamphen, Gadwall and many more Marsh Harriers.
Glossy Ibis, Flamingoes, Spoonbill, Avocet
Our walk then took us alongside a lagoon where we were able to stop and enjoy great views of some fabulous species including Spoonbill, Avocet, Sandwich Tern and Great Egret. We were delighted to see an Osprey that has stopped at the reserve to feed and rest on it´s migration to Africa.
By now, as we looked north towards the city of Valencia, black storm clouds were gathering over the city. A brief call from home confirmed that the storm had already hit and rain was falling extremely heavily. We therefore decided to move to the south side of the Albufera Park where it seemed to be a little brighter. Our luck seemed to hold out as we managed to keep ahead of the streadily advancing storm, and as we stopped by some recently harvested rice fields, we were fortunate to see Little Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtail, Cattle Egret and Snipe.
In an attempt to squeeze another half hour of birding into the day before the rain caught up with us, we headed for another small reserve area where we enjoyed great views of another Purple Swamphen. The rain finally hit, but we were dry and sheltered in a small hide, from where we watched this juvenile Little Grebe!…
The journey back to Valencia gave some spectacular views of storm clouds and lightning but we were also treated to a great view of a Squacco Heron and a Booted Eagle. A fitting end to a great day.
Our species list for the day included…
Shoveler, Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Garganey, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Green Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Black Winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Flamingo, Snipe, Avocet, Grey Heron, Night Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Cormorant, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Booted Eagle, Willow Warbler, Fan-tailed Warbler, Cetti´s Warbler, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Savi´s Warbler, Spotless Starling, Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, House Sparrow, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Kingfisher, Serin, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail.
Written by David Warrington.
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.
Throughout the day, Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins were passing through on their long journey to Africa.