The huge habitat diversity of the Valencia region of Spain allows us to provide a superb 7 days birding holiday. In late February of this year, we were fortunate to deliver exactly that for Gourmet Birds, a well established specialist bird watching holiday provider from UK.
We´d worked very closely with them to design a bespoke trip, taking in some of the region´s best birding venues and carefully selected accommodation to hopefully result in a memorable trip.
Day 1 – Salt Marshes and Lagoons
The group arrived relatively early into Alicante airport. Therefore, without wanting to make the first day too long, we did choose to spend a few hours birding at a couple of the salt marshes that are situated within very easy reach of the airport.
Audouin´s Gull
The usual Flamingoes were feeding on the salt marshes in huge numbers, providing a striking welcome to Spain for our guests! As we strolled by the first lagoons, we also enjoyed views of Audouin´s Gull, Little Stint, Shelduck, Reed Bunting and Black Redstart. We were also treated to views of three Spoonbills in flight.
Spoonbill
We then moved on to another site that includes woodland, vineyards and a salt lagoon. We were delighted to see some early spring migrants including House Martin, Barn Swallow and Sand Martin. A Green Woodpecker also gave good views.
Black Redstart
We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the beautiful early Spring sunshine whilst watching Red Legged Partridge, Serin, Crested Lark and numerous finches including Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Chaffinch.
After a gentle stroll we arrived at a hide where we turned our attention to the gulls that were resting on one of the lagoons. These included Lesser Black Backed, Yellow Legged, Black Headed (many already in their breeding plumage), and Mediterranean Gull. However, perhaps the prettiest by far was the Slender Billed Gull, many of which were clearly showing the delicate pink colouration of the breast.
Crested Lark
As we walked back through an area fringed with pine trees, an unusual bird caught our eye. It was indeed a Great Spotted Cuckoo – almost certainly having just arrived in Spain having made it´s migratory flight from Africa. We enjoyed good views of this unexpected bird, certainly which was to be a good omen for the week ahead!
We then returned to the van and made the very pleasant journey inland to the little known highland region of the Sierra de Mariola. For the next three nights, the group were to stay in the beautifully restored Valencian farmhouse of L´Alqueria del Pilar on the edge of the historical village of Banyeres de Mariola.
Our arrival time allowed for a relaxing evening as the group had all made a very early start that morning. We´d also arranged for a local restaurant to provide a catering service so the group could dine without having to venture out of the farmhouse.
The trip had got off to a good start with 50 species seen. The list for the day included…
Greater Flamingo, Spoonbill, Redshank, Black Winged Stilt, Avocet, Little Stint, Little Egret, Cormorant, Yellow Legged Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Audouin´s Gull, Slender Billed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Red Crested Pochard, Pochard, Shelduck, Shoveler, Mallard, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Ring Necked Parakeet, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Feral Pigeon, Magpie, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Spotless Starling, Meadow Pipit, Stonechat, Black Redstart, Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Blackbird, Kingfisher, Reed Bunting, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Serin, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel.