Yesterday I spent a wonderful day birding the steppe and lagoons of our region with a client from Spain. A very experienced bird watcher, naturalist and conservationist, she was eager to discover this unique habitat and the birdlife that thrives here.
Spring flowers by the green fields and lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha
After a comfortable and easy journey from Valencia, we stopped at our first spot to check out a small lagoon and area of floodwater. On the water we saw Shelduck, Flamingo, and Little Grebe. The reeds held a pair of Great Reed Warbler, which after a little patience we managed to see.
Corn Bunting
Corn Buntings were calling from the nearby fenceline, and Tree Sparrows were active in the surrounding scrub. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers were scurrying around the mud on the shoreline. A Buzzard passed low overhead, whilst Swallows, House Martins and Swifts were all feeding above in the beautiful blue skies.
Greater Flamingo with Common Coot
Our next spot was nothing more than a “prospecting” site that overlooks the vast area of cereal fields that cover this region. We had a good view of Crested Lark and some scanning and effort gave us views of a pair of Stone Curlew. A little further down the road, we stopped by a couple of lagoons where we saw a large flock of Red Crested Pochard, plus Gadwall, Shelduck and Lapwing. A small group of Gull-billed Terns were a delight to see too, as were the Whiskered Terns.
Crested Lark
We then stopped for a picnic lunch by one of my favourite lagoons of the area. We had good views of Black-necked Grebe, White Headed Duck, Corn Bunting and Bee Eater.
White Headed Duck
By now, the clear blue skies had begun to turn a very dark shade of grey, with some very threatening storm clouds building. So, we packed everything into the car and headed up onto the high steppe.
Black-necked Grebe
A huge crack of thunder announced the arrival of the storm, followed by very heavy rain and some impressive fork lightning. Although it was impossible to avoid the rain completely, we attempted to stay either just ahead or just behind the storm front, reckoning that the birds would try to do the same! The strategy worked well and we were treated to some super views of Great Bustard and Calandra Lark. A Black-bellied Sandgrouse passed quickly overhead and a little later we had yet more views of Stone Curlew. As the skies began to clear, we enjoyed watching a male Lesser Kestrel hunting over the fields as well as a female Hen Harrier.
Great Bustards
Despite the short period of dramatic weather, it had been a great day. Good company, beautiful landscape and some fabulous birds. The day´s species list included…
Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Flamingo, Black-winged Stilt, Stone Curlew, Great Bustard, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Shelduck, Mallard, Gadwall, White-headed Duck, Red-crested Pocahrd, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Skylark, Bee Eater, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Crow, Magpie, Hoopoe, Spotless Starling, Great Reed Warbler, White Wagtail, Swallow, House Martin, Swift, Little Owl, Buzzard, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Black Headed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.