Last week, we were especially delighted to provide a trip for some returning clients from UK. Amanda and her family had previously visited Albufera de Valencia with us and had returned for a day on the high steppe of Eastern Spain. It was fabulous to see them again, especially having kept in touch in the meantime.
We left Valencia and made the easy drive inland where we began the day with a coffee stop and discussion about the species that we were hoping for. Our first stop by a small pond gave views of Shelduck, Tree Sparrow and Black Winged Stilt. Although distant, we also saw Short Toed Eagle. As we left this site, we were quite surprised to see a juvenile Mistle Thrush.
Mistle Thrush
We stopped by an old farm where we had good views of Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Crested Lark and Stone Curlew. The first lagoon of the day gave views of some interesting species including Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern and Red Crested Pochard.
Rock Sparrow
Our lunch stop by a sizeable lake was very pleasant as we were able to sit in the shade and scan the water. We enjoyed views of Marsh Harrier, Flamingo, Black-necked Grebe and plenty of ducks including Gadwall, Pochard and Shelduck.
It was beginning to get very hot, so we retreated to the comfort of the air-conditioned minibus and headed up onto the high steppe. We had close views of Calandra Lark, Short Toed Lark and yet more Crested Lark.
Crested Lark
We were also very pleased to have quality views of Lesser Kestrel and after some patient searching, a group of over 20 Great Bustard.
Short Toed Lark
Very pleased with the day and the birds that we´d seen, we finished the trip with an ice-cream before heading back to the coast. It had been a pleasure for us to spend the day together with such lovely people, and to see some fabulous species. The list for the day included…
Species list:
Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Short-toed Eagle, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Flamingo, Coot, Moorhen, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, Little-ringed Plover, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Mallard, Shelduck, Gadwall, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, Collard Dove, Wood Pigeon, Hoopoe, Mistle Trush, Swift, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Spotless Starling, Rock Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Corn Buntting, Calandra Lark, Crested Lark, Short-toed Lark.