A few days ago, I had the pleasure of providing a 2-day birding break on the steppe and in Albufera de Valencia for a family from Slovenia. However, the real birder of the group was Maks, a 14 year-old boy with an amazing knowledge.
Day 1 – Steppe
Having collected them from their hotel in the city, we made the journey inland and up onto the high steppe area close to Valencia. After a morning coffee stop and a briefing on the species that we were likely to see, we headed across the rolling plains where had great views of Crested Lark and Hoopoe.
Crested Lark
The first lagoon held Greater Flamingoes and Lesser Black backed Gulls. We stopped by an old farm where we enjoyed views of Corn Buntings, Rock Sparrows and Spotless Starlings.
Corn Bunting
The high steppe eventually gave us views of one of the day´s key species – the Great Bustard. Initially we spotted two males, albeit at long range. Then our patience was rewarded with great views of a group of 12 birds. At the same time, we were also fortunate enough to see two Little Bustard, and Little Owl.
The day was brought to an end with great views of a male Hen Harrier.
The species list for the day included…
Mallard, Greater Flamingo, Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Booted Eagle, Hen Harrier, Common Buzzard, Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Wood-Pigeon, Southern Grey Shrike, Carrion Crow, Calandra Lark, Skylark, Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Starling, Spotless Starling, White Wagtail, Corn Bunting, Goldfinch, Linnet, Serin, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow.
Day 2 – Albufera de Valencia
After a long day in the steppe, Maks wanted to try a wetland habitat to discover some new species from Southern Europe, so we drove to Albufera Natural Park.
First stop was in a reserve area where we enjoyed great views of Kingfisher and Booted Eagle.
Second stop was in a green filter reserve that provides an excellent habitat and food supply for different species including Glossy Ibis, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagles.. although the surprise of the visit was views of a herd of Cranes, the first ones seen in the area this autumn.
Last stop was by a small lake close to the sea, where we spotted a beautiful leucistic Barn Swallow to end a long and fantastic birding day.
It had been a very rewarding trip for us, especially to see such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable birder of such a young age.
The species list for the day included…
Shelduck, Gadwall, Wigeon, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Marbled Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Red-legged Partridge, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Booted Eagle, Marsh-Harrier, Kestrel, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Dunlin. Little Stint, Snipe, Sppoted Redshank, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Hoopoe, Magpie, Kingfisher, Crag-Martin, House Martin, Barn Swalow, Great Tit, Penduline Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Yellow Wagtail, Whote Wagtail, Fan-tailed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler, Common Chiffchaff, Sardinean Warbler, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Starling, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, House Sparrow.