A few days ago, I provided a day of guided bird watching for two clients from Ireland. The trip was a gift from their daughter Ann Claire. Her dad is an experienced and knowledgeable birder and wanted to see the diversity of the birdlife that exists here in Valencia.
We decided upon a specific wetland area as right now there are colonies of breeding species that provide some super opportunities for observation, all without the risk of disturbance.
After a short drive to the reserve, the first stop was in an observatory platform where we enjoyed lovely views of Red-crested Pochard, Whiskered Tern, Coots feeding their chicks and a magnificent Great Reed Warbler.
We walked on to another lagoon where we had superb views of Whiskered Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern. We were also fortunate to see a Shag and two Black-necked Grebes, unusual for this time of the year in this reserve… Collared Pratincoles and Little Terns were also breeding in the vicinity, and gave great views both on the ground and in flight.
Little Tern
After a picnic lunch we a headed inland, despite the warm weather, we were looking forward to seeing Purple Swamphen and Purple Heron. Also we enjoyed lots of House Martins, Swallows and Swift feeding in flight overhead.
Purple Heron
The day ended with a drive through a local farming area where we had lovely views of Hoopoe, Serin and Turtle Dove.
Hoopoe
The specie list of the day included…
Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, White-headed Duck, Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Little Grebe, Flamingo, Glossy Ibis Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Night Heron, Glossy Ibis, Water Rail, Purple Swamphen, Moorhen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Little-ringed Plover, Turnstone, Common Sandpiper, Collared Pratincole, Slender-billed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Little Tern, Whiskered Tern, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Turtle Dove, Hoopoe, Monk Parakeet, Woodchat Shrike, Magpie, Sand Martin, House Martin, Barn Swallow, Sardinean Warbler, Serin, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Cetti’s Warbler, Spotless Starling, White Wagtail, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrow.