Late last month I had the pleasure to provide a day of guided bird watching for a lovely group of four clients from UK. Two were spending time at their holiday home and the other couple were there as guests. Two had an interest in nature in general whilst the other couple were extremely experienced birders and had worked in guiding and conservation in Africa.
Red Knobbed Coot
We began our trip at a superb coastal wetland reserve area where we enjoyed watching Red-knobbed Coot and Marbled Teal, both subjects of successful conservation programs here in Spain.
Squacco Heron
We then moved further into the reserve where we had great views of Squacco Heron, Great Reed Warbler, Little Tern and Whiskered Tern. With a little patience we were also able to enjoy views of Purple Swamphen and Little Bittern.
Purple Swamphen
As we continued the walk, something unusual caught our eye as we watched a large flock of Swifts feeding overhead. An Alpine Swift was feeding with them, probably a result of cloudy and wet weather in the mountains nearby.
Avocet
We then spent the rest of the morning in a couple of hides from where we had views of Red Crested Pochard, Little Grebe, Avocet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Slender Billed Gull, Collared Pratincole, Sardinian Warbler and Zitting Cisticola.
Slender Billed Gull
We then took a break and enjoyed a picnic lunch before heading to some other great hides from where we enjoyed fabulous views of Black Necked Grebe, White Headed Duck, Purple Heron, Little Bittern and a Great Crested Grebe with young.
Great Crested Grebe with young
The day ended with a flurry of activity as we crossed some local farmland from where we had views of Roller, Cuckoo, Little Owl and Hoopoe.
White Headed Duck
It had been a great day and an interesting introduction to the birdlife of this fabulous area. The species list for the day included…
Red Knobbed Coot, Marbled Teal, Red Crested Pochard, Little Tern, Whiskered Tern, Squacco Heron, House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Moorhen, Barn Swallow, Purple Swamphen, Mallard, Great Reed Warbler, Black Winged Stilt, Shelduck, Coot, Swift, Greater Flamingo, Pochard, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Little Bittern, Cuckoo, Glossy Ibis, Zitting Cisticola, Little Egret, Alpine Swift, Collared Pratincole, Grey Heron, Black Headed Gull, Slender Billed Gull, Bar Tailed Godwit, Pallid Swift, Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Hoopoe, White Wagtail, Wood Pigeon, White Headed Duck, Black Necked Grebe, Purple Heron, Great Crested Grebe, Yellow Legged Gull, Red Legged Partridge, Roller, Magpie, Sardinian Warbler, Little Owl.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.