A few days ago, I had the pleasure of providing day of guided bird watching for a great couple of clients from England who were visiting their son here in Spain. Both keen nature lovers, they were eager to see the diverse bird life that Albufera de Valencia Natural Park holds, especially at this time of year when summer migrants are beginning to arrive.
Our first stop was at a protected reserve where we had fantastic views of Alpine Swifts, Booted Eagles and Red-legged Partridges. Wildfowl included Pintail, Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Pochard.
Driving on the way to the second hotstop, we stopped the van to enjoy views of a beautiful Hoopoe.
At the next stop, we had excellent views of Purple Swamphen, Jack Snipe and Avocet. Recently arrived summer visitors included two Short-toed Eagles soaring above the reserve and a Black Kite on passage.
After a picnic lunch we stopped at a lake close to the sea where we enjoyed great views of Black-necked Grebe and Audouin’s Gull.
To end the day we drove to the northern rice paddies where farmers were ploughing the land that provides habitat for thousands of Flamingos, Glossy Ibis, gulls and waders. We also saw another early migrant – Whiskered Terns. We also had great views of Yellow Wagtail and Water Pipit.
It had been a lovely day, spent in excellent company.
The species list for the day included…
Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Pintail, Mallard, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Shelduck, Grey Heron, Great White Eagret, Little Egret, Cattle Egreat, Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Coot, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Ruff, Jack Snipe, Common Snipe, Kentish Plover, Whiskered Tern, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Starling, Spotless Starling, Magpie, Hoopoe, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Water Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Sand Martin, Swift, Pallid Swift, Alpine Swift, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler, Robin, Serin.