A couple of weeks ago, I spent a very happy day with a great couple of clients from the UK. Michelle and David were spending a few days in the city of Valencia and were keen to include a day´s birding in their stay. They were happy for the trip to involve a walk, so we opted to visit the coastal wetlands of Valencia. Birding the coastal wetlands in Spring is a delight as all the summer visitors are here and there´s plenty of activity as birds jostle for nesting spaces, particularly the terns, gulls and Collared Pratincoles.
Valencia´s Coastal Wetlands
After a short journey from the city we began the walk along the beach, watching over a series of coastal lagoons. Michelle spotted a small bird perched low in the branches of a tree, which on closer inspection was found to be a Spotted Flycatcher – a nice start to the day. A pair of Turtle Doves then flew over us. The song of Cetti´s Warbler and the call of Zitting Cisticola seemed to be everywhere.
Spotted Flycatcher
We spent a while watching over a lagoon which gave us fine views of Red Crested Pochard, Little Grebe, White Headed Duck and Greater Flamingo. The surrounding reed beds held Great Reed Warbler and Savi´s Warbler. We continued our walk along the coast, enjoying regular sightings of Audouin´s Gull. The scrub gave views of Stonechat, Willow Warbler and Tree Sparrow.
White Headed Duck
We then arrived at a hide where we spent some time enjoying the activity of a Tern colony. Common, Sandwich, Little and Whiskered were all present, as were Collared Pratincole and Mediterranean Gull. We also enjoyed views of Kentish Plover, Purple Heron and Marsh Harrier.
Collared Pratincole
We had lunch in another hide where we had views of Purple Swamphen before taking a walk through pastureland that gave us views of one of Michelle´s target species, the Hoopoe. As we were watching over a smaller lagoon, a few Bee Eaters caught our attention, flying high overhead within a flock of Swifts.
Hoopoe
Our return leg took us through more wetland habitat which held Squacco Heron, Great Egret and Black Winged Stilt. We opted to end the day with a brief walk through some orange groves where we saw Crested Lark, Serin, Cattle Egret and Spotless Starling.
Squacco Heron
The day had been a delight – fabulous views of some wonderful birds, all spent in great company.
The species list for the day included…
House Martin, Swift, Barn Swallow, Spotted Flycatcher, Cetti’s Warbler (heard), Zitting Cisticola, Great Reed Warbler, Reed Warbler (heard), Savi’s Warbler (heard), Bonelli’s Warbler, Willow Warbler, Turtle Dove, Collared Dove, Wood Pigeon, Hoopoe, Bee Eater, Tree Sparrow, Serin, Magpie, Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Stonechat, Spotless Starling, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Grey Heron, Squacco Heron, Little Bittern, Black Winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Collared Pratincole, Little Grebe, Coot, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Greater Flamingo, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Sandwich Tern, Whiskered Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern, Mallard, Red Crested Pochard, Pochard, White Headed Duck, Marsh Harrier.
Written by David Warrington.
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.