Last week, I provided a day of winter birding in Albufera de Valencia for a client from England. Paul, a lovely man from Exeter was visiting his daughter here in Valencia and wanted to discover in more detail the bird life of the region. He was particularly interested in the wetland species and really wanted to see Bluethroat amongst others.
Winter sun and flooded rice fields, Albufera de Valencia.
After the short journey from the city, we made our first stop at one of the park´s reserves. Frosty mornings are a rare thing here at sea level, but today was an exception – cold, crisp, no wind and a beautiful clear blue sky providing excellent winter birding conditions. Here we began by a small lagoon where we enjoyed views of Black Tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Black Winged Stilt, Teal and Shoveler, as well as a pair of Greylag Geese, not a common sighting this far south. As we walked back through the woods to the car we had views of Chiffchaff and a Hoopoe.
Teal
We then had a little time to pay attention to the rice fields before our next visit to another reserve area. So, we drove along a track and set up the scope to scan across a field that held a sizeable flock of Glossy Ibis and Little Egrets. Here we also discovered a small group of Snipe, a Purple Swamphen and a Black Redstart. Crag Martins were feeding on insects overhead.
Glossy Ibis
On the way to the next reserve we had views of Water Pipit, Lesser Black Backed Gull and Great Egret. Once inside the next reserve, Paul spotted a Southern Grey Shrike and a Stonechat. We also had views of Kingfisher, more Marsh Harriers, another Hoopoe and later, Booted Eagle.
Stonechat
After a picnic lunch we turned our attention to the rice fields of the southern region of the park, where we were hoping to see Bluethroat. During our search, we saw Tree Sparrows and a Reed Bunting in a bush by an irrigation canal and then came across a small flock of Brambling with some Chaffinches. The rice fields also held Lapwings, another winter visitor to Albufera.
Brambling
We still hadn´t seen Bluethroat so we headed to another spot which is usually reliable. Almost as soon as we arrived, we spotted one flying across the track, and after a few minutes it settled by the water, giving us great views. Success!
Bluethroat
Happy with our sightings, we headed back to Valencia, stopping on the way to check a small coastal lagoon which brought the trip to a close with views of Black Necked Grebe and Great Crested Grebe.
Black Necked Grebe (winter plumage)
It had been a fabulous day with some classic winter visitors plus a couple of surprises and a few lifers for Paul too.
The species list for the day included…
Mallard, Shelduck, Black Winged Stilt, Black Tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Wren, Greylag Goose, Teal, Shoveler, Magpie, Moorhen, Hoopoe, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Crag Martin, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Grey Heron, Common Starling, Black Redstart, Water Pipit, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Great Egret, White Wagtail, Cormorant, Zitting Cisticola, Stonechat, Snipe, Purple Swamphen, Southern Grey Shrike, Kingfisher, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Meadow Pipit, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull, Cattle Egret, Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Reed Bunting, Coot, Little Grebe, Bluethroat, Common Sandpiper, Great Crested Grebe, Black Necked Grebe, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Collared Dove, Kestrel.
Written by David Warrington
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.