Spring birding at the wetlands with clients from Canada.

The month of April continued to be very busy, with high demand for trips to the wetlands.  The Valencia region boasts a vast network of coastal wetland sites which not only serve as breeding grounds but are located right on a major migration flyway so in Spring and Autumn can make for some very interesting trips.

Today I was delighted to provide such a trip – spring birding at the wetlands with clients from Canada.  Blair and Anne had originally booked this trip but a little later Anne´s brother and his wife arranged to join them in Valencia so elected to come along too.  The group was not only very friendly and a delight to be with, but collectively held a great deal of birding experience.

After a morning coffee during which we discussed the key target species of the day, we headed out along the beach.  A Marsh Harrier was quartering the reed beds and a pair of Red Crested Pochards were on the first lagoon.  The sky was full of Barn Swallows, Swifts, House Martins and Sand Martins.

We were soon enjoying quality views of White Headed Duck, Yellow Wagtail and Whiskered Tern.  Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola and Black Winged Stilts were on and around the lagoon too.

As we walked up the coast we paused to watch Collared Pratincole before heading for a lagoon that provides breeding habitat for many gulls and terns.  We enjoyed watching Common Tern, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Mediterranean Gull and Audouin´s Gull.  Then a larger tern caught our eye – a Caspian Tern that had stopped to rest and feed whilst on passage.

Closer attention gave us views of Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Snipe.  We also saw Purple Swamphen.

We opted to spend the afternoon in the inland part of the reserve, walking through pastures and more reed beds.  This proved fruitful as we not only had good sightings of Booted Eagle, Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting and Sardinian Warbler, but the day was brought to a wonderful end with excellent views of recently arrived Bee Eaters.

It had been a pleasure to provide the trip for such friendly and knowledgable group and to introduce them to this special corner of Spain.

The species list for the day included…

Barn Swallow, Magpie, Grey Heron, Yellow Legged Gull, Black Headed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Common Pochard, Serin, House Martin, Sand Martin, Red Crested Pochard, Common Swift, White Headed Duck, Yellow Wagtail, Little Egret, Greater Flamingo, Zitting Cisticola, Whiskered Tern, Glossy Ibis, Collared Pratincole, Black Winged Stilt, Mediterranean Gull, Reed Bunting, Chiffchaff, Stonechat, Little Tern, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Ringed Plover, Cattle Egret, Redshank, Kentish Plover, Caspian Tern, Audouin’s Gull, Snipe, Purple Swamphen, Bee Eater, Spotless Starling, Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Booted Eagle, Sardinian Warbler.

 

Written by David Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.