Two fantastic days with clients from Sweden.

When clients return it´s always a special feeling, and in mid May, Alexia from Sweden did exactly that. She´d previously visited Valencia and we did a trip to Albufera together. Not long after her return home she contacted us and we arranged a 2 day birding break in Valencia, which she was to combine with a cultural break in the city. This time she came with a friend, Lena.

I was delighted to see Alexia again, and to meet Lena. Both very friendly and great company. On our first day we visited one of Valencia´s coastal wetlands.  A walk along the beach gave views of Audouin´s Gull and Whiskered Tern.  We had great views of Turtle Dove, a bird that appears to have done very well here this year.

The lagoons held White Headed Duck, Little Ringed Plover, Great Egret and a solitary lingering Dunlin.  We also enjoyed watching the Tern colony which comprised Common, Little and Sandwich.

We were delighted also to see the Elegant Terns that apper to be returning to Valencia each year to breed.

On the walk back to the car we stopped to enjoy amazing views of Collared Pratincole – one of the key breeding species of this wetland.

Later in the day we moved further inland to explore an area of lightly wooded farmland and other reed beds.  The trees held Spotted Flycatcher, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Tree Sparrow and a singing Nightingale.  Whilst scanning the reedbeds and a small lagoon we had good views of Savi´s Warbler, Purple Swamphen and Marsh Harrier.

Our first day had been fun with plenty of great birds.  The species list included…

House Martin, Spotless Starling, Grey Heron, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Zitting Cisticola, Audouin’s Gull, Whiskered Tern, Turtle Dove, Red Crested Pochard, Moorhen, Mallard, Glossy Ibis, White Headed Duck, Yellow Legged Gull, Black Winged Stilt, Yellow Wagtail, Coot, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Great Egret, Barn Swallow, Collared Pratincole, Little Egret, Woodchat Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Ringed Plover, Avocet, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Elegant Tern, Shelduck, Common Pochard, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Goldfinch, Purple Swamphen, Little Grebe, Kestrel, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit (h), Serin, Bee Eater, Tree Sparrow, Marsh Harrier, Nightingale (h), Pied Flycatcher, Hoopoe, White Wagtail.

On our second day we made the comfortable trip from the historic quarter of Valencia into the rural interior of the region. After a morning coffee break, we headed into the hills where we stopped by some ruined farm buidings. We enjoyed watching Red-rumped Swallows feeding in flight with House Martins. The surrounding trees held Serin, Cirl Bunting and a singing Nightingale.

A stroll by the river gave us good views of Melodious Warbler and Stonechat.  We then headed further up into the mountains where we parked the car and established ourselves looking across the valley to a huge cliff. As we sat and enjoyed our lunch in the sunshine, we initially had great views of Griffon Vulture.

Upon closer inspection of the cliff, we saw dozens of Crag Martins flying across the face. Choughs were also active, appearing to be taking food into their nest holes. A Raven flew overhead, its call echoing across the valley.  As we scanned the skies above the cliff, we enjoyed views of Alpine Swift and a Peregrine Falcon. Eventually, after patiently waiting for an hour or so, an Egyptian Vulture appeared, giving us some excellent views, both in flight and perched on a ledge.

We decided to head back down to valley level and once on the move through the forest, we saw Coal Tit, Long Tailed Tit and a Golden Oriole. On the way back to Valencia, we drove through an area of farmland, flanked to the north by more mountains. Here we had nice views of the spectacular Bee Eater, always a firm favourite with visitors from northern Europe.

As we were driving slowly beside some olive groves, a large raptor caught our attention. We quickly parked the car and got out to find that it was a Golden Eagle! An amazing way to bring the day to a close.  More than happy with our sightings we headed back towards the city. The day had a few more treats in store though, with nice views of Crested Lark, Woodchat Shrike and Iberian Grey Shrike.

The time had passed so quickly and it was time to say our goodbyes. It had been such a pleasure to see Alexia again, to meet Lena and to spend these days together. I hope one day to see them again and to share more of the region´s birding sites with them.

The species list for the second day included…

House Martin, Serin, Cirl Bunting, Red Rumped Swallow, Nightingale (h), Raven, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Melodious Warbler, Stonechat, Swift, Crag Martin, Griffon Vulture, Alpine Swift, Chough, Peregrine Falcon, Egyptian Vulture, Long Tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Golden Oriole, Bee Eater, Magpie, Golden Eagle, Crested Lark, Iberian Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike.

 

 

Written by David Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.