I´d been looking forward to welcoming back Stephen and Pennie since they´d booked yet another return trip to Valencia earlier this year. We´d previously enjoyed many happy days together so it was great to see them here again. Both keen birders, Stephen is also an experienced field photographer, and is very well travelled in pursuit of his hobby.
We decided upon a return to Albufera de Valencia as this ever changing environment can differ greatly from month to month, plus Purple Swamphen was a key target bird for them both. We began at a small protected reserve area where we had views of Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff and Zitting Cisticola in the reeds. The lagoon held good numbers of Black Winged Stilts that were in a mixed flock with wintering Black Tailed Godwits.
Black Tailed Godwits and Black Winged Stilts
The highlight of this stop was the regular views of Booted Eagle and Marsh Harrier in flight, providing Stephen with the chance to get some fabulous shots. We also saw Dunlin, Ruff, Common Buzzard and Greater Flamingo.
We fitted in a brief coffee break during which I was pleased to be shown some great photos from Stephen and Pennie´s recent trip to northern Germany. We then moved to another reserve where we put in some effort to getting photographs of Purple Swamphen. The wind had increased in force by now so things were generally sheltering, although with some effort, we eventually succeeded!
Purple Swamphen
An exploration of the rice paddies gave us plenty of views of all three Egrets – Little, Cattle and Great, plus Glossy Ibis, yet more Marsh Harriers, Water Pipit, Lapwing, Kestrel and hundreds of White Wagtail. We were also surprised to see a Squacco Heron, a summer visitor to the region, although some occassionally over-winter here.
Squacco Heron
We ended the day at a coastal lagoon, where we saw passing House Martins and Barn Swallows. We also enjoyed watching and photographing Black Redstart, Kingfisher, Greenfinch, Black Necked Grebe, Dunlin, Little Stint and Greenshank.
Little Stint
I´d really enjoyed seeing Stephen and Pennie again, and catching up with their latest travels. It had been a lovely day, with good views of some classic Albufera species.
The species list for the day included…
Great Tit, Chiffchaff, Mallard, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Common Starling, Grey Wagtail, Black Winged Stilt, Black Tailed Godwit, Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Ruff, Dunlin, Greater Flamingo, Magpie, Zitting Cisticola, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Water Pipit, Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Black Headed Gull, White Wagtail, Purple Swamphen, Kestrel, Hoopoe, Chaffinch, Glossy Ibis, Lapwing, Great Egret, Kingfisher, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Squacco Heron, Greenshank, Black Redstart, Goldfinch, Little Stint, Dunlin, Greenfinch, Crag Martin, Black Necked Grebe, House Martin.
Written by David Warrington.
Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.