Two fabulous trips to the steppe and the wetlands with Margaret from Canada.

Last week, we enjoyed some beautiful weather here in the Valencia region.  Clear skies, no wind and temperatures hovering around 22 degrees.  Perfect conditions for birding on the steppe, which is a high and vastly open area that in more wintry conditions can be challenging!

So, for my first trip with Margaret, a very keen Canadian birder, the steppe was our destination.  She was very eager to see Great Bustards above all, but we also added Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark and Rock Sparrow to our target list.  Having collected her from her accommodation close to Valencia´s fascinating Central Market, we drove up onto the steppe.  Our first spot was a view point overlooking the surrounding cereal fields and vineyards.  The usual passerines were around – Crested Lark, Stonechat, Corn Bunting and Goldfinch.  A little effort of scanning the fields gave us good views of a flock of Calandra Lark, their dark underwing showing clearly against the blue sky.

A favourite spot next to an old farm was our second stop, and today it proved positive.  We spotted a lone Golden Plover, Rock Sparrows on a stone barn, an Iberian Grey Shrike on a wire, and then after more scanning, a group of Great Bustards!  I knew that we could take a farm track and get better views, so off we went, very carefully choosing when to stop in order not to disturb them.  Our estimation was right – we had great views and the birds showed no sign of being uneasy about our presence, in fact a couple of the males began displaying, a wonderful sight!

Having enjoyed this spectacle, and having already got the main target species, we headed off across the fields in search of more.  As we drove slowly along a track, we spotted a few Black Bellied Sandgrouse both on the ground and later in flight.  Then as we searched the fields through binoculars, Margaret spotted something moving slowly along the edge of one of the boundaries.  We got it in the scope and were delighted to see that it was a female Little Bustard.  By now it was lunch time so we made for a small lagoon where we could eat whilst watching the aquatic birds there.  They included Red Crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Shelduck, Gadwall and Coot.  A male Marsh Harrier flew past, very low over the reeds, giving fabulous views.

Time was marching on so we headed for the higher steppe.  Suddenly, a pair of raptors caught our eye.  They were quite a way off, but once in the scope, we identified them as Golden Eagles!  What a day!  They were being mobbed initially by Crows, and then briefly by a Buzzard.  We enjoyed watching them until they eventually disappeared behind a hill.  Then we continued, delighted with how the day was developing.  We managed to get numerous views of further groups of Great Bustard, plus Little Owl and a large herd of Cranes to add to the excitement.

Eventually we headed back down the tracks towards the road.  The day still had one more surprise in store – one of the Golden Eagles that we´d previously seen was now much closer!  Initially on the ground being harassed by Crows, before taking flight and circling right above us, giving spectacular views.

More than happy with what had been an amazing day, we headed for home, stopping along the way for Margaret to buy some locally produced olive oil.

The species list for the day included…

Red Legged Partridge, Crested Lark, Corn Bunting, Magpie, Calandra Lark, Goldfinch, Stonechat, Carrion Crow, Golden Plover, Lapwing, Great Bustard, Buzzard, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Iberian Grey Shrike,Little Bustard, Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Mallard, Pochard, Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler, Coot, Marsh Harrier, Shelduck, Yellow Legged Gull, Golden Eagle, Raven, Crane, Little Owl, Meadow Pipit.

During our day on the steppe, Margaret had told me that she´d love to see White Headed Duck and Bluethroat.  I´d seen both at a local wetland the previous week, so we arranged a trip there a few days later.  This time we were joined by her nephew Antoine from Paris.  Our walk began by some coastal lagoons where we saw a Cetti´s Warbler, Serin, Water Pipit, Reed Bunting and Little Grebe.  A Little Bittern also made a brief appearance.

The next lagoon gave us our first target bird – White Headed Duck, with views of both male and female, the former showing its bright blue bill beautifully in the morning sunlight.  We watched them for a good while before continuing our walk.

Now we chose to walk very quietly beside a reed bed where Bluethroat are regular in winter.  As we made our way carefully along the track, we had views of Zitting Cisticola, Meadow Pipit, Sardinian Warbler and a Robin.  Eventually, a different bird caught our attention, and as it scurried from the reeds out into the open, we had very good views of a Bluethroat.  our patience had paid off!

We then headed for a hide overlooking a small lagoon, from where we saw Black Winged Stilt, Teal, Greater Flamingo and a Booted Eagle which came to rest on a nearby tree.  As always when birding, time was passing very quickly, so we headed back to the car.  The return walk was just as enjoyable as the outward leg, with views of Audouin´s Gull, Black Redstart, Cattle Egret, Spotless Starling and Kestrel.

It had been a pleasure to meet Margaret and to share her enthusiasm for birds and the natural world.  We´d had two fabulous days together and had enjoyed some magnificent sightings.

The species list for the day included…

Chiffchaff, Grey Heron, House Sparrow, White Wagtail, Magpie, Stonechat, Little Egret, Cetti’s Warbler, Serin, Water Pipit, Little Bittern, Cormorant, Marsh Harrier, Common Pochard, Coot, Moorhen, Mallard, Little Grebe, Reed Bunting, Shoveler, White Headed Duck, Zitting Cisticola, Meadow Pipit, Sardinian Warbler, Bluethroat, Stonechat, Robin, Yellow Legged Gull, Black Headed Gull, Black Winged Stilt, Lapwing, Crested Lark, Teal, Gadwall, Booted Eagle, Greater Flamingo, Audouin’s Gull, Black Redstart, Cattle Egret, Spotless Starling, Kestrel, Chaffinch.

 

Written by David Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.