A few days ago I had the pleasure to provide a 2 day guided birding trip for Norman from the UK and Urszula from Poland. Last year, Norman had visited the Valencia Region Stand at Rutland Bird Fair and after that he contacted us to book a trip. During the Bird Show we had the opportunity to talk about the different habitats and bird species , so it was easy to send him a proposal for the areas and species he was looking for.
We planned to do Albufera de Valencia and the Steppe and Inland lagoons, but unfortunately they had a flight delay due to the storms that were affecting most of northern Europe. Therefore I collected them from the airport and we headed directly to Albufera!
We were determined to have a fantastic day with many lifers… and that’s what we did!!
First stop was in the main reserve area of the Natural Park where we enjoyed amazing views of Flamingos, Glossy Ibis and two stunning Booted Eagles
Next stop was in an observatory tower which looks over the lake and to a small reserve area. After a short break for picnic lunch we headed for another viewing platform where a few Purple Swamphens showed up, one of the lifers and targets of the day
Also, whilst at the platform, it didn’t take much time for the next target… White-headed Duck (female), one of the most exciting moments for Norman & Urszula.
White-headed Duck (female)
We finally manage to have a full day and a great ending spotting 7 Black Storks in the rice paddies on the way back to Valencia.
The species list of the day includes…
Common Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, White-headed Duck, Greater Flamingo, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Collared Dove, Common Moorhen, Western Swamphen, Black-winged Stilt, Northern Lapwing, Spotted Redshank, Common Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Audouin’s Gull, Yellow-legged Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Black Stork, Great Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis, Common Kestrel, Common Magpie, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti’s Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, House Sparrow, Meadow Pipit, European Goldfinch, European Serin.
Due to a technical issue, the second day didn´t turn out quite as expected either! So instead of spending the day on the steppe, we headed for the mountains!
First stop was at a rocky cliff near a quarry, an ideal place to look for Blue Rock Thrush and Black Wheatear, two of the targets of the day. Before we could began to scan for those species, we were surprised by a Bonelli’s Eagle flying over our heads. It was an exciting moment and a lifer for both!
The day went even better than we expected and we had enjoyed fantastic views of all the special birds they wanted… Griffon Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Red-billed Chough. All making for an unforgettable two day trip.
Griffon Vulture
I look forward to welcoming them back soon for more birds and great moments!
The species list of the day includes…
Merlin, Bonelli’s Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Kestrel, Peregrine Falcon, Tit, Crested Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Sardinian Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear, Common Chaffinch, European Serin, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Red-billed Chough, Crested Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit.