A short “birding break” in Valencia.

I´ve often said and written that it´s a real privilege to welcome back returning clients, and last week was one of these special occasions.  I´d first met Alexia from Sweden a couple of years ago when she booked a day´s birding with us.  She subsequently returned a year later, this time in Spring and with her friend Lena, and we enjoyed a fabulous day in the mountains and a day at the wetlands.  This was her third time with us, and she´d carefully designed a break to include a couple of days in the historical town of Xativa and a short stay in the city of Valencia as well as two days of birding with us.

 

As we´d planned to visit the steppe, I collected Alexia from her hotel in the historic quarter of Xativa as it´s on the way from Valencia.  It was such a pleasure to welcome her back!  We continued the journey and after a quick coffee stop, we began exploring.  Numerous flocks of Linnet were flitting around, and we also had good views of Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Stonechat and Rock Sparrow.

Some scanning of the surrounding fields gave us our first sightings of Great Bustard.  This was a lifer for Alexia, so we set up the scope for her to enjoy some great views.  We then went off-road, heading along farm tracks.  Our attention turned to the larks, and we had distant views of a flock of Calandra Lark, plus much better views of Thekla Lark.  We also watched a fox trotting through a field quite close by.

A brief stop by our first lagoon gave views of Greater Flamingo, Shelduck and a Corn Bunting singing from a telegraph post.  We then headed for the lunch spot, another lagoon where we could park up and watch the water.  After a while, Yanina who was also guiding that day arrived, together with Christopher and Gil – two absolutely lovely people who I´d had the pleasure of taking to the mountains the previous week.  Here we saw Red Crested Pochard, Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe and a pair of Red Legged Partridge.

It was growing increasingly windy, but we decided to head for the higher steppe in search of better views of Great Bustard.  Indeed, we were treated to quality views of several birds, looking fabulous in the afternoon sunlight.  One such view was accompanied by the song of a Calandra Lark as it hung in the air above us – a classic “steppe” moment!  Another highlight for Alexia was the Little Owls that we saw, sheltering from the wind on a large rock pile.

The previous week, we´d seen over 150 Cranes in the area but we were unsure if they´d still be around or if they would have headed back north.  Yanina had seen a few but they had flown so we weren´t sure.  However, a little searching rewarded us with views of 14 birds.  They once again took flight and headed over the horizon, for what may prove to be the last time we see these magestic creatures until they return next winter.

More than happy with the day, we headed for Valencia, stopping on the way to watch an Iberian Grey Shrike.  I left Alexia close to her rental apartment near Valencia´s Central Market, looking forward to our second day which would take us to the coastal wetlands.

The next morning we made a slightly earlier start, and after a short drive, we began our walk along the beach.  As we were right at the beginning of the most active period of Spring migration, we were watching carefully both the skies over the wetlands as well as out to sea.  The first things we saw over the sea were a few Audouin´s Gulls, a resident species here in Valencia.  Then we caught sight of a lone Gannet flying low over the water.  A cry from a gull lead our eyes to quite a surprise – a Short Eared Owl flying over the sea (heading north) being harassed by two Yellow Legged Gulls.  Fortunately, the gulls soon lost interest, and the owl managed to fly to shore and continued its journey north, flying over land.

We then took a look at the first lagoon that held White Headed Duck, Shoveler, Common Pochard and Little Grebe, but we also heard and then saw a Cetti´s Warbler.  Back to the theme of migration, we saw increasing numbers of House Martins and Barn Swallows passing through, soon joined by a few Swifts.  We also heard a Common Reed Warbler singing from within the reed beds and had good views of Reed Bunting.

The next lagoon gave us views of Black Winged Stilt, Teal, Red Crested Pochard, Black Tailed Godwit and Gadwall.

We then opted to walk back along the beach, stopping at a cafe bar to enjoy a coffee before heading to a viewing point from where we hoped to see Purple Swamphen.  We approached quietly, and were delighted to see a pair immediately.

Lunch time had come and gone so we needed to eat!  We took our packed lunches to a hide where we had superb views of Marsh Harriers whilst we did so.  After lunch, a stroll through pasture and farmland gave views of Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler, Kestrel and Tree Sparrow.  As we arrived back at the car, the day was brought to a fitting end with great views of a Booted Eagle right above us.

It had been a real pleasure to see Alexia again, and to spend these two bird filled days with her.  What better combination is there than good company, great birds and fresh air?!

The list for the two day trip included…

Kestrel, Magpie, Crow, Collared Dove, Goldfinch, Linnet, Spotless Starling, Crested Lark, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Chaffinch, Rock Sparrow, Great Bustard, Greater Flamingo, Thekla Lark, Common Starling, Corn Bunting, Red Legged Partridge, Raven ,Little Owl, Calandra Lark, Crane, Grey Heron, Chiffchaff, House Martin, Yellow Legged Gull, House Sparrow, Moorhen, Pochard, Little Grebe, Mallard, Audouin’s Gull, Cormorant, Coot, Cetti’s Warbler, Black Headed Gull, Gannet, Great Crested Grebe, Shoveler, Short Eared Owl, Little Egret, Lesser Black Backed Gull, White Wagtail, White Headed Duck, Glossy Ibis, Zitting Cisticola, Meadow Pipit, Grey Wagtail, Swift, Reed Bunting, Teal, Red Crested Pochard, Black Winged Stilt, Black Tailed Godwit, Marsh Harrier, Crag Martin, Purple Swamphen, Gadwall, Cattle Egret, Serin, Barn Swallow, Robin, Hoopoe, Sardinian Warbler, Tree Sparrow, Booted Eagle.

 

Written by Dave Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.