First time out for seven weeks!

For the past seven weeks, my birding has been confined to what I can see from the balcony.  Although, as detailed in previous articles, this has often revealed a few surprises, it´s obviously been very limited.  I also have to say that I don´t feel too comfortable standing there with a pair of binoculars in case it causes unease or discomfort amongst the neighbours.  However, a few days ago, whilst reading in the living room, a bird song caught my attention.  After searching through the trees that fill the square below the balcony, I found it – a Willow Warbler!

When it was announced last week that we could eventually go out once per day within specific hours and within 1km of home, I decided to dedicate some time to something that I´ve been meaning to do for a while, and to look closer at the birdlife that´s right on my doorstep.  This revealed more than a few surprises.

We´re fortunate enough to live in a very friendly neighbourhood on the north-eastern edge of the city of Valencia, which whilst being only 7 minute´s Metro ride away from the city centre, is bordered by farmland to the north.  So, for my first trip into the “external world” I decided to spend the last hour or so of daylight strolling around the edges of the fields.  This time of day can often be very active as birds feed up before dark.  Having worked out a way to avoid the crowds who were also enjoying their first time out, I stood under a line of trees, just watching what was around.  A male Blackbird flew into a nest site carrying food, and a Serin sang from a high branch.

Then I headed out across the fields.  This area has been farmed for centuries, and despite being located on the edge of the city, still has many of the traditional farmhouses, or “alquerias”.  These buildings usually have a few trees next to them to provide shade, so that´s where I started looking.  The first few held Spotless Starlings, House Sparrows and a Wood Pigeon.  I then saw a Yellow Legged Gull passing overhead, followed soon after by another gull which I was glad I´d paid attention to as it was an Audouin´s.  Large groups of Barn Swallows, House Martins and Swifts were all feeding on the wing over the fields, a common sight in normal times, but one that today seemed even more special to me.

I then continued to walk alongside one of the many irrigation channels, or “acequias” that distribute water to the fields.  These usually attract insects, and therefore birds.

Off in the distance I saw a small bird making short flights to catch insects before returning to its perch on a low bush.  I wasn´t able to get much closer, but was delighted to see it was a Spotted Flycatcher.

The light was failing so I turned back towards home.  I kept a watch on the sky now, and just as I reached the edge of the city again, enjoyed the sight of a Kestrel hovering above me.

This short walk had been a real breath of fresh air in more ways than one, and I decided that the next morning, I would explore the urban allotments and areas of waste ground in the heart of the neighbourhood.  That turned out to be even more rewarding, but more on that soon….

 

Written by Dave Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding