Earlier in the week, I had a couple of hours free one morning. That didn´t give me the time to drive to my local wetland or to get to the mountains, but it did give me the time to take another look at a canal that flows past the nearby agricultural town of Alboraya into the Mediterranean. The surroundings are not particularly attractive, one side is bordered by an industrial estate, but the other side is farmland, largely vegetable fields. At the end of the canal, one reaches the beach, where a tiny estuary is formed. So, within the distance of only a few kilometres, the habitat changes dramatically, and all his right next to the city of Valencia.
Traditional farmland on the northern city limits of Valencia
I began my walk along the footpath, which was busy with walkers and cyclists, all of them oblivious to the fact the only a few metres away from them was a pair of Purple Swamphens, indeed with a chick which one of the parents was feeding. It was almost a surreal moment to see this incredible creature successfully breeding practically next door to a mechanic’s workshop! Cetti’s Warblers were calling from all around and a Kingfisher made a characteristic high speed fly past. One of the fields next to the canal held a flock of Wood Pigeons as well as a very handsome male Black Redstart. A Kestrel was perched on a pylon, keeping a close eye on the ground below him.
Purple Swamphen feeding young
I continued walking along the canal, amazed by the number of Purple Swamphens! They seemed to be everywhere, and totally unperturbed by the passing cyclists, joggers and walkers. Coots and Moorhens were around in good numbers too. I then turned my attention to a Cormorant that was swimming on the canal, a species that I always consider to be overlooked. This very attractive individual, probably the subspecies sinensis, was showing lots of white on the neck, as well as displaying the white “breeding patch”.
Great Cormorant
I then spent a few minutes watching a pair of Audouin’s Gulls that were swooping and diving into the water to catch small fish. Eventually, I managed to get a couple of photos. Close to the end of the canal, there is a concrete bridge over which passes the main coast road that runs north out of the city. Here I was delighted to see one of the first flocks of Swallows of the year, feeding on insects over the water. A few birds were resting on the bridge. As I stood and watched carefully, I noticed that among them there were also a few Red-rumped Swallows, the first ones I´d seen this year.
Audouin’s Gull
I’d reached the end of the path, and indeed the end of the canal, so decided to spend a little time exploring the area of the beach where the canal flows into the sea. It was quite windy, although on the beach I spotted a group of birds trying to get some shelter. Closer inspection revealed a Sandwich Tern, still in winter plumage, Black Headed Gulls in various plumage phases, a few more Audouin’s Gulls and a lone Mediterranean Gull.
Above – a windswept Mediterranean with Valencia Port in the background.
Right – Mediterranean Gull
I spotted a few smaller birds further along the beach, and suspected them to be Sanderling. As these fabulous little creatures will soon begin their voyage to their Arctic breeding grounds, it seemed the least I could do to walk a hundred metres or so to go and see them for what might be the last time until next winter! They are so entertaining, as they scurry along the shore looking for food in the sand.
Audouin’s Gull, clearly showing the colours of the bill – yellow tip, black band then blood red
Sanderling
I’ve done this walk many times, especially when time is short, and it never fails to reveal a few surprises. Despite its quite urban environment, it really is amazing what can be seen. I guess that taking the time to look at what’s under our nose can often be time well spent!
Written by Dave Warrington.