Early spring is an exciting time – migration is underway so summer visitors are arriving on a daily basis. Some of the region’s winter visitors are still here, and as the Valencia region is located right on a major migration flyway, passage migrants are regular occurences too. The weekend prior to my trip to the mountains saw big numbers of Short Toed Eagles passing over Valencia, so this was a bird I was on the look-out for. I had only just left the outskirts of the city when I saw a raptor from the car, flying low over orange fields. It was indeed a Short Toed Eagle! My first of the spring.
After little under an hour’s drive from Valencia, I was parking beside a river with pine woods and high crags on either side. Upon leaving the car I immediately heard Chaffinches and Serins in full song, and a few Long-tailed Tits were flitting between trees next to me. I quickly scanned the crags, whose shapes and profiles are long since familiar to me. That’s why I instantly noticed a different shape on the skyline – a magnificent Griffon Vulture sitting and surveying its surroundings.
Griffon Vulture
Having taken a few photos and spent a little time enjoying just watching this fabulous creature, I strolled through the woods, down to the river. It was a little early in the year to hear the Nightingales and Golden Oriole that breed here, but looking to the sky, a pair of raptors caught my attention. Yet more Short Toed Eagles – one of them hovering as is usual for this raptor.
Short Toed Eagles. These snake eating raptors breed throughout the mountains of the Valencia Community and arrive in mid March having spent the winter in Africa.
I then moved further into the mountains, and spent an hour or so watching a colony of Griffon Vultures. Many were on their nests, whilst a few younger birds were circling high in the clear blue sky. A few Crag Martins had already moved up here from their wintering grounds at sea level and I also saw a number of Choughs carrying nesting material to small caves high up the cliff walls. As I sat, scanning the cliffs with the scope, the familar call of Crested Tit sounded from behind me. Remaining still so as not to spook it, I was delighted to see this striking little bird fly closer and perch for a while on a branch just to my left. Even though I’m fortunate enough to count Crested Tit as a garden bird in my home in the mountains, I’m always struck by its beauty and distinctive appearance.
Crested Tit
Time was marching on so I took a slow drive across farmland and almond groves before parking up and starting a short walk up to the summit of one of the area’s highest peaks. At over 1000 metres, this is a regular wintering ground of Alpine Accentor. I was aware that I was visiting right at the end of their stay here so wasn’t sure if I would see any. At first glance, the summit rocks didn’t reveal anything, but after a little searching, I spotted two of these hardy little mountain birds. Somehow, they always manage to make the day special!
Alpine Accentor
I left the summit after one more scan of my surroundings. The vast rugged open spaces of this area make it difficult to believe that within 45 minutes drive, I’d be back in the city of Valencia! As is so often the case, the day had one more treat in store. Immediately before taking the car and heading back home, I spotted a small, brown bird on the track in front of me. The short tail and overall size and shape immediately suggested Woodlark. Slowly lifting the binoculars to get a closer view, this was confirmed by the pale supercilia and beautiful face pattern. What a fabulous bird to end the trip!
Woodlark
The highlands of the interior of Valencia
The morning had been a great success. Being in the mountains is always special for me, and the birds that share this space always provide such pleasure.
Written by Dave Warrington.