Earlier in the week I enjoyed a bird-packed morning with my friend John at the huge wetland site of Albufera de Valencia. The wetlands that extend throughout the entire length of the region’s coast are especially exciting at this time of year, as the area is located right on a major migration flyway. As with all birding sites, some days are better than others, but today, Albufera didn’t disappoint!
One of the coastal lagoons at Albufera de Valencia – vital feeding grounds for passage migrants
Our first stop at a small reserve gave views of great numbers of Shelducks as well as Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard and Teal. We also saw Avocet, Ruff, Black Winged Stilt and plenty of Glossy Ibis, a bird that is now widespread throughout the entire region. Marsh Harriers were still around in good numbers too. Then, as we walked out of the hide through the woods, we saw a small flock of Pallid Swift – my first of the year. The surrounding scrub was full of birdsong – Serin, Cetti’s Warbler, Great Tit and Chaffinch were all making their presence felt! A small flock of Mediterranean Gulls passed overhead, soon to be followed by a Common Buzzard.
Glossy Ibis
We moved to another coastal lagoon and had fabulous views of Slender Billed Gull and Audouin’s Gull. Dunlin, Little Stint and Greenshank were busily feeding on the shore and a Short Toed Treecreeper entertained us as it spiralled up a nearby pine. Flamingo were also gathered on the lake. Walking to the beach, it was wonderful to see so many Barn Swallows passing through, together with House Martins and a few Sand Martins and Swifts. I know many people further north who are eagerly awaiting their return.
Dunlin
We then took a short drive across the rice fields, which are now being dried in readiness for ploughing and tilling prior to the new season’s crop being sown. As usual, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret and Glossy Ibis were around in huge numbers, joined by Great Egret and a few Little Ringed Plovers. We arrived at a viewing point where we set up the scope and scanned across the park. Purple Swamphens were feeding in the reed beds, and the calls of Zitting Cisticola were all around us. We carefully watched the sky, looking mainly for raptors. More Marsh Harriers were circling over the reeds but another raptor caught my eye. Although it was far off, and flying away from us, I managed to get it in the scope, and could see that it was an Osprey. This magnificent bird is the subject of a reintroduction project in the region, which is still in its formative stages. It would be wonderful to have them breeding here again…let’s hope.
Little Ringed Plover
As I was looking through the scope at the Osprey, a huge bird flew straight across my field of vision – a Black Stork! What a moment – an Osprey and a Black Stork! It was too far off to get a photo, but some moments are for enjoying, not for photography, and this for sure was one. I quickly called John to the scope, so that he could see it too. What a fabulous end to the morning! He had to get back to university, so more than happy with the morning’s sights, we headed back to Valencia.
The species list for the trip included…
Buzzard, Black Headed Gull, Mallard, Pochard, Shelduck, Moorhen, Little Grebe, Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron, Black Winged Stilt, Ruff, Avocet, Glossy Ibis, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Hoopoe, Spotless Starling, Little Egret, Common Swift, Pallid Swift, Marsh Harrier, Cormorant, Cetti’s Warbler, Serin, Sardinian Warbler, Great Tit, Kingfisher, Red Legged Partridge, Teal, Purple Swamphen, Red Crested Pochard, Audouin’s Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Blackbird, White Wagtail, Dunlin, Greenshank, Slender Billed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Barn Swallow, Little Stint, Yellow Legged Gull, Short Toed Treecreeper, Sparrowhawk, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Robin, Coot, Black Stork, Osprey, Chiffchaff, Sand Martin, Gadwall, Little Ringed Plover, Meadow Pipit.
Written by Dave Warrington.
