Last week, I spent a very enjoyable day with Rod, Anita, Rudolf and Harrie, exploring the coastal wetlands of Valencia. The trip was organised as a way to celebrate Anita’s birthday, so had an extra special touch. It was their first time at this particular site, so I was determined to try and get the most from the day for them. As soon as we left the car, we saw a Serin in a roadside tree and then heard a Nightingale singing in the bushes. Our first quality view of a bird was actually of one of the day’s target species – the very elegant Audouin’s Gull.
Audouin’s Gull
As we began our walk alongside a series of coastal lagoons, we enjoyed views of Purple Heron, Red Crested Pochard, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and Glossy Ibis. We opted to remain at an observation point for a while and to wait to see what would appear. Within a few moments we had views of singing Great Reed Warbler and a pair of Marsh Harriers in flight over the reeds. Movement in a small island of tall vegetation revealed a Little Bittern. Whiskered Terns and Common Terns were feeding and Barn Swallows and House Martins were passing through in good numbers, together with a few Common Swift.
Red Crested Pochard
A Night Heron suddenly flew by, closely followed by Great Egret. We moved on, strolling along a pebble beach to the next lagoon which gave excellent views of a few other target species, specifically White Headed Duck, Collared Pratincole and Greater Flamingo. Tree Sparrows were flitting around close to us and we also saw Purple Swamphen and Little Ringed Plover.
White Headed Duck
After enjoying our picnic lunch in the lovely spring sunshine, we headed back to the car before moving slightly inland to check out an area of pasture and yet more lagoons. As we began our walk, we spotted a raptor in flight. Closer attention confirmed it as a Short Toed Eagle, a magnificent bird that we watched for some time before it soared out of view. Very soon afterwards, another two raptors caught our eye. This time a Booted Eagle being harassed by a Common Buzzard. Zitting Cisticolas were calling all around us, as was a Corn Bunting and then Harrie suddenly spotted a Woodchat Shrike.
Woodchat Shrike
A pair of Turtle Doves flew from a tree to perch nearby and we heard, and then successfully spotted another Nightingale followed by a Willow Warbler. As we sat in a hide watching more Red Crested Pochard, a Purple Swamphen came into view, as did more Whiskered Terns. Then, a group of shadows ghosted by along the ground, prompting us to look up. Delighted, we found ourselves watching a flock of Spoonbills passing overhead!
Spoonbills
More than happy with the day and the fabulous birdlife that it had blessed us with, we began our return stroll to the car. Along the way, we had more views of Woodchat Shrike and Sardinian Warbler, but the trip was brought to a close by yet more spotting by Harrie – this time a pair of Whinchat!
It had been a true pleasure to spend the day with such lovely people, and to share with them this little corner of the land that I call home.
The species list for the day included…
Grey Heron, Serin, Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier, Goldfinch, House Sparrow, Swallow, Collared Dove, Swift, House Martin, Wood Pigeon, Audouin’s Gull, Mallard, Red Crested Pochard, Little Grebe, Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Whiskered Tern, Common Tern, Great White Egret, White Headed Duck, Little Bittern, Moorhen, Night Heron, Cetti’s Warbler, Kestrel, Greater Flamingo, Black Winged Stilt, Common Pochard, Little Ringed Plover, Collared Pratincole, Tree Sparrow, Short Toed Eagle, Woodchat Shrike, Booted Eagle, Buzzard, Corn Bunting, Sardinian Warbler, Magpie, Turtle Dove, Zitting Cisticola, Nightingale, Willow Warbler, Spoonbill, Whinchat.
