Valencia Birding kicked-off 2022 with our first clients of the year on 2nd January – Magdalena and Erik from Austria. They were on a short break in Valencia and wanted to include a birding trip in their plans. We opted to visit the wetlands close to the city, as a way of making the most of the relatively short days this month. After a short drive from the city, we began the walk along the beach, stopping to watch Audouin’s Gull, Chiffchaff, Serin, Kingfisher and what was my first bird of 2022 the previous day – Black Redstart!
Black Redstart
Whilst watching Marsh Harriers gliding low over the reeds, another raptor flew into view, albeit much higher – an Osprey, a bird which we’ve seen quite a lot of recently. We scanned over a lagoon where Shovelers were gathered in large numbers, and also found Teal, Purple Swamphen, Little Grebe and Yellow-legged Gull. We then chose to concentrate on an area of scrub that has been holding good numbers of passerines in recent weeks. Today was no exception ans we were soon watching Serin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Tree Sparrow and Meadow Pipit.
Serin
The next lagoon gave us views of Lapwing, Black-winged Stilt, yet more Teal and eventually two species that I was very keen for Magdalena and Erik to see as they would be “lifers” – Marbled Teal and White-headed Duck. Sea mist suddenly began to roll in and surround us, which gave a very atmospheric feel to the place, plus an enchanting silhouette shot of a Kestrel.
Silhouette shot of a Kestrel in the mist with a passing Reed Bunting!
We headed back along the beach and once the mist had burned off, we sat on the pebbles to have lunch. In the afternoon we took a walk through some pastureland that borders extensive reed beds. We had some fabulous views of an Iberian Grey Shrike as well as three Booted Eagles in flight directly above us. The sun was dropping towards the horizon but there was time to see a magnificent Red-crested Pochard on a small lake, followed by huge flocks of Starlings coming into roost. As we strolled back to the car, hoping for just one more species, a Sparrowhawk flew by, bringing the day to its conclusion.
Iberian Grey Shrike
It had been a real pleasure to get the New Year underway with such lovely people, and to share this very special corner of Valencia with them.
The species list for the day included…
Spotless Starling, Black Redstart, Collared Dove, White Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Serin, Kingfisher, Cormorant, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Goldfinch, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Grey Heron, Mallard, Audouin’s Gull, Teal, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Yellow Legged Gull, Reed Bunting, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Magpie, Lapwing, Teal, Little Egret, Lapwing, White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, Black-winged Stilt, Stonechat, Kestrel, Iberian Grey Shrike, Cattle Egret, Booted Eagle, Red Crested Pochard, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk.
Written by Dave Warrington.