25-27 May 2022
I recently designed and provided a 3-day birding trip for a lovely couple from the UK. Ian is a life-long birder and has been keen to do an overseas birding trip for a while. Once we began to discuss possibilities, his wife decided to join him on at least one of the days, but in the end, I’m delighted to say that she came along on every trip.
They stayed in a hotel in the historical centre of Valencia, one that we use frequently owing to its authenticity, location, quality and value. It was from there that we began our first trip, to the mountains.
Day 1 – Mountains
Our first day dawned with almost cloudless skies and very little wind, perfect conditions in which to explore the highland interior of Valencia. After a drive of around 50 minutes, we stopped for breakfast at a small village before heading into the hills. Our first sighting was Black Wheatear, which was a “lifer” for Ian. A Raven flew by as did a pair of Griffon Vultures. Our stroll through the woods gave sightings of Serin, Sardinian Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher and we listened to the song and calls of Cett’s Warbler, Nightingale and Golden Oriole.
Spotted Flycatcher
We moved further up into the craggy peaks above the forest, and established our “base camp” with folding chairs and telescope, sitting comfortably whilst scanning the skies and cliffs. Griffon Vultures were soaring overhead in good numbers, and many could also be seen on their nests. Then suddenly, an Egyptian Vulture flew into view across the huge rock face in front of us. It gave us some spectacular “in-flight” views before coming to rest on a ledge, allowing us to watch it closer through the scope.
Egyptian Vulture
We were really pleased to have witnessed such a stunning bird, but the fun wasn’t over. Almost immediately, a Short Toed Eagle flew through the valley, and within just a few minutes more, a Honey Buzzard passed by too, closely followed by a Booted Eagle!
Booted Eagle
After lunch we headed further into the hills, eventually driving across farmland bordered by pines, in which we eventually managed to get quality views of another “lifer” for Ian – Crested Tit. On the way back to Valencia, we stopped off at a rocky mountain peak before driving down the pass back to valley level. The day was brought to a close with superb views of Bee Eaters, followed by ice-creams in a small village!
Crested Tit
Day 2 – Wetlands
We were blessed with superb weather again on our second day, so having stopped to grab some breakfast as well as some sandwiches to take with us, we were soon at the coast. As soon as we left the car, we had gret views of Audouin’s Gull. Great Reed Warblers were calling from the reed beds, and Tree Sparrows were flitting around in a low bush. Our attention was drawn to the sky where we saw a small group of Spoonbills passing over, as well as the first Collared Pratincoles of the day.
Collared Pratincole
At the first lagoon, we enjoyed watching White Headed Duck, Greater Flamingo, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Whiskered Tern and Little Tern. As we waited in the hide, we also saw Purple Heron, Great Reed Warbler, Zitting Cisticola and Red Crested Pochard.
Zitting Cisticola
We pressed on with our walk, following the coast until we arrived at another larger lagoon. This held plenty more Whiskered Terns and Great Crested Grebes, but also gave us views of Purple Swamphen and Night Heron.
Whiskered Tern
The sun was high in the sky by now, so we needed a little shade. We therefore headed back to a hide where we had lunch whilst enjoying views of Mediterranean Gull, Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Little Bittern and Common Sandpiper.
Common Sandpiper
In the afternoon, we took a break in the closest town, enjoying a cool drink and taking the opportunity to buy a couple of bottles of locally produced red wine.
We ended the day with a stroll to another hide from where we had great views of one of the day’s target species, Marsh Harrier. We walked slowly back to the car, watching Swifts and House Martins feeding above us, before making the short journey back to Valencia.
Day 3 – Steppe
In order to provide maximum diversity across the three days, our final day was spent on the high steppe to the south west of the Valencia region. Breakfast was taken on the terrace of a small café in a farming village – toast with locally produced tomatoes and cheese, enjoyed whilst watching House Martins going in and out of their nests on the adjoining houses. We then began exploring the fields, where we had views of Crested Lark, Kestrel and Rock Sparrow.
Rock Sparrow
We headed off-road in search of Great Bustard, the day’s key target species. Initially, a few regular haunts didn’t give us results, but after around 20 minutes, we came across a sizeable group. We stopped a good distance away, as not to disturb them, enjoying good views through the scope.
Great Bustard
As we continued on our way across the plains towards a lagoon, we had great views of Gull Billed Terns as well as Common Buzzard. The first lagoon held Shelduck, Gadwall, Glossy Ibis and Lapwing. We then drove to the usual lunch spot where we set up the chairs under a stand of pines next to another lagoon. This gave us views of Greater Flamingo, Black Necked Grebe and Black Winged Stilt.
Greater Flamingo
After a quick coffee break, we discussed options for the final hours of the trip. Ian had never seen a Blue Rock Thrush, and had wanted to do so for many years. So, with this firmly in mind, I suggested that we head back towards Valencia, stopping off along the way at a spot that I often climb at, and almost always see this bird. After little under an hour, we arrived and walked through a small wood to some crags. By now, the weather had become quite hot so there wasn’t much bird activity, save for a Kestrel hovering above us. We waited, patiently scanning the usual spots, but with no luck. “Think like a bird” I told myself, so we walked up to the higher crags that by now were in shade. After another ten minutes of searching, we found a beautiful male Blue Rock Thrush, sitting atop a boulder in the shade. He remained there for a good while, allowing us to get great views, and bringing what had been a superb trip to a very special end.
Blue Rock Thrush
These three days had passed so quickly, but it had been a pleasure to meet Ian and Tracey, and to share some great trips together. We’d had a fun time, seen some fabulous birds together, and I’m sure we’ll keep in touch.
The species list for the trip included…
Audouin’s Gull, Avocet, Barn Swallow, Bee Eater, Black Wheatear, Black Headed Gull, Black Necked Grebe, Black Winged Stilt, Blue Rock Thrush, Blue Tit, Booted Eagle, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Chaffinch, Chough, Collared Pratincole, Common Buzzard, Common Coot, Common Pochard, Common Sandpiper, Common Tern, Crested Lark, Crested Tit, Egyptian Vulture, Gadwall, Glossy Ibis, Golden Oriole, Goldfinch, Great Bustard, Great Crested Grebe, Great Egret, Great Reed Warbler, Great Tit, Greater Flamingo, Grey Heron, Griffon Vulture, Gull Billed Tern, Honey Buzzard, House Martin, House Sparrow, Kestrel, Lapwing, Little Bittern, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Little Tern, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Mediterranean Gull, Moorhen, Night Heron, Pallid Swift, Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Raven, Red Crested Pochard, Rock Sparrow, Sandwich Tern, Sardinian Warbler Serin, Shelduck, Short Toed Eagle, Shoveler, Spoonbill, Spotless Starling, Spotted Flycatcher, Swift, Tree Sparrow, Whiskered Tern, White Headed Duck, Yellow Legged Gull.
Written by Dave Warrington.