Last weekend I provided a day trip to Albufera de Valencia for two lovely and very interesting people from Scotland, who also have a home in the Valencia Region of Spain. The trip was bought by Red for his wife Lorna´s birthday and had been planned for a while. The timing was designed such that the heat of the summer should be behind us and the early autumn migration should provide us with some interesting sightings.
Having collected them from Valencia´s very elegant “Valencia Nord” railway station, from where we made the short journey to Albufera, we began the day in a hide from which we saw Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt and Common Sandpiper. As we were about to leave, a Green Sandpiper flew into view too. A good start to the trip!
Greater Flamingo
We strolled through the reserve, listening to Sardinian Warbler and Cett’s Warlber and arrived at the next hide which gave us excellent views of Black Tailed Godwit, Ruff and Shelduck. Lorna and Red were interested to learn more about how this huge wetland was formed, so we returned via the visitor centre where I gave a brief explanation of such, together with a short talk on the rice growing cycle and how this affects the bird life of the area.
Common Sandpiper
By now, time was marching on towards lunchtime, so we drove across the rice fields to a little known picnic spot under a stand of trees. On the way, Lorna spotted a raptor in flight, which as we approached, turned out to be a pale form Booted Eagle. Marsh Harriers were also around, gliding low over the reeds in their characteristic fashion.
Large gatherings of Glossy Ibis in flooded rice fields
As we had lunch, we watched a Kingfisher darting along a narrow canal, and also saw huge flocks of Glossy Ibis in the distance. After we’d eaten, we headed in the direction of the Ibis and once closer to them, drove extremely slowly as not to disturb them. We succeeded in getting some fabulous views, and more importantly, succeeded in not spooking them.
Ruff amongst Glossy Ibis
An observation tower overlooking the Albufera lake gave us views of Lesser Black Backed Gulls and Yellow Legged Gulls, then once back in the car, we turned our attention once more to the huge flock of Glossy Ibis. In amongst them we found a few Ruff and Wood Sandpipers, which were soon joined by a couple of Green Sandpipers and a small group of Snipe.
We then headed towards the coast, again through rice fields, where we had good views of all three Egrets – Little, Cattle and Great as well as Squacco Heron and Common Buzzard.
Squacco Heron
Once at the coast, we visited a lagoon which is usually excellent for waders, especially so during migration. Today it didn’t disappoint, giving views of Little Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Greenshank, Kentish Plover and Turnstone. On the water were Great Crested Grebe, Black Necked Grebe and Audouin’s Gull. There were also a few Little Terns resting on the shore.
Little Ringed Plover
As always, the day had passed so quickly, but it had provided us with some great sightings, and had hopefully given Lorna and Red an insight into the eco-systems and habitats of Albufera de Valencia, and the bird life that thrives here. It had been a pleasure for me to spend the day with them and very much hope to see them on their next stay.
The species list for the day included…
Greater Flamingo, Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Mallard, Moorhen, Shelduck, Ruff, Shoveler, Black Tailed Godwit, Green Sandpiper, Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Glossy Ibis, Kingfisher, Yellow Legged Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Black Headed Gull, Wood Sandpiper, Snipe, Buzzard, Squacco Heron, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Greenshank, Little Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Dunlin, Audouin’s Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Black Necked Grebe, Kentish Plover, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern, Turnstone.
Written by Dave Warrington.