18th November 2022
For many reasons, I have recently spent more time than usual at the huge wetland site of Albufera de Valencia, and one thing that has stood out is that no two days are ever the same, even two consecutive days.
Our first stop of the day
Today´s trip was for Dave from the south of England who was enjoying a short break in Valencia with his wife, and wanted to include a day of birding in his plans. Our first stopping point immediately greeted us with a lagoon full of birds – especially Flamingo, Shelducks, Black Winged Stilts and Glossy Ibis.
Stonechat
A pair of Stonechats were feeding in front of the hide, and a Buzzard suddenly passed low overhead. We moved onto the next hide which gave us superb views of Marsh Harrier, Sardinian Warbler and a couple of Collared Pratincoles that have been lingering around the area for a few weeks.
A short drive across the rice fields to another reserve gave us plenty of Cattle Egrets, Black Headed Gulls and Glossy Ibis following a tractor that was ploughing, and obviously revealing food! We also spotted a Bluethroat together with Meadow Pipits and Water Pipits.
Once in the reserve, we were delighted to see a small group of Spoonbills, Hoopoe, Purple Swamphen, Green Sandpiper and a Pintail.
Purple Swamphens
Time was passing quickly, as always when birding, so we headed back across the rice fields, stopping along the way to admire the ever beautiful Lapwings that winter down here.
Lapwing
Then onwards to a small coastal lagoon which is usually a reliable spot for all kinds of things. Today it certainly didn’t disappoint, as we saw Redshank, Greenshank, Black Necked Grebe, Sandwich Tern and a Kingfisher. But the stroll down to the beach brought the day to a lovely ending with views of Sanderling in the distance, and excellent views of a Golden Plover.
Golden Plover
It had been yet another special day at Albufera, with a species list that included…
Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Mallard, Shelduck, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Kestrel, Buzzard, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Sardinian Warbler, Marsh Harrier, White Wagtail, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Teal, Magpie, Booted Eagle, Yellow Legged Gull, Black Winged Stilt, Collared Pratincole, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Cattle Egret, Black Headed Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Meadow Pipit, Water Pipit, Bluethroat, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Hoopoe, Spoonbill, Snipe, Cormorant, Purple Swamphen, Pintail, Great Egret, Spotless Starling, Green Sandpiper, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Common Starling, Lapwing, Greenshank, Redshank, Black Necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Sandwich Tern, Golden Plover, Sanderling, Common Sandpiper, Serin, Robin.
Written by Dave Warrington.