January 2023
For the first time since the pandemic, I was delighted to welcome back Stephen from the UK. An experienced and well travelled wildlife photographer, he was keen to make another trip to the Valencia Region, this time to focus largely on Golden Eagles in the mountains of Alicante. I collected him from Alicante Airport in the afternoon and we drove into the mountains where he checked in to a small hotel in the historical village of Biar.
Biar, Alicante
The next morning we made a relatively early start to ensure that we were in the photography hide as soon as reasonably possible. Spain was gripped by winter weather, with cold air moving from the north east, so we ensured that we were well prepared. After a few hours waiting, the male Golden Eagle suddenly came into sight, before landing in front of the hide, seemingly to feed. He stayed for only around 20 minutes, but we managed to get some quality shots. I noticed that he was calling to the female bird during his stay, and he didn´t actually take any food. After he’d flown, we waited a while to see if they were going to return, but once satisfied that it was uinlikely, we left the hide.
Golden Eagle
We decided to change the plan for day-2 and to return to the hide, as because he hadn´t eaten, it was very likely that both birds would return the next day. Maybe that was optimism, but it had some degree of logic! So we made another early start and were in the hide the next morning. The weather had become colder, with snow showers blowing across. However, after a few hours of waiting, the male bird reappeared. He was still calling to the female as he had the previous day. Then suddenly, the female (obviously much larger) flew into view before coming to feed in front of us.
Golden Eagles
Both birds spent a good deal of time feeding, swapping places, flying, returning and feeding again, allowing us to capture some excellent photographs. Our plan had worked, and despite the cold, we had succeeded!
Once they had flown, we came out of the hide and went for a hot drink before ending the day in a passerine hide from where we took photos of Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Crested Tit, Serin, Blackcap and Crossbill.
Blue Tit & Crested Tit
On Day-3 we moved down to the warmer climate of the coast, where we spent the day enjoying some field photography at one of Alicante’s many wetland reserves. Here, we were able to get shots of Red Crested Pochard, Common Teal, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Cattle Egret, Chiffchaff, White Wagtail, and perhaps most notable of all, Marbled Teal.
Marbled Teal, Cattle Egret, Red Crested Pochard, Common Teal
We then had a relaxed lunch to reflect on the trip before I took Stephen to his hotel close to the airport, positioning him well for his early flight the next morning.
It had been a pleasure to see Stephen again, and to experience some fabulous avian photographic moments together. He has since very kindly recommended such a trip to a friend, who has just made his reservation for October!
Written by Dave Warrington.