Having previously met Ralph and Brenda from the UK, I was really looking forward to providing this trip for them. Both exceptionally experienced birders and very much part of the birding fabric of the UK, it was a privilege to be out with them and to share with them this corner of Spain.
Day 1 : Wetlands.
To maximise habitat diversity, we opted to spend our three days together at the wetlands, steppe and mountains. Day one was at the coastal wetlands of Valencia where we enjoyed a long but leisurely walk along the beach, through reed beds, pasture and an area of coastal lagoons.
One of the reserves viewing platforms
As we began our walk, the sky was full of Crag Martins feeding over the reeds, with a few Marsh Harriers visible in the background. Still focussing on the reed beds, we had views of Reed Bunting, Cetti´s Warbler and some of the first Reed Warblers of the year. The first lagoon held Purple Swamphen, Teal and Shoveler as well as a Water Rail that was heard but not seen.
Shoveler are a common winter visitor the Valencia Region
Glossy Ibis were passing overhead in good numbers and we also had good views of Zitting Cisticola. Later in the day, a Booted Eagle circled above us, before coming to rest in a nearby tree. We also enjoyed views of Kingfisher, Black Redstart, Lapwing, Greater Flamingo and Snipe.
Booted Eagle
One of the last lagoons of the trip gave views of Red Crested Pochard, Black Winged Stilt, White Headed Duck and yet more Marsh Harriers. The day was brought to a close with quality views of Audouin’s Gull, one of the many species that is the subject of successful conservation projects in this region.
White Headed Duck
Our first day had been a great success, with a species list that included…
Collared Dove, Common Starling, Crag Martin, House Sparrow, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, White Wagtail, Cattle Egret, Grey Heron, Stonechat, Yellow Legged Gull, Mallard, Teal, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Cetti’s Warbler, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Water Rail (h), Zitting Cisticola, Black Redstart, Blackbird, Magpie, Blackcap, Gadwall, Moorhen, Shoveler, Booted Eagle, Greenfinch, Sardinian Warbler, Kingfisher, Greater Flamingo, Lapwing, Snipe, Red Crested Pochard, Black Winged Stilt, White Headed Duck, Audouin’s Gull, Meadow Pipit, Crested Lark, Black Headed Gull.
Day 2 – Steppe
The weather was extremely settled for our trip to the steppe, and after a comfortable drive and a quick coffee stop, we were out on the plains enjoying views of a magnificent male Hen Harrier. As we scanned the fields a small flock of medium sized birds came to rest on the ground in the mid-distance. We very carefully approached in the car, stopping at a good distance away from them as to avoid disturbance. We slowly set up the scope and took a closer look. To our delight, we were watching a small group of Little Bustard, a bird that very sadly is in decline in many areas.
Distant shot of Little Bustard
We continued out journey across farmland that held Mistle Thrush, Iberian Grey Shrike, Red Legged Partridge, Corn Bunting and Rock Sparrow. Large mixed flocks of Goldfinch and Linnet were swooping across the fields and and a pair of Hoopoe suddenly flew into sight.
Rock Sparrow
Our first lagoon held Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Shelduck and Greater Flamingo. We then enjoyed lunch by the side of another body of water that gave us views of White Headed Duck, Black Necked Grebe and Gadwall as well as huge numbers of Coot. Our final leg of the trip across the higher steppe gave us Lapwing, Little Owl and a Marsh Harrier that was gliding over a small reed bed by a pond.
Typical steppe landscape
It had been a glorious day with species including…
Stonechat, Magpie, Crested Lark, Hen Harrier, Little Bustard, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Iberian Grey Shrike, Mistle Thrush, Red Legged Partridge, Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Goldfinch, Black Redstart, Linnet, Greenfinch, Hoopoe, Common Buzzard, Common Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck, Shoveler, Mallard, Black Winged Stilt, Snipe, Coot, Spotless Starling, Chaffinch, White Wagtail, Collared Dove, Great Tit, White Headed Duck, Common Pochard, Gadwall, Cormorant, Black Headed Gull, Black Necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Marsh Harrier, Lapwing, Little Owl.
Day 3 : Mountains
Our third and final day saw us in the mountains of the interior of the region. After the usual coffee stop where we picked up sandwiches for the day, we headed up to a 1000 metre peak where we were hoping to see Alpine Accentor.
The rural highland interior of Valencia
After just a few minutes waiting and quietly scanning the summit rocks, we were blessed with super views of this great little bird. Brenda also spotted a Blue Rock Thrush and a Raven passed overhead.
Alpine Accentor
We drove on, through highland farmland where Ralph spotted a Cirl Bunting and a Sparrowhawk. An Iberian Green Woodpecker was calling and a small flock of Linnet settled in a field next to us. We then established our lunch site, sitting opposite a huge cliff where we enjoyed fabulous views of Griffon Vultures.
Lunch and vulture watching base!
Our final stop of the day was further down in the valley, a wooded area by a river. The crags above the treeline held Black Wheatear and another Blue Rock Thrush, whilst the woods gave us views of Blue Tit, Sardinian Warbler and Song Thrush. It won’t be long before this very spot is full of the song of Nightingale and Golden Oriole.
We headed back to Valencia, recalling the highlights of the past days before saying our fond farewells. It had been a great pleasure for me to share these days with Ralph and Brenda, and to enjoy their company, conversation and some special birding moments together. I look forward to seeing them both again.
The species list for our third day included…
Cattle Egret, Alpine Accentor, Chaffinch, Blue Rock Thrush, Raven, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Corn Bunting, Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Spotless Starling, Cirl Bunting, Linnet, Sparrowhawk, Robin, Iberian Green Woodpecker (h), Griffon Vulture, Serin, Cormorant, Blackcap, White Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Grey Wagtail, Black Wheatear, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Song Thrush.
Written by Dave Warrington.