Our day on the steppe was followed by a trip to the mountains in the interior of Alicante, so after a relatively short but comfortable drive from Xativa, we were soon drinking coffee in a village and discussing the plans for the day.
Our first stop was a dramatic ravine with towering limestone cliffs. The bushes arond the parking area held Sardinian Warbler and plenty of singing Serins. We also enjoyed good views of Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart and Crag Martin.
Blue Rock Thrush
Perhaps the most spectacular bird of the morning was the Griffon Vulture. This area is home to a well established breeding colony, and we were abnle to see them both in flight and on their nesting ledges. Choughs were also very active, calling to each other in flight and swooping and diving over the peaks.
After a short walk into the gorge and back, we drove up into a highland forest where we enjoyed lunch whilst watching Coal Tit, Blackcap and a Short-toed Treecreeper.
We strolled back to the car and discussed the plan for the rest of the day, eventually opting to make a short detour to visit a small lake surrounded by reeds that itself is surrounded by mountains, making it quite a secluded spot. This gave us good views of quite large gatherings of House Martins, Sand Martins and Barn Swallows, all feeding on the wing over the reeds. The lake held wildfowl including a very smart looking pair of Red Crested Pochard.
Red Crested Pochard
We returned to Xativa where Alan and Jeanette were to spend their final night before moving onwards to Valencia the following day. We were planning to spend the day at the huge wetland site of Albufera de Valencia before I was to take Alan and Jeanette to their hotel in the historical quarter of the city.
Written by Dave Warrington.