6th & 7th March 2024
I recently provided a 2-day birding trip for a couple from Lewes in the UK. They had spent a few days in the city of Valencia, before moving to the historical town of Xativa, from where we arranged our birding. They had previously been on birding trips in Spain, but never in this region, so we began with a day at Albufera.
Rice fields of Albufera
The rice fields were in the process of being drained, prior to being ploughed and levelled in readiness for sowing of seed, so it was important that we knew which areas still held some water. We visited a couple of spots in the northern area of the park where highlights included good views of Bluethroat. We headed to another area of shallow water where we enjoyed views of an array of shorebirds including Snipe, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover and Little Stint, which were together with good numbers of White Wagtails and Meadow Pipits.
Little Ringed Plover
After lunch, we visited a salt lagoon where we watched more wading birds, this time Greenshank, Redshank and Green Sandpiper. Gulls of interest included Audouin’s and Slender Billed. Raptors for the day included Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle and Kestrel.
Audouin’s Gull
We headed to Xativa having decided to change the plan for our second day. The original plan was to visit the steppe but the forecast was for rain and very high winds. One of the advantages of being based in Xativa is that it puts the coastal wetlands of Alicante within easy reach. So that was to be our destination for day two.
Booted Eagle
The species list for our first day included…Little Egret, White Wagtail, Bluethroat, Chiffchaff, Serin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Crag Martin, Glossy Ibis, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Moorhen, Audouin’s Gull, Black Headed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Mallard, Booted Eagle, Snipe, Cattle Egret, Ringed Plover, Little Stint, Tree Sparrow, Water Pipit, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper, Common Starling, Spotless Starling, Crested Lark, Greenshank, Redshank, Great Crested Grebe, Black Winged Stilt, Shelduck, Yellow Wagtail, Slender Billed Gull, Marsh Harrier, Cattle Egret, Great Egret.
Although a similar habitat, today’s wetland gave more opportunity to enjoy wildfowl and aquatic species including Shoveler, Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard, Marbled Teal, Black Necked Grebe and Purple Swamphen.
Red Crested Pochard
We also enjoyed a relaxing walk around the reserve which gave us the opportunity to see Iberian Grey Shrike, Stonechat, Booted Eagle, and perhaps the highlight of the day, Stone Curlew.
Stone Curlew
It had been a pleasure to provide this trip for Jim and Kathy and to enjoy a few moments which gave them their first sightings of a number of species. Our list for the second day included…Blackbird, Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Marbled Teal, Common Coot, Shoveler, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Purple Swamphen, Moorhen, Iberian Grey Shrike, Mallard, Yellow Legged Gull, Crag Martin, Stone Curlew, Greenfinch, Cormorant, House Sparrow, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Marsh Harrier, Black Necked Grebe, Yellow Legged Gull, Black Headed Gull, Booted Eagle, Lesser Black Backed Gull, White Wagtail, Kestrel.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.