Over the past few weeks, we’ve spent quite a few days up on the steppe, enjoying this unique landscape and the fabulous bird life that thrives here. The first trip was for 4 lovely clients from Barcelona, well travelled nature lovers who were visiting the area and were keen to see Great Bustard above all. Another day was part of a 3-day trip for Jason from the USA and the other was simply a day´s birding with my partner Itziar to enjoy the spectacle of Great Bustard courtship displays.
Great Bustard
Each day was a great success in that we found and enjoyed superb views of good numbers of Great Bustards, but as with birding anywhere, no two days are ever the same! On the first trip, we were delighted to see recently arrived Woodchat Shrike and passing Bee Eaters. The Lesser Kestrels that breed in this area had indeed returned from their wintering grounds and gave us some great views as they swooped and hovered around the semi ruined buildings where the colony was already established. After a little searching amongst a pile of rocks, we finally located the resident Little Owl that is always a delight to see. Another highlight that brought the day to a memorable end was an excellent view of a stunning male Montagu’s Harrier, gracefully gliding over cereal fields.
Spot the Little Owl!
On the day with Jason, we indeed found the Great Bustards, and enjoyed views of the males proudly strutting across the plains, as well as locating a Stone Curlew in a nearby field. A careful search of an area of uncultivated land turned up a Lesser Short Toed Lark, plenty of Crested Lark and a Northern Wheatear. We spent some time watching over a lagoon where we enjoyed views of White Headed Duck, Whiskered Tern and a passing Spoonbill as well as a Red Kite and a pair of Marsh Harriers. Perhaps one of the highlights of that day however, was a Golden Eagle that we spotted soaring over the plains, being mobbed albeit without too much enthusiasm by a Carrion Crow. I was delighted that Jason, a well travelled and experienced birder ended the day with a considerable number of lifers, most of which were also quality views.
Northern Wheatear
On the day that I returned with Itziar, we had the privilege of being able to focus on specific sights rather than maximising the species, so having enjoyed watching Lesser Kestrels for a while plus good views of a Hoopoe (common but always great to see), we set out to try and get good views of Great Bustard. We succeeded, and noy only had great views of both male and female birds, but were able to witness the courtship ritual of the males as they displayed to a group of females. The lovely thing was that we were able to see this from a distance that gave us great views through the scope whilst being far enough away for these very shy birds not to be bothered by our presence in the slightest. Other memorable moments included watching a flock of Gull Billed Terns following a tractor and feeding on insects, seeing Calandra Larks both in flight and on the ground, as well as us enjoying good views of another Montagu’s Harrier.
Hoopoe
All three days were very special in their own way, and hopefully created some long-lasting memories for all involved. Species seen included…
Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Martin, Collared Dove, Skylark, Crested Lark, Thekla Lark, Calandra Lark, Rock Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Lesser Kestrel, Corn Bunting, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Merlin, Bee Eater, Hoopoe, Common Kestrel, Magpie, Greater Flamingo, Gadwall, Common Coot, Black Winged Stilt, Mallard, Little Grebe, Whiskered Tern, Gull Billed Tern, Shelduck, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler (h), White Headed Duck, Black Headed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Red Kite, Montagu’s Harrier, Spoonbill, Lapwing, Golden Eagle, Little Owl, Lesser Short Toed Lark, Northern Wheatear, Grey Wagtail.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.