April 2024
Early this month, I planned a 3-day birding trip for Jason, an experienced birder from the USA who was spending some time with his wife near Valencia and wanted to include a birding trip in their plans.
Day 1 – Albufera.
Our first day together was spent at Albufera de Valencia, a huge wetland and rice growing area just to the south of the city. We spent the morning at a reserve where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of a mixed breeding colony that included Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull and Slender Billed Gull. Whiskered Terns were also feeding on the wing and Cetti’s Warbler were singing from the nearby scrub. Shorebirds included Pied Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redshank and Glossy Ibis.
Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean Gulls, Slender Billed Gull and Black Headed Gull
In the afternoon, we moved closer to the coast where visited a small lagoon and enjoyed views of Purple Heron plus other shorebirds such as Kentish Plover, Little Stint and Little Ringed Plover. Audouin’s Gull were also around in good numbers, obviously preparing to nest. The day was brought to a close with great views of a pale-form Booted Eagle.
Kentish Plover
The day had proved a great introduction to the area and had provided Jason with views of some of the region’s most emblematic wetland species. The species list for the day included…
Shelduck, Mallard, Moorhen, Greater Flamingo, Black Winged Stilt, Sardinian Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler (h), Long Tailed Tit, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Slender Billed Gull, Pied Avocet, Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Glossy Ibis, Grey Heron, Red Crested Pochard, Whiskered Tern, Purple Heron, House Sparrow, Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Audouin’s Gull, Kentish Plover, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Legged Gull, Booted Eagle, Goldfinch.
Day 2 – Steppe.
Our second day was spent on the steppe, where Jason hoped to see Great Bustard for the first time. We began the day with some typical birds of this habitat, such as Skylark, Crested Lark, Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting and Lesser Kestrel. A Hoopoe also put in an appearance which is always a treat!
Corn Bunting
After a little scanning the surrounding fields, we eventually managed to get views of our first Great Bustards of the day, soon to be followed by a Stone Curlew and a passing Merlin.
Great Bustards
Whilst having lunch by a lagoon, we enjoyed views of White Headed Duck, Spoonbill, Marsh Harrier, Lapwing and a passing Red Kite. The afternoon was spent exploring the higher steppe, which was extremely productive, with highlights including yet more Great Bustard, Little Owl, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Northern Wheatear and a magnificent Golden Eagle.
Little Owl
The species list for the day included…
Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, House Martin, Collared Dove, Skylark, Crested Lark, Rock Sparrow, Barn Swallow, Lesser Kestrel, Corn Bunting, Great Bustard, Stone Curlew, Merlin, Hoopoe, Common Kestrel, Magpie, Gadwall, Common Coot, Black Winged Stilt, Mallard, Little Grebe, Whiskered Tern, Shelduck, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler (h), White Headed Duck, Black Headed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Red Kite, Spoonbill, Lapwing, Golden Eagle, Little Owl, Lesser Short Toed Lark, Northern Wheatear, Grey Wagtail.
Day 3 – Mountains.
For our third day, Jason’s wife Danielle joined us as she was particularly interested in the mountains and their bird life. After a morning coffee, we began the day on a peak from where we had views of Griffon Vulture and Booted Eagle. A drive through upland farmland and open forest gave us the chance to see Short-toed Treecreeper, Linnet, Rock Sparrow and Raven.
The highland interior of Valencia
We enjoyed lunch opposite a huge crag that held many pairs of Griffon Vultures on its ledges. Other sightings included Crag Martin, Chough, Peregrine Falcon and Short-toed Eagle, although perhaps the highlight of the afternoon was superb views of Egyptian Vulture.
The day, and indeed the trip was brought to a close with sightings of Crested Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Black Wheatear, Stonechat and Woodchat Shrike.
Woodchat Shrike
Our species list for the day included…
House Martin, White Wagtail, Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, House Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Linnet, Rock Sparrow, Mistle Thrush, Raven, Short Toed Treecreeper, Swift, Barn Swallow, Crag Martin, Short Toed Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Crested Tit, Sardinian Warbler, Serin, Kestrel, Black Wheatear, Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail, Woodchat Shrike, Stonechat.
It had been a real pleasure to meet Jason and Danielle, and a privilege to share some great views of the region’s birds with them.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.