I’m both delighted and very grateful to report that this spring season has been extremely busy, with clients from across Europe and the USA. For those based in Valencia, trips have included the coastal marshes and the rice growing wetland region of Albufera, as well as the mountains of the interior.
One client in particular, Erik from the Netherlands, flew down to Valencia with the hope of seeing Elegant Tern. With only a couple of days in which to locate it, the challenge was on, but he indeed returned home having had good views, and the opportunity to photograph it too!
Elegant Tern with Sandwich Terns
Others were very happy to see the mixed colonies of Sandwich Tern, Common Tern and Little Tern, all of which produced good numbers of chicks across the region.
Little Tern
Much work has been done across the region to protect both Marbled Teal and White Headed Duck, so to see both species raising young has been wonderful.
Marbled Teal
Female White Headed Duck with young
Another breeding bird that is especially vulnerable, and is the subject of various conservation projects is Kentish Plover. This spring, we’ve been able to enjoy great views of this tiny dune dwelling bird as it battles against the odds to raise its young.
Kentish Plover chick
Regular sightings of other aquatic birds have included Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Collared Pratincole, Glossy Ibis and Black Winged Stilt.
Collared Pratincole
The mountain trips that we’ve enjoyed have given clients the opportunity to enjoy quality views of Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Short Toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, and passerines such as Black Wheatear, Crested Tit, Blue Rock Thrush and both Spotted and Pied Flycatcher.
Griffon Vultures soaring over Valencian highlands
As the spring slowly gives way to summer, and the breeding season draws to a close for many species, we look forward to the forthcoming post nuptual migration. But in the meantime, our attention turns towards a couple of months of intense work on the Osprey reintroduction project.
Bookings are already coming in for the autumn and winter, so the rest of the year is looking to be a busy time too, but for now, I’d like to thank everyone for the support over the spring and for so many special birding days together.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.