April 2024
I’m delighted to say that April was a very busy month, packed with some great birding trips. One such day was spent at Albufera with Dominic and Elaine from the UK. They were on a rail trip through France and Spain, and had included a day’s birding with me in their plans. Albufera is a wetland of international importance for many reasons, not least of which is its geographical location on a migration flyway, so early spring is always an exciting time here.
Greater Flamingo
Elaine was keen to see Greater Flamingo, so we began at a reserve where it’s possible to get great views of them from a hide, without running the risk of disturbing them. We did just that, seeing them together with Black Winged Stilt, Avocet and Shelduck. We also spent some time scanning through a colony of Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern, picking out a few Whiskered Terns and Slender Billed Gulls in amongst them. From the same hide we also enjoyed watching Redshank and Green Sandpiper.
Little Stint
As we strolled back to the car, a White Stork passed overhead. After a short drive we had lunch in the forest and then enjoyed a walk around a coastal lagoon which held plenty of Audouin’s Gull and Great Crested Grebe. As we scanned the shore, we had views of Kentish Plover, Little Stint, Ringed Plover and Little Tern.
Kentish Plover
It was soon time to head for home, and although the rice fields are dry at this time of year, they’re always worth a look at, so instead of taking the road, we drove along a track between fields. This proved to be a successful strategy, as we were able to see Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron and a small flock of Gull Billed Tern.
No two days are ever the same at Albufera, and today had been a good one, providing Dominic and Elaine with an overview of the area’s bird life and movements. Some great sightings, comfortable spring sunshine, and in the company of two lovely people.
Greenshank
Our species list for the day included…
Greater Flamingo, Black Winged Stilt, Avocet, Mallard, Shelduck, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern, Whiskered Tern, Sandwich Tern, Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Yellow Legged Gull, White Stork, Slender Billed Gull, Buzzard, Kentish Plover, Great Crested Grebe, Audouin’s Gull, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Little Stint, Barn Swallow, Greenshank, Ringed Plover, Little Egret, Common Pochard, Little Tern, Kestrel, Spotless Starling, Tree Sparrow, Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Gull Billed Tern, Cattle Egret.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.