Our final trip before Christmas 2024 took us to Alicante, where I had the pleasure of meeting Agustin and his family from Galicia in northern Spain. They were enjoying a Christmas break in the region, and wanted to include a day’s birding in their plans. Once I’d navigated the labyrinth of narrow streets in the historical quarter of Alicante, we met and made the short onward journey to the wetlands!
Immediately upon getting out of the car we were watching Purple Swamphen and Snipe feeding at the base of tall reeds. Amazingly, the day after, we received news of sightings of a Purple Swamphen with chicks! Marsh Harriers, a common winter visitor to the región were out in good numbers, flying low over the marsh in search of prey. Another common winter visitor, the Eurasian Teal, often provides them with such! One of the reserve´s specialities soon came into view, again in good numbers – Red Knobbed Coot. Much has been done here to protect this bird, so it’s always gratifying to see them doing so well.
Red Knobbed Coot
There were obviously plenty of insects on the wing, as Crag Martins, Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler and Stonechat were all actively feeding too. Careful scanning of a long line of fence posts revealed an Iberian Grey Shrike. Our hopes of seeing another wintering bird eventually came to fruition when a confiding Bluethroat emerged from the scrub to give us great views. Then, just before arriving at the lunch spot, a pale form Booted Eagle circled above us, soon followed by yet more Marsh Harriers.
Bluethroat
After lunch we moved closer to the coast, in hope of catching sight of a very special raptor that spends the cooler months of the year here in Alicante – the Greater Spotted Eagle. Each year, a handful of these mighty birds move to this area from the Baltics. We were in luck, at first we saw a Marsh Harrier swooping, obviously in an attempt to mob a much larger bird of prey. The latter eventually rose into the sky above the highest reeds, and although we had to contend with strong sunlight, it was clear that we were watching a Greater Spotted Eagle. I was delighted for Agustin and his family, as there are few places in southern Europe where one can see this bird. But see it we did, and it certainly added a special moment to the day.
On our way back to Alicante, we stopped off at a salt lagoon which gave us the chance to see Audouin’s Gull, Ruff and Little Ringed Plover.
As always, the day had passed very quickly, but it had been a pleasure to spend it with such a lovely and friendly family. I hope that we’ll meet again when they’re next in the region.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.