Following the Christmas, New Year and Three Kings celebrations, it felt great to begin the first trip of 2025, especially so as it was for Tony, a client from the UK who I had met two years ago when we did a day trip from Alicante. We had spoken on the phone to design something bespoke for him, taking in 3 days in different habitats, whilst allowing him to enjoy a little time in the historic town of Xativa.
Day 1 – Mountains
Tony flew into Alicante airport the day before our 3 days together began, so that’s where I met him before taking the short journey up into the mountains. Having stopped for a coffee and to pick up a sandwich for him, we began our short walk up a peak, where the key target species included Alpine Accentor and Griffon Vulture.
As we began to walk up through the pine forests, we enjoyed watching Red Squirrels chasing each other through the trees, as well as Coal Tit and Long Tailed Tit. We usually have to walk to the peak to see Alpine Accentor, but today, they were extremely obliging, and gave us great views just 15 minutes after leaving the car! We stopped to watch them as they foraged for food at the base of a crag. This was a special moment indeed, as it was the first time Tony has seen this species. Getting a “lifer” is a rare moment for him these days, as he’s extremely well travelled and has spent many years living in Africa!
Alpine Accentor
Regardless of having seen this robust little mountain dweller close to the base of the hill, we still opted to continue our walk to the peak, and to enjoy lunch up there whilst watching Griffon Vultures in flight, often at eye-level. This is a bird that never fails to impress!
Griffon Vulture
After lunch we strolled back down the mountain, enjoying views of Raven, Serin, Chiffchaff and Sardinian Warbler. Although we didn’t manage to get eyes on it, we also heard an Iberian Chiffchaff. We ended the afternoon with a walk into a huge limestone gorge, making the most of the last hour or so of sunlight. Here, amidst stunning scenery, we enjoyed yet more views of Griffon Vulture as well as Black Wheatear, Sparrowhawk and Black Redstart.
Mountain landscape of inland Alicante
Once back in the car, we headed for Xativa, and were there in around 45 minutes. Tony checked in to the authentic guest house in the historical quarter of the town, which was going to be his home for the next 3 nights.
Day 2 – Steppe
The next morning dawned bright, but unusually cool. The car had ice on the windscreen, which was somewhat of a shock, but the bright blue skies and total lack of wind made for a beautiful day. After a short drive of less than an hour, we were soon enjoying a coffee before setting off across the plains.
Wide open plains – they appear empty but hold some fabulous birds!
Our first stop gave views of Thekla’s Lark, Tree Sparrow, Iberian Grey Shrike and sizeable flocks of Linnet. Stonechats were flitting around, catching insects in flight, and Black Redstarts were plentiful. A Buzzard was perched on a pylon, and a Kestrel hovered over the fields in the distance.
We enjoyed a chat with the local farmer, who has worked this land all his life, so always has some interesting tales to tell. Once back in the car, driving along farm tracks, it wasn’t long before we got our first views of Great Bustard, the priority bird of the day.
Great Bustards
Having enjoyed fabulous views of these giants, from a safe distance as not to disturb them, we continued driving cross country. At one of our stopping points, we were treated to views of a pair of Black Bellied Sandgrouse in flight, as well as Crested Lark, Skylark, Calandra Lark and Rock Sparrow.
Calandra Lark
Our chosen lunch spot was a point at which we could enjoy the warmth of the winter sun whilst watching over an expanse of fields. Careful scanning revealed a flock of small passerines, constantly moving in short flights between stints of feeding in the ploughed earth. The sunlight was very strong, leading to difficulties in paying attention to fine detail. We soon managed to reposition ourselves, with the sun behind us, allowing us to get close views through the scope. After some careful observation, we identified them as Lesser Short Toed Lark.
Little Owl
As we headed further into the higher plains, we stopped to watch a Little Owl on a stack of stones. And then as we were almost back to the road, we came across another group of Great Bustard – 27 to be precise.
Great Bustards
It was indeed a superb ending to a very successful day, providing us with a feeling of privilege and gratitude.
Day 3 – Wetlands.
Alicante has some of the most important wetlands in Spain, and is home to some fabulous bird life. After a comfortable drive down to the coast, we began the day with the obligatory morning coffee, before enjoying a short walk through our first reserve. The day began with wildfowl including Gadwall, White Headed Duck, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Eurasian Teal. We also had good views of a Red Knobbed Coot.
Red Crested Pochard
As we looked down from a vantage point above a small lagoon, Tony spotted a small bird that suddenly flew up onto a fence post. Although the sun was in front of us, we were able to get great views of what turned out to be a Wryneck.
Wryneck
Crag Martins were feeding on the wing in good numbers, and as we waited and watched, a Little Bittern suddenly rose from the reeds before passing in front of us. Sardinian Warblers and Stonechats seemed to be in or on virtually every bush, and then a Kingfisher darted across the water below us.
We then made a short drive to an area of saltflats, where a brief stop gave us views of Slender Billed Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Redshank, Spoonbill and thousands of Greater Flamingo.
Spoonbill
As we were driving to the hide where we eventually had lunch, we had sightings of both Booted Eagle and Marsh Harrier. The hide gave us views of Shelduck, Little Grebe, yet more Flamingos and Cattle Egret.
Enjoying the last hour of sunlight over the marsh (photo by Itziar Colodro Sainz)
The final wetland of the day was in the north of Alicante, and provided what could be described as the perfect ending to the trip. With Itziar’s help, we located the Osprey that has been over wintering here, and watched as it flew to its roosting site, dragging its feet in the water as it flew, to clean the talons of the remians of its dinner.
Bluethroat
The sun was dipping towards the mountains, but we still had time to enjoy great views of Bluethroat, Meadow Pipit, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, and hundreds of Glossy Ibis.
It had been a pleasure to spend these days with Tony, to enjoy some very special birding moments, and to catch up on life’s stories and experiences. The time had passed very quickly, but I hope he returns home with very fond memories, and that we’ll get together again before too long.
A happy ending to the trip (Photo by Itziar Colodro Sainz)
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.