Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain Valencia Birding Blog

Valencia Birding & Kite Optics

We’re proud to announce that Valencia Birding is now a Brand Ambassador and Official Partner of Kite Optics, specifically for their range of Image Stabilised optics. Why Kite Optics Image Stabilised Optics? Why Kite Optics and their range of image stabilised products? Because, when I first tried their image stabilised binoculars, they simple blew my mind, and radically changed my birding forever. I’d previously read articles and reviews, but once I had the binoculars in my hands and spent just a few minutes using them, I was sure that this is the future of birding. Once the image stabilisation is switched on, the world becomes still. For those who have never used them before, it’s difficult to imagine without trying them. The Future of Birdwatching. In the Benelux countries, 4 out of 10 birdwatchers and professionals are already using Kite Optics Image Stabilised optics. In the UK and Scandinavia, the number of people converting to the same continues to grow. Personally, I’ve been birdwatching on a regular basis since childhood and have been a professional guide since 2011, and the Kite Optics 12×42 Image Stabilised binoculars that I now use…

Summer Heat & Autumn Migration

Much of the second half of June and the month of July was largely devoted to the Osprey reintroduction project that Valencia Birding supports, more of which I’ll report on soon. As has been the case across much of Europe, Spain has been hit with some pretty severe heatwaves, so conditions have not been ideal for birding! However, as we approach mid August, the peak temperatures have begun to drop a little. Although we’re still very much in “summer mode”, the month of August represents in large part the beginning of “autumn” or post-nuptual migration for many birds. Therefore, it’s well worth the effort to get out the sunscreen, put on a cap, grab some water and head out into the coastal wetlands to see what’s on the move. The extensive rice fields of Albufera de Valencia, with the mountains of La Valldigna in the background That’s exactly what we’ve done in the past week with clients from both the UK and the USA, taking in trips to Albufera de Valencia and the wetlands of Alicante. The trips to Albufera were for a father and his 14 year old son…

A Spring Packed With Birding Trips and Holidays.

The past few weeks have been extremely busy, and have been spent with some lovely, interesting people from across Europe and the USA, on both day trips and multi-day birding holidays.

March Full of Wetland Trips

The month of March was packed with trips principally to the region’s wetlands. I was delighted to spend time with clients from the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. I did a couple of single day trips for clients who arrived in Alicante on cruise ships and wanted to spend their time birding. I also enjoyed trips to the various wetlands of Valencia for clients who had chosen to base themselves in this elegant and historical city. One of Valencia’s many wetlands The month of March brough even more signs that spring is very much with us, with the Alicante wetlands holding Red Knobbed Coot with chicks already swimming around the lagoons, large flocks of Pallid Swifts feeding over the reed beds, and Little Ringed Plovers arriving in good numbers. Little Ringed Plover Other lagoons in Alicante held plenty of White Headed Duck, the male with the distinguishing bright blue bill, and Black Necked Grebe in full breeding plumage. White Headed Duck Black Necked Grebe In Valencia´s wetlands, Audouin’s Gull were beginning to colonise their regular breeding grounds. Passerines including Redstart, Nightingale, Reed Warbler, Great Reed Warbler and Willow Warbler…

Looking back on a busy February 2026

As a new month dawns upon us, I’m taking a few moments to look back on February 2026, which although being unusually wet across the whole of Spain, spared our region the worst of the weather. We were fortunate to welcome some lovely people and to enjoy some memorable birding experiences together. A Busy Month Around Alicante & Valencia The month began with a multi-day trip for a group from the UK, taking in the diverse habitats of both Valencia and Alicante. I also had the pleasure to meet a wonderful couple from the English Midlands with their teenaged grandson whose interest for birds was an inspiration. Together, we explored the huge wetland of Albufera de Valencia, as I did with an experienced birder from the south of England. Later in the month it was a privilege to welcome back returning clients, again from the UK, and we enjoyed a great day around the wetlands of Alicante. Greater Flamingo at Albufera de Valencia Multi-Day Birding Break This month’s multi-day birding break was for a really interesting group who elected to base themselves in the historic town of Xativa. From there…

Valencia Birding is back in action after the birth of our daughter!

Our blog and social media accounts have been quiet for a few months. The reason for that is that our daughter Alya suddenly came into the world in late September – two months before she was expected. There were some sudden and serious complications which resulted in the premature birth, but after a few weeks in an incubator and thanks to the excellent care provided by the health professionals at San Juan de Alicante hospital, we were able to bring her home in November. She’s doing great, growing fast and doing what babies do! Mum suffered some problems but I’m delighted and relieved to say that she’s doing fine now too. So with the Valencia Birding family all back home and doing really well, I returned to work recently and was really pleased to see John again, one of our most regular clients, with whom we’ve had many birding trips over the past few years. This time, he was joined by a friend who has also been on previous trips. We focussed our attention on Albufera de Valencia, Pego Oliva Marsh and the mountains of the interior of the region….