Albufera de Valencia - Page 7 of 10 - Valencia Birding

Winter birding trip to the Albufera Natural Park

We were recently delighted to provide a winter birding trip to the Albufera Natural Park for a returning client from England. He´s an experienced birder who´s been to Valencia several times and has been on many birding trips with us. However, this was his first time in winter, so he was keen to enjoy the different landscape and species that this season provides. Our first stop was at a reserve area where we enjoyed spectacular and close views of a number of Booted Eagles plus hundreds of waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet. At the next hide, we accomplished one of his wishes of the day, enjoying fantastic views of a male Bluethoat! We then spent a while at a tower observatory, paying particular attention to wildfowl, and enjoying views of Pintail, Red-crested Pochard and Shoveler. We also saw at least ten Marsh Harriers flying low over the reed beds. Next stop was a green filter reserve area, but before entering, we stopped by some rice paddies to enjoy views of a large flock of Glossy Ibis – another target species of the day. We also had an…

Birding in Albufera de Valencia

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to organise a day of guided birding in Albufera de Valencia for a couple from Norfolk, England who were visiting Valencia aboard a cruise ship. They were experienced birders, keen to discover new species from this region. After I collected them from the Cruise Ship Terminal in Valencia, we drove to the first stop in a reserve area, which right now is becoming a local “hotspot”. We were delighted to have fantastic views of Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier, also Little Grebe and Kingfisher were showing well right in front of us. We also enjoyed good sightings of many waterfowl and wader species. The second stop was in a restricted reserve and green filter area where we were welcomed by a large flock of Glossy Ibis flying overhead. Many Purple Swamphens and waders where feeding in the shallow water of the fields. Next stop was by a small lake, which by this time of the year becomes a great spot for wintering and migratory birds. Black-necked Grebes were among the target species here. It had been a special birding day with many great sightings….

Birding in Albufera Natural Park

Last week I had the pleasure of guiding two clients from Holland to the Albufera Natural Park. They were both experienced nature photographers and birders who wanted a day off from the city. The Albufera Natural Park is located just 18 Km from Valencia city centre and is one of the most important wetlands in Europe, so it makes for a very easy birding trip. We began by visiting one of the best reserve areas in Albufera. Once inside the reserve, we enjoyed great views of Black-winged Stilts, Little Grebes and Flamingos. After a short walk through the forest we arrived at the second hide, from where we saw hundreds of Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings resting on the lagoon. Next stop was at a restricted reserve area where we had lunch whilst enjoying great views of Great White Egret, Marsh Harriers and Gadwalls. In evening we decided to stop beside a lake beside the sea, an amazing hotspot for Black-necked Grebes and Audouin’s Gull. We ended the day in the rice paddies where we hoped to see Booted Eagle and Glossy Ibis. It had been a great birding day spent with…

Cultural City Break & Guided Bird Watching.

We´re delighted to inform you of a new collaborative arrangement between Valencia Birding and Adhoc Hotels of Valencia. This brings top levels of service to our clients, as well as extremely competitive and authentic accommodation in the heart of the historical quarter of the enchanting city of Valencia. This allows us to offer a unique short break that combines the rich culture of this beautiful Mediterranean city, its architecture, history and gastronomy with guided bird watching to some of Spain´s best sites, all of which are within very easy reach. All trips are completely tailor-made and are available for individuals, couples and small groups. Click here for further details. We look forward to welcoming you to Valencia and sharing some of Europe´s best bird watching sites with you.

2 Day Birding Break in Valencia

Last week we were delighted to provide a 2-day birding break in Valencia for a group of 3 clients with whom we´ve been in touch with for a while. All living apart (France, England and Wales) they had arranged to meet up in Valencia and to include in their holiday a 2-day guided birding trip with us. We´d been fortunate enough to meet one of the group at Birdfair in the UK in August, so were really looking forward to welcoming them to Valencia. To provide two very different trips, we´d decided to spend one day at the extensive wetland site of Albufera de Valencia and the second up on the high steppe. Very different habitats indeed. On day one, I collected the group from their apartment in the city and we made the short journey to Albufera, discussing their wishes and priorities for the trip. We drove into the Natural Park and made our first brief stop by some rice fields where we discussed the rice growing cycle whilst watching Cattle Egrets and Marsh Harriers. A Lesser Black Backed Gull passed over us and a large flock of Spotless…

Guided bird watching in Albufera de Valencia.

This week I provided a day trip for a brother and sister from the Netherlands. They were in Valencia for a short break and had contacted us previously to arrange a day of guided bird watching in Albufera de Valencia. Our first albeit brief stop was in a reserve area where had views of Red Crested Pochard, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Harrier and Booted Eagle. We then moved to a lagoon that is always worth a visit as at this time of year it can provide great views of waders. We saw Little Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Kentish Plover and Greenshank to name a few. We also enjoyed watching Black Necked Grebe on the water. Our next stop was at a restricted reserve area where we relaxed and spent the a good while exploring the lagoons and reed beds. This was a great visit and among the many sightings that we had there were Temminck´s Stint, Caspian Tern, Purple Swamphen, Night Heron and Audouin´s Gull. We´d enjoyed some fabulous views of some great species, but wanted to end the day with a drive across the rice fields. This gave views of Glossy…