Bird watching Albufera de Valencia - Page 17 of 24 - Valencia Birding

Guided bird watching at Albufera de Valencia

Last Thursday I had pleasure of providing a day of guided bird watching at Albufera de Valencia for two clients from England. As nature lovers and experienced birders, they are members of The Wild Trust and also volunteers of the RSPB. Whilst here in Spain, they were keen to discover the bird life of the wetlands that surround Valencia. After I collected them from their holiday apartment, we went to a protected reserve area where we enjoyed great views of waterfowl species. We were also fortunate enough to watch 3 Booted Eagles soaring and hunting above the reserve. On the way to our next venue, we stopped in a car park where there had been reports of a Dotterel, obviously resting and feeding whilst on passage. Next stop was a very special restricted reserve area, where we spent most of the morning and had lunch in an stunning hide in front of a lagoon. We enjoyed views of a large flock of Greater Flamingo and Glossy Ibis. An Osprey, another species that often stops at Albufera whilst on passage, had appeared to “befriend” the Ibis and happily spent the afternoon with them!…

Bird Photography in Valencia

Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a birding break in Valencia for a client from Cambridge, England. Stephen is an experienced wildlife photographer and a keen birder and wanted to focus on bird photography in Valencia. He was visiting Valencia and wanted to discover the habitats and bird life of this extremely diverse region and to capture this on film. I planned a 2 day trip for him. One to the mountains and other to the wetlands. On day 1, I collected him from his hotel and after an hour´s drive we stopped for a morning coffee and a talk about the species that we were hoping to see. As soon we parked, Griffon Vultures appeared in abundance. Hundreds of House Martins were passing through on migration. Whilst we were walking through the mountain gorge, we enjoyed great views of Sub-alpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler and Common Whitethroat. At the end of the walk, we were finally rewarded with views of Black Redstart and a brief view of Blue Rock Thrush. Lizards and spiders also formed part of the photographic interest. It had been a great day in…

Bird watching trip to Valencian Wetlands

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of providing a bird watching trip to one of the most important wetlands in Valencia for two clients from England. It was a lovely birding trip to l´Albufera of Valencia for a father and a son. Both are experience birders, Oliver with seven years old has been birding with his dad, Mark, for a long time and they wanted to see new species that are the classics of the Valencian wetlands. They were staying in the southern region of the Valencian Community, so we opted to meet in Cullera. We then made the short road trip through an orchard region and on to the first stop which was at the reserve area and interpretation centre of the Natural Park, where we enjoyed great views of Flamingos and Avocets. Second stop was in some rice paddies where the rice plants hadn´t grown this year. Therefore, the flooded fields provided ideal habitat for waders. Hundreds of birds of more than 20 different species where feeding all together. A little patience was rewarded with views of a Marble Duck, eight Caspian Terns. Driving by the rice fields to…

Guided birding trip to Valencian Wetlands

Last week, I provided a day of guided birding trip to Valencian wetlands for a couple from England. Both were very keen and experienced birders and were eager to see the wetlands of Valencia, especially at this fabulous time of the year when migration season is well underway. The day turned out to be very interesting, and resulted in a fabulous number of 63 species list. After I collected them from their apartment, first stop was in some rice paddies where the rice plants hadn´t grown this year. Therefore, the flooded fields provided ideal habitat for waders. Hundreds of birds of more than 20 different species where feeding all together. We also had a nice surprise when we saw a Marble duck and two Caspian Terns with so many others interesting species. After a brief stop for a coffee and a short review of the species list we went to the next stop in the reserve area and interpretation centre of the Natural Park, where Flamingos and Avocets where close enough for us to get amazing photographs. Next stop was in a restricted reserve and green filter area we were delighted…

Birding trip to l´Albufera of Valencia Natural Park

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of providing a birding trip to l´Albufera of Valencia Natural Park for two clients from Switzerland. They are experience birders and they wanted to see and photograph the classic species of the Valencian wetlands. They were staying in the southern region of the Valencian Community, so we opted to meet at Cullera lighthouse, a popular sea-watching spot. We then made the short road trip through an orchard region and on to the first stop which was at a protected reserve and green filter area. A little patience was rewarded with views of several Purple Swamphens and Little Bitterns. Second stop was in some rice paddies where the rice plants hadn´t grown this year. Therefore, the flooded fields provided ideal habitat for waders. Hundreds of birds of more than 18 different species where feeding all together. After a brief stop for a coffee and a short review of the species list we went to the next stop in the reserve area and interpretation centre of the Natural Park, where Avocets and Shelducks where close enough for us to get amazing photographs. Driving by the…

Bird watching in Albufera

I´ve just returned home from a day of guided bird watching in Albufera de Valencia with a couple who were on a Mediterranean cruise. Well travelled and experienced naturalists, they had a stop-off and free day in Valencia and had previously booked a day trip with us. Having met them at the cruise terminal in Valencia, we made the short drive to the Albufera Natural Park where we began our day at one of the areas best nature reserves. We were immediately treated to great views of Night Heron, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron and Cattle Egret. Glossy Ibis were constantly flying over, and Black-winged Stilts were around in good numbers in the adjoining rice fields. As we made our way through the reserve, we had views of Little Bittern. The reed beds held plenty of warblers including Cetti´s, Savi´s, Fan-tailed, Reed and Great Reed. The first lagoon gave views of Gull-billed Tern and Great Egret. We then made a stop at the visitor centre where the staff gave a presentation on the ecology of the reserve, the environmental challenges that the region faces, and the work that is being done…