Bird Watching in Spain - Page 28 of 47 - Valencia Birding

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…

2 Day Wetland Birding Trip to Valencia

Last week, I enjoyed two great birding days with a couple of clients from USA. They were well travelled birders and nature lovers, and as part of their trip through Spain and France they had booked a couple of days of guided birding in Valencia. We opted for a 2 day wetland birding trip to Valencia that would take in the internationally important Natural Park of Albufera de Valencia and a lesser known wetland also close to the city. On our first day, even before we´d arrived at our first stopping point in Albufera, we enjoyed a great view of a Purple Swamphen beside a pair of Night Herons. The day only got better, with good views of a Bittern in flight followed by an Osprey! Once inside the reserve, we enjoyed more views of Purple Swamphens, and of both male and female Marsh Harrier. Chiffchaffs were abundant in the reeds, as were Fan-Tailed Warblers and Cetti´s Warblers. Scanning across one of the reserve lagoons revealed Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill and Black-Winged Stilt. The surrounding wetland held Squacco Heron, Snipe and yet more Night Heron. The clients were very interested…

2 Day Birding Trip in Valencia

Last week Dave and I had the pleasure of providing a 2 day birding trip in Valencia for a client from Australia. Russel is an experienced birder and marine biologist who was in Valencia for a conference and was eager to make the most of his time here and to enjoy some European species. On day 1, I collected him from his apartment in central Valencia. We then drove to the mountains of inland Alicante where we met Dave. After a coffee and review of the species we were looking for, we enjoyed a short walk during which we succeeded in seeing some classic species including Griffon Vultures, Black Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush. After a picnic lunch we travelled back to Valencia where we called in at l’Albufera Natural Park. We made a short stop in some rice paddies where we were fortunate to see a diverse array of waders including Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Dunlin and Collared Pratincole. It made a perfect end to a great birding day. On the second day, we visited the Valencian Coastal Wetlands, a reserve area that hosts some amazing…

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…