Bird watching trips for families - Valencia Birding

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…

A Pre-Christmas Trip to Alicante.

Our final trip before Christmas 2024 took us to Alicante, where I had the pleasure of meeting Agustin and his family from Galicia in northern Spain. They were enjoying a Christmas break in the region, and wanted to include a day’s birding in their plans. Once I’d navigated the labyrinth of narrow streets in the historical quarter of Alicante, we met and made the short onward journey to the wetlands! Immediately upon getting out of the car we were watching Purple Swamphen and Snipe feeding at the base of tall reeds. Amazingly, the day after, we received news of sightings of a Purple Swamphen with chicks! Marsh Harriers, a common winter visitor to the región were out in good numbers, flying low over the marsh in search of prey. Another common winter visitor, the Eurasian Teal, often provides them with such! One of the reserve´s specialities soon came into view, again in good numbers – Red Knobbed Coot. Much has been done here to protect this bird, so it’s always gratifying to see them doing so well. Red Knobbed Coot There were obviously plenty of insects on the wing, as…

Day 2 of a 4-Day Twin Centre Birding Break

Our day on the steppe was followed by a trip to the mountains in the interior of Alicante, so after a relatively short but comfortable drive from Xativa, we were soon drinking coffee in a village and discussing the plans for the day. Our first stop was a dramatic ravine with towering limestone cliffs. The bushes arond the parking area held Sardinian Warbler and plenty of singing Serins. We also enjoyed good views of Blue Rock Thrush, Black Redstart and Crag Martin. Blue Rock Thrush Perhaps the most spectacular bird of the morning was the Griffon Vulture. This area is home to a well established breeding colony, and we were abnle to see them both in flight and on their nesting ledges. Choughs were also very active, calling to each other in flight and swooping and diving over the peaks. After a short walk into the gorge and back, we drove up into a highland forest where we enjoyed lunch whilst watching Coal Tit, Blackcap and a Short-toed Treecreeper. We strolled back to the car and discussed the plan for the rest of the day, eventually opting to make a…

3-Day Birding Trip from Valencia

25-27 May 2022 I recently designed and provided a 3-day birding trip for a lovely couple from the UK. Ian is a life-long birder and has been keen to do an overseas birding trip for a while. Once we began to discuss possibilities, his wife decided to join him on at least one of the days, but in the end, I’m delighted to say that she came along on every trip. They stayed in a hotel in the historical centre of Valencia, one that we use frequently owing to its authenticity, location, quality and value. It was from there that we began our first trip, to the mountains. Day 1 – Mountains Our first day dawned with almost cloudless skies and very little wind, perfect conditions in which to explore the highland interior of Valencia. After a drive of around 50 minutes, we stopped for breakfast at a small village before heading into the hills. Our first sighting was Black Wheatear, which was a “lifer” for Ian. A Raven flew by as did a pair of Griffon Vultures. Our stroll through the woods gave sightings of Serin, Sardinian Warbler and…

A spring day in the mountains

April 15th 2022 The busy month of April continued and on Good Friday I enjoyed a day in the mountains of Valencia with Frank from Ireland. He´s an experienced birder, as well as a pleasure to be with, so it was clear from the beginning that we were in for a good trip! As Valencia Birding traditions usually persist, we had a brief coffee stop in a small farming village before we headed into the hills in search of birds. As soon as we got out of the car, the air was full of the sound of Serins singing from the surrounding pines. We scanned some nearby crags in search of Black Wheatear and quickly located a pair that were obviously busy nesting. Having managed to get some good views, we headed into the woods. Stonechats, Sardinian Warblers and Chaffinches were around in good numbers, and then we were delighted to suddenly hear the unique song of Nightingale. A little patient searching gave us nice views of it too. Stonechat (male) As we approached a river, a Kingfisher darted downstream, and a small group of Long Tailed Tits passed by…