bird watching trips Valencia - Page 3 of 40 - Valencia Birding

A Spring Day at the Valencian Wetlands

17th May 2023 Maria had contacted me the previous year in order to arrange a couple of days of guided birding as part of their holiday in the Valencia region. She’d managed to arrange a trip that involved a rail journey from the UK to Spain, stopping on the way to visit the Ebro Delta, before travelling onwards to Valencia. The trip was to celebrate her partner Jane´s birthday, so I was very keen to provide the best possible birding days for them. Squacco Heron After many email exchanges, we finally met in person, and travelled to our chosen wetland reserve, where after having a quick coffee, we began our walk. A Squacco Heron was the first bird of the day, soon to be followed by Greater Flamingo, Glossy Ibis and a pair of Marsh Harriers. Whiskered Tern The reed beds were full of the sounds of Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Cetti’s Warbler and Great Reed Warbler, and from our first observation platform we had good views of Whiskered Tern, Purple Heron, Night Heron, Little Bittern and Purple Swamphen. Purple Swamphen A walk along the coast gave us excellent views…

2-Day Birding Trip : Wetlands & Mountains

8-9/5/2023 At the beginning of this week, I had the pleasure of spending two days with a fabulous couple from the UK. They were travelling around the region, and as keen birders and environmentalists, were eager to discover the region´s bird life. To provide two very different days, we spent day 1 at the wetlands and day 2 in the mountainous interior of the area. Day 1 – Wetlands Our first day began with blue skies and very little wind – perfect for our intended walk. Highlights of the morning included Purple Heron, Night Heron, Great Egret, Great Reed Warbler and eventually good views of Zitting Cisticola! Zitting Cisticola We spent some time in a hide from where we had great views of Mediterranean Gull, Little Bittern and Collared Pratincole. Collared Pratincole After a further walk into the reed beds, we watched across a small lagoon which held Purple Swamphen, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Ringed Plover and a Greater Flamingo with young. Greater Flamingo We had lunch in another hide, enjoying our sandwiches whilst watching Squacco Heron, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill, Common Tern and Whiskered Tern. Common Tern The return leg…

Day 3 & 4 of a 4-day birding break

Having being based in the beautiful old town of Xativa for the first half of their break, Alan and Jeanette now moved to Valencia for a few days where they stayed in the historical quarter of the city. We had two more days of birding together, and as the wetland site of Albufera de Valencia is so huge, we opted to spend both days there, focussing on different parts (and therefore habitats) each day. Spoonbill On day one we focussed on the rice fields and canals first which gave us the chance to see Spoonbill, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great Egret and huge numbers of Glossy Ibis. We also had the pleasure of watching large flocks of Greater Flamingo flying across the park. A small lagoon that we visited held Purple Swamphen. Cattle Egret In the afternoon we spent some time beside the Albufera Lake where highlights included Audouin’s Gull, Whiskered Tern and Sandwich Tern, all of which breed here in Valencia. Audouin´s Gull On our final day we visited one of the park’s reserve areas where we had great views of Mediterranean Gull which were within a mixed colony…

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…

Day 1 of a 4-Day Twin Centre Birding Break

I have recently come to the end of a great little trip that I designed together with a couple of clients from the UK. Alan and Jeanette were looking for a birding trip that could include a few free days during which they could enjoy some cultural sites. Therefore, we designed something that included a stay in the historical town of Xativa followed by a few nights in the city of Valencia. This all worked out beautifully and our birding trips included steppe, mountains, forest and wetlands. Day 1 – Steppe We left Xativa on our first day together and made the comfortable journey up onto the steppe. Here we saw the first Swifts of the year, both Common and Pallid, as well as Red-Rumped Swallow and Sand Martins. The fields held quite a few Northern Wheatears as well as a Black-eared Wheatear. Black Eared Wheatear Other highlights included a pair of passing Black-bellied Sandgrouse that flew above us, and a flock of Great Bustards, one of which was displaying. The old farm buildings held Rock Sparrow and the cereal fields gave us fabulous views of Calandra Lark and Red-legged…

3 Day Birding Break from the Historical Town of Xativa (March 2023)

Few clients have travelled as far as James to visit the region, so when he told me he was coming from Australia, I was keen to help him to design something special! As part of his longer stay in Spain, he wanted to visit the city of Valencia for a few days but to stay in a smaller, more relaxed place. After some discussion, we opted for a three night stay in Xativa, three days of birding in different habitats, and then I would leave him in Valencia after our third day so he could spend a few nights there. The historical town of Xativa Xativa is a very historical town, with a fascinating past. Its castle, museum and narrow streets are a delight and there’s a good selection of places to eat, as well as a beautifully restored guest house that I often use for visitors, Casa Aldomar. The mountains of Alicante Day 1 – Mountains. I collected James from Casa Aldomar, which is located in the historical centre of the town on our first day, and we made the easy journey to the mountains in the interior of…