birding holidays Spain - Page 2 of 8 - Valencia Birding

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 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 in Late February

Having previously met Ralph and Brenda from the UK, I was really looking forward to providing this trip for them. Both exceptionally experienced birders and very much part of the birding fabric of the UK, it was a privilege to be out with them and to share with them this corner of Spain. Day 1 : Wetlands. To maximise habitat diversity, we opted to spend our three days together at the wetlands, steppe and mountains. Day one was at the coastal wetlands of Valencia where we enjoyed a long but leisurely walk along the beach, through reed beds, pasture and an area of coastal lagoons. One of the reserves viewing platforms As we began our walk, the sky was full of Crag Martins feeding over the reeds, with a few Marsh Harriers visible in the background. Still focussing on the reed beds, we had views of Reed Bunting, Cetti´s Warbler and some of the first Reed Warblers of the year. The first lagoon held Purple Swamphen, Teal and Shoveler as well as a Water Rail that was heard but not seen. Shoveler are a common winter visitor the Valencia Region…

3-Day Bird Photography Trip in Alicante

January 2023 For the first time since the pandemic, I was delighted to welcome back Stephen from the UK. An experienced and well travelled wildlife photographer, he was keen to make another trip to the Valencia Region, this time to focus largely on Golden Eagles in the mountains of Alicante. I collected him from Alicante Airport in the afternoon and we drove into the mountains where he checked in to a small hotel in the historical village of Biar. Biar, Alicante The next morning we made a relatively early start to ensure that we were in the photography hide as soon as reasonably possible. Spain was gripped by winter weather, with cold air moving from the north east, so we ensured that we were well prepared. After a few hours waiting, the male Golden Eagle suddenly came into sight, before landing in front of the hide, seemingly to feed. He stayed for only around 20 minutes, but we managed to get some quality shots. I noticed that he was calling to the female bird during his stay, and he didn´t actually take any food. After he’d flown, we waited a…

2-Day Trip : Steppe & Albufera de Valencia.

Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of welcoming Larry and David from the USA back to Valencia. I met them last winter and we spent a day at the coastal wetlands of Valencia. This year, Larry spent a day with me on the steppe, followed by a day at Albufera when David also joined us. Day 1 – Steppe We had originally planned to go to the steppe the previous year, but bad weather had forced a change of plan. So, when the day dawned bright and with no wind, it was somewhat a relief! Our first stops on farmland gave us views of the usual suspects including Red-legged Partridge, Rock Sparrow, Crested Lark, Black Redstart and Spotless Starling. Then, as we were scanning across the fields, a beautiful male Hen Harrier came into view. It made a few passes, giving us fantastic views, before it eventually disappeared behind some low hills. Rock Sparrow We drove cross-country to a couple of lagoons where we had views of Greater Flamingo, Lapwing, Lesser Black Backed Gull and wildfowl including Shoveler, Gadwall and White Headed Duck. In the afternoon, we turned our…

Another productive autumn day at Albufera de Valencia

7th October 2022 At this time of year, our wetlands are particularly interesting as many migrants, especially shorebirds, are passing through the region on their voyage from Europe to Africa. Today’s trip was for Mary from New Mexico, who was visiting Valencia with a friend and was keen to fit in a day’s birding whilst here. It was another grey day, as storm fronts had been moving through for a few days, but we succeeded in staying dry throughout the trip, despite being surrounded by sharp, localised showers. Marbled Teal Our first spot, at a reserve area, gave us a couple of very welcome surprises – Marbled Teal and a Collared Pratincole (October is relatively late for both, although Marbled Teal can often be seen in the south of the region). As we were sitting in the hide, a Kingfisher made a brief appearance, perching beautifully in front of us for a minute or so, before flying off into the reeds. Kingfisher Careful scanning then revealed a Teal, probably recently arrived as this is a winter visitor here, a Grey Plover and a Common Sandpiper. The next hide gave views…