Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

2019 New Year Bulletin.

We´d like to begin this short bulletin by wishing everyone a bird-packed, happy and healthy New Year. Thanks to the ongoing support of our clients and friends, 2018 was a busy year for us at Valencia Birding. We were fortunate enough to introduce an array of new clients to the delights of birding in the Valencia region as well as having the privilege of welcoming back many returning clients and friends. We enjoyed some great trips too, making the most of the wide range of habitats that the Valencia region offers. Mountains, forest, steppe, Mediterranean desert, saltmarsh, wetlands, sea and coast, rice fields, olive groves and farmland all provide their own speciality species. This diversity, coupled with the eastern Spain migration flyway that we´re lucky to have on our doorstep, gave us some amazing sightings throughout the year. Looking ahead to the New Year, we´re already busily taking bookings. These days, our reservations tend to fall into one of three types: Day trips for those who wish to combine bird watching with a cultural visit to the beautiful Mediterranean city of Valencia. This option is increasing in popularity as the blend…

Birding and seawatching trip to Albufera of Valencia

I recently provided a birding trip to Albufera de Valencia for two clients from England who as experienced birders had travelled to Spain many times but never to the Valencia region. After I collected them from their accommodation in the city centre, we made the short journey to Albufera Natural Park where we stopped in the main pier of the Albufera lake to enjoy nice views of Sandwich Terns and Marsh Harriers. Our next stop was in the main reserve area of the park, and after a short visit to the information center we headed to the observatories in a restricted area where we were surprised by a juvenile Night Heron. We realized it was injured so I manage to catch it to take it to the recovery center. After this episode we continued birding in the reserve. From one of the observatories we had views of an Iberian Grey Shrike, Flamingos and Zitting Cisticola. Later from the observatory tower we enjoyed good views of thousands of Red-crested Pochard, Pintail and many waterfowl that winter in this area. Our next stop was planned to be in the Village of El…

Bird watching trip to the steppe

A few days ago I was delighted to provide a bird watching trip for a couple from England. It was great to be able to do so as Dave and I had met them at Rutland Bird Fair and it was there that we originally discussed a trip to the steppe. As they were staying to the south of our region, we agreed a meeting point and headed for the birding area. The weather forecast was not the best but they were keen to discover the area and its birdlife. After a few minutes driving we arrived to the first stop at an irrigation pond where we enjoyed nice views of Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper and Zitting Cisticola. We kept moving looking for the target species of the day… Great Bustard! On the road to the high steppe we stopped at a farm and after few seconds scanning the area, we spotted the first flock of Great Bustards.. It was a stunning group of 36 males! Not far from the Great Bustards… we spotted a large flock of Calandra Larks and Crested Larks. The steppe is the ideal habitat to…

Birding in Valencia with a loyal client.

A few days ago I was delighted to provide a day of birding in Valencia with a loyal client. Gavin´s done many trips with us over the past few years and of course he has been to Albufera Natural Park before, but as he´s an experienced birder he knows that every day is different and birds can always surprise us. He was once again in Valencia on business but he managed to get a free day to go birding. Winter time is always exciting in Albufera as it´s an ever changing landscape. It was a sunny winter day and we were keen to get out and see what was around. The first stop was in the main reserve area of the natural park where we enjoyed the first good views of Booted Eagles, Garganey and a Hoopoe. From the observatory tower we had fantastic views of Red-crested Pochard, Wigeon, Pintail and many more waterfowl, it is a great spot where thousands of ducks spend the winter. Next we explored the southern rice fields to search for waders and the like. After a few minutes we found a tractor ploughing the…

Birding with returning clients in Albufera de Valencia

A few weeks ago I was especially pleased to provide a day of birding in Albufera de Valencia for returning clients from the UK. Once again, they arrived in Valencia by cruise ship and didn’t have a full day so they decided to visit again Albufera de Valencia. They were keen to see this wetland site in the autumn. Eric is 83 years old has been birding all his life and is always happy to see Mediterranean species. They wanted a relaxed birding trip and that’s what we did.. After I collected them from the cruise ship terminal we headed to the Devesa forest, early that morning I had seen a Yellow-browed Warbler close to my home and Eric was keen to see it. A few seconds after we parked we heard it calling and finally Eric had a good view. A great start to the day!! Next stop was at the main reserve of the natural park – autumn in Albufera is excellent for enjoying waterfowl… a few minutes after we visited the visitor center, we were in the observatory enjoying great views of Red-crested Pochard, Shelducks, Teal, Shovelers…

A Birding Trip on a Rainy Day

A few weeks ago I provided a birding trip on a rainy day to Albufera de Valencia for two clients from England. They were staying at El Parador Golf & Resort at El Saler which is inside the natural park and they were keen to explore the birdlife of the different ecosystems of the area. Despite the forecast, we were looking forward to the day. First, we drove to a small reserve area in the south of the park, to look for one of the target species of the day… Purple Swamphen and we succeeded, we enjoyed awesome views of many birds. We agreed we were going to have a challenging day trying to escape from the rain and luckily we had begun well. We continued driving to our next stop when we had suddenly to stop.. an Osprey was perched on a pylon, giving magnificent views. Next stop was at the main reserve of the natural park, it was early autumn so a great time for waders! After a short walk through the forest, we arrived at an observatory where we had amazing views of Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt,…