Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

Summer Bird Watching in Valencia

This week I had the pleasure of guiding two experienced birders from Denmark. Although high summer is not the best time of year, it´s very interesting in terms of viewing Mediterranean breeding species. Our clients were also keen on bird life photography, so after I collected them from their hotel in Cullera we drove a short distance through the rice paddies to a field where Collared Pratincoles were breeding. From a safe distance, as not to disturb them, we enjoyed great views and were able to get some nice photographs of these stunning birds. Meanwhile Gull-billed Terns where feeding in the rice paddies. We enjoyed fantastic views of them in flight. Glossy Ibis were also around in good numbers. Next stop was in a reserve area which is carefully managed to provide habitat for sea birds, waders and waterfowl. Thanks to that we enjoyed amazing views of four Marbled Ducks and one duckling. We also saw Greater Flamingo, Whimbrel, Avocets, Black-winged Stilt and many more waders. The most interesting sighting of the day was of an Elegant Tern. Our next stop was in another reserve area. A little patience was…

Guided bird watching in Albufera de Valencia

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to organise a guided bird watching trip for two clients from England. They were keen to discover the bird life of the Valencian wetlands. After I collected them from the historical quarter of Valencia city we drove to the Albufera Natural Park. I´d organised a visit to a restricted reserve area which always holds a wide variety of species. To get there we drove through the rice paddies, an ecosystem that in itself is a hot spot for herons, egrets, Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harriers. Once inside the reserve, we carefully and quietly explored each lagoon. The water levels are carefully controlled to provide habitats for various bird species. A huge variety of herons, gulls, terns, ducks and waders were all showing very well, together with Greater Flamingo and Glossy Ibis. It´s always very exciting to see new species and to enjoy a colony of hundreds of Collared Pratincoles was one of the highlights of the trip. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in a hide that looks onto a lagoon so we could enjoy fantastic views of Whiskered Terns, Little Bittern and…

Press Trip to the Valencia Region

Earlier this month Yanina and I were privileged and delighted to be involved in organising and guiding a press trip to the Valencian Community. We have long since known that our region is one of the “hidden jewels” of European birding. Although not so well known, once clients visit our region, the majority return, impressed by the habitat diversity, ease of travel and the amazing bird life that this region offers. As part of ongoing work to highlight our region as a top birding destination, with the support of Turespaña and the Agencia Valenciana de Turisme, Patronato de Turismo Valencia and Patronato de Turismo Costa Blanca a press trip was organised and a selection of key players from the world of birding journalism and media were invited. Our guests were David Callahan (Birdwatch magazine), David Chandler (Bird Watching UK magazine), David Lindo (The Urban Birder), Niklas Aronsson (Swedish Bird Life magazine), Jeff Baker (BTO) and Richard Collins (The Irish Examiner). Valencia Birding, together with the Asociación de Guías de Birding de la Comunidad Valenciana and Avanzatours were proud to be the guides for the trip. Time was limited as we…

Birding in the mountains of Valencia.

We´ve recently provided a number of trips that have taken in the virtually unknown mountainous interior of the Valencia region. Within an hour´s drive of the beautiful Mediterranean city of Valencia lies a vast and rugged region that provides habitat for some very special birds. The exceptionally low human population density and the natural characteristics of our inland sierras means that for wildlife in general, this is a fascinating place. We´re constantly surprised at the bird life this area offers. On our recent trips, the forested hills and river valleys have given us excellent views of some favourites such as Dipper, Golden Oriole, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Melodious Warbler, Bee Eater, Red Rumped Swallow and Woodchat Shrike. We then usually move slightly higher into the forested highlands, often in excess of 700m above sea level. This is where we see some fabulous species including Firecrest, Crested Tit and Sub-alpine Warbler. As we climb even higher towards 900 metres above sea level, we find some spectacular mountain scenery – rock pinnacles, buttresses and huge cliff walls. These hold some specialist mountain bird species, some of which are not often associated with this…

Guided Bird Watching on the Steppe of Eastern Spain

Last week I had the pleasure to provide a guided bird watching trip to the steppe for two experienced birders from Poland. They brought with them a wish list of target species for this habitat, so we focused the trip on that. After I collected them from the railway station in Valencia, we drove for around an hour to the magnificent plains that provide a variety of habitat including cultivated fields of different cereals and vineyards, inland brackish lagoons and wooded areas, the perfect habitat for Little Bustard, White-headed Duck and Great Spotted Cuckoo … our goal for the day. The first stop was by an irrigation pond, where we had good views of nesting Avocet, Great Reed Warbler, Greater Flamingo, Shelduck and Black-winged Stilt. Next stop was at a vantage point on top of a hill, which gave the chance to enjoy stunning views of Little Owl, Black Kite and Crested Lark. After a short drive, we arrived at a lagoon where we expected to spot one of the wish list species… White-headed Duck. We were delighted to get good views of a pair of this beautiful bird. During the evening,…

Birding with a city break in Valencia.

Last week I was delighted to see returning clients Kelvin and Katy from UK, and to provide a day of guided birding for them at one of our region´s wetland sites. Last year they had enjoyed a trip with us to Albufera de Valencia and had been impressed with the bird life of the area. They had also fallen in love with the enchanting city of Valencia and vowed to return! Return they did, and after discussing what they´d like to see, we headed for the wetlands. Kelvin works for the RSPB in the south of England, and is a knowledgeable birder. Katy is a keen nature lover, and for her today was all the more special as it was her birthday! After meeting outside the cathedral in central Valencia we made the short trip to the reserve. The day began with a walk beside some coastal salt lagoons, where we watched Common Reed Warbler and heard Cetti´s Warbler in the surrounding reeds. We were pleased to see a pair of Turtle Doves too. As we watched the first lagoon we had superb views of a Purple Heron flying low…