Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

7-Day Twin Centre Birding Holiday

7-Day Twin Centre Birding Holiday Thanks to the diverse habitats of the Valencian region, we´re delighted to be able to offer a 7-day bird watching break. The itinerary has been carefully designed, focussing on : Diversity of habitats and species. Minimal travelling time. Authentic Spanish accommodation. The trip can easily be amended, depending on the clients´wishes and specific travel plans. It can also be adapted for clients choosing to fly into / out of either Valencia or Alicante airport. Likewise, when proposing a specific itinerary we can also take into account any specific target species and other related activities. For example, many clients opt to dedicate a day specifically to bird photography, and we can offer the use of specially designed hides in different habitats, according to their wishes. As a guide, here is an example of our most popular version… Day 1 – Salt Marshes. We will collect you from the airport, where we can discuss the plan for the week over a relaxing coffee. Depending on arrival time, we could then visit some local salt lagoons before travelling to the guest house. A very popular choice is the…

Birding and nature photography trip

Last week, I provided a specially designed birding and nature photography trip for two experienced wildlife photographers from Sweden. At this time of the year the Valencian Coastal Wetlands, is an amazing birding destination, especially rewarding as many of the summer visitors are returning to their breeding grounds there. We met in central Valencia before making the short journey to the reserve. After a morning coffee, looking out across the calm waters of the Mediterranean, we began our walk along a coastal dune system. The first lagoon gave good views of Night Herons and waterfowl including Pochard, Red-crested Pochard and Little Grebe. As we walked further into the reserve, the second lagoon provided a spectacular sight of seven male White-headed Ducks, one of Europe´s rarest and arguably most attractive ducks. We also had great views of Flamingo, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harrier. We then took in an area of coastal scrub, and were treated to views of Wheatear, Stonechat, Whinchat, Sub-alpine Warbler and Spotless Starling. We also had a good view of Audouin´s Gull and the beautiful Collared Pratincole. After a picnic lunch on a pebble beach, we headed inland…

Guided birding trip to the wetlands of Valencia

Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a guided birding trip to the wetlands of Valencia for a very experienced birder from the UK. She wanted to combine a short break in this magical Mediterranean city with a day of birding in the local coastal marshes and lagoons. After the short drive from the city centre, before we began to explore the coastal lagoons and surrounding reed beds, we stopped in a farming area where we spotted two lovely Hoopoes, a Little Owl and a Barn Owl. Once inside of the reserve, one of the highlights of the first lagoon were three Night Herons resting in a tree. After a short walk to the next lagoon we enjoyed seeing the extremely rare White-headed Duck. We also had good views of Little Bittern and Great Reed Warbler. As we headed along the coast, we were treated to some superb views of the fascinating Collared Pratincole. The coastal scrub also held Stonechat, Wheatear and Crested Lark. The next lagoon gave good views of Little Tern plus waders including Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt. After lunch on the pebble beach,…

An amazing day at Valencia´s wetlands.

Last week, I was especially delighted to welcome back returning clients Steve, Melanie and their son Adam. We provided a day of guided birding for them at Albufera de Valencia last winter, and had discussed the options for a Spring trip. Their timing was perfect as many summer visitors were either passing through or had already settled in readiness to breed. The coastal wetlands of Valencia are spectacular in Spring, and today was to prove amazing. Numbers aren´t everything, but by the end of the day, we´d totalled over 70 species. Little Ringed Plover Our day began with a walk by some coastal lagoons where we had good views of wildfowl including Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler, and Gadwall. We heard a Water Rail although it didn´t show, but we did manage to see another two elusive species – Cetti´s Warbler and Nightingale. We then heard the call of Penduline Tit, so began to search for it. Within a couple of minutes, three of them appeared and sat out in the open giving superb views. Three Spoonbills then flew over. Scanning the flocks of passing Swallows revealed a few Red Rumped Swallows…

6-Day Winter Bird Watching Holiday

The huge habitat diversity of the Valencia region of Spain allows us to provide a superb 6 day birding holiday. In late February of this year, we were fortunate to deliver exactly that for Gourmet Birds, a well established specialist bird watching holiday provider from UK. We´d worked very closely with them to design a bespoke trip, taking in some of the region´s best birding venues and carefully selected accommodation to hopefully result in a memorable trip. Day 1 – Salt Marshes and Lagoons The group arrived relatively early into Alicante airport. Therefore, without wanting to make the first day too long, we did choose to spend a few hours birding at a couple of the salt marshes that are situated within very easy reach of the airport. The usual Flamingoes were feeding on the salt marshes in huge numbers, providing a striking welcome to Spain for our guests! As we strolled by the first lagoons, we also enjoyed views of Audouin´s Gull, Little Stint, Shelduck, Reed Bunting and Black Redstart. We were also treated to views of three Spoonbills in flight. We then moved on to another site that…

Fabulous Spring birding on the Steppe

Over the Easter weekend, I enjoyed a super day on the steppe with two returning clients from Belgium. Both very keen birders, they were eager to see the fabulous species that this unique habitat holds. Within just over an hour´s drive from Valencia, the high steppe and lagoons provide a completely different habitat from those found at the coast or the mountains. Our first stop beside an area of floodwater gave views of Avocet, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe and a huge flock of Yellow Wagtail. The day had started well, and although quite windy, the next stop gave views of Rock Sparrow, Corn Bunting and one of the highlight species Little Bustard! The next lagoon provided us with views of the very rare Red Knobbed Coot. Water Pipits were feeding by the shore. Lunch time was approaching, so we parked in a sheltered spot by a favourite lake and whilst we enjoyed a picnic, we saw White Headed Duck, Gadwall, Black Necked Grebe, Marsh Harrier and Flamingo. The rest of the day was to be spent exploring the high steppe, visiting some favourite spots and hoping for a little good…