Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

Guided bird watching in Spain

Last week I had the pleasure of providing a bird watching trip to one of Europe´s most important wetlands for two clients from Chicago, USA. I provided a trip to Albufera de Valencia for a very interesting couple – Leonore was a experienced birder, and one of our objectives was to attract her husband George to the delights and joys of bird watching! Leonore wanted to see some “new” European species so had previously contacted us to arrange some guided bird watching in Spain. After I collected them from their hotel we made the short drive to a reserve area inside the Natural Park where we visited a wader hotspot and enjoyed great views of Black-tailed Godwit and Little Stint. After a short walk through a forest we arrived at another hide where we had good views of waterfowl plus this magnificent Kingfisher. There was also an abundance of songbirds on their autumn migration, particularly Pied Flycatcher and Willow Warbler. Next stop was in a restricted and protected reserve area, where we had fantastic views of some fabulous species including Spoonbill, Caspian Tern, Flamingo, Glossy Ibis and great array of waders….

Albufera de Valencia just gets better

Last Thursday I provided a day of guided birding for a client from Maine, USA. She is an experienced birder, and often visits Valencia. She was keen to add some new species to her list, and was keen to arrange a day of guided bird watching with us. Over the past few years, Albufera de Valencia just gets better as a birding destination, with increasing populations of many endangered species. I met her at her holiday home and we then made the short drive to Albufera de Valencia where we began our day at an observatory overlooking the Albufera lake. We enjoyed watching the winter visitors that are already arriving, including species such as Red-crested Pochard and Pintail. Red Crested Pochard Next stop was in a protected reserve area where we enjoyed great views of the charismatic Kingfisher. We were also fortunate enough to watch a Booted Eagle soaring and hunting above the reserve as well as a good selection of waders, many of which were on their autumn passage. On the way to our next venue, we stopped at a golf resort as one of the target species of…

Hoopoes in Valencia

The stunning Hoopoe is a relatively common resident in Valencia and is always very popular with visiting clients. It´s numbers are increased in the winter months when birds from northern Spain disperse towards the south of the country to spend the winter. Valencia´s orange groves is a popular habitat. For more info on bespoke bird watching in Valencia, visit www.ValenciaBirding.com

A stormy day in Albufera de Valencia

Last Sunday, Yanina and I were pleased to provide a day of guided birding for a client from UK. Thomas was spending the weekend in Valencia and had arranged a trip with us. Despite it being a stormy day in Albufera de Valencia, we managed to adapt the trip to miss almost all of the heavy rain that fell that day! Having collected Thomas from his hotel in central Valencia, we made the short trip to Albufera, where we began the day in a protected reserve. We were welcomed by the explosive song of Cetti´s Warbler, and with a little patience we soon had views of this elusive little bird. The reed beds also gave views of Great Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler (we were fortunate as they are at the point of departure for their autumn migration) and Fan-tailed Warbler. A juvenile Night Heron passed overhead. The first lagoon gave good views of Marsh Harrier, Little Grebe, Garganey, and eventually a Green Sandpiper. As we walked through the reserve, we were treated to views of huge flocks of Glossy Ibis, well in excess of 100 birds. We then spent a…

Black Headed Weaver in Valencia

I was recently fortunate enough to provide a day of guided birding for a couple from Germany. Although now living in western Germany, Rebecca was born in my home town of Sheffield so it was good to talk of adventures in the Peak District! As part of their holiday in Spain, they had booked a day of guided birding with us, and we´d opted for a trip to Albufera. In September, it´s always really interesting as the autumn migration is underway and Albufera is an important stopping and feeding area. We began the day at a special little reserve where we were treated to views of Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Osprey, Marsh Harrier, Purple Heron and Night Heron. We also visited a ringing station where we watched the ringers at work, recording the data of a Reed Warbler and a Bluethroat. The afternoon was spent in amongst some partially flooded rice paddies where we had great views of some super waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Ruff. As we were thinking of wrapping up for the day, a bright yellow flash caught our eye. Close examination…

Bird watching trip to Albufera de Valencia

Earlier this month I enjoyed a super day´s birding with a couple of clients from UK. Brian and Sally are keen nature lovers and experienced birders, and were spending a few days in Valencia. They had previously contacted us and we´d arranged a bird watching trip to Albufera de Valencia as part of their break. After I´d collected them from their apartment in central Valencia, we made the short journey to Albufera where our first stop was in a protected reserve area. The reed beds, lagoons, canals and marshes of this reserve provide excellent habitat for an array of bird species throughout the year. Today was no exception, and we were fortunate enough to enjoy views of Purple Heron, Night Heron, Squacco Heron and Great Egret. September is always a fascinating month, as some of the summer visitors are still present, whilst some winter visitors are just beginning to arrive. Furthermore, many species that are on passage stop at Albufera to feed and rest. One such species is the Osprey, and we were treated to views of this superb raptor. The reeds held Fan-tailed Warbler, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff whilst…