Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

Special Offer Packages – Birding & Leisure Breaks in Valencia.

Last week, we had the pleasure of providing a bespoke birding package for a great couple from UK. They had opted to take advantage of our 1 week accommodation package that includes 3 full days of guided bird watching and half-board accommodation at Villa Florencia. Day 1 Having arrived on the Saturday evening and enjoyed a leisurely dinner at Villa Florencia, we opted for a fairly early start on the Sunday to visit the Steppe & Lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha. After a pleasant drive to this very special area, our first sighting of the day was indeed of one of the key target species, the Great Bustard. As we enjoyed some great views of these huge birds strolling across the steppe in beautiful morning sunlight we were also fortunate enough to see a small flock of Calandra Larks, another classic bird of this area. The first lagoon gave views of Gadwall, Greater Flamingo, and Ruff. A few Lapwings were also feeding close by. We then moved onto another lagoon where we spent the rest of the morning. As we relaxed by the water´s edge, we had good views…

Bespoke Birding Trips in Spain

Last week we provided a bespoke birding mini-break from a couple from UK. We´d previously discussed their specific requirements and had designed a trip based on their wishes. The trip comprised two days of guided birding, the first day was our Mountain Bird Life Trip and the second was a day on the Steppe & Lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha. Overnight accommodation was provided at the guest house Villa Florencia in Marxuquera, close to Gandia. After a drive up into the mountains of Alicante Province we began the first day with a short but spectacular walk into a deep limestone gorge. Almost immediately we enjoyed views of the mighty Griffon Vulture. A distinctive call from high on the crags caught our attention and we soon spotted a pair of Ravens. Further scanning of the cliffs revealed Crag Martin, Blue Rock Thrush, Black Wheatear and Rock Bunting. Another highlight of the morning was Peregrine Falcon. After a picnic lunch we made our way to the hotel, stopping by at a local wetland where we saw Grey Heron, Little Bittern and Booted Eagle. To add further interest to the journey we drove back…

Wildlife Photography for Beginners

In conjunction with naturalist and Albufera boatman “El Torrenti” and professional photographer Mabel Jover, we are delighted to launch a one-day wildlife photography course at Albufera de Valencia. By combining our diverse areas of expertise, this course will provide the opportunity to visit some of the lesser known areas of Albufera de Valencia, learn the correct photographic techniques for capturing images of its birdlife and landscape, and to learn much more about the bird species that this beautiful Natural Park provides home to. For further specific details please contact us by email NatureTrailSpain@gmail.com or telephone +34633117310

Bird Watching in Valencia Province

Last week, I had the pleasure of a arranging a day trip for a group of 5 experienced birders from Newcastle, UK. They had spent some time touring around the provinces of Alicante and Valencia and after visiting various birding sites had managed to see 97 species. They had opted to finish their holiday with a guided birding trip with us, and one of the group had made the claim that if their species list reached 100, then he would mark the occasion with a bottle of champagne! We made the journey up through the city of Valencia to the coastal wetlands and began our walk from there. The day started well with good views of Moustached Warbler and Little Bittern. The first sizeable lagoon held Red Crested Pochard, White Headed Duck and Great Crested Grebe. The surrounding reed beds gave views of Great Reed Warbler, Fan Tailed Warbler and Reed Warbler. We also enjoyed great views of Glossy Ibis, Turtle Dove and Audouin´s Gull. Terns were very busy making continual fishing trips to feed their young. We were fortunate enough to see Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern and…

Combining City Breaks in Valencia with Guided Birding.

Last Thursday I was fortunate enough to welcome back some previous clients. Stella and Richard from UK has been on a guided birding trip with me last year and had this week returned to Valencia with family. They had opted to enjoy a short break in this enchanting city, with its diverse cultural attractions, and to include in their plans a day of guided bird watching. I collected them from their apartment in the chic and historical area known as Barrio Carmen, then we made the short journey to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands. After a morning coffee, we began the walk along the coastal dunes to the first of the day´s lagoons. The skies were already busy with terns making constant fishing trips to feed their young. The nesting colonies here include Common Tern, Whiskered Tern and Little Tern. The first lagoon held Pochard, Little Grebe, and Black Winged Stilt. As we made our way further along the coast, we enjoyed superbly close views of another of the area´s key breeding species, the Collared Pratincole. We were fortunate to have views of this spectacular bird in flight as well as…

Bird Watching at Albufera de Valencia.

Last week I had the pleasure of taking a great group of clients to my favourite birding venue…Albufera de Valencia. The group leader had been on previous trips with me and has since become a friend and loyal supporter of Valencia Birding. We began our journey in Gandia, and travelled up through the rice fields to a very special nature reserve at the heart of the natural park. Walking through the reserve, we enjoyed views of some superb classic Albufera species, including Avocet, Flamingo, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Whiskered Tern, Great Reed Warbler and Black Winged Stilt. Thanks to the reserve staff, we enjoyed a light hearted but very informative presentation on the natural history and cultural history of the area, focussing on the rice growing cycle and how that influences the habitat and bird life. After a picnic lunch by one of the canals, we chartered a boat trip on the Albufera lake with our regular boatman El Torrenti, focussing on the quieter corners where the reeds provide home to Purple Swamphen, Little Grebe and Night Heron. We also had good views of Gull-Billed Tern, Sandwich Tern, Little Tern…