Latest Birding News and Sightings - Bird Watching in Spain

Short Breaks & Guided Birding in Spain – Day 1

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of providing a couple of days of guided bird watching for a couple from Kent, UK. Having previously discussed their wishes, we designed a two day schedule that included a trip to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands followed by a day up on the Steppe & Lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha. The first day was ideal for birding, good light and very little wind. After a drive through the beautiful city of Valencia we arrived at the wetlands. A walk beside the coastal lagoons gave great views of Whiskered Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern and then one of the day´s highlights – superb views of Collared Pratincoles. The next lagoon held Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover and yet more Pratincoles and Terns. The surrounding reed beds gave views of Cetti´s Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Fan Tailed Warbler and Great Reed Warbler. We then headed inland through more reed beds and pastureland and were fortunate enough to see Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier then another highlight, a male Montagu´s Harrier. As we approached the day´s final lagoon, a pair of Golden Oriole flew right across our…

Birding at the Valencian Coastal Wetlands.

On Tuesday 9th April, I was especially happy to provide a day of guided birding for a family from UK…especially happy as their young son came along on the trip and it´s always great to see children and young people getting involved and showing interest in nature. After meeting in Valencia city centre, we made the short trip to the coastal wetlands and after the obligatory morning coffee, we set out along the beach, behind which is a series of lagoons. We were fortunate enough to start the day with a Buzzard overhead closely followed by a Sedge Warbler in the reeds. The first large lagoon held Greater Flamingo, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Common Pochard. A little further along the coast we were rewarded with super views of one of the classic Valencian species, the Collared Pratincole. This beautiful bird breeds at various points along the Med and is always a pleasure to watch. The same spot held Little Ringed Plovers, Black Winged Stilts, Yellow Wagtail and Little Grebe. As we headed inland, we enjoyed great views of sizeable flocks of Glossy Ibis. Sand Martins, House Martins and…

Guided Bird Watching in Valencia.

On Friday 22nd March, we provided a day of guided bird watching for a great couple of clients from the Netherlands who were on vacation here in Spain. Both keen nature lovers, they were eager to see the diverse bird life that the Valencian coastal wetlands holds, especially at this time of year when summer migrants are beginning to arrive. Our first stop was at a protected reserve within the natural park of Albufera de Valencia. We had excellent views of Purple Swamphen, Glossy Ibis, Avocet, Greater Flamingo and a small flock of passing Spoonbill. Recently arrived summer visitors included Redstart,Reed Warbler and Purple Heron. Wildfowl included Gadwall, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Pochard. The visit was completed by a fascinating presentation by the reserve staff on the ecology and natural history of the area. After a picnic lunch we moved slightly further north where we watched over a couple of coastal lagoons. We enjoyed good views of Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, a Wheatear and recently arrived Whiskered Terns. House Martins, Swallows and Swifts were passing through overhead in good numbers. The day was brought to a spectacular end…

Guided Bird Watching at Albufera de Valencia.

On Wednesday 13th February, we had the pleasure of providing a leisurely day of guided birding for a couple from our local area together with their friends who were visiting from the UK. We chose to explore the lakes, lagoons and rice fields of Albufera de Valencia, a coastal wetland of international importance. Our first stop was by a small, sheltered lake and as soon as we got out of the van we were treated to a spectacular sight – a flock of over 500 Greater Flamingoes in flight, the pink, crimson and black of their plumage contrasting beautifully with the deep blue of the winter sky. The lake held Pintail, Red Crested Pochard, and Shoveler whilst the trees around the shore were alive with Chiffchaffs and Robins. A Booted Eagle passed low overhead, soon followed by a Marsh Harrier. As Albufera de Valencia is the place of origin of the world famous Paella, we enjoyed a relaxed hour or so in a traditional rice restaurant before setting out across the rice fields. Gulls included Audouin´s, Lesser Black Backed, Yellow Legged and Black Headed. Further scanning revealed Greenshank, Great Egret…

Guided Bird Watching in Eastern Spain.

Last week, we provided two days of guided birding for a group of 4 clients from UK. To enjoy the diversity of habitat and bird life that this area offers, they had opted for a day at the Coastal Wetlands and a day on the Steppe and Lagoons in the interior of Eastern Spain. All well travelled nature lovers, the group was an absolute delight…knowledgeable and very good humoured. Owing to some unusually windy weather conditions we proposed a slight amendment to the itinerary for the first day, and following a short journey from their hotel, we were at the first birding site. Scanning across some rice fields near Valencia, we enjoyed good views of Cattle Egret, Audouin´s Gull and Reed Bunting. The resident Spotless Starlings had been joined by sizeable flocks of wintering Common Starling, a regular visitor to the Valencia area. The second site was a sheltered lake close to the coast where we had views of wildfowl including Pintail, Pochard, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler and Teal. We also had great views of numerous Marsh Harriers (including a female that was lunching on a Teal!). Other species included…

Great Bustards & Cranes.

On Friday 1st February, we provided a day of guided bird watching to the steppe and lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha in Eastern Spain for a couple from UK. Andrew and June were well travelled birders and had visited Spain many times. Their target species for this trip was the magnificent Great Bustard. We travelled from their hotel in the beautiful town of Xativa, heading up onto the high steppe. Although there was a strong wind blowing across the plains, the light quality was excellent. After a brief coffee stop in a farming village, we set out in the van across the fields. We were exceptionally fortunate as not only did we come across a group of over 30 Great Bustards within the first 10 minutes, but some of the males were beginning their spectacular display. The quality of the light coupled with the pristine condition of their plumage made for a wonderful spectacle. It was a real pleasure to be able to observe this sight, and although they were a little too far away to capture any quality photographs, we had great views through the scope. We then…