birdwatching in valencia - Page 21 of 29 - Valencia Birding

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

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…

Short Breaks & Guided Birding in Spain – Day 2

On day two, we enjoyed a leisurely drive up onto the steppe of Castilla de la Mancha. After a coffee-stop we headed out across the plains to the day´s first lagoon where we had good views of Avocet, Lapwing, Black Winged Stilt and Shelduck. The fields around the lagoon gave good close views of one of the day´s target species, Calandra Lark. Further scanning revealed perhaps the key species for the day, the Great Bustard. By now the wind was blowing hard, so we headed back to the van and visited another, more sheltered lagoon. Here we enjoyed views of Marsh Harrier, Gadwall and Greater Flamingo. Swifts, Swallows and House Martins were passing through in huge numbers, and careful attention revealed a couple of Pallid Swifts in amongst them. We then headed out onto the high steppe where after some persistent searching we had much better views of Great Bustard. We also enjoyed views of Corn Bunting, Hoopoe and a small flock of Bee Eaters. The day ended with a brief visit to another lagoon where we had particularly close views of the beautiful Black Necked Grebe. The two…

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 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…