Category: birdwatching in valencia

Birding at Albufera de Valencia

On Wednesday 20th November, we arranged a trip to Albufera de Valencia for a group of local birders.  The day began with morning coffee at a bar beside one of Albufera´s traditional fishing ports.  We then visited one of the park´s prime nature reserves where we spent the morning enjoying the superb bird life that this reserve supports.   Despite a windy morning, we had good views of Black Winged Stilt, Snipe, Marsh Harrier, Great Egret and dozens of wintering Chiff Chaffs.  The highlight of the walk through the reserve was a stunning view of a Booted Eagle that passed overhead then came to land on the ground right in front of us. We then enjoyed a fascinating presentation on the history, ecology and various conservation projects of the reserve together with a visual display on how the reserve benefits the local environment and its wildlife.  We were especially fortunate to observe some bird ringing that was being done by the Sociedad Española de Ornitología.  A special treat was being able to see a Kingfisher at such close range, and for one of the group to be able to release…

Continue reading

Two Great Days of Autumn Birding in Eastern Spain

Have just returned from two days of superb birding with a groups of great clients from UK.  Day 1 saw us at the Valencian Coastal Wetlands whilst Day 2 was spent on the Steppe & Lagoons of Castilla de La Mancha. We had some magnificent views of some of the classic species that these venues offer. Here are the species lists for the two days… (photos courtesy of P. Gudgeon). Valencian Coastal Wetlands Little Egret, Yellow Legged Gull, Common Sandpiper, Coot, Swallow, White Headed Duck, Mallard, Moorhen, Black Winged Stilt, Little Grebe, Black Redstart, Iberian Grey Shrike, Little Ringed Plover, Black Necked Grebe, Stonechat, Kestrel, Goldfinch, Grey Heron, Purple Swamphen, Greater Flamingo, Magpie, White Wagtail, Kingfisher, Snipe, Green Sandpiper Steppe & Lagoons Great Bustard, Kestrel, Crow, Coot, Black Winged Stilt, Lapwing, Greater Flamingo, House Sparrow, Pochard, Mallard, White Headed Duck, Black Necked Grebe, Spotless Starling, Marsh Harrier, Calandra Lark, Hoopoe, Moorhen, Golden Eagle, Crested Lark, Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Pintailed Sandgrouse, Wheatear, Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, White Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail   Written by David Warrington. Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding

Continue reading

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    

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading

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…

Continue reading