birdwatching in valencia - Page 7 of 29 - Valencia Birding

Conservation and Protection of Marbled Teal in Alicante

The Valencia region, particularly the extensive coastal wetlands of Alicante have long since been a stronghold for the extremely rare Marbled Teal. Over many years, much work has been done to augment the local populations and to protect this species – the most threatened duck in the whole of Europe. During my fifteen years living and working in Spain, I’ve been fortunate not only to see this bird on many occassions, and to share such special moments with friends and clients, but I’ve witnessed first hand the dedication that goes into protecting it. The Alicante wetlands are one of the key enclaves for Marbled Teal, and in some years have accounted for 20-30% of Spain’s breeding population. It is therefore with great joy and hope that I write of a new initiative that forms part of its longer term conservation strategy. Together with ANSE ( Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste), SEO Birdlife have acquired around 55 hectares of wetland here in Alicante. The venture forms part of the wider ranging EU “Marbled Teal LIFE Project” an initiative which aims to manage and protect critical habitat for Marbled Teal throughout southern…

Golden Eagle Photography Hide

One of the recent additions to our range of trips / services is that of a visit to a new Golden Eagle photography hide. Within around one hour´s drive from Valencia, yet in the remote highlands of the interior of the region, this trip offers a fabulous experience as well as the opportunity to photograph one of Europe’s most magnificent birds. The hide comfortably accommodates three people, and is surrounded by Mediterranean scrub. On my recent visit, the weather was perfect, sunny skies with patchy white clouds and very little wind. Having prepared the hide, I closed the door, set up the camera and waited. Swifts were feeding overhead, a Hoopoe made a brief appearance and I could hear passing Bee Eaters. Suddenly, a very smart male Black-eared Wheatear made his first (of many) appearance of the morning. Black-eared Wheatear (male) This very handsome bird made numerous visits, perching on many of the branches and bushes close to the hide, and was soon to be joined by the female, of more subtle markings but whose close proximity allowed a great appreciation of this often overlooked bird. Black-eared Wheatear (female) I…

A bird-packed morning at Albufera de Valencia.

Earlier in the week I enjoyed a bird-packed morning with my friend John at the huge wetland site of Albufera de Valencia. The wetlands that extend throughout the entire length of the region’s coast are especially exciting at this time of year, as the area is located right on a major migration flyway. As with all birding sites, some days are better than others, but today, Albufera didn’t disappoint! One of the coastal lagoons at Albufera de Valencia – vital feeding grounds for passage migrants Our first stop at a small reserve gave views of great numbers of Shelducks as well as Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard and Teal. We also saw Avocet, Ruff, Black Winged Stilt and plenty of Glossy Ibis, a bird that is now widespread throughout the entire region. Marsh Harriers were still around in good numbers too. Then, as we walked out of the hide through the woods, we saw a small flock of Pallid Swift – my first of the year. The surrounding scrub was full of birdsong – Serin, Cetti’s Warbler, Great Tit and Chaffinch were all making their presence felt! A small flock…

An autumn day at Albufera de Valencia

Autumn is always an interesting time at the vast wetland site of Albufera de Valencia. The rice fields are steadily being flooded after the recent harvesting and of course post-nuptual migration is underway, especially exciting here as the region is right on a major flyway (its network of coastal wetlands serving as crucial feeding grounds). Last week I enjoyed a day out with Jeff and Dee, experienced global birders but first timers to our region, so they were keen to see what bird life it holds. Audouin´s Gull was top of their target species. Accordingly, we began the day at a small coastal lagoon, separated from the sea by an extensive dune system. Upon arriving, there was a gull on the water not far from us, but once in the binoculars, we found it to be a Slender Billed. A Sandwich Tern was also diving for fish and huge flocks of Common Starlings were wheeling around above the forest. The Common Starling is a winter visitor to this region, and can often be seen with the resident Spotless Starling. Slender Billed Gull Great Crested Grebes were also out on the…

There seem to be some birds that are always with us.

It´s well documented that during the Corona Virus lockdown, many of us found comfort and indeed inspiration in watching the birds that immediately surrounded us. Since the quarantine, I´ve adopted a slower pace to my own personal birding trips, choosing to spend more time standing or sitting still and connecting much more with the nature around me. Only this morning whilst I was having my cup of tea in the garden, a juvenile White Wagtail landed right beside me, chased a few insects and flew off towards the pond. A Sardinian Warbler then flitted between the low bushes next to me. Then, as I was looking out of the kitchen window, a Western Bonelli´s Warbler appeared in one of the nearby pine trees. Special moments indeed. It was during a recent birding session that it occurred to me that there are some birds that have always been part of our lives and seem to accompany us wherever we are. For me, such a bird is the Common Swift. I´m often asked which is my favourite bird, and although it´s a difficult one to answer, I always have to say Common…

A note from the hills of Alicante.

As the World remains constrained within the grip of the Corona Virus pandemic, like so many others, I´m finding such peace and inspiration from the birds around me. As every year, I´ve moved away from Valencia to spend the summer months in our little house in the hills in the rural interior of Alicante Province. The house is exceptionally simple but is surrounded by rolling hills, crags and olive groves. I often base myself here when working with clients who wish to discover this almost unknown corner of Spain and I always love to share this very special place and the joy that its bird life brings to others. As this year, for obvious reasons, that´s not possible, I´d like to share a few special moments with you by writing. I´ve been here for around two weeks now, and the first week is usually a busy one, preparing the house and doing a few repair jobs. However, on most days, a group of Griffon Vultures have appeared, circling over the valley. A Hoopoe often visits the garden and the Bee Eaters are once again nesting in the lane that leads…