Guided Bird Watching Valencia - Page 11 of 26 - Valencia Birding

2-Day Bird Watching Break : Mountains & Albufera

Day 1 – Mountains A few days ago, I was delighted to provide a 2-day bird watching break to the mountains and to Albufera de Valencia for two experienced birders from USA. They were keen to discover some of the habitats and birdlife of our region. Having collected them from their apartment in central Valencia, we drove for less than one hour to a great gorge in the mountains to search for some target species. As soon as we parked, we had an amazing welcome from a Blue Rock Thrush standing on top of a ruined building controlling its territory. A few minutes later, many Griffon Vultures were circling around. Walking through this amazing gorge we enjoyed great views of Black Wheatear, Sardinean Warbler, Crag Martin, Black Redstart and also a pair of Raven. It was a fantastic trip where we had good sightings of some target species. The list for the day included… Griffon Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Raven, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Crag Martin, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Robin, Black Redstart, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Stonechat, Song Thrush, Serin, House Sparrow. Day 2 – Albufera de Valencia The second day was designed such that we could see…

Bespoke Birding Trip to Albufera de Valencia

Last week I had the pleasure of providing a bespoke trip to Albufera de Valencia for a couple from Wales. They wanted to spend a day visiting the different ecosystems of this internationally important Natural Park. After I collected from their hotel in Valencia we visited a number of different reserve areas. At the first stop, after a pleasant walk by the forest we arrived at a hide where we had great views of Avocet, Kingfisher, different waterfowl species and plenty of waders. At the next stop, we enjoyed a picnic lunch in a hide looking over a lagoon where Whiskered Tern, Great Egret, Booted Eagle and Marsh Harrier put on a wonderful display for us. Inside the reserve we also had amazing views of Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Little Stint. The day ended with great views of Hoopoe, Crested Lark, Spotless Starling and Serin. It had been an interseting day with a lovely couple, who I hope to welcome back soon. Species list: Marsh Harrier, Booted Eagle, Kestrel, Flamingo, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Purple Swamphen, Moorhen, Coot, Great-crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Shelduck,…

2-Day Bird Watching Trip from Valencia

I recently provided a 2-day bird watching trip from Valencia for an experienced birder from UK. Colin wanted to discover the birdlife of the region, but only had two available days. So, we designed a trip that would maximise his time and enjoyment. Day 1 – Albufera Natural Park After a brief coffee stop, we visited a number of natural reserves, where we had great views of Booted Eagle, Flamingos, Purple Swamphen, Spoonbill, Whiskered Tern and a huge diversity of waders. Albufera is an excellent site for waders in autumn. After an interesting drive through the rice paddies where we had fantastic views of thousands of egrets and herons, we finished the day with a brief visit to a sports field where we had great views of Hoopoe, Crested Lark and Serin. The species list for the day included… Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Flamingo, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, Purple Swamphen, Moorhen, Coot, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Great Egret, Grey Heron, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great-crested Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Gadwall, Shelduck, Great Cormorant, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit,…

Birding on the Spanish Steppe

Last week, we were especially delighted to provide a trip for some returning clients from UK. Amanda and her family had previously visited Albufera de Valencia with us and had returned for a day on the high steppe of Eastern Spain. It was fabulous to see them again, especially having kept in touch in the meantime. We left Valencia and made the easy drive inland where we began the day with a coffee stop and discussion about the species that we were hoping for. Our first stop by a small pond gave views of Shelduck, Tree Sparrow and Black Winged Stilt. Although distant, we also saw Short Toed Eagle. As we left this site, we were quite surprised to see a juvenile Mistle Thrush. We stopped by an old farm where we had good views of Corn Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Crested Lark and Stone Curlew. The first lagoon of the day gave views of some interesting species including Whiskered Tern, Gull-billed Tern and Red Crested Pochard. Our lunch stop by a sizeable lake was very pleasant as we were able to sit in the shade and scan the water. We enjoyed…

Guided birding trip to the wetlands of Valencia

Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a guided birding trip to the wetlands of Valencia for a very experienced birder from the UK. She wanted to combine a short break in this magical Mediterranean city with a day of birding in the local coastal marshes and lagoons. After the short drive from the city centre, before we began to explore the coastal lagoons and surrounding reed beds, we stopped in a farming area where we spotted two lovely Hoopoes, a Little Owl and a Barn Owl. Once inside of the reserve, one of the highlights of the first lagoon were three Night Herons resting in a tree. After a short walk to the next lagoon we enjoyed seeing the extremely rare White-headed Duck. We also had good views of Little Bittern and Great Reed Warbler. As we headed along the coast, we were treated to some superb views of the fascinating Collared Pratincole. The coastal scrub also held Stonechat, Wheatear and Crested Lark. The next lagoon gave good views of Little Tern plus waders including Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilt. After lunch on the pebble beach,…

An amazing day at Valencia´s wetlands.

Last week, I was especially delighted to welcome back returning clients Steve, Melanie and their son Adam. We provided a day of guided birding for them at Albufera de Valencia last winter, and had discussed the options for a Spring trip. Their timing was perfect as many summer visitors were either passing through or had already settled in readiness to breed. The coastal wetlands of Valencia are spectacular in Spring, and today was to prove amazing. Numbers aren´t everything, but by the end of the day, we´d totalled over 70 species. Little Ringed Plover Our day began with a walk by some coastal lagoons where we had good views of wildfowl including Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler, and Gadwall. We heard a Water Rail although it didn´t show, but we did manage to see another two elusive species – Cetti´s Warbler and Nightingale. We then heard the call of Penduline Tit, so began to search for it. Within a couple of minutes, three of them appeared and sat out in the open giving superb views. Three Spoonbills then flew over. Scanning the flocks of passing Swallows revealed a few Red Rumped Swallows…