Bird Watching in Alicante Spain - Valencia Bird Watching

Golden Eagle Photography Hide

As can be seen on our website, we offer trips to a carefully selected range of bird photography hides, all within very easy reach of Valencia. These sessions are suitable for all levels of photographer, from casual beginner to expert, and offer the opportunity to capture stunning images of some magnificent wild birds in their natural surroundings. I recently provided a trip to the Golden Eagle hide which is located in the highlands of the interior of Valencia, but easily reached within around 60 minutes drive of the city centre, making for a very comfortable day. After a couple of hours waiting in the hide, the eagles arrived. We were thrilled not only to see one, but to see both the male and female birds as well as the juvenile. The experience of being so close to these incredible wild animals is one that’s never to be forgotten. I’ve included below a very small selection of photos that I took during the session. Visits to these hides can be easily arranged, either as individual day trips or forming part of a bespoke birding and / or bird photography multi-day trip….

2 days birding and a cultural break in Valencia

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Hans and his family from the Netherlands. We had previously spoken about their intended trip to Valencia and they’d decided to include two days birding within their week-long break in the city. Day 1 – Albufera de Valencia. On our first day, we visited the vast wetland site of Albufera de Valencia, less than 30 minutes drive from the city centre. This was their first visit to Albufera, and Hans had previously explained that they would like to include an element of culture and history into the day. With that in mind, we began the day at the visitor centre where I provided a brief talk on the heritage, natural history and the cultural aspects of the area. We then went to the first hide where we had views of Greater Flamingo, Little Ringed Plover, Black-winged Stilt and Little Egret. A Kingfisher also made frequent appearences, darting across the lagoon in front of us. Wildfowl included Mallard, Shoveler and Shelduck. Juvenile Black-winged Stilt A short walk through the forest gave us views of Long-tailed Tit and Cetti’s Warbler as well as plenty…

Osprey Re-introduction Project

Last week I was privileged to spend the evening with my good friend Itzy Colodro Sainz of Magic&Nature who is once again working tirelessly on a project to re-introduce Ospreys to the Valencia region. This project is supported by local government, specifically Conselleria de Medio Ambiente CV and is backed scientifically by Fundación Migres. At a local level, it is also supported by the Town Halls of Pego, Oliva, Denia and Jávea and is collaborated in by Magic&Nature, who also organise volunteer events, and Acció Ecologista Agró. I spent some time with her last year whilst she was working on the same project and was amazed at the time, dedication and attention that such a project demands, and full of admiration for the team who work on it. This year, the young Osprey, who is named Estell, has been hand reared as usual and has now been released. He remains around the base at the moment, constantly under the surveillance of Itzy and the team, to ensure that he’s safe. However, perhaps the most nerve-wracking time is still to come, and will happen very soon – when Estell decides that it’s time…

A Spring Day on the Steppe

As part of this trip crosses the border between the Valencian Community and Castilla la Mancha, it’s been a while since we’ve been able to enjoy it as regions had previously closed their boundaries as a Covid security measure. It was therefore with much anticipation and eagerness that John and I made the trip up onto the steppe, beginning the day with a coffee in a village bar that for obvious reasons we’d not been to for a long time. It was good to see the owner again and to catch up on what’s been going on. As we drank our coffee in the morning sunshine, we watched House Martins and Swallows that were nesting in the village. Swifts were also around in good numbers, feeding overhead. Upon leaving the village, a Marsh Harrier flew alongside the car, patrolling a small area of reeds by a floodwater lagoon. We headed across the plains to our first lookout point. As we got out of the car, we heard and then saw Crested Lark and then Corn Bunting. A raptor appeared, which turned out to be a Booted Eagle. As we scanned…

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…

Birding at a Marine Island Reserve

I’ve recently been putting the finishing touches to a new 5/6 day spring birding trip that will be launched soon, and have been spending time at some of the “new” sites that it will visit. Last weekend, we spent the day at the small island of Tabarca, a designated marine reserve just off the coast of Alicante. At less than 2km in length and only 400 metres wide, it’s very small, but holds some fabulous bird life. In winter it’s a good sea-watching spot, but it’s main attraction for birders is argueably it’s ability to attract migratory birds on passage. After the 15 minute crossing by fast launch, we arrived at the tiny port and began the day with a coffee at a small bar overlooking the beach. Little Terns were diving into the crystal clear sea, catching fish and a large flock of Yellow Legged Gulls were gathered on the beach. Overhead were Common Swifts, Barn Swallows and House Martins. We began our walk along the coastal path to an area of small rocky islets where we had good views of Shag. We then visited an old stone built…