Bird Watching in Alicante Spain - Valencia Bird Watching

Press Trip to the Valencia Region

Earlier this month Yanina and I were privileged and delighted to be involved in organising and guiding a press trip to the Valencian Community. We have long since known that our region is one of the “hidden jewels” of European birding. Although not so well known, once clients visit our region, the majority return, impressed by the habitat diversity, ease of travel and the amazing bird life that this region offers. As part of ongoing work to highlight our region as a top birding destination, with the support of Turespaña and the Agencia Valenciana de Turisme, Patronato de Turismo Valencia and Patronato de Turismo Costa Blanca a press trip was organised and a selection of key players from the world of birding journalism and media were invited. Our guests were David Callahan (Birdwatch magazine), David Chandler (Bird Watching UK magazine), David Lindo (The Urban Birder), Niklas Aronsson (Swedish Bird Life magazine), Jeff Baker (BTO) and Richard Collins (The Irish Examiner). Valencia Birding, together with the Asociación de Guías de Birding de la Comunidad Valenciana and Avanzatours were proud to be the guides for the trip. Time was limited as we…

Bird watching in Alicante

Late last month I had the pleasure to provide a day of guided bird watching for a lovely group of four clients from UK. Two were spending time at their holiday home and the other couple were there as guests. Two had an interest in nature in general whilst the other couple were extremely experienced birders and had worked in guiding and conservation in Africa. We began our trip at a superb coastal wetland reserve area where we enjoyed watching Red-knobbed Coot and Marbled Teal, both subjects of successful conservation programs here in Spain. We then moved further into the reserve where we had great views of Squacco Heron, Great Reed Warbler, Little Tern and Whiskered Tern. With a little patience we were also able to enjoy views of Purple Swamphen and Little Bittern. As we continued the walk, something unusual caught our eye as we watched a large flock of Swifts feeding overhead. An Alpine Swift was feeding with them, probably a result of cloudy and wet weather in the mountains nearby. We then spent the rest of the morning in a couple of hides from where we had…

3-day birding break with free time around Valencia

We were recently especially gratified to be able to design and provide a tailor-made birding break for returning clients from UK. They first came on multi-day birding trip with us a few years ago, and had indeed tried to organise a return visit a couple of years later. However, shortly before the trip, one of the group was suddenly taken very seriously ill. After a really tough time with very dangerously complex health issues, we were delighted to receive news that an amazing recovery had been made and that they wanted to arrange a birding trip with us! This was going to be a unique trip as they wanted a 7-day holiday that would include 3 days of guided birding and some free days to enjoy the local culture and to relax. We came up with a plan and designed what was hopefully exactly what they were looking for! They arrived at Valencia airport on a fairly early flight which gave us ample time to make the journey to Banyeres de Mariola, stopping on the way for lunch in a local farming village. They were to spend the first half…

7-Day Bird Watching Trip for the Northern Ireland Ornithologists´Club.

Early this month we were privileged to have designed and provided a tailor-made 7-day trip for a fabulous group of birders from the Northern Ireland Ornithologists´Club. This was the forth trip that we´ve provided for members of this club, and we´re always delighted to welcome them back to Valencia. We´d previously designed a plan that would hopefully maximise habitat and species diversity specific to this time of the year. Their flight arrived late into Alicante airport so we collected the group and drove to the village of Banyeres de Mariola where the guesthouse Alqueria del Pilar would be their base for the next 4 nights. Day 1 – Coastal Salt Marshes. Our first day was to be spent exploring the coastal saltmarshes of the Alicante province, which at this time of year hold some very interesting species. After a drive of just under an hour we arrived at our first spot, and stopped to enjoy great views of Slender Billed Gull, Little Tern and Turnstone. We also saw White Winged Black Tern, Whiskered Tern and a huge group of Great Crested Grebe. We then turned our attention to waders, and enjoyed…

7-Day Birding & Bird Photography Holiday.

Last month we were delighted to design and provide a tailor-made 7-day trip for two clients from Northern Ireland. This was their first birding trip to the Valencia region, and bird photography was to be the central theme of their visit. After communicating with them, we came up with a plan that would include many habitats and a great selection of species that our region can offer at this time of year. Day 1 – Coastal Salt Marshes. For the first half of the trip, Dave was to be their guide, before handing over to Yanina for the remaining days. They had an early flight into Alicante so on day 1, after collecting them from the airport we visited two local salt marsh sites. Our first stop gave excellent views of one of their target species, Slender Billed Gull, as well as White Winged Black Tern and Whiskered Tern. We also had great views of a beautiful Curlew Sandpiper in its breeding plumage. After a coffee break we moved on to the next site where we had a lunch whilst enjoying good views of Red Rumped Swallow, Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart…

Bird Watching in Valencia

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to guide two keen birders from Norway. They were visiting Alicante City and they wanted a day off to go and discover the bird life of Valencia Region. At this time of the year, the coastal wetlands near Valencia provide fantastic habitats for passage migrants, including many waders, as well as summer visitors and resident species. After a short drive, we arrived at one of the best wetlands sites of Valencia. As soon we started walking, we stopped to enjoy views of Night Heron and Whiskered Terns. We walked close to some salt water lagoons where we had views of Red-crested Pochard, White-headed Duck, Little Bittern and Great Reed Warbler. Great Reed Warbler We kept walking up to the next hide, where there is a significant breeding colony of Collared Pratincole, Little Tern, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern. Also many waders such as Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, Kentish Plover and Little Plover. On the way back, after a picnic lunch at the beach, we enjoyed views of Woodchat Shrike and Zitting Cisticola. Woodchat Shrike At the end of the day we a headed…