bird watching in Valencia - Page 20 of 29 - Valencia Birding

4 Day Birding Break in Alicante and Valencia

The recent weeks have been especially fulfilling as we´ve been fortunate enough to welcome back many returning clients and friends. Alastair and Christine had previously spent a few days birding with us and this time they were looking for a 4 day birding break in Alicante and Valencia. They had enjoyed visiting the cultural sites in Alicante including the castle, museums, roman sites and art galleries and wanted to follow this with 4 days of birding and later a few days in the historical centre of Valencia…a great combination! On day one I collected them from their hotel in Alicante and we made the short drive to one of the region´s inland sierras. The previous week had seen temperatures plummet and a little snowfall but despite being cold, today had dawned bright and with very little wind. They were keen to see Alpine Accentors, a very popular bird for clients who visit in winter. Having stopped for a morning coffee and to collect sandwiches, we started our walk. We made our way up through a forest where we saw Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits. A Mistle Thrush swooped up…

7 Day Bird Photography Trip.

We recently had the privilege of welcoming back an extremely valued friend and client, Nigel from Northern Ireland. A very experienced birder and bird photographer, Nigel had previously visited as part of a group from the Northern Ireland Ornithologists´Club but this time he came alone so we were delighted to design a tailor-made 7 day bird photography trip to fit his wishes and priorities. Having discussed his preferences, we came up with a good mixture of bird photography in the field plus a few visits to specially designed bird photo-hides, each aimed at specific species. His flight arrived at Alicante quite late so we´d arranged for Yanina to collect him and then to spend the night close to the airport, well placed to visit some of the local saltpans and wetlands the next morning. During the morning, they enjoyed sightings of Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern, Black Tailed Godwit, Iberian Grey Shrike and White Headed Duck. There was news of a rarity in the area, an Olive Backed Pipit. First attempts proved fruitless, but with the usual determination, they found it. A great start to the week! The second night was…

Winter birding trip to the Albufera Natural Park

We were recently delighted to provide a winter birding trip to the Albufera Natural Park for a returning client from England. He´s an experienced birder who´s been to Valencia several times and has been on many birding trips with us. However, this was his first time in winter, so he was keen to enjoy the different landscape and species that this season provides. Our first stop was at a reserve area where we enjoyed spectacular and close views of a number of Booted Eagles plus hundreds of waders including Black-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet. At the next hide, we accomplished one of his wishes of the day, enjoying fantastic views of a male Bluethoat! We then spent a while at a tower observatory, paying particular attention to wildfowl, and enjoying views of Pintail, Red-crested Pochard and Shoveler. We also saw at least ten Marsh Harriers flying low over the reed beds. Next stop was a green filter reserve area, but before entering, we stopped by some rice paddies to enjoy views of a large flock of Glossy Ibis – another target species of the day. We also had an…

Birding in Albufera de Valencia

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to organise a day of guided birding in Albufera de Valencia for a couple from Norfolk, England who were visiting Valencia aboard a cruise ship. They were experienced birders, keen to discover new species from this region. After I collected them from the Cruise Ship Terminal in Valencia, we drove to the first stop in a reserve area, which right now is becoming a local “hotspot”. We were delighted to have fantastic views of Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier, also Little Grebe and Kingfisher were showing well right in front of us. We also enjoyed good sightings of many waterfowl and wader species. The second stop was in a restricted reserve and green filter area where we were welcomed by a large flock of Glossy Ibis flying overhead. Many Purple Swamphens and waders where feeding in the shallow water of the fields. Next stop was by a small lake, which by this time of the year becomes a great spot for wintering and migratory birds. Black-necked Grebes were among the target species here. It had been a special birding day with many great sightings….

Guided bird watching trip to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to organise a guided bird watching trip to the Valencian Coastal wetlands for clients from London. They were visiting the city of Valencia and wanted a day out to discover the area´s bird life. It was a sunny autumn day – fantastic for birding. I designed a trip that involved some walking through different ecosystems to maximise the quantity of species. As soon we started walking we stopped to enjoy great views of one of the target species of the day, White-headed Duck. Right beside 6 examples of this very special duck there was a Water Rail enjoying a morning bath! We kept walking beside the sea and stopped again for good views of Audouin’s Gull and a flock of Red-Crested Pochard in flight. In the next lagoon, we were delighted by Little Grebes and Purple Swamphens.. one of the highlights of the day. After a picnic lunch by the sea, we headed inland enjoying a lovely walk searching for raptors. We succeded…we had great views of 6 different Booted Eagles, as well as Common Buzzards and Marsh Harries that were enjoying…

Birding on the Steppe

One of the pleasures of being based in Valencia is the ease of access to many different habitats. One of our favourite trips takes us up onto the steppe and cereal plains of Castilla de la Mancha, little over an hour´s drive away. I recently had the pleasure of providing a trip to this region for clients Doreen and Jim from the USA. Both very experienced birders they were on a tour of Spain and wanted to see some of the area´s bird life, particularly on the steppe. They were staying in the historical town of Xativa, so having met nearby we drove up to the birding area where we began with a morning coffee in a small farming village. Our first stop was beside a small lagoon surrounded by cereal fields. It was still quite early so a cold wind was blowing. Despite this we enjoyed views of Pochard, Lapwing and Stonechat. Once back in the warmth of the car we made our way to another favourite viewing area where we put on extra layers! Here we had good views of Great Bustard, one of the day´s target species. …