Bird Watching Tours Eastern Spain - Page 3 of 8 - Valencia Birding

Guided Birding in Valencia

On 17th May I provided a guided bird watching trip for a couple from Belgium who were holidaying in Valencia. They opted for our Mountain Bird Life trip which involves a short but beautiful walk into a spectacular mountain gorge. We were soon enjoying great views of Griffon Vulture, both in flight and at rest on the high mountain crags. The bushes and trees in the valley bottom held Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Sardinian Warbler and Serin. After a short while we took a rest in the shade and watched a colony of Crag Martins and enjoyed a great view of a male Linnet in a nearby tree. Our return walk gave good views of Blue Rock Thrush, Raven, Chough and Black Redstart. After lunch we headed a little further down the valley as my clients were keen to see a Bee-Eater and I knew of a great location from which to see these stunningly colourful birds. Having parked the van, we walked quietly up a lane, keeping low behind the bushes. Our luck was in, and we were able to get close to one that was perched on a wire…

Ladies´ Birding Group Trip to the Mountains of Valencia

On 11th May, I returned to the mountains, this time with a Ladies´Bird Watching Group. After the morning coffee stop we set out into a beautiful mountain gorge. The weather was hot and sunny but once in the gorge we soon found a shady spot from which to rest and watch the bird life. Griffon Vultures were around in good numbers, soaring effortlessly on the thermals. Some were resting on the cliffs which provided great opportunities to appreciate the sheer size of these magnificent creatures. We made steady progress up into the gorge before finding another comfortable stopping point from where we watched Raven, Chough, Crag Martin and eventually one of the target species, the Blue Rock Thrush. Serin were constantly singing, Goldfinch were flitting around and Swifts were swooping and soaring overhead. After lunch we drove down the mountain to a lake and reedbed. We had great views of a Great Crested Grebe feeding its young (with a frog!) and also saw Little Grebe, Corn Bunting, Stonechat and Reed Warbler. The species list included… Griffon Vulture, Chough, Raven, Blue Rock Thrush, Crag Martin, Serin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Kestrel, Swift, Little…

Mountain Bird Life

On 2nd May I took a group of birders on our Mountain Birds Trip. The group comprised a good mix of beginners and experienced birders. We began our day with a walk into a spectacular mountain gorge and were soon enjoying views of the magnificent GriffonVulture. Black Redstart were around in good numbers, as were Crag Martins. We soon found one of our target birds, the Blue Rock Thrush and subsequently enjoyed numerous sightings. A Linnet made a brief appearance as did Rock Bunting and Sardinian Warbler. Choughs and Ravens were seen flying above the cliffs. After a leisurely picnic lunch we set off for our second stopping point, a lake with reedbeds and trees. We had great views of a Reed Warbler in full song, plus a Fan Tailed Warbler and Corn Bunting. Sand Martins were around in good numbers, flying with over the reeds with House Martins. We then stopped what was for some another target bird – the stunningly colourful Bee Eater. The day finished with a beer in a local bar before a drive over a mountain pass and home… The day´s species list comprised… Black…

Bird Watching in Valencia

On 27th April, we enjoyed a great day of birding at the Valencian Coastal Wetlands with a group of British birders. After the obligatory morning coffee by the sea, we set out along the dunes where we enjoyed good views of Moustached Warbler in the adjoining reeds and a Turtle Dove on a telephone wire. The first lagoon provided nice views of White Headed Duck and Little Bittern and a little further along the track we stopped to watch a Great Reed Warbler sat up in the reeds in full view. Our next stopping point beside another lagoon gave good views of Spotted Redshank, Dunlin, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover and the beautiful Collared Pratincole. As we walked through more reedbeds we saw Common Reed Warbler, Savi´s Warbler, Fan Tailed Warbler and Marsh Harrier – all classic birds of this trip. We soon added Corn Bunting and Yellow Wagtail to the list too. The mosquitos were becoming a little annoying so we didn´t linger at the next lake for too long but we did have time to enjoy views of Shelduck, Wood Sandpiper, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis and Spotted Flycatcher….

Bird Watching in Valencia.

On Wednesday 18th April, I spent a day bird watching in Valencia with a group of 7 clients. The Valencian Coastal Wetlands are superb throughout the year, but are especially so in Spring when the breeding season is upon us. There was a cool breeze as we set out along the coastal path towards the first lagoon, and this seemed to be keeping most of the smaller birds down in the reeds. However, we soon had good views of White Headed Duck, Great Crested Grebe, and Red Crested Pochard. We also enjoyed views of Great Reed Warbler and Fan Tailed Warbler. A further stroll along the coast provided great views of a beautiful Collared Pratincole, it´s delicate facial markings showing clearly in the sunlight. Our next stopping point gave super views of Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and Curlew Sandpiper. As we continued our walk we could hear the iconic song of a Corn Bunting and soon found it sitting in the top of a nearby tree. As we progressed through the reed beds we could pick out the calls of Cetti´s Warbler, Savi´s Warbler and more Great Reed…

Bird Watching in Valencia

On Sunday 15th April I spent a very enjoyable day with a lady from Austria who was visiting the area and wanted a day of guided bird watching in Valencia. Having met her at her accommodation in the city centre, we made the short journey to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands. This area is superb at any time of year but is especially interesting in April as summer visitors are arriving and migrants are passing through. We set off along the coast, scanning the reeds for warblers. A stiff breeze seemed to be keeping the smaller birds down but we did enjoy spectacular views of Swallows and Swifts swooping and diving as they hoovered up a swarm of mosquitos. The first lagoon provided excellent views of the very rare White Headed Duck together with Red Crested Pochard, Yellow Wagtail and Greater Flamingo. We then heard the distinctive call of a Great Reed Warbler so began our search which within a few minutes revealed this bold and charismatic bird sitting up in the reeds. We continued our walk along the coast where a few bushes were holding a small flock of passing…