Birding Albufera - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

Guided birding trip in Valencia

Last week I was delighted to provide a guided birding trip in Valencia for a family group from USA. They were visiting one of their daughters who is studying in Valencia and they wanted a day in Albufera to discover the Mediterranean birdlife. It was their first time birding in Europe, so most of the bird species were new for them and the were very excited. The day was cloudy but not windy, promising good views of many bird species, Albufera in Autumn is always fantastic. After I collected them from their apartment in Valencia city, we arrived at our first stopping point within a protected reserve area and spent a good time in a hide watching Glossy Ibis, Black Tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Shelducks, Shovelers and Teals. On our way to the picnic lunch area we stopped in a bar in the village of El Palmar to buy a sandwich to take with us. We were heading to the picnic area when we stopped after a Marsh Harrier flew right in front of the car and landed in the rice fields. Once inside the green filter reserve area…

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….

Discovering the bird life of Valencia

A few days ago I had the pleasure of providing a guided bird watching trip for two clients from Italy. They were keen to discover the bird life of the Valencian wetlands. After I collected them from the historical quarter of Valencia City we drove to the Albufera Natural Park. I´d organised a visit to a forested area with a lake, beside the sea – a hot spot for Audoin’s Gull, Kentish Plover, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Tern, Hoopoe and Turtle Dove. Next stop was to a reserve area which holds Waterfowl, Black-winged Stilts and Flamingos mainly, this time of the year. Last stop was to a restricted reserve area which always holds a wide variety of species. To get there we drove through the rice paddies, an ecosystem that in itself is a hot spot for herons, egrets, Glossy Ibis and Marsh Harriers. Once inside the reserve, we carefully and quietly explored each lagoon. The water levels are carefully controlled to provide habitats for various bird species. A huge variety of herons, gulls, terns, ducks and waders were all showing very well, together with Greater Flamingo and Glossy Ibis. It´s always…

Photographic Trip to Albufera de Valencia

Today I was delighted to provide a photographic trip to Albufera de Valencia for two clients from Manchester, UK. Having collected them from their apartment central Valencia, we drove for half an hour to a reserve area in the heart of the natural park. Even though it was raining lightly, it didn´t stop us from having a fantastic birding day. The first stop was after a short walk by the forest to some hides located in a restricted reserve area, where we enjoyed great views of a large varity of waders, such as Bar-tailed Godwits, Black-winged Stilts and Little Stints. Next stop was in a green filter and reserve area where we got nice shots of a Booted Eagle. We also had great views of Purple Swamphens and Glossy Ibis. Driving by the rice paddies gave us great views of of raptors such as Common Buzzards, Marsh Harriers and Kestrels, we also enjoyed a Black Stork in flight. To finish a magnificent birding day, we stopped in a small lake close to the sea, where we were delighted to see Black-necked Grebes and Audouin Gulls. It had been a great…

Bird Watching Trip from Valencia City

Last week, I had the pleasure of providing a bird watching trip from Valencia City for two clients from Switzerland. They were both enthusiastic biologist, keen on discovering the bird life of Albufera Natural Park. Having collected them from their hotel in Valencia, we made a short journey to one of the most important wetland of Spain. Our day began in a reserve area with superb views of Collared Pratincole, Kentish PLover and huge flock of Flamingo. After a short walk in the forest we arrieved to a different observatory in front of a sea-bird colony, which holds five different species such as Elegant Tern, Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Little Tern, Mediterranean Gull and Slender-billed Gull. Also Avocet and Black-winged Stilt were with chicks. After a picnic in the forest we continued driving through reedbeds and out into open country where we were treated to views of Squacco Heron, Purple Heron and Purple Swamphen. This time of the year, rice fields are essential for food supplies and the best place to get great views of the bird life diversity. We´d made an early start that morning so we were back at the van…