Birding Denia - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

Watching Albufera Grow During the Spring

Throughout the months of April and May of this year, I’ve spent a lot of time in the wetlands and rice fields of Albufera de Valencia, principally trips with clients from the UK, USA and Ireland. It’s been fascinating to see the changes that take place during the spring, especially in terms of habitat and environment. In April, the rice fields were dry, so held very few birds, so we focussed more on the wetland reserve areas. During May, the rice farmers began to flood their fields and sow the rice, instantly attracting large gatherings of Glossy Ibis, Greater Flamingo, Little , Great and Cattle Egrets. Glossy Ibis In terms of bird movement, our trips in April still gave us sightings of a few later passage migrants, including Oystercatcher, Little Stint, Grey Plover and Curlew Sandpiper. However, as the month progressed, colonies of breeding birds began to form, the largest of which included Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Gull Billed Tern, Mediterranean Gull, Black Headed Gull and Audouin’s Gull, the latter choosing as usual to nest away from other gull and tern species. Sandwich Terns, Common Terns and Slender Billed Gulls…

An Active Spring in Alicante!

The past couple of months have been so busy that I’ve hardly had time to post any trip reports! This is by no means a complaint and I’m extremely grateful to everyone for making this spring such an intense time. We’ve had some fabulous trips, seen some great birds, and I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with such lovely people. Here are a few shots taken during three recent visits to the wetlands of Alicante. This area has to rate amongst the best birding sites in Spain, not only for the birds that thrive here, but for the conservation projects that continue to protect key species such as Marbled Teal, White Headed Duck and Red Knobbed Coot. White Headed Duck Marbled Teal Red Knobbed Coot I’ve had some fabulous trips to Alicante this spring, all with returning clients who I count as friends. Firstly with John, an English birder who lives here in Spain, with Cheryl and Diane from the USA, and with Sally and Pete, a couple from the UK who have a second home in the region. Whiskered Tern On each trip, we were blessed with great…

Another great day at Albufera.

April 2024 I’m delighted to say that April was a very busy month, packed with some great birding trips. One such day was spent at Albufera with Dominic and Elaine from the UK. They were on a rail trip through France and Spain, and had included a day’s birding with me in their plans. Albufera is a wetland of international importance for many reasons, not least of which is its geographical location on a migration flyway, so early spring is always an exciting time here. Greater Flamingo Elaine was keen to see Greater Flamingo, so we began at a reserve where it’s possible to get great views of them from a hide, without running the risk of disturbing them. We did just that, seeing them together with Black Winged Stilt, Avocet and Shelduck. We also spent some time scanning through a colony of Mediterranean Gull, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern, picking out a few Whiskered Terns and Slender Billed Gulls in amongst them. From the same hide we also enjoyed watching Redshank and Green Sandpiper. Little Stint As we strolled back to the car, a White Stork passed overhead. After…

3-Day Birding Trip from Valencia

April 2024 Early this month, I planned a 3-day birding trip for Jason, an experienced birder from the USA who was spending some time with his wife near Valencia and wanted to include a birding trip in their plans. Day 1 – Albufera. Our first day together was spent at Albufera de Valencia, a huge wetland and rice growing area just to the south of the city. We spent the morning at a reserve where we enjoyed the sights and sounds of a mixed breeding colony that included Common Tern, Sandwich Tern, Black Headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull and Slender Billed Gull. Whiskered Terns were also feeding on the wing and Cetti’s Warbler were singing from the nearby scrub. Shorebirds included Pied Avocet, Black Winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Redshank and Glossy Ibis. Sandwich Terns, Mediterranean Gulls, Slender Billed Gull and Black Headed Gull In the afternoon, we moved closer to the coast where visited a small lagoon and enjoyed views of Purple Heron plus other shorebirds such as Kentish Plover, Little Stint and Little Ringed Plover. Audouin’s Gull were also around in good numbers, obviously preparing to nest. The…

2 Fabulous Days Exploring Alicante’s Wetlands & Coast

Having established Valencia Birding back in 2011, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting an array of lovely people along the way, many of whom have become firm friends. Jan and Rab from the UK spend a considerable amount of time on the Costa Blanca and have been loyal friends and supporters of Valencia Birding since the early years. Together we’ve travelled through the regons wetlands, mountains, steppe and forests and have shared many special birding moments together. Earler this month I was delighted to get together with them again. Firstly, we spent a morning together, walking around Oliva Pego Marsh, where we had great views of Booted Eagle, Marsh Harrier and huge flocks of Glossy Ibis before I gave a brief talk on the Osprey reintroduction project there, a venture that I’m honoured to be involved in. We then strolled alongside the river to a cafe bar where we enjoyed a late breakfast together. Marsh Harrier It was a week or so later when we set out together again on a 2-day trip around some of Alicante’s southern wetlands and coastal sites. Our first stop was at a small reserve…

Birding at the Wetlands of Alicante

I recently spent a very special day with two great clients from Scotland. Brian and Maria were staying close to Alicante on a short break, and wanted to include a day’s birding. The day was especially important as it was Brian’s birthday and he’d asked if it would be possible to see three specific species. He’s a very experienced and well travelled birder, and was eager to see White Headed Duck, Red Knobbed Coot and Greater Spotted Eagle. One of Alicante’s many coastal wetland sites. We spent the day at one of Alicante’s many wetland sites, which always provide excellent birding, and began with a walk around one of the reserves. The sightings began however before we even got out of the car, with an Iberian Green Woodpecker that flew in front of us into a stand of trees. Iberian Grey Shrike. As we strolled between reed beds and lagoons, the surrounding scrub held Black Redstart, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff and Stonechat. Crag Martins were feeding on the wing, and a couple of Barn Swallows flew by, my first of the year. A nearby bare tree provided a perch for an…