Birding in Valencia - Page 35 of 37 - Valencia Birding

Guided bird watching in Valencia for a family

Last week, Yanina and I provided a day of guided bird watching in Valencia for a family from Suffolk, UK. It was one of those special days with great weather, some fabulous birds and wonderful company. After we collected John and his family from the seaside apartment in Valencia, we decided to head for Albufera. We were originally thinking of visiting another coastal wetland, but our recent trips to Albufera had given some great sightings, so we opted to return. Our first stop was in a restricted reserve area, where we sat in a hide and enjoyed great views of waders including Little Stint, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Black-winged Stilt, Grey Plover and Curlew Sandpiper. The surrounding bushes held Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and lots of Black Redstarts. We then decided to make the short trip across to the other side of the Natural Park, firstly stopping for a coffee break in the old village of El Palmar, the birthplace of Spain´s most famous dish, paella. As we drove between the rice fields we spotted a harrier feeding on recently caught prey. Although it was quite a long way off, we…

Guided bird watching at Albufera de Valencia

Last Thursday I had pleasure of providing a day of guided bird watching at Albufera de Valencia for two clients from England. As nature lovers and experienced birders, they are members of The Wild Trust and also volunteers of the RSPB. Whilst here in Spain, they were keen to discover the bird life of the wetlands that surround Valencia. After I collected them from their holiday apartment, we went to a protected reserve area where we enjoyed great views of waterfowl species. We were also fortunate enough to watch 3 Booted Eagles soaring and hunting above the reserve. On the way to our next venue, we stopped in a car park where there had been reports of a Dotterel, obviously resting and feeding whilst on passage. Next stop was a very special restricted reserve area, where we spent most of the morning and had lunch in an stunning hide in front of a lagoon. We enjoyed views of a large flock of Greater Flamingo and Glossy Ibis. An Osprey, another species that often stops at Albufera whilst on passage, had appeared to “befriend” the Ibis and happily spent the afternoon with them!…

Birding trip to l´Albufera of Valencia Natural Park

Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of providing a birding trip to l´Albufera of Valencia Natural Park for two clients from Switzerland. They are experience birders and they wanted to see and photograph the classic species of the Valencian wetlands. They were staying in the southern region of the Valencian Community, so we opted to meet at Cullera lighthouse, a popular sea-watching spot. We then made the short road trip through an orchard region and on to the first stop which was at a protected reserve and green filter area. A little patience was rewarded with views of several Purple Swamphens and Little Bitterns. Second stop was in some rice paddies where the rice plants hadn´t grown this year. Therefore, the flooded fields provided ideal habitat for waders. Hundreds of birds of more than 18 different species where feeding all together. After a brief stop for a coffee and a short review of the species list we went to the next stop in the reserve area and interpretation centre of the Natural Park, where Avocets and Shelducks where close enough for us to get amazing photographs. Driving by the…

Bird watching in Albufera

I´ve just returned home from a day of guided bird watching in Albufera de Valencia with a couple who were on a Mediterranean cruise. Well travelled and experienced naturalists, they had a stop-off and free day in Valencia and had previously booked a day trip with us. Having met them at the cruise terminal in Valencia, we made the short drive to the Albufera Natural Park where we began our day at one of the areas best nature reserves. We were immediately treated to great views of Night Heron, Purple Heron, Squacco Heron and Cattle Egret. Glossy Ibis were constantly flying over, and Black-winged Stilts were around in good numbers in the adjoining rice fields. As we made our way through the reserve, we had views of Little Bittern. The reed beds held plenty of warblers including Cetti´s, Savi´s, Fan-tailed, Reed and Great Reed. The first lagoon gave views of Gull-billed Tern and Great Egret. We then made a stop at the visitor centre where the staff gave a presentation on the ecology of the reserve, the environmental challenges that the region faces, and the work that is being done…

Guided birding in Valencia

Last Sunday I was delighted to provide a day of guided birding in Valencia for an experienced birder from Australia. Jillann was in Valencia for work but on her free day she wanted to discover the bird life of the Albufera de Valencia Natural Park. After I collected her from her hotel in the city, we went to a protected reserve area where there´s one of Europe´s largest Tern colonies, comprising mainly of Sandwich Terns and Common Terns. We also enjoyed seeing different species of ducks and waders with their young. Jillann was amazed to see the large populaton of Avocet. The Marbled Duck is an endangered species which we´re delighted to see breeding in this reserve. We were fortunate enough to see it with 4 young. Next stop was in a Mediterranean pine forest where we enjoyed a picnic lunch, relaxing for a while in the Spring sunshine and listening to the calls of Serin, Long-Tailed Tit and Sardinian Warbler. Then we went to the rice paddies where more than 100 Flamingos were feeding in the fields, then an amazing drive through the marshes with great views of Night Heron, Purple…

Birding and Conservation in Valencia

One of our key operating principles, and something that we never compromise on is that we always endeavour to tailor every trip exactly to the needs, interests and wishes of the client. It was therefore a great pleasure to provide a day of guided birding for a small group of clients from USA, who wanted to focus on bird watching, but who also wanted to learn something of the local conservation efforts, the local traditions and culture and to see the habiats and eco-systems of Albufera de Valencia. After the short drive from their hotel in the city centre of Valencia, we began our day with a brief explanation of the geography and topography of the Albufera Natural Park. We then visited one of the park´s best nature reserves, where we enjoyed some great views of species such as Purple Heron, Little Bittern and Glossy Ibis. We enjoyed a particularly good view of a Squacco Heron. This amazing bird appears to be a fairly indistinct creature from a distance, but upon closer viewing, reveals beautifully delicate tones and a stunning blue bill (in the breeding season). All very knowledgable nature…