Tag: Birding in Valencia

Birding holiday in Valencia

This is one of a series of 4 reports that cover a 4-day birding holiday in Valencia that we recently designed and provided for a client from London, UK.  Charles, a young but experienced and knowledgable birder had contacted us earlier in the year to explore the possibilities of designing a bespoke birding break.  Together, we designed a trip for him.  He opted to stay in Valencia city, but we put together a plan that included guided birding trips to diverse habitats including steppe, forest, mountains, coast and wetlands. This report covers “Day 1” which was a day on the steppe and lagoons of Castilla de la Mancha.  We left Valencia city centre at around 8am and in less than 90 minutes drive we were up on the steppe.  The weather was perfect for birding if not unseasonably warm for December. After the usual coffee stop, our first birding spot was a relatively high vantage point overlooking the rolling fields and wide open space of this wonderful region.  At over 900 metres in altitude, it can be a harsh place in which to live and work, but its bird life…

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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…

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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!…

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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…

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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…

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