guided bird watching Alicante - Valencia Birding

Birding at a Marine Island Reserve

I’ve recently been putting the finishing touches to a new 5/6 day spring birding trip that will be launched soon, and have been spending time at some of the “new” sites that it will visit. Last weekend, we spent the day at the small island of Tabarca, a designated marine reserve just off the coast of Alicante. At less than 2km in length and only 400 metres wide, it’s very small, but holds some fabulous bird life. In winter it’s a good sea-watching spot, but it’s main attraction for birders is argueably it’s ability to attract migratory birds on passage. After the 15 minute crossing by fast launch, we arrived at the tiny port and began the day with a coffee at a small bar overlooking the beach. Little Terns were diving into the crystal clear sea, catching fish and a large flock of Yellow Legged Gulls were gathered on the beach. Overhead were Common Swifts, Barn Swallows and House Martins. We began our walk along the coastal path to an area of small rocky islets where we had good views of Shag. We then visited an old stone built…

Birding in the Valencian wetlands in Spring

A few days ago, I provided a day of guided bird watching for two clients from Ireland. The trip was a gift from their daughter Ann Claire. Her dad is an experienced and knowledgeable birder and wanted to see the diversity of the birdlife that exists here in Valencia. We decided upon a specific wetland area as right now there are colonies of breeding species that provide some super opportunities for observation, all without the risk of disturbance. After a short drive to the reserve, the first stop was in an observatory platform where we enjoyed lovely views of Red-crested Pochard, Whiskered Tern, Coots feeding their chicks and a magnificent Great Reed Warbler. We walked on to another lagoon where we had superb views of Whiskered Tern, Little Tern, Common Tern and Sandwich Tern. We were also fortunate to see a Shag and two Black-necked Grebes, unusual for this time of the year in this reserve… Collared Pratincoles and Little Terns were also breeding in the vicinity, and gave great views both on the ground and in flight. After a picnic lunch we a headed inland, despite the warm weather,…

Guided Birding Trip to Albufera

A few days ago, I had the pleasure to organise a guided birding trip to Albufera de Valencia for a couple from the Netherlands. They were experienced birders, keen to discover new species from this region. After I collected them from their hotel in Valencia, we drove to the first stop in a reserve area, which right now is becoming a local “hotspot”. We were amazed with fantastic views of Booted Eagles and Marsh Harrier, also Little Grebe and Kingfisher displaying right in front of us. We also enjoyed good sightings of many waterfowl and wader species. Second stop was in a restricted reserve and green filter area where we were welcomed by Spoonbills flying overhead. Many Glossy Ibis 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. These included… Mallard, Shelduck, Gadwall, Shoveler, Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Teal, Great-crested Grebe, Black-necked Gribe, Little Grebe, Great Cormorant,…

7 Day Guided Birding Trip – Day 4 (Steppe & Lagoons)

The plan for the day was to leave the lovely guest house L´Alqueria del Pilar in Banyeres, spend the day on the high steppe of Castilla de la Mancha and then travel onwards to Valencia, where the group would spend the next 3 nights. It was quite a windy and cold day although this is to be expected in February and at such altitude. Most of the area that we were to visit is above 900 metres above sea level. Our first stop beside an area of flood water gave views of Snipe, Little Ringed Plover and Lapwing. Spotless Starlings were perched on some nearby wires and a Water Pipit was feeding along the shoreline. Our next lagoon gave views of Shoveler, Pintail, Gadwall and Red Knobbed Coot. The surrounding farmland held Rock Sparrow, Skylark, Crested Lark and Corn Bunting. We then moved on to another lagoon that often has a surprise in store. We were indeed fortunate again in this super spot….as well as the usual Flamingoes, Marsh Harrier and Little Grebes, we had great views of a Golden Eagle as it passed low overhead. Happy with our species…

7 Day Guided Birding Trip – Day 3 (Wetlands of Alicante)

7 Day Guided Birding Trip – Day 3 (Wetlands of Alicante) The plan for our third day was to drive to the coast at the southern end of the province of Alicante and visit one of the region´s premium wetland reserves. After a drive of around one hour from Banyeres de Mariola, we arrived at the reserve. Although a little breezy, the weather was fine. After a brief chat with the reserve warden we looked out onto the first small lagoon where we were fortunate to see some of the Red Knobbed Coots that are part of a release programme. This extremely rare bird has its European stronghold along the Valencian coast and much work has been done to protect it. We then walked along a boardwalk across another lagoon where we had great views of Purple Swamphen (another conservation success story for Valencia). The first hide of the day gave views of Black Necked Grebe, Little Grebe and another very rare species, the Marbled Teal. Cetti´s Warbler were singing in the surrounding scrub and Stonechats and Sardinian Warbler were also seen. The next hide gave views of Green Sandpiper,…

Bird Watching in Alicante

One vital aspect of our work as guides is to know intimately our area; what´s where and when. We´re operating constantly around the many sites that surround Valencia so we´re always “in touch”. However, we´ll soon be welcoming a small group who have booked a multi-day trip that will take in sites close to both Valencia and Alicante. Although the Alicante region is very familiar to us (we have a small operating base there), it´s been a few weeks since we were guiding there. So, in readiness for our next trip, last week Yanina and I spent a couple of days bird watching in Alicante, to update ourselves on what´s around, to chat to some of the rangers, and to check out a new hide. We´d also planned to drop in at a traditional guest house with whom we work to finalise plans for another group who are soon to stay there. It´s always a pleasure to operate in Alicante, especially in some of the region´s virtually unknown inland sites. Many of our clients opt for a bespoke multi-day trip that combines bird watching in Alicante followed by a few days…