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Bird Watching in Valencia

On Sunday 15th April I spent a very enjoyable day with a lady from Austria who was visiting the area and wanted a day of guided bird watching in Valencia. Having met her at her accommodation in the city centre, we made the short journey to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands. This area is superb at any time of year but is especially interesting in April as summer visitors are arriving and migrants are passing through. We set off along the coast, scanning the reeds for warblers. A stiff breeze seemed to be keeping the smaller birds down but we did enjoy spectacular views of Swallows and Swifts swooping and diving as they hoovered up a swarm of mosquitos. The first lagoon provided excellent views of the very rare White Headed Duck together with Red Crested Pochard, Yellow Wagtail and Greater Flamingo. We then heard the distinctive call of a Great Reed Warbler so began our search which within a few minutes revealed this bold and charismatic bird sitting up in the reeds. We continued our walk along the coast where a few bushes were holding a small flock of passing…

Beginners´Bird Watching Trip to Albufera de Valencia

Having provided a number of Guided Bird Watching Trips for local birders here in Valencia, I was asked by a group of ladies to arrange a beginners´trip so they could introduce some of their friends to this wonderful hobby. Having provided a summary of our plans for the day, we drove to the Natural Park of Albufera de Valencia. After a brief introduction on the use of binoculars and telescope we discussed the species that we were likely to see. As the group largely comprised beginners, we opted not to maximise the species list but to simply enjoy good views and focus on key identification of the classic Albufera bird species. The group quickly began to work well together, with some of the more experienced birders assisting the others. The day got off to a super start as we were lucky enough to see a Night Heron flying alongside a reedbed. We then spent a little time differentiating and enjoying superb views of Cattle Egret, Little Egret and Great White Egret. As we walked through an area of reeds and lagoons we had good views of Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron,…

Guided Bird Watching in Valencia

On Easter Sunday I provided a guided bird watching trip to the Valencian Coastal Wetlands for a lovely couple from Essex, UK. Experienced travellers and naturalists they were spending the long weekend in the city of Valencia and chose to make a guided bird watching trip a part of their holiday plans. Having collected them from their hotel in the city centre, we made our way to the coastal wetlands, parked the van and after a brief introductory discussion, made our way along the dunes. We were soon enjoying good views Glossy Ibis, Marsh Harrier and Reed Warbler. The first lagoon provided superb views of White Headed Duck, Red Crested Pochard and Flamingo. As we walked along the dunes we also had good views of Yellow Wagtail, Chiffchaff, Corn Bunting and Fan Tailed Warbler. Other local specialities included Audouin´s Gull, Whiskered Tern and Purple Heron. Our next stopping point was a smaller coastal lagoon and that gave good, close views of Kentish Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank and the beautifully marked Collared Pratincole. After a relaxed picnic lunch in the spring sunshine we continued our walk and were soon enjoying…

Bird Watching Trip to Castilla de la Mancha

On Tuesday 3rd April, we arranged a guided bird watching trip toCastilla de la Mancha for a group of 7 people. The weather forecast was for sunshine and showers and as we arrived at our first viewing point, atop a small hill overlooking the plains, there was a cool wind blowing. Despite this we were treated to immediate views of what was the target bird for many of the group, the Great Bustard. Skylarks were singing in the fields and a Kestrel battled to hover in the wind. Having enjoyed the Great Bustards we set out across the plains to our next viewing point where we enjoyed superb views of Calandra Lark, Skylark and Crested Lark. We also found more Great Bustards roaming across the steppe. After a welcome coffee break at a village bar, we stopped at our first lagoon where we had views of Black Winged Stilt, Little Ringed Plover, Kentish Plover, Gadwall, Shelduck and Flamingoes. The next lagoon held more Flamingoes, Red Crested Pochard, and one of the day´s highlights the White Headed Duck. As we watched the lagoon we were also enjoyed sudden views of a…

Guided Bird Watching in Valencia

On Saturday 31st March, we provided a day of Guided Bird Watching to the Coastal Wetlands of Valencia. Our group of 6 people started the day with a coffee by the beach during which we discussed the target birds for the day. The plan for the day was to complete a circular walk of 7km, stopping at various observation points and hides. The weather was superb as we made our way to the first reedbed and lagoon. There are days when things immediately get off to a good start and today was fortunately one such day! Within minutes of our arrival we were watching 5 White Headed Ducks, right in front of us on open water. They were joined by Flamingo, Red Crested Pochard, Shoveler, Common Pochard and Coots. Common Terns were calling noisily overhead whilst the reedbeds held Reed Bunting, Moustached Warbler and Stonechat. The next lagoon on our route held further delights in the form of Collared Pratincole, Black Winged Stilt, Purple Gallinule, Redshank, Greenshank, Garganey, Kentish Plover and Little Ringed Plover. The bushes and trees in the surrounding fields provided good views of Corn Bunting, Fan…

Winter Birding in Castilla de la Mancha

Today´s trip was a joint effort arranged by Valencia Birding and La Safor Ornithological Society, a Spanish group based in our local town of Gandia. The area visited was the same as that taken in on our “Steppe & Lagoons” trip and visits the high plains of Castilla de la Mancha, just over a hour´s drive from the Mediterranean coast. To make the most of the day and to have the best chance of seeing the target species we left our home base at 6.30am and after a couple of pick ups we were up on the steppe by 8.30am. The early start was rewarded by a stunningly beautiful and crisp morning. The temperature gauge was showing -6 degrees C and a sharp frost was evident although fortunately there was a complete lack of wind as we made our first stop. As we scanned across the vast plains we were fortunate enough to see a dozen Great Bustards resting in the early morning sunshine. Having enjoyed some super views we headed back to the van and drove along our usual track out over the fields. We made a few brief…