Tag: House Sparrow

Birding trip to the mountains of Valencia

Recently, I was delighted to provide a birding trip to the mountains of Valencia for a client from Scotland who now lives in Honduras.  After a few days of stormy weather we were happy to see blue skies and sunshine. After a short drive into the highland interior of the Valencia region, we stopped for a coffee break before heading into the mountains where we spotted the first Griffon Vultures, one of the target species for the day.  We also had nice views of Barn Swallow, House Martins and Common Swift. We then had views of another target bird – the Short-toed Eagle.  Just few meters ahead of us we spotted a pair of Black Redstarts that were breeding in a ruined farm building, also the call of Sardinian Warblers caught our attention. We continued our way to the source of the river, one of the best spots to observe dippers in the Valencia region.  We also had a good view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker and Golden Oriole and we were entertained by a Blue Tit constantly visiting its nest. A little further in the valley, we stopped to listen…

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4 Day Birding Break in Alicante and Valencia

The recent weeks have been especially fulfilling as we´ve been fortunate enough to welcome back many returning clients and friends.  Alastair and Christine had previously spent a few days birding with us and this time they were looking for a 4 day birding break in Alicante and Valencia. They had enjoyed visiting the cultural sites in Alicante including the castle, museums, roman sites and art galleries and wanted to follow this with 4 days of birding and later a few days in the historical centre of Valencia…a great combination! On day one I collected them from their hotel in Alicante and we made the short drive to one of the region´s inland sierras.  The previous week had seen temperatures plummet and a little snowfall but despite being cold, today had dawned bright and with very little wind.  They were keen to see Alpine Accentors, a very popular bird for clients who visit in winter.  Having stopped for a morning coffee and to collect sandwiches, we started our walk. We made our way up through a forest where we saw Coal Tits and Long Tailed Tits.  A Mistle Thrush swooped up…

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7 Day Bird Photography Trip.

We recently had the privilege of welcoming back an extremely valued friend and client, Nigel from Northern Ireland.  A very experienced birder and bird photographer, Nigel had previously visited as part of a group from the Northern Ireland Ornithologists´Club but this time he came alone so we were delighted to design a tailor-made 7 day bird photography trip to fit his wishes and priorities. Having discussed his preferences, we came up with a good mixture of bird photography in the field plus a few visits to specially designed bird photo-hides, each aimed at specific species.  His flight arrived at Alicante quite late so we´d arranged for Yanina to collect him and then to spend the night close to the airport, well placed to visit some of the local saltpans and wetlands the next morning. During the morning, they enjoyed sightings of Ringed Plover, Sandwich Tern, Black Tailed Godwit, Iberian Grey Shrike and White Headed Duck.  There was news of a rarity in the area, an Olive Backed Pipit.  First attempts proved fruitless, but with the usual determination, they found it.  A great start to the week! The second night was…

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Birding on your doorstep.

As birding guides, we are especially privileged to spend a lot of our time with clients in the region´s top birding sites and reserves. However, as birders it´s often of great value and interest for us just to spend a little time exploring the bird life that we have quite literally, on our doorstep. This can include urban, sub-urban, agricultural and even industrial environments. One day last week, I had just a couple of free hours in the morning so decided to take a walk along the side of a local canal. The Barranco de Carraixet has its source in the mountains of the nearby Sierra de Calderona, and heads South-East eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea next to the small town of Alboraya, just to the north of the city of Valencia.  I walked the last couple of kilometres from Alboraya to the coast, returning by the same path. Although the barranco has benefitted from some excellent conservation work by local ONGs, it does not immediately strike you as a potential birding spot. However, I was in for a surprise…actually quite a few surprises! Along the course that I walked, its…

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Autumn 2017 Bulletin

The Mediterranean summer is finally drawing to a close and despite clear blue skies, we´re starting to put on long sleeves to go out birding! Autumn is a delightful time of the year and the past couple of months have been extremely busy. We´ve been exceptionally fortunate to spend time with some fabulous clients, many on return visits with us. As for the birds, most summer visitors have now headed off for Africa and many winter visitors are beginning to arrive. We´ve also had a few surprise vagrants and rarities and plenty of passage migrants heading south on the East Coast fly-way. A particularly exciting morning recently gave us Pectoral Sandpiper and Red Necked Phalarope in the same view!   Bird Photo-Hides We´re delighted to bring to you news of a selection of completely new trips that include sessions in professionally managed bird photo-hides.  Within easy reach of Valencia, these offer superb opportunities to capture great images of an array of passerines and raptors. These include Bonelli´s Eagle, Goshawk, Crossbill, Hawfinch, Crested Tit, Short-toed Treecreeper, Rock Bunting, Ring Ouzel and many more.  These trips have proved to very popular, often as a…

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Birding and a Cultural Break in Valencia

Last week I provided a day trip for a couple from England who were combining birding and a cultural break in Valencia before moving on to central Spain.  Although they had travelled extensively in Spain, this was their first trip to Valencia, and they were especially keen to see the birdlife of our local wetlands.

The historic quarter of the city of Valencia

Having collected them from there hotel in Valencia city centre, we made the short journey to one of my favourite local reserves.  The weather was perfect – not too hot, but with clear skies and a slight breeze.  We began our walk by the beach, watching the coastal scrub carefully.  The Valencian coastline is part of a major migration fly-way between Europe and Africa, so this time of the year is always fascinating.  We had good views of numerous Chiffchaffs, Common Reed Warblers and Wheatear.  There was a steady and constant stream of passing Barn Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins too.

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Wheatear

One of the first lagoons that we watched gave good views of White Headed Duck, Greater Flamingo and Little Grebe.  Marsh Harriers were quartering the surrounding reed beds.

After a short walk along the coast we spent some time in a hide overlooking a small lagoon.  This is often a hotspot for passing migrants and over the years has provided many memorable birding moments.  We firstly took a look at the waders which included Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Greenshank, Snipe, Ringed Plover and Little Ringed Plover.  Wildfowl included Shoveler, Teal and yet more White Headed Duck.

Valencia Birding

Snipe

A pair of Stonechats were showing very well, feeding on insects and returning to their perches in classic Stonechat fashion.  We then turned our attention to the beach in search of one of the region´s most popular gulls – Audouin´s Gull.  With just a little patience we were rewarded with great views.

Valencia Birding

Little Ringed Plover

In need of refreshment we enjoyed a light lunch at a small restaurant on the beach whilst watching Little Egrets, Common Sandpipers and Yellow Legged Gulls. Afterwards we took a short walk to another observation point from where we had great views of Purple Swamphen and more Greater Flamingoes. We were also delighted to see a Kingfisher.  In the winter months the small resident population is boosted by visiting birds from the north of Spain.

Valencia Birding

Greater Flamingo

It had been a super day – very relaxed but with great views of some fabulous birds, and all in great company too.

Valencia Birding

The species list for the day included….

Greater Flamingo, Coot, Moorhen, Little Grebe, White Headed Duck, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeon, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Mallard, Shoveler, Greenshank, Stonechat, Teal, Grey Heron, Snipe, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Purple Swamphen, Kingfisher, Audouin’s Gull, Yellow Legged Gull, Common Tern, Wheatear, Sand Martin, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, House Martin, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier.

 

Valencia Birding

 

Written by Dave Warrington.

Bird Watching Guide at Valencia Birding.