Kestrel - Page 7 of 11 - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

Bird Watching in Valencia

Last month I was privileged to be invited to speak at the First Congress on Nature Tourism in Valencia. The aim of the congress was to gather the various public and private sector entities that are involved in Nature Tourism in the Valencian Community and to share experiences as well as to discuss how we can promote this fabulous area. The Valencian Community (Comumidad de Valencia) comprises 3 provinces – Castellon, Valencian and Alicante. It is relatively well known as a holiday destination but largely for the beaches of the Costa Blanca and the avant-garde city of Valencia. What relatively few people are aware of are the stunningly rich natural environments and bird life of the region. Many of my clients are truly amazed by habitat diversity, the vast wild spaces and the wildlife that thrives here. The Valencian Community is home to no less than 21 Natural Parks. These areas of special scientific interest and / or outstanding natural beauty are officially designated and protected by law and include some of Europe´s most important habitats. They include mountains in excess of 1800 metres (5900 ft)…

2 Day Birding Trip in Spain

Last week I had the pleasure of providing a couple of days of guided bird watching for a client from UK. He was staying close to the town of Xativa, a short drive from Valencia and had previously contacted me to arrange two specific trips. Day 1 His choice for the first of his 2 day birding trip in Spain was a day on the high steppe and plains of Castilla de la Mancha. A very keen and experienced birder, he was eager to see the species that this very special environment holds, especially the Great Bustard. He was accompanied by his wife on our first day, also a knowledgable birder and nature lover. After the obligatory morning coffee, we headed out across the plains and made our first stop to scan this vast area. The first sighting was of a Hoopoe and a small flock of Crested Lark. As yet…no Great Bustard! We then travelled to one of my favourite lagoons of this area, and opted for a lengthy stay here as it´s a spot where patience is often rewarded. Upon scanning the water, we enjoyed views of Black…

Birds of Prey in Spain

Last week I was especially privileged to be invited to take part in a raptor release programme. The day was organised by an animal recuperation centre based within Albufera de Valencia. We are fortunate enough to enjoy a diverse range of birds of prey in Spain, owing to it´s geography, topography, habitat and eco-systems. As well as the many breeding species here in Valencia, many raptors pass through our region whilst on migration. The animal recuperation centre in Albufera does an incredible job of rescuing, treating and releasing hundreds of injured or sick birds each year and has a team of dedicated raptor specialists. Today was in important day as there were a good number of fully recovered raptors that were ready for release. To give them the best chance of survival, we drove into the inland of Valencia to an area of forested highlands, ideal for birds of prey to hunt, rest and regain their optimum fitness levels. The first birds to be released were Kestrels, all of which had been taken to the centre having been found injured or having fallen from their nests as chicks. Lurdes and…

Wildlife and Bird Watching in Valencia

Last week I spent a wonderful day with two great clients from my native Yorkshire. There were on a journey through France and Spain and wanted a day of guided wildlife and bird watching in Valencia. Not only keen birders, they were also particularly interested in ecology and natural history in general. I designed a trip with this in mind, hoping to provide a bespoke day. After a short drive from their hotel in the city of Valencia, we stopped for a morning coffee and discussed plans for the day, before heading to one of Albufera´s best nature reserves. We walked through the reserve where we enjoyed views of Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Snipe, Little Bittern and Marsh Harrier. The lagoons held Greater Flamingo, Great Egret, Purple Swamphen and Shoveler. Upon scanning some nearby pylons, we were fortunate to see not only an Iberian Grey Shrike but also an Osprey. This area is regularly used by Ospreys as a stopping-off and feeding point on their migration to and from their wintering grounds in Africa. We were then treated to a fascinating presentation by the reserve staff, which focussed on the…

Bird Watching at Albufera de Valencia

On Tuesday 8th January, together with two local birders, I enjoyed a leisurely day in the Natural Park of Albufera de Valencia. We began our day by generally exploring some of the rice fields on the west side of the park. The usual Little Egrets, Cattle Egrets and Grey Herons were in abundance in amongst which were a five Great Egrets. A female Marsh Harrier passed low over the stubble, flushing out a Snipe. A pair of Stonechats were flitting around the edges of a field and an Iberian Grey Shrike spent a few minutes on an overhead cable close by. Then seemingly from nowhere, a Booted Eagle appeared. It passed by very low before catching a thermal and rising into the air until it was nothing more than a dot. It circled over the fields then made yet another low pass, the winter sunlight catching its contrasting colours beautifully. We moved further north on to another favourite spot where we enjoyed superb views of over 100 Glossy Ibis. We remained in this spot for a good while, and our patience was rewarded with views of Bluethroat, Meadow Pipit and…

A Christmas Birding Trip to the Steppe & Lagoons of Eastern Spain

On 22nd December, we provided a guided bird watching trip to the steppe and lagoons for a client from the Netherlands. Norbert, a very well travelled and experienced birder was holidaying in the Valencia area and was keen to see the bird life that this superb region has to offer. The morning had dawned bright and clear but as we climbed up onto the steppe, it became quite cloudy with a little light drizzle in the air. After a coffee in a local farming village, we set out across the fields towards the day´s first lagoon. Something caught our eye way off to the left so we stopped to take a closer look…indeed, it was a pair of Great Bustards – one of the day´s target species. After a few minutes they took flight, remarkably elegantly for such huge birds. The first lagoon gave good views of Shoveler, Shelduck, Greater Flamingo, Golden Plover and Teal. Although quite far off, we also had views of a Merlin. The nearby telephone cables were occupied by a large flock of Corn Buntings whilst flocks of Serin were flitting around the trees at the…