Osprey - Page 7 of 8 - Valencia Birding - Guided Bird Watching in Spain

2 Day Wetland Birding Trip to Valencia

Last week, I enjoyed two great birding days with a couple of clients from USA. They were well travelled birders and nature lovers, and as part of their trip through Spain and France they had booked a couple of days of guided birding in Valencia. We opted for a 2 day wetland birding trip to Valencia that would take in the internationally important Natural Park of Albufera de Valencia and a lesser known wetland also close to the city. On our first day, even before we´d arrived at our first stopping point in Albufera, we enjoyed a great view of a Purple Swamphen beside a pair of Night Herons. The day only got better, with good views of a Bittern in flight followed by an Osprey! Once inside the reserve, we enjoyed more views of Purple Swamphens, and of both male and female Marsh Harrier. Chiffchaffs were abundant in the reeds, as were Fan-Tailed Warblers and Cetti´s Warblers. Scanning across one of the reserve lagoons revealed Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill and Black-Winged Stilt. The surrounding wetland held Squacco Heron, Snipe and yet more Night Heron. The clients were very interested…

Birding at Albufera de Valencia

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a birding guide is meeting some truly nice people, and spending time in fabulous surroundings, combining the bird life with great company. This certainly proved to be the case last week when I was fortunate enough to provide a day of guided birding at Albufera de Valencia for a family from Belgium. All experienced ornithologists, they were on holiday in Valencia and were keen to see the areas bird life and habitats. We began our day at one of my favourite reserves, and were immediately treated to views of a pair of Merlin. This was closely followed by Glossy Ibis, Purple Heron, Snipe and Black-winged Stilt. As we walked through the reserve, scanning the reed beds and lagoons, we had great views of Purple Swamphen, Marsh Harrier, Squacco Heron and Fan-tailed Warbler. Although not seen, we heard the calls and song of Cetti´s Warbler, Savi´s Warbler and Reed Warbler. Perhaps the highlight of the trip for our clients was a great view of an Osprey. These magnificent birds of prey regularly stop at Albufera de Valencia during their Spring and Autumn migration….

Birding from Valencia

Mid October was a strange time in Valencia this year. It was as if autumn had not yet decided to show itself and summer was still well underway. Some of our species that are “officially” summer visitors were still here, although today´s trip was blessed with great views of passage migrants. Valencia´s location, right on the east coast flyway, coupled with its extensive wetlands make it a perfect spot for passage migrants to stop, feed and rest on their autumn voyage to the south. Today was no exception, and we were privileged to have great views of an Osprey that has been enjoying a short stay in Valencia for the past week! Today´s client Judy was a keen birder from the USA and was also enjoying a short stay in Valencia as part of a wider European trip. She was keen to spend a day birding from Valencia, particularly to see some of the wetland species. We began our day scanning the rice fields and canals of Albufera de Valencia, where we had views of Kingfisher, Snipe, Common Tern, Cattle Egret and Little Egret. Swallows and House Martins were passing…

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…