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Birding trip to Albufera of Valencia

Last week I was delighted to provide a birding trip to Albufera of Valencia for a couple from England. Both experienced birders who were keen to discover and enjoy the birdlife of the wetlands close to Valencia City. After I collected them from their hotel in Valencia we drove straight to the main reserve area inside the Natural Park, although we stopped briefly in the pier of Albufera Lake to enjoy fantastic views of Booted Eagles and Sandwich Terns. A few minutes later we were visiting the information centre, a good way to start understanding why it´s so important to protect this area and why birds are present at the different times of the year. Then after a short walk we arrived at the observatory where we enjoyed fantastic views of Black-winged Stilt, Greenshank and many other waders wintering in the area as well as waterfowl… Teals, Shoveler, Shelduck, Red-crested Pochard, Pintail and more. Picnic lunch was at a springwater reserve area where we had nice sightings of Little Grebe and Booted Eagle. After a refreshing break and tasty meal we had a lot to do during the afternoon, so…

Guided birding trip in Valencia

Last week I was delighted to provide a guided birding trip in Valencia for a family group from USA. They were visiting one of their daughters who is studying in Valencia and they wanted a day in Albufera to discover the Mediterranean birdlife. It was their first time birding in Europe, so most of the bird species were new for them and the were very excited. The day was cloudy but not windy, promising good views of many bird species, Albufera in Autumn is always fantastic. After I collected them from their apartment in Valencia city, we arrived at our first stopping point within a protected reserve area and spent a good time in a hide watching Glossy Ibis, Black Tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Shelducks, Shovelers and Teals. On our way to the picnic lunch area we stopped in a bar in the village of El Palmar to buy a sandwich to take with us. We were heading to the picnic area when we stopped after a Marsh Harrier flew right in front of the car and landed in the rice fields. Once inside the green filter reserve area…

Guided birding trip to Albufera de Valencia

I was recently delighted to provide a bird watching trip for a couple from England. They are good friends of a friend and regular client of Valencia Birding, so I was keen to meet them. Experienced birders, they were interested in a guided birding trip to Albufera de Valencia. The weather forecast was not too promising but we managed to escape the rain and enjoyed the birdlife of this fabulous wetland. After I collected them from their hotel in Valencia City, we drove straight to the Northern area of the park where there were some ploughed rice paddies, ideal for Flamingo, Whiskered Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and many more waders. Next stop was to the main reserve area of the Natural Park, first we visited the information centre, a good way to start understanding why this area is so important for migrants. Then after a short walk we arrived at the observatory where we enjoyed great views of Black-winged Stilt, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Little Stint and waterfowl. On our way to the picnic lunch area we stopped in a bar of El Palmar to buy a sandwich to…

2 Day Birding Trip from Valencia.

Last week, Yanina and I were delighted to provide a 2 day birding trip from Valencia for a great couple of experienced birders from Sheffield. Jonathan and Caroline wanted to combine a few days exploring the cultural and historical sites of the city of Valencia with two days of bird watching – an increasingly popular option for visitors. After some discussion about the best sites for the time of year, we opted for the wetland site of Albufera de Valencia and a day in the inland mountains of Alicante. Yanina was the guide for the first day and after collecting Jonathan and Carolina from the city, they made the short journey to Albufera. The northern rice paddies gave views of Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Whiskered Tern. They then moved to a restricted reserve area where they enjoyed views of Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Greater Flamingo and Kentish Plover. Whilst moving to a suitable spot to enjoy a picnic lunch, they were treated to views of Booted Eagle, a raptor that moves down from its mountainous breeding grounds to the wetlands in the autumn and winter. A tour…

Bespoke guided bird watching trip in Valencia

A few months ago we were contacted by two experienced birders from England who were interested in birding in Valencia, not far from the city where they were going to spend their holidays. After we designed a suitable trip and they made the reservation, they discovered that we were going to Rutland Bird Fair. So Brian and some friends stopped by to say hi at the stand where were promoting Valencia Region. Finally, last week arrived the day of the bird watching trip to Albufera Natural Park, thankfully it was a nice sunny day after a week of rain and storms! I collected them from their hotel in Valencia city and we drove straight to the first stop in a protected area beside the sea. Despite the harsh sunlight we had great views of Black Tern, Little Tern, Audouin’s Gull, Kentish Plover and Black-necked Grebe. Brian particularly liked the views of Black Terns, which were already in winter plumage. Next stop was the main reserve area inside the Natural Park, where we joined Dave and two clients also from England. As they arrived first we had part of the work…

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…