Trip Reports

Last week Dave and I had the pleasure of providing a 2-day trip for a couple of clients who have returned to Valencia each year to go birding with us.  We´ve since become firm friends and have enjoyed some great trips together.  This time they had planned an autumn trip and wanted to see the wetlands of this fabulous region. Day 1 – Albufera de Valencia Natural Park Having collected Jan and Ossie from central Valencia, we drove to Albufera to one of the park´s restricted reserve areas.  Whilst driving through the harvested rice paddies, we had great views of Glossy Ibis,…

I recently enjoyed a great day´s autumn birding in Valencia with a couple from Holland.  Both experienced and well travelled birders, they were interested in seeing the region´s bird life, and especially wanted to photograph the Hoopoe. After collecting them from their hotel in the city, we made the short drive to Albufera de Valencia where we began the day in a protected reserve area.  We saw both Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt and Dunlin.  The next hide gave quite brief but excellent views of Kingfisher. We then moved onto another restricted reserve where we spent more time, enjoying…

Last week I was delighted to provide a 2-day bird photography trip for a Dutch client who lives in Madrid.  We had communicated at length and had designed a bespoke trip for him, taking in some very specific locations, in search of some key target species.  His priority was wading birds, gulls and Water Rail. On day-1 we made the short trip from the beautiful city of Valencia to the internationally important wetland of Albufera.  We made a brief stop to admire a family of Booted Eagles that were flying low overhead, searching a nearby rice field for prey. We…

Last week I had the pleasure of providing a bespoke trip to Albufera de Valencia for a couple from Wales. They wanted to spend a day visiting the different ecosystems of this internationally important Natural Park. After I collected from their hotel in Valencia we visited a number of different reserve areas.  At the first stop, after a pleasant walk by the forest we arrived at a hide where we had great views of Avocet, Kingfisher, different waterfowl species and plenty of waders. At the next stop, we enjoyed a picnic lunch in a hide looking over a lagoon where Whiskered…

I recently provided a 2-day bird watching trip from Valencia for an experienced birder from UK.  Colin wanted to discover the birdlife of the region, but only had two available days.  So, we designed a trip that would maximise his time and enjoyment. Day 1 – Albufera Natural Park After a brief coffee stop, we visited a number of natural reserves, where we had great views of  Booted Eagle, Flamingos, Purple Swamphen, Spoonbill, Whiskered Tern and a huge diversity of waders.  Albufera is an excellent site for waders in autumn. After an interesting drive through the rice paddies where we had…

We recently had the pleasure of designing and providing a 2-day guided birding trip for some clients from UK.  They were staying on the Costa Blanca and wanted two days with us, taking in two very different habitats. Day 1 – Albufera de Valencia. On day one, Yanina guided them through the fabulous wetland reserves of Albufera de Valencia.  This time of year is especially interesting as there are still some summer visitors around, such as the Little Bittern and Squacco Heron.  However, many wintering species, especially waders are already here, so the species list can be extensive. Indeed, the…