Albufera de Valencia in Winter

 Albufera de Valencia in Winter, a great place for birding!

I am going to explain why is worth to visit the Albufera de Valencia in winter and arrange a bird watching tour in Valencia. Last Saturday, I guided Daniel and George to some of the most interesting birding spots in East Spain. I told them the possibility of visiting the Marjal d’Almenara, a small coastal wetland in the border between Valencia and Castellón. The main reason was that an adult Isabelline Shrike was recorded about one week ago. This rarity has been filmed and photographed by dozens of birders during the last week.

We arrived to the area around 9:00 o’clock and it took us approx. 45 minutes to find the Shrike perched in the same spot where it was located the first time by the Bort’s brothers. As we were watching it, the Shrike made some attempts to kill a Chiffchaff but with no luck. During the previous days, some birders have recorder it killing and eating Chiffchaffs and Dragonflies.

Other species seeing in the Marjal d’Almenara were Cetti’s Warbler, Penduline Tit, Marsh and Hen Harrier, Stonechat, Moustached Warbler and other common birds.

Birding in the Albufera de Valencia

Around 11:30 we moved to the Albufera de Valencia to do some seawatching. Daniel was looking forwards to see an Artic Skua as it would be his first one. This winter there has been sightings of different species of seabirds. After a thoroughly search with the scope, we find a Great and an Artic Skua. In addition, other interesting sightings were at least 5 Yelkouan Shearwater mixed amongst more than 600 Balearic Shearwater. Out on the see there were also few Gannets. Mind you that the day before I recorded 1500 Balearic Shearwater in 10 minutes! It was really amazing! The biggest flock of the endangered BS I ever seen! Furthermore, we also spotted a fem/juv Common Scoter and 3 Great Northern Loon which are no common birds in the area. In the seashore there were 400+ Sanderlings mixed with 32 Grey Plovers and few Dunlin.

Finally, we visited the main lagoon to watch hundreds of wildfowl: Red Crested Pochards, Shovellers, Shelducks, etc and. a wintering Booted Eagle. No wonder that all these fantastic birds spend the winter here! with a shiny sun and a temperature of 18ºC, I would do the same 🙂

Should you have enquiere about birding in the Albufera, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Have a nice day

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