Benidorm birding tours

Benidorm birding tours, are more than a flip-flop holiday!

Benidorm is widely known for its long beaches, warm weather, and skyscrapers. Most of the holiday tours departing from Benidorm are mainly focus on sightseeing the city and nearby towns like Guadalest.  However, there are a lot of Benidorm birding tours and wildlife-watching options (less than one hour drive) and that is what we want to propose to you. For instance, if you go North, on the border with Valencia province is located the Natural Park of Pego Marshes and the surrounding mountains. Inland of Benidorm, you will find the wonderful Aitana mountain, which is the highest in Alicante with 1558 masl.  This is a perfect place for botanizing, birding, and enjoying butterflies.

In the South of Benidorm, there are two stunning birding places, El Fondo de Elche and the Salt Pans of Santa Pola. In addition, close to Alicante is found el Monnegre. It is a very dry area with very interesting species such as Trompet Finch or Black Weather. Finally, the mountains around Alcoi offer a good chance for Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, and Bonelli’s Eagle.

Following, I am writing a short birding trip report from today:

Trip report: bird watching from Benidorm

After greeting Joe and his two friends we set off to the Salt Pans of Santa Pola. I was aware that they were very keen photographers, so I put together a slightly different tour with good chances of photographing birds. As we pulled over the car in the Salinas, the elegant Slender-Billed Gull approached. We took advantage of the bird soaring to get some nice pictures. In addition, Turnstones, Black Winged Stilts, Spoonbills, Great White Egrets, Greater Flamingos, Shelducks, and Water Pipits were also seen. Our second stop in the Salinas, revealed Siskin (it has been a good winter), Dunlins, Little Stint, Black Redstar, Red, and Greenshank. In the nearby pines, Iberian Green Woodpecker screamed.

Before lunch, we drove to El Fondo to see 200+ White-headed Ducks! Many of them are birds that breed in la Mancha but choose el Fondo to winter. Moreover, there were also 150+ Black-necked Grebes, a Penduline Tit, a Purple Swamp-hen, and a Red-knobbed Coot. Then, after having lunch and coffee we drove around the farmland. As a result, we got Iberian Grey Shrike, Booted Eagle, a solitary Crane, and a more than likely Spotted Eagle. Unfortunately, the bird was a bit far but it fitted rightly with its jizz.

Tomorrow, we will continue this birding and photography tour and hopefully, we will get Alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel and Brambling.

All in all, a good variety of wildlife to see while you are on holidays in Benidorm. Whether you are interested in butterflies, orchids, dragonflies or birds, Valencia Region offers possibilities to suit all tastes!

Good birding!

Follow us on Instagram