Birding Valencia

Black-winged Stilt at Marjal dels Moros

Valencia 13 – 20 February

Now back in the UK I can finally complete my report on eight bays in Spain but just the one birding visit on the morning of the 14^th.  Most of the bird life was seen either in the neighbouring scrubland and trees or on the walk down to the park at the hermitage of St Vincent including the small lake. Lots of the common residents were recorded within a few hundred yards of son Richard’s home in Lliria, about ten miles inland from Valencia.  This included Crested Lark, Stonechat, Sardinian Warbler, many Magpies and Collared Doves and Woodpigeons plus a few Spotless Starlings.

The walk down to the park produced White Wagtails, Blackbirds, a Crested Tit, House Sparrows and Sardinian Warbler and on our last visit Black Redstart, Monk Parakeet, Hoopoe, Corn Bunting and Goldfinch.  On the water itself we found Mallards and a few Muscovy Ducks. Whilst in the town of Lliria we came across a handful of Serin feeding on the rough ground at the edge of the car park and then, in the city of Valencia itself, we recorded a couple of Rose-ringed Parakeets.

Some water at Marjal dels Moros and holding Shoveler, Teal and Heron

However, most of the birds were seen on the visit to the coastal reserve of Marjal dels Moros, about five miles north of Valencia.  Like much of Spain, following the extremely prolonged dry weather there was a great shortage of water so many birds not seen, including both Marbled and White-headed Ducks.  On the other hand, what little water that was present had attracted a large number of Shoveler and many Teal plus a good number of Mallard. 

Purple Swamphen with Shoveler behind right

Greeted by a solitary Little Egret in the channel next to the entrance I moved on to take a three mile circuit of the site and found much reedbed and the occasional lake of shallow water.  This habitat also produced a trio of Heron and one pool held a quartet of Black-winged Stilts and a trio of Purple Swamphens to add the pair already recorded.  Similarly, it was lovely to see a resting flock of Lapwing and between these birds and the Teal a passing Black-necked Grebe to add to the already seen Little Grebe.

Teal with a passing Black-necked Grebe in the background

Raptors consisted of a couple of female and a male Marsh Harrier plus a hunting Kestrel. Below them the Moorhens and Coots were keeping open a wary eye above whilst the many Chiffchaffs were busy flitting between the reeds in search of food.  Also present on the edges a few Robins and a Black Redstart.

Female (above) and male Marsh Harrier

Within the extensive reedbeds at least a dozen Cetti’s Warblers were calling long with early Reed Warblers and a Moustached Warbler. Nearing the end of the walk I came across a few Chaffinches and it was certainly lovely to see the handful of Reed Buntings.  Finally, as I started out on the return drive to Llira, I came across a dozen Cattle Egret feeding on a grassy roundabout.  All in all, despite the lack of water, an enjoyable visit and one to be repeated on my next visit to the area.

Resting Lapwing

Birds seen:

Muscovy Duck, Mallard, Shoveler, Teal, Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Heron, Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Moorhen, Purple Swamphen, Coot, Black-winged Stilt, Lapwing, Rock Dove, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Monk Parakeet, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Hoopoe, Crested Lark, White Wagtail, Robin, Black Redstart, Stonechat, Blackbird, Cetti's Warbler, Zitting Cisticola, Reed Warbler, Moustached Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Chiffchaff, Crested Tit, Magpie, Spotless Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Serin, Goldfinch, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting.

Stonechat

Heron

Cormorant

Collared Doves

Purple Swamphen

Teal

Marsh Harrier

Spotless Starlings

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