21st December 2024
The huge wetland of Albufera lies directly between the towns that were devastated by the recent flooding and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, its northern and western sectors have suffered a serious environmental impact. Although there has been a huge clear-up operation, much remains to be done. Many rice fields still contain debris, wrecked cars and mud that was washed down the rivers and canals, and some nature reserve areas have suffered serious damage to their facilities and infrastructure. However, the southern and eastern areas have escaped the worst of the effects, and hold plenty of birds.
The southern rice fields of Albufera
As previously commented, Albufera has being the subject of environmental impact in the past, and has recovered. It will do so again, but only thanks to a relatively small group of dedicated souls. Walking throiugh the elegant city of Valencia, one could be forgiven for being under the impression that nothing has happened, but as for the towns that were hardest hit, the destruction is hard to describe in written word. The conditions that people continue to live under are something akin to a disaster movie, yet the positivity and humanity that shine through is inspirational and serves to restore one’s faith in human nature.
All of this made today’s trip rather emotive, as it was the first since the disaster. We’ve spent time in Albufera and in the region in recent weeks, but not with clients, so I’d taken care to explain to Ellen and Mike from the USA, what had happened here. Experienced birders from the states, they had also spent considerable time in Africa, but hadn’t done much birding in Europe, so were looking forward to seeing the species of the region.
We began by enjoying breakfast together in a local village, before visiting a reserve area where we saw huge gatherings of Eurasian Teal, which were being frequently harrassed by a Marsh Harrier! Other wildfowl included Shelduck, Common Pochard, Red Crested Pochard and Pintail. Greater Flamingo were feeding in a lagoon and the surrounding scrub seemed to be full of Robin, Sardininian Warbler and Chiffchaff. Water levels were obviously higher than usual, so there were not many shorebirds around, although the ever present Little Egrets didn’t disappoint.
Marsh Harrier feeding with Shelduck in the background
We moved on to a saltwater lagoon where we enjoyed views of Little, Great Crested and Black Necked Grebe as well as Greenshank, Common Sandpiper and Kingfisher. Crag Martins were feeding on the wing over the water and both Black Redstart and Stonechat were around in good numbers.
Black Redstart
After lunch, we spent some time driving across the rice fields to the east of the park, all of which were either flooded or semi-flooded as is normal for this time of the year. The ones that were submerged held large gatherings of Coot as well as Black Headed and Lesser Black Backed Gulls, whilst the semi-flooded fields held Great Egret, Lapwing and huge numbers of Glossy Ibis. We also enjoyed views of a Squacco Heron, a species that is normally a summer visitor, although a few stay for the winter each year.
Rice fields with flocks of Glossy Ibis passing over
It had been a pleasure to spend the day with Ellen and Mike, and to be back in Albufera. It’s clear that the area has suffered, but life is returning and as ever, when nature is given a chance, it will flourish again.
Written by Dave Warrington.
Valencia Birding.
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