Yesterday I was delighted to provide a guided birding trip to the mountains of Valencia for returning clients from USA.

Tracie & James are once again spending some time in Valencia as part of her summer work program.

We arrange in advanced to organize a trip for enjoying new and different species of their last trip to Albufera de Valencia.

Despite of the warm weather, the mountains at this time of the year hold a huge range of target species and they were determined to discover.

When I arrived to collect them, I found out that unfortunately Tracie was with too much work to do and this time was only James who was going on the trip.

After a short journey we arrived at the first stop in Serrania de Valencia area. Woodchat Shrike was perched waiting for James´ Photographs. As well as Crested Larks, Sardinian Warbler and the stunning Blue Rock Thrush.

Finally we kept moving with the purpose to enjoy great views of Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Black Wheatear, Alpine Swift and many more.

It was just a quick look to the Black Wheathear before Golden Oriole, Rock Sparrow and Raven kept our attention.

Once we were at the main cliff, first Griffon Vultures were on the view. Meanwhile were waiting for spotting the Egyptian Vultures, we kept enjoying fantastic views of Crag Martins, Alpine Swift and Booted Eagle which are also nesting in the same cliff.

Just a few minutes before we were decided to keep moving, the pair of Egyptian Vultures made a great show displaying near their nest.

We decided to do move forward along a farmland road searching for more raptors, the effort was more than pleased after an amazing view of a Short-toed Eagle flying over us.

Finally we did the last stop… who can resist to a close view of Bee-Eater.

What a magnificent way of ending a lovely and exciting birding day!

The species list of the day includes:

Red-legged Partridge, Common Woodpigeon, European Turtle Dove, Alpine Swift, Common Swift Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Eurasian Hoopoe, European Bee-eater, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Woodchat Shrike, Common Raven, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Great Tit, Crested Lark, Eurasian Crag Martin, Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Common House Martin, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Sardinian Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Common Firecrest, Eurasian Wren, Spotted Flycatcher, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, European Stonechat, Black Wheatear, House Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, White Wagtail, Common Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Greenfinch, European Serin, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting.