It’s a shame that Costa Blanca does not get the recognition it deserves when it comes to bird watching. Most people would associate this Spanish region with crowded beaches, lively bars and hotels full of tourists. But there is more to this destination that meets the eye. Find great images of Costa Blanca on the lowcostholidays.com pinterest page.
There are over 350 breeds of bird in the area. Tourists visit Costa Blancawith the hope of spotting the rarest bird species.
But what are the best birds to look out for and where can you find them? See our handy bird guide for tips on seeing the rarest birds in this Spanish region.
The eurasian wryneck.
WHERE TO FIND THEM: This breed of bird can be found in the winter months andis very rare in numbers. The places to spot the eurasian wryneck are in the open woodlands.
From the woodpecker family, the eurasian wryneck feeds on ants, beetles and woodlice. It is this diet which attracts them to the open woodland regions. They can be found in Spain on their migration down to Africa in the cooler months. Their population has decreased in numbers due to the increase of rainfall in Europe.
Although they share similar characteristics of woodpeckers, this bird is more commonly found on the ground.
The lesser flamingo.
WHERE TO FIND THEM: Late at night is the best time to spot the lesser flamingos as they move from swamp to swamp.
A particularly rare breed of flamingo and by far the smallest in the flamingo family, this bird can be sported in the vast nature reserves. These reserves are areas of wetland swamps and marches, which have been created by local officials to protect the wildlife. The areas in the Costa Blanca are perfect for the lesser flamingos who can enjoy the wetlands without being disturbed by the thriving tourist industry.
Before the protected areas, the cleanliness of the water made the Flamingos very vulnerable to water pollution.
The trumpeter finch.
WHERE TO FIND THEM: Dry gorges, are the best places to hunt for this exceptionally rare little bird.
This bird is excellent at camouflaging themselves into the dry landscape. Amidst the rocks and boulders the dark colouring of the trumpeter finch is ideal. The trumpeter finch is originally from Africa and has migrated over to southern Spain around thirty years ago.
Despite the word “trumpet” in its name, the birds’ cry sounds nothing like a trumpet. Bird experts believe it sounds more like a small buzzing noise.
The griffon vulture.
WHERE TO FIND THEM: They reside near the high mountainous areas which surround the region. Just outside the small town of Alcoy would be an ideal place to spot them.
The Costa Blanca mountains are where they nest. Locals and tourists are most likely to see the juvenile griffon vulture’s flying in the sky, as they migrate fearlessly over the region looking to mate.
To stop this predatory bird from hunting near local farms, food conservations filled with dead carcasses have been installed. This allows the hunting griffon vulture to feed on dead animals, as opposed to hunting live prey on the Spanish farms. The average griffon vulture has a wingspan of three and a half metres long.
So there you have it, your guide to bird watching in the Costa Blanca. There certainly is more to this region than the large tourist resorts,such as Benidorm. Some tourists come to Costa Blanca to enjoy the hidden secrets of this region.The mountain views, the picturesque woodlands, the large nature reserves and the excellent vegetation, make this an ideal area for birds and their watchers.
