Valencia, among the 17 self-governing neighborhoods in Spain, has a reputable track record as a leading birding area. The substantial network of seaside wetlands, consisting of the popular L’Albufera de Valencia, are notoriously efficient – and there are quality montane and steppe environments too, all of which use timeless Mediterranean and Iberian birding.
Recently, however, the more list-focused Western Palearctic (WP) birder might be forgiven for being captivated to go to the less most likely birding areas of Valencia and Castellón de la Plana – 2 cities in the province. That’s since 3 Category C types have actually just recently been contributed to the Spanish list based upon populations in the area, and are therefore the only ‘tickable’ birds of their kind in the WP. They are Red-masked Parakeet, Red-whiskered Bulbul and Orange-cheeked Waxbill.
Red-masked Parakeet as developed itself in the area of Valencia, and is now on Category C of the Spanish list (Ed Stubbs).
There is no doubt that presented birds, consisted of on nationwide lists on the basis of being self-sufficient (i.e. ‘Category C’ types), trigger dispute amongst birders. Many deride them as ‘plastic’. The guidelines on what precisely is considered countable are irregular throughout nation borders and there are numerous examples of obviously self-sufficient populations blowing over, therefore triggering the concern of why they were ever considered permissible to a nationwide list. Lady Amherst’s Pheasant in Britain is a good example of this, however there are numerous others throughout Europe and certainly the world.
However, if you remain in the numbers video game when it pertains to birding, then Category C types signify. This is specifically real in the WP. Indeed, more than 35 types are just on the WP list as an outcome of Category C populations. As it takes place, an approaching Birdwatch function will take an in-depth take a look at the status of the WP’s Category C types – here we will focus simply on the ‘brand-new’ local types that are gettable in Valencia.
Red-masked Parakeet
This medium-sized parrot has a relatively restricted variety in south-western Ecuador and north-western Peru. Introduced populations are developed in the U.S.A. in California and Hawaii. A little population has actually existed in Valencia considering that the 1990s, after a couple of got away birds settled in distance to other parrot types (Monk and Ring-necked Parakeets are well developed in numerous Spanish cities, consisting of Valencia).
In the late 2000s the population went beyond 20 people and continued to increase substantially to the point it was contributed to Category C of the Spanish list in 2019. On 17 February this year, no less than 443 were counted flying to roost throughout a SEO/BirdLife unique types census near the Jardines del Real (or Viveros) in the heart of the city. Clearly the types is growing in Valencia, as are the previously mentioned Monk and Ring-necked Parakeets. Red-masked Parakeets have actually been taped nesting in tree holes or building cavities and can sometimes be seen perched incongruously high up on the side of a few of the city’s numerous visually pleasing structures.
While birds rove into the city suburban areas – and even beyond, with a record at Albufera, some 20 km to the south, in 2015 – the core population is discovered around the parks and gardens in centre. Between La Petxina and Mestalla, Red-masked Parakeets can be experienced essentially anywhere, specifically in the 10-km-long Jardins del Túria, a narrow strip of parkland that winds along the old Turia River through the city, though they are far less various than Ring-necked and Monk Parakeets.
The most reputable area is Jardines del Real, positioned right away north of Jardins del Túria and the website of the Museum of Natural Sciences. It is here that the big roost can be experienced at dawn and sunset, with little groups or people dotted about the premises of the gardens throughout the day, frequently feeding discreetly on little fruiting trees.
Incidentally, a small population was likewise present in Barcelona throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, however thisis believed now to be extinct.
Jardines del Real is the very best location to see Red-masked Parakeet, with pre- and post-roost flights noticeable overhead at dawn and sunset (Joan Banjo / Ed Stubbs).
Red-whiskered Bulbul
A typical types in the Indian subcontinent and South-East Asia, Red-whiskered Bulbul is preferred in the cagebird trade due to its singing capabilities. Established populations in the U.S.A. are discovered in Florida, California, and Hawaii, with others on tropical islands such as Mauritius.
While a routine escapee in Europe, populations have actually seldom ended up being developed. In Valencia, nevertheless, there is a self-reliant population plainly based around the old Turia River valley, from the city centre north-west to L’Eliana. Almost equidistant in between the city centre and L’Eliana is a house called La Cañada, which is where the very first sighting in the area was available in March 2003. It has actually increased substantially ever since – in 2012, the population was still approximated at less than 100 people, however a 2022 research study revealed there to be a couple of thousand people in a research study location near to La Cañada. It was contributed to Category C of the Spanish list in 2019.
The types has actually spread out more than 20 km from La Cañada considering that 2003 and is now a familiar bird in much of Valencia. It is unfussy in its environment choices. While the suburban areas hold the core population, it is a regular city centre bird now and, likewise to Red-masked Parakeet, can be discovered along Jardins del Túria, with specific hot-spots consisting of the Bioparc, Parc de Capçalera, Jardín Botánico and Jardines del Real. Less noticeable and present in less numbers in the city than the parakeet, it is a more difficult bird to get in touch with, and might most likely be heard or seen flying overhead.
Red-whiskered Bulbul reproduced in Tenerife in 2001 (a minimum of), however the population there was believed to be temporary, with a lack of subsequent reports.
Orange-cheeked Waxbill
This bring estrildid is belonging to West Africa, from Senegal south to Angola. Popular in captivity, presented populations are developed in parts of the Caribbean, Hawaii and Japan. It has something of a chequered history as a non-native types in Iberia, with different little populations having actually grown and busted down the years, consisting of one near Seville that was approximated to consist of 50-100 sets in the 2000s.
However, it is the establishment of a population in Valencia that caused its admission to Category C of the Spanish list in the 2019. This population is localised – a lot more so than the 2 formerly talked about types – and is centred on the Mijares River that streams in between the cities of Villarreal and Castellón de la Plana into the Mediterranean.
Lagunas del Millars, a series of narrow swimming pools on the north side of the river near to the Almasorra district, is the hot-spot for Orange-cheeked Waxbill. The birds can be evasive, frequently feeding low in long yard, bushes or reeds next to the river. More good environment, as much as the CV-18 roadway bridge, holds birds too, though the types is not plentiful here by any methods.
References
Castany, J, & López-Iborra, G. 1997. Atlas of European Breeding Birds. European Birds Census Council.
Domínguez-Pérez, L, & Gil-Delgado, J. 2022. Population boost of the intrusive red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus in Valencia, Spain. Animal Biodiversity and Conservation. DOI: 10.32800/abc.2022.45.0085.
Keller, V, et al. 2020. European Breeding Bird Atlas 2: Distribution, Abundance and Change. European Bird Council and Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
Rouco, M, et al. 2019. Lista de las aves de España. Edición de 2019. SEO/BirdLife. Madrid.
Sullivan, B L, et al. 2009. eBird: a citizen-based bird observation network in the life sciences. Biological Conservation 142: 2282-2292.
