Although the purpose of this article is to provide practical information following the recent flooding and resulting destruction in the Valencia Region, we must go no further before paying tribute and extending our best wishes and support to the people and families who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma. Apart from practical help that we can offer, our thoughts and respect are with them constantly.
Now, we turn our attention to informing people of the current situation here. Many visitors chose to cancel their trips to the region in the month of November, which of course, under the circumstances, is a decision that we respect and understand. However, it’s important to provide detailed information of what is happening here, and what is still possible for visiting bird watchers.
The City of Valencia and Surrounding Towns
The most severely hit areas include the towns of Requena and Utiel (to the west of Valencia), and the neighbourhoods and adjoining towns that are located to the south and west of the city. The city centre of Valencia, and all of the areas to the north and east of the centre are unaffected and continue to function normally, the only exception being that the city’s Metro system and local trains are currently out of action (at the time f writing). The airport is operating as are local buses and taxis. A few roads to the south and west of the city are closed, but diversions are in place.
Albufera de Valencia
The wetland site of Albufera de Valencia has taken the brunt of the disaster in terms of impacts upon environment and habitat. The Natural Park is still suffering from much higher water levels than usual, and the lagoon and canals are the subject of a major clean-up operation. The nature reserves and visitor centres are currently closed until further notice. Therefore, visits to this site are at the time of writing, impossible.
Many birds have dispersed to other coastal wetlands to the north and south of Albufera. This specific point is well worth focussing on. We are indeed extremely fortunate to have so many other marshes and wetland sites in the region, all of which are visitable and are providing refuge for huge numbers of birds.
The fact that the area has such natural resources has proved to be of very significant importance. There is no doubt that Albufera is facing a huge challenge, but much work is ongoing, and it will recover. It has done so in the past when faced with environmental impacts, and it will do so again.
Other Wetlands of the Region
The Valencia Region is blessed with an extensive system of coastal wetlands that extend along its entire length. All of these wetland sites are visitable. Therefore, the opportunity to enjoy nature tourism in Valencia Region, observing a diverse range of bird species, within high quality wetland habitats, remains unchanged. This applies to all three of the region’s provinces, from Castellon in the north, through Valencia, into Alicante in the south.
Habitat Diversity
Perhaps one of the most significant advantages that the Valencia Region enjoys, as a bird watching destination, is its huge habitat diversity. Using the region’s advanced transport infrastructure, one can easily visit a rich diversity of environments, including salt-marshes, coast, sea cliffs, marine island reserves, farmland, steppe, forests, mountains and Mediterranean desert. All such spaces, which cover thousands of square kilometres, provide habitat for a range of bird species that is as diverse as the region in which they thrive. Therefore, our message is very much that the region remains very much open for business as a high quality bird watching destination with an extremely rich natural diversity. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further information that you may require.
