Villena, the second largest town in Alicante province, is a hotspot for bird lovers. Birdwatchers can spot a wide variety of species throughout the year.
This makes Villena an ideal destination for anyone interested in nature.
Birdwatching in Villena: Protected land
Villena protects large areas of land. The town joins the European Union’s Natura 2000 network, which preserves birds, plants, and wildlife.
Villena enforces four main types of protection. They cover habitats such as steppes, mountains, and salt flats.
Steppe areas and the Alhorines Valley
The steppe areas, especially the Alhorines Valley, are among the best birdwatching spots in Alicante. At the start of this century, the Lesser Kestrel was successfully reintroduced here. These small falcons nest on old rooftops before swooping over nearby fields.
You may also see pin-tailed sandgrouse, little bustards, stone curlews, Montagu’s harriers, and rarer species like the black-bellied sandgrouse or the impressive Great Bustard.
Mountains and woodlands
The mountains around Villena, Peña Rubia, Picachos de Cabrera, Morrón, and Sierra de Salinas, offer pine forests and holm oak woodlands. Sierra de Salinas is especially well-preserved. Its highest point, La Capilla, stands at 1,238 metres.
From these heights, you might spot Golden Eagles, Eagle Owls, Jays, Wrens, Black Wheatears, and Golden Orioles. At night, lucky visitors may hear the Tawny Owl hooting.
Life in the salt flats
Villena’s salt flats may look empty at first, but they are full of life. The old Villena lagoon was once a busy spot for water birds. Even though it has dried up, a variety of species can still be seen throughout the year.
Keep an eye out for Little-Ringed Plovers, Black-winged Stilts, Fan-tailed Warblers, and Bee-eaters.
