Trip Report: Canary Islands, April 19-26, 1998
Remco Hofland, Koningstraat 23A, 2316 CC Leiden, The Netherlands,
remcohofland@hetnet.nl and
Teus Luijendijkand, The Netherlands,
luijendijk@mailcity.com
This is a report of our visit to Fuerteventura,
Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Gomera and ElHierro.
It includes a list of bird species recorded, notes on the islands' (sub)species and lists
of sighted mammals, butterflies and dragonflies.
Introduction
When I spotted a last-minute to Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, for FL298 (about £90) on
17th, it meant a perfect opportunity to see a lot of the endemics of the Canaries within a
short period. Leaving Amsterdam early on 19th and returning late on 26th gave us 8 days.
We saw most of the endemics: for some we need to return to La Palma (holding another Blue
Tit and Chaffinch) and Gran Canaria, for one morning of thorough searching wasn't
enough to find polatzeki Blue Chaffinch. Also, we couln't find the Western
Islands' Trumpeter Finch and Lesser Short-toed Lark.
For (brief) preparation we used A birdwatchers guide to the Canary
Islands by Tony Clarke and David Collins and a booklet by Dave Gosney. Both these
books are very helpful, especially the Clarke-book that holds a lot of places to bird, and
deals with each island.
Although most reports mention the good public transport network on at least Tenerife and
Gran Canaria, we decided on renting cars for we had limited time. Also, taking a plane to
and from Fuerteventura can be a good idea, although there might be problems when booking
one in summer on short notice. Because we were fortunate with boats and planes to and from
islands, we were in the position of visiting 5 islands.
Used abbreviations
N = North
S = South
W = West
E = East
ad. = adult(s)
» = direction of flight
Itinerary
Sunday 19th April
Left Schiphol Amsterdam Airport at 5.00,
arriving at Las Palmas, Gran Canaria at 8.20 local time. To our advantage a plane left for
Fuerteventura at 10.15 (one-way this cost 7310 ptas, about £30),
thus saving time on the long boat ride to that island. We also booked in advance for
the Monday evening flight from Fuerteventura to Tenerife. Arrived on Fuerteventura half an
hour later at 10.45. Rental cars on the Canaries vary between 4-5,000 ptas for a day. This
time, a Ford Fiesta for 2 days including insurance set us back 9200 ptas (about
£40). First visit was to Willis's Barranco, about 1 km
from the airport, and the most famous spot for Fuerteventura Chat. By walking through the
dry barranco for about 1,5 km we found a pair of the chats in the back part which was
filled with willows. We returned over the plain to the S of the barranco where we came
across a lot of Lesser Short-toed Larks. The afternoon was spent looking for Blue Tit in
La Oliva, the place where we were hoping to see Houbara Bustards in the evening, on the
spot described by Dave Gosney. This Houbara spot is probably fairly reliable in summer,
when Houbara's come in to the fields near the described farm for the ripe figs,
fallen from the fig trees that are lined along these fields. Needless to say, the figs are
not ripe in April, and waiting near the farm for Houbara's to come in at night at any
other time than summer, is a waste of time. However, they do occur in the area around the
farm, as we found 4 birds nearby. We camped in the sand dunes just N of El Cotillo, on the
W coast of Fuerteventura, and had dinner in this small village. 23°C.
Monday 20th April
Spent the morning birding in the
sand dunes N of El Cotillo, and after that went to Las Peñitas,
a place mentioned in the Clarke book for the degener race of Blue Tit. This
proved a pleasant birding site, where we also encountered Barbary Partridge, Sardinian
Warbler, various finches and our only Plain Tiger Butterfly of the trip. In the afternoon
we checked Catalina Garcia, also described by Tony Clarke, and found Ruddy Shelducks with
young, as well as Short-toed Larks (a rare migrant in the Canaries). Thirsty, and tired of
birding, we went to the E coast for our last couple of hours on Fuerteventura. While I
took a swim at Playa Blanca, Teus discovered 2 odd-looking, long-tailed, all-white birds
flying in from sea past the beach, and chasing each other through Puerto del Rosario
harbour. By that time it was obvious that the birds were Red-billed Tropicbirds, and when
the birds appeared to stick around the harbour, we drove the 3 km out there. At the N part
of the harbour the birds were flying in and out the area between two piers, apparently
without landing on the water. Whether the birds were looking for a nesting site or a
sleeping site, we dont't know, but they didn't seem to notice the on-going work
in the harbour at all. At around 18.00 we left the harbour for the airport, for our plane
to Tenerife left at 20.15. This one cost 9100 ptas (about £
40), and it arrived at Tenerife N (beware, Tenerife has 2 airports!) at 21.00. With our
rental car we drove the 85 km to the S, and we found a pension near Los Christianos
harbour, appropriately called "La Paloma" (The Pigeon), for about
£10 each.
Tuesday 21st Apri
Left early for Villaflor,
about 1.5 hour drive from Los Christianos. At the famous site of Las Lajas Blue
Chaffinches were easily found, as well as teneriffae Blue Tits, Tenerife
Goldcrests, Canarian Chiffchaffs and canariensis Great Spotted Woodpeckers. We
wanted to try both the pigeons on La Gomera, so at Erjos (NW Tenerife) we only visited the
ponds. This site looks very promising, but apart from a lot of Moorhens and some Canarian
Chaffinches we didn't see much. Along the W side of the island we drove back to Los
Christianos to enquire about boats to the other islands, and to find the CICAR rent-a-car
office (which is conveniently located in the boat-ticket-building). Late afternoon
and early evening we birded around Roquito del Fraile and Punta de la Rasca, but although
we saw Little Shearwaters passing by there, we had to leave early for we had to turn in
our car before 20.00 (it gets dark around 20.30). Dinner at "Miramar" restaurant
in Los Christianos harbour (great onion-soup!).
Wednesday 22nd April
Took the ferry to La Gomera (9.00-10.30), but apart
from 1 Little Shearwater didn't see much else. Rented a car for the day and drove to
Mirador El Rejo, the place described in the Clarke book as being the most accessible
pigeon site in the Canaries. With no clouds, we saw both pigeons easy here within 2 hours.
Since it was apparently nesting nearby, perched views of Bolle's Pigeon were obtained
several times, just across the road from the parking. White-tailed (Laurel) Pigeons were
more difficult to see (flying or perched) but these were also seen on a regular basis.
After that, we stopped at various other sites along the road for birding and butterflying
before returning to the harbour. We were lucky in finding that a ferry would leave for El
Hierro that afternoon, although it would go back to Tenerife first, and then head for El
Hierro (same price as the return-fare to Tenerife). Left La Gomera at 17.30, arriving at
Tenerife around 19.10. Around 20.00 left for El Hierro, and it got dark just while passing
La Gomera. On that spot, where it was very windy, we saw 2 Madeiran Storm-Petrels, of
which 1 was seen briefly and the other just a bit longer. It is possible to get a cabin on
this ferry, but we slept in the chairs and used the shower anyway. Arrived at El Hierro at
23.45, took a taxi to Valverde, some 5 km from the harbour, and stayed the night in
Pension Casadas (3000 ptas for 2).
Thursday 23rd April
Got up at 8.00, but rent-a-cars weren't open
'till 9.20. According to the Clarke book, driving the road from Valverde to Frontera
will get you the ombriosus Blue Tit and the ombriosa Chaffinch, so that is
what we did. With fog, green pastures and small stone walls, the first part of this drive
looked a bit like Ireland, but the species found here were a little different (Corn
Bunting, Quail, Canary, Rock Sparrow and Canarian Chiffchaff). From the first woods on
both sides of the road (at K23) the Blue Tits were easy, and further along we also saw
some Chaffinches. All throughout the woods, Blackbird, Canarian Chiffchaff, Blue Tit and
Tenerife Goldcrest are common. The town of Restinga, situated on the S-most point of the
island is mentioned in the book as being one of the better sites for seawatching in the
Canaries, so we drove all the way out there. We only had one hour's time, but left
earlier, for we could not find a good spot to watch from. The big concrete wall sheltering
the harbour has no stairs so that one can't watch from it. At 14.45 we took the
return ferry to Tenerife, that also stops at La Gomera (14.45-17.45 El Hierro-La Gomera;
18.30-20.00 La Gomera-Tenerife). In all we saw 6 Little Shearwaters, 1 White-faced
Storm-Petrel and a possible Bulwer's Storm-Petrel, along with 2 Black Terns and a
Plain Swift flying low above water. Stayed at same "La Paloma" Pension in Los
Christianos.
Friday 24th April
Started the day with seawatching from Punta de la Rasca
and checking Roquito del Fraile, then searching for migrants around Amarillo Golf Course
and El Medano pool (all places described in the Clarke-book). Migrants we didn't
find, but we met Tony Clarke who told us he'd seen more White-faced Storm-Petrels
than usual during the last couple of weeks. In the afternoon, we took one of the
whale-watching tours out of Los Christianos and got great views of the Pilot Whales that
we had already seen from Punta de la Rasca. These 4m-long whales could be seen from above
and below water level because of the glass bottom in the boat. In early evening, we drove
to Santa Cruz de Tenerife to inquire about ferry times to Gran Canaria, and then we drove
on to Bajamar, near Punta del Hidalgo. Stayed at Hotel Neptuno (3800 ptas for 2) and dined
at Chelo Restaurant (best-ever onion soup!).
Saturday 25th April
3 hours of seawatching from Punta del Hidalgo in early
morning produced no Canary specialties, but some migration such as Manx' Shearwater,
Black Tern, Whimbrel and Great Skua passing by. According to the Clarke-book, nearby
Chanajiga should be a great pigeon-site, when there aren't any low clouds to spoil
the fun. We certainly were not disappointed, and with good visibility for most of the time
we saw Bolle's Pigeons (only fly-by's), superbus Robins, Tenerife
Goldcrests, Sparrowhawk, Canaries and a number of lizards and butterflies. Between 17.00
and 19.15 we were on the ferry to Gran Canaria, where we landed at Agaete, on the W side
of the island. It was possible to take a (free) bus to Las Palmas, but we were told on
Tenerife that finding a rent-a-car would be easy in Agaete (not!) so we didn't use
it. After finding the rent-a-car we were told that it was not possible to return the car
at the airport (not even with extra charge - earlier this trip we didn't have any
difficulty in returning the car elsewhere) and that our only alternative was to return the
car to Agaete, after which we would have to take the bus to Las Palmas and from there on
to the airport. On top of it all, the only car they had for us was a SEAT Marbella! We had
no choice then to have dinner in Agaete, and then drive the 2 hours via Galdar, Guia and
Arucas to Pinar de Tamadaba, the place where we wanted to try for polatzeki Blue
Chaffinch. This Gran Canaria subspecies of Blue Chaffinch is endangered and very hard to
find, as we experienced, and in our Clarke book only two spots are described where one can
see one. We stayed in and next to our car, on the Pinar de Tamadaba parking lot.<
Sunday 26th April
At the brink of dawn we got up and tried various
paths on the mountain in search for Blue Chaffinch. We found some singing Canarian
Chaffinches, but no Blue Chaffinches. On our way down the mountain we found some nice
butterflies, and through Fontanales and Moya (a short-cut compared to the road we took the
previous evening) we drove back to Agaete. There we took the 13.30 bus to Las Palmas,
which at the bus station gave instant connection to the airport-bus. Around 15.00 we
arrived at the airport, almost 4 hours early, and that with a delayed flight!
- Red-billed Tropicbird - Roodsnavelkeerkringvogel - Phaeton aethereus
20-4 pair flying in from sea along Playa Blanca, and displaying in the harbour of
Puerto del Rosario, E Fuerteventura
- Bulwer's Petrel - Bulwers Stormvogel - Bulweria bulwerii
22-4 1 seen from the ferry between La Gomera and Tenerife, about 18.00
25-4 1 seen from the ferry between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, about 18.15
- Cory's Shearwater - Kuhls Pijlstormvogel - Calonectris borealis
19-4 100+ past El Cotillo in the evening, Fuerteventura
20-4 common off El Cotillo; 300+ within 1 hour of
seawatching, Las Salinas; 500+ off Playa Blanca, 2 km N of
Puerto del Rosario; 100's off the airport, E Fuerteventura
21-4 100's (»W) past Punta de la Rasca, S Tenerife
22-4 100+ between Tenerife and La Gomera; 1000+ between La Gomera and Tenerife; about 30
between Tenerife and El Hierro
23-4 about 40 past Restinga (within half an hour); 100's between El Hierro and La
Gomera (except for the middle of the crossing); 100's between La Gomera and Tenerife
24-4 3000+ past Punta de la Rasca; 25 'whale-watching' near Los Christianos,
Tenerife
25-4 5000+ past Punta del Hidalgo; 70 (of which only 17 on the crossing itself) between
Tenerife and Gran Canaria
26-4 several past the airport (also seen from the plane), Gran Canaria
- Manx' Shearwater - Noordse Pijlstormvogel - Puffinus puffinus
25-4 8 (7 »E) flying past Punta del Hidalgo, N Tenerife,
early morning
- Little Shearwater - Kleine Pijlstormvogel - Puffinus assimilis baroli
21-4 6 flying past » W at Punta de la Rasca, S Tenerife
between 16.00-17.45
22-4 1 seen from the ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera, around 9.30
-- 2 seen from the ferry between La Gomera and Tenerife, around 19.00
23-4 1 seen from the ferry between El Hierro and La Gomera, around 16.30
-- 5 seen from the ferry between La Gomera and Tenerife, between 18.30-20.00
25-4 1 seen from the ferry between Tenerife and Gran Canaria, around 18.50
- Madeiran Storm-Petrel - Madeira Stormvogeltje - Oceanodroma castro
22-4 2 seen from the ferry between Tenerife and El Hierro at dusk.
They were larger than British Storm-Petrel, had a clear white rump, appeared to have
shorter wings than Leach's Storm-Petrel, and they made sharp turns to the left and
right while flying low above the water.
- White-faced Storm-Petrel - Bont Stormvogeltje - Pelagodroma marina
23-4 1 seen from the ferry between El Hierro and La Gomera
It had long dark wings, a white belly, white rump-sides but a dusky rump. The facial
pattern was not seen well. Seen at about 17.00.
- Little Egret - Kleine Zilverreiger - Egretta garzetta
19-4 1 Las Salinas, seen from the incoming plane, Fuerteventura
20-4 1 at the rocky shores just N of El Cotillo, Fuerteventura;
-- presumably same one at Las Salinas, S of Fustes
24-4 7 reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club, near Los Abrigos, S Tenerife
- Grey Heron - Blauwe Reiger - Ardea cinerea
20-4 2 at the rocky shores just N of El Cotillo, Fuerteventura
24-4 2 Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
- Ruddy Shelduck - Casarca - Tadorna ferruginea
20-4 pair with (at least) 3 chicks, Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
- Common Teal - Wintertaling - Anas crecca crecca
21-4 male at Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
24-4 same one Roquito del Fraile
- Eurasian Sparrowhawk - Sperwer - Accipiter nisus granti
22-4 1 Mirador El Rejo, La Gomera
23-4 1 K23 along the road between Valverde and Frontera, El Hierro
25-4 1 Chanajiga forest, N Tenerife
- Common Buzzard - Buizerd - Buteo buteo insularum
19-4 2 Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura
21-4 1 small chapel along the road, N of Arguayo, W Tenerife
22-4 1 perched on a rock, Mirador El Rejo, La Gomera
23-4 1 near Restinga turn-off, El Hierro
- Common Kestrel - Torenvalk - Falco tinnunculus canariensis &
dacotiae (Fuerteventura)
Fairly common on all visited islands, several seen each day. More common on El Hierro.
- Barbary Partridge - Barbarijse Patrijs - Alectoris barbara koenigi
20-4 5 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 2 flying from the hillside at a small chapel, N of Arguayo, NW Tenerife
- Quail - Kwartel - Coturnix coturnix
23-4 3 heard in fields near San Andres; 1 heard along the road to Frontera; 4 heard
along the road to Restinga, El Hierro
26-4 1 heard near Fontanales, W Gran Canaria
- Moorhen - Waterhoen - Gallinula chloropus
21-4 12 Erjos ponds, NW Tenerife
- Common Coot - Meerkoet - Fulica atra
21-4 29 Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
24-4 27 (of which 5 were nesting) Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
- Houbara Bustard - (Westelijke) Kraagtrap - Chlamydotis undulata fuerteventurae
19-4 4 near the farm, just NW of La Oliva, Fuerteventura
- Stone Curlew - Griel - Burhinus oedicnemus insularum
20-4 2 heard at night and 1 seen in the morning, in the dunes N of El Cotillo,
Fuerteventura
- Cream-coloured Courser - Renvogel - Cursorius cursor
19-4 2 near the farm just NW of La Oliva, Fuerteventura
- Little Ringed Plover - Kleine Plevier - Charadrius dubius
20-4 2 Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
21-4 pair with 2 pulli, small puddle next to banana plantation, Las Galletas; 5 Roquito
del Fraile, Tenerife
23-4 pair with 3 pulli, same spot; 1 Roquito del Fraile; 1 Amarillo Golf Club, S Tenerife
- Kentish Plover - Strandplevier - Charadrius alexandrinus
19-4 male on El Cotillo beach, W Fuerteventura
20-4 4 El Cotillo; 2 Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
24-4 3 opposite El Medano pool, S Tenerife
- Grey Plover - Zilverplevier - Pluvialis squatarola
19-4 1 El Cotillo beach, W Fuerteventura
20-4 1 Las Salinas, S of Fustes
24-4 1 Punta de la Rasca; 1 Bajamar, Tenerife
- Sanderling - Drieteenstrandloper - Calidris alba
19-4 8 on El Cotillo beach, W Fuerteventura
20-4 3 El Cotillo
- Little Stint - Kleine Strandloper - Calidris minuta
21-4 1 Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
24-4 same one at Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
- Ruff - Kemphaan - Philomachus pugnax
20-4 1 Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
- Whimbrel - Regenwulp - Numenius phaeopus
19-4 4 on El Cotillo beach and sand dunes, W Fuerteventura
20-4 10 El Cotillo
21-4 2 at Punta de la Rasca, where also 100+ flew » N; 6 past
Los Christianos, Tenerife
22-4 80+ »NW between Tenerife and La Gomera
24-4 1 near banana plantation and 2 Punta de la Rasca, Las Galletas, Tenerife
25-4 10 (4,4,1,1) past Punta del Hidalgo, N Tenerife
- Common Sandpiper - Oeverloper - Actitis hypoleucos
20-4 1 Las Salinas, S of Fustes, Fuerteventura
22-4 1 harbour Los Christianos, Tenerife
24-4 1 reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club, S Tenerife
- Turnstone - Steenloper - Arenaria interpres
19-4 20-25 El Cotillo beach, W Fuerteventura
20-4 5-7 El Cotillo; 1 Las Salinas, S of Fustes
21-4 3 Roquito del Fraile, Tenerife
22-4 8 harbour Los Christianos, Tenerife
23-4 2 harbour El Hierro
25-4 5 Punta del Hidalgo, Tenerife
- Great Skua - Grote Jager - Stercorarius skua
22-4 1 ad. between La Gomera and Tenerife
25-4 1 ad. »E past Punta del Hidalgo, N Tenerife; 1 ad. »S
between Tenerife and Gran Canaria
South Polar/Great Skua - Zuidpool/Grote Jager - Catharacta
maccormicki/Stercorarius skua
21-4 1 past Punta de la Rasca »E was too far out to identify
to species
- Pomarine Skua - Middelste Jager - Stercorarius pomarinus
22-4 1 between Tenerife and El Hierro
- Yellow-legged Gull - Mediterrane Geelpootmeeuw - Larus michahellis michahellis
25-4 1 adult flying around in the harbour of Punto des Nieves, Gran Canaria
-- ssp. atlantis
Common on all visited islands. Breeding on rocky cliffs, the birds were more common on
the shores, but were also found inland, up to the highest crags.
- Common Tern - Visdief - Sterna hirundo
21-4 3 (1 pair) harbour Los Christianos,Tenerife
22-4 4 (1 pair) harbour Los Christianos,Tenerife
23-4 1 harbour El Hierro; 3 (including 1 heavily oiled) harbour San Sebastian, La Gomera;
pair harbour Los Christianos, Tenerife
24-4 pair harbour Los Christianos and 1 flying by, 'whale-watching'-tour,
Tenerife
25-4 2 of which 1 was heavily oiled, harbour Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Common/Arctic Tern - Visdief/Noordse Stern - Sterna hirundo/paradisaea
25-4 4 past Punta del Hidalgo were too far out to identify to species
- Sandwich Tern - Grote Stern - Sterna sanvicensis
25-4 2 in the harbour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Black Tern - Zwarte Stern - Chlidonias niger
23-4 2 from the ferry between La Gomera and Tenerife
25-4 2 flying »E past Punta del Hidalgo, NE Tenerife; 1 from
the ferry between Tenerife and Gran Canaria
- Black-bellied Sandgrouse - Zwartbuikzandhoen - Pterocles orientalis
20-4 7-10 in the dunes N of El Cotillo, W Fuerteventura (perched, flying and heard)
- Rock Dove - Rotsduif - Columba livia
20-4 2 Tefia; 2 Barranco de la Torre, Fuerteventura
21-4 6 Las Lajas, Tenerife
- Bolle's (Laurel) Pigeon - Bolle's Laurierduif - Columba bollii
22-4 25 sightings within 2 hours, of which one bird perched many times opposite the
parking, calling from a tree (probably a nesting bird), Mirador El Rejo;
-- 3 Mirador El Bailadero, La Gomera;
-- 5 flushed at the "El Cedro" turn-off were probably this species
25-4 4 sightings within 2,5 hours, Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Laurel/White-tailed Pigeon - Laurierduif - Columba junoniae
22-4 6 sightings of which 2 were perched birds and 2 close fly-by's, Mirador El
Rejo, La Gomera
- Collared Dove - Turkse Tortel - Streptopelia decaocto
21-4 1 Arguayo; 2 Los Christianos, Tenerife
22-4 2 Los Christianos, Tenerife
24-4 2 in the laureltrees along the harbour, Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Turtle Dove - Zomertortel - Streptopelia turtur
Common on all visited islands (though not seen on E Fuerteventura, on 19-4)
- Pallid Swift - Vale Gierzwaluw - Apus pallidus brehmorum
19-4 5-10 Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura
20-4 10+ Tuineje; several Barranco de la Torre; 3 over
airport, Fuerteventura<
- Plain Swift - Madeiragierzwaluw - Apus unicolor
21-4 3 Erjos ponds; 30+ over small chapel N of Arguayo; 30+ S of Guia de Isora; 1
Punta de la Rasca, Tenerife
22-4 10 harbour San Sebastian; 2 sewage works W of San Sebastian, La Gomera
23-4 23 at "Vivero forestal. Hoya del creal"-turn-off, between Valverde and
Frontera
-- 20+ at El Pinar, El Hierro
-- 1 flying low above water between La Gomera and Tenerife
24-4 4 reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club; 3 at the club itself; 3 along the road to Santa
Cruz, Tenerife
25-4 25+ Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 4 Pinar de Tamadaba; 20+ near Fontanales turn-off, W Gran Canaria
- Hoopoe - Hop - Upupa epops
19-4 1 Willis's Barranco; 2 along the road near La Oliva; 2 El Cotillo sand
dunes, Fuerteventura
20-4 2 El Cotillo; 2 Las Peñitas, W Fuerteventura
24-4 1 reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club, Tenerife
- Great Spotted Woodpecker - Grote Bonte Specht - Dendrocopos major canariensis
21-4 1 calling, 1 km N of Villaflor; 3 pairs (of which 1 pair was ringed) Las Lajas,
Tenerife
-- ssp. thanneri
26-4 about 10 Pinar de Tamadaba forest, W Gran Canaria
- Short-toed Lark - Kortteenleeuwerik - Calandrella brachydactyla rubiginosa
20-4 5 Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
- Lesser Short-toed Lark - Kleine Kortteenleeuwerik - Calandrella rufescens
polatzeki
19-4 50+ plain just S of Willis's Barranco, E
Fuerteventura
20-4 common in the sand dunes just N of El Cotillo; 3 S of La Ampuyenta; several at small
pools E of Betancuria, Fuerteventura
- Barn Swallow - Boerenzwaluw - Hirundo rustica
24-4 4 banana plantation near Roquito del Fraile
- Berthelot's Pipit - Berthelot's Pieper - Anthus berthelotii
Common on all visited islands,especially on the plains. Also found in the pine forest
at Pinar de Tamadaba, where they were singing from the trees.
- Grey Wagtail - Grote Gele Kwikstaart - Motacilla cinerea canariensis
21-4 1 heard near Villaflor; 2 S of Guia de Isora; 1 heard near banana plantation, Las
Galletas, Tenerife
24-4 pair at reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club, Tenerife
25-4 1 heard between Bajamar and Chanajiga, NE Tenerife
- Robin - Roodborst - Erithacus rubecula rubecula
22-4 2 heard singing, Mirador El Rejo, La Gomera
23-4 3 heard singing, roadside San Andres, El Hierro
-- ssp. superbus
25-4 8+ singing Chanajiga forest (2 seen), NE Tenerife
26-4 common Pinar de Tamadaba forest, W Gran Canaria
- Canary Islands/Fuerteventura Chat - Canarische Roodborsttapuit - Saxicola
dacotiae
19-4 pair at Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura
20-4 1 heard in early morning, dunes just N of El Cotillo, W Fuerteventura;
male carrying food, Barranco de la Torre, E Fuerteventura
- Black Redstart - Zwarte Roodstaart - Phoenicurus ochruros aterrimus
19-4 male on the farmhouse just NW of La Oliva, Fuerteventura
- Blackbird - Merel - Turdus merula cabrerae
21-4 1 heard Los Christianos; 1 Villaflor; common around Erjos ponds, Tenerife
22-4 common Mirador El Rejo; common El Cedro turn-off, La Gomera
23-4 common in suitable habitat, El Hierro
24-4 several heard in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
25-4 common Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 common W Gran Canaria
- Garden Warbler - Tuinfluiter - Sylvia borin
20-4 1 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
- Blackcap - Zwartkop - Sylvia atricapilla
22-4 2 heard Hermigua, La Gomera
23-4 several Valverde; pair at "Vivero forestal.." turn-off between Valverde and
Frontera, El Hierro
24-4 1 heard reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club; several heard Santa Cruz de Tenerife,
Tenerife
25-4 several heard between Bajamar and Chanajiga, NE Tenerife
- Sardinian Warbler - Kleine Zwartkop - Sylvia melanocephala
20-4 about 10 heard singing, male and female seen, Las Peñitas,
Fuerteventura
21-4 male Erjos ponds, Tenerife
- Spectacled Warbler - Brilgrasmus - Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis
19-4 3 Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura
20-4 1 Tefia; singing male Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 5 between banana plantation and lighthouse, Punta de la Rasca, S Tenerife
24-4 3 singing males and 1 female, between banana plantation and Punta de la Rasca; 2
reservoir N of Amarillo Golf Club, Tenerife
26-4 1 heard 1 km W of Artenara, W Gran Canaria
- Canarian Chiffchaff - Canarische Tjiftjaf - Phylloscopus canariensis canariensis
21-4 1 near Villaflor; 8 Las Lajas; common around Erjos ponds; 1 heard Los
Christianos, Tenerife
22-4 several in suitable habitat, La Gomera
23-4 common in suitable habitat, El Hierro
24-4 heard along the harbour in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
25-4 common Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 common W Gran Canaria
- Tenerife Goldcrest - Tenerifegoudhaan - Regulus teneriffae
21-4 7 Las Lajas, Tenerife
22-4 several Mirador El Rejo; several El Cedro turn-off, La Gomera
23-4 5 K23 along the road between Valverde and Forestal; common in the forest along this
road, El Hierro
25-4 about 8 Chanajiga forest parking, NE Tenerife
- Blue Tit - Pimpelmees - Parus (caeruleus) teneriffae
21-4 2 singing Villaflor; 6-8 Las Lajas, Tenerife
22-4 3 El Cedro turn-off, La Gomera
25-4 about 8 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 common W Gran Canaria
-- Parus (caeruleus) degener
20-4 about 12 (in family-groups) Las Peñitas,
Fuerteventura
-- Parus (caeruleus) ombriosus
23-4 1 immature Valverde, El Hierro; 3 at kmp 23 between Valverde and Frontera (first
forest on either side of the road); common at the turn-off called "Vivero forestal.
Hoya del creal" (along the same road), El Hierro
- Southern Grey Shrike - Zuidelijke Klapekster - Lanius meridionalis koenigi
19-4 4 Willis's Barranco; 1 La Oliva, Fuerteventura
20-4 2 lava field N of El Cotillo; 2 Lajares; 1 small pools E of Betancuria; 6 Las
Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 1 between banana plantation and lighthouse, Punta de la Rasca, S Tenerife
24-4 1 near banana plantation and 2 Roquito del Fraile, S Tenerife
- Common Raven - Raaf - Corvus corax
19-4 5 Willis's Barranco; 1 La Oliva, Fuerteventura
20-4 2 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 2 Las Lajas, Tenerife
22-4 1 Mirador de El Bailadero; 1 sewage works W of San Sebastian, La Gomera
23-4 7 El Hierro
26-4 pair Pinar de Tamadaba forest, W Gran Canaria
- Rock Sparrow - Rotsmus - Petronia petronia
23-4 5 around the turn-off »Restinga, El Hierro
- Spanish Sparrow - Spaanse Mus - Passer hispaniolensis
Common on all islands, in towns and barranco's. The only representative of the
Passer genus we saw.
- Canarian Chaffinch - Canarische Vink - Fringilla (coelebs) canariensis
21-4 6 Erjos ponds, Tenerife
25-4 5 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 3 singing along the track into the forest, Pinar de Tamadaba; 1 singing opposite
Fontanales turn-off, W Gran Canaria
-- ssp. ombriosa
23-4 pair at turn-off "Vivero forestal. Hoya del creal", El Hierro
- Blue Chaffinch - Blauwe Vink - Fringilla teydea teydea
21-4 8 (2 males) Las Lajas, Tenerife
- Canary - Kanarie - Serinus canaria
21-4 5 Villaflor; 6-8 Las Lajas; 15+ Erjos ponds, Tenerife
22-4 pair Mirador El Rejo; pair Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
23-4 common on El Hierro
25-4 2 pairs Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 several heard Pinar de Tamadaba forest; pair in the crater near Fontanales turn-off,
W Gran Canaria
- Serin - Europese Kanarie - Serinus serinus
26-4 1 singing at kmp 13 along the "GC 160" (1 km S of San Fernando), Gran
Canaria
- Linnet - Kneu - Acanthis cannabina harterti
19-4 pair on the plain just S of Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura; pair La
Oliva, Fuerteventura
20-4 3 sand dunes, El Cotillo; 2 S of La Ampuyenta; 5 Catalina Garcia, Fuerteventura
-- ssp. meadewaldoi
21-4 1 Villaflor; several Erjos ponds; common Santiago del Teide; several S of Guia de
Isora, Tenerife
23-4 5 roadside at San Andres, El Hierro
- Goldfinch - Putter - Carduelis carduelis parva
20-4 3 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
- Greenfinch - Groenling - Carduelis chloris
20-4 2 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
25-4 2 heard singing Chanajiga forest picknick area, NE Tenerife
26-4 2, 1 km W of Artenara; several kmp 13 along "Gran Canaria 160", W Gran
Canaria
- Trumpeter Finch - Woestijnvink - Bucanetes githagineus
19-4 5 males Willis's Barranco; 1 La Oliva, Fuerteventura
20-4 1 sand dunes El Cotillo; 3 Las Peñitas,
Fuerteventura
- Corn Bunting - Grauwe Gors - Miliaria calandra thanneri
20-4 10 (5 singing males)S of La Ampuyenta; 5 small pools E of Betancuria,
Fuerteventura
21-4 4 singing Villaflor; 2 singing Santiago del Teide, Tenerife
23-4 common in suitable habitat (i.e. San Andres, along road to Restinga), El Hierro
26-4 several between Pinar de Tamadaba and Fontanales, W Gran Canaria
- Barbary Ground Squirrel - Barbarijse Grondeekhoorn - Atlantoxerus getulus
(introduced)
19-4 several Willis's Barranco, E Fuerteventura
20-4 several Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
- Rabbit - Konijn - Oryctolagus cuniculus
23-4 1 "Vivero forestal..." turn-off between Valverde and Frontera, El
Hierro
- Shortsnout (Fraser's) Dolphin - Witsnuitdolfijn - Lagenodelphis hosei
(All fairly large dolphins - some 4 m - with short snouts were probably this species)
21-4 12 (10+2) past Punta de la Rasca, S Tenerife
22-4 10 from ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera; 10 from ferry between Tenerife and El
Hierro
- Shortfin Pilot Whale - Indische Griend - Globiocephala macrorhynchus
22-4 14 from ferry between Tenerife and La Gomera; 34 (30+4) from ferry between La
Gomera and Tenerife
23-4 9 (including 1 calf) from ferry between La Gomera and Tenerife
24-4 7 »N past Punta de la Rasca; 14 up close from a
'whale-watching' tour, about 8 km offshore, Los Christianos, Tenerife
- Marsh Frog - Rana perezi
26-4 several heard Pinar de Tamadaba forest, W Gran Canaria
- Gran Canaria Giant Lizard - Gallotia stehlini
26-4 several Pinar de Tamadaba forest; 1 crater near Fontanales turn-off, W Gran
Canaria
- Canary Lizard - Gallotia galloti
20-4 several Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 several small chapel N of Arguayo, NW Tenerife
25-4 several Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
-- Gallotia sp. (about 15-20 cm-long lizards)
24-4 1 Amarillo Golf Club, S Tenerife
25-4 several Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Large White - Canarisch Groot Koolwitje - Pieris brassicae cheiranthi
21-4 10+ Santiago del Teide, Tenerife
22-4 1 Mirador El Rejo; several Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
23-4 several El Pinar, El Hierro
25-4 several Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
Note! Some of the Large Whites could be misidentified (and actually have been Small
Whites)
- Small White - Klein Koolwitje - Artogeia/Pieris rapae
22-4 several Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
23-4 several El Pinar, El Hierro
24-4 7 Roquito del Fraile; common near Amarillo Golf Club, Tenerife
25-4 several Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Bath White - Resedawitje - Pontia daplidice
20-4 1 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
21-4 several N of Arguayo; common S of Guia de Isora; several Roquito del Fraile, Tenerife
22-4 several along the road » S, La Gomera
25-4 common Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife; 2 from the ferry (in open sea) between Tenerife
and Gran Canaria
26-4 common W Gran Canaria
- Clouded Yellow - Oranje Luzerne - Colias crocea
22-4 2 Mirador El Rejo; 3+ Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
23-4 several El Pinar, El Hierro
26-4 1, 1 km W of Artenara; several picknick-area and crater near Fontanales turn-off, W
Gran Canaria
- Cleopatra - 'Zuidelijke Citroenvlinder' - Gonopteryx cleopatra cleobule
22-4 male Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
25-4 4 males, 2 females Chanajiga forest, Ne Tenerife
- Small Copper - Kleine Vuurvlinder - Lycaena phlaeas phlaeas
22-4 3 Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
25-4 3 Chanajiga forest, Ne Tenerife
26-4 2 crater near Fontanales turn-off, W Gran Canaria
- (Southern) Brown Argus - (Zuidelijk) Bruin Blauwtje - Aricia (agestis) cramera
25-4 1 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Red Admiral - Atalanta - Vanessa atalanta
25-4 3 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 several Pinar de Tamadaba forest, W Gran Canaria
- Indian Red Admiral - 'Canarische Atalanta' - Vanessa indica vulcania
22-4 2 Mirador El Rejo; several Mirador de El Bailadero; 1 El Cedro turn-off, La
Gomera
25-4 4 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Painted Lady - Distelvlinder - Cynthia cardui
22-4 1 Mirador de El Bailadero, La Gomera
- Meadow Brown - Bruin Zandoogje - Maniola jurtina hispulla
22-4 1 along the road » S, La Gomera
- Canary Speckled Wood - Canarisch Bont Zandoogje - Parage xiphioides
22-4 5+ Mirador El Rejo; several Mirador de El Bailadero; several El Cedro turn-off,
La Gomera
25-4 5 Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
26-4 several Pinar de Tamadaba forest and 1 km W of Artenara, W Gran Canaria
- Monarch - Monarchvlinder - Danaus plexippus
24-4 1 in the old laurel trees along the harbour of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- Plain Tiger Butterfly - Afrikaanse Monarch - Danaus chrysippus
20-4 1 Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
- Lulworth Skipper - Dwergdikkopje - Thymelias acteon christi
26-4 2, 1 km W of Artenara, W Gran Canaria
Heath spec. - Hooibeestje spec. - Coenonympha spec.
(Probably Coenonympha arcanioides which is a North African species that is
reminiscent of
Pearly Heath - Tweekleurig Hooibeestje - Coenonympha arcania)
21-4 2 Las Lajas; 1 small chapel N of Arguayo, Tenerife
26-4 1, 1 km W of Artenara, W Gran Canaria
- Emperor Dragonfly - Grote Keizerlibel - Anax imperator
20-4 several Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
25-4 several Chanajiga forest, NE Tenerife
- Red-veined Darter - Zwervende Heidelibel - Sympetrum fonscolombii
20-4 several Las Peñitas, Fuerteventura
- Sparrowhawk - Sperwer - Accipiter nisus granti
No obvious differences were noted between this and nominate European form.
- Common Buzzard - Buizerd - Buteo buteo insularum
No obvious differences were noted.
- Kestrel - Torenvalk - Falco tinnunculus canariensis
No obvious differences were noted.
- Barbary Partridge - Barbarijse Patrijs - Alectoris barbara koenigi
No obvious differences were noted.
- Houbara Bustard - Kraagtrap - Chlamydotis undulata fuerteventurae
Birds are darker on the mantle than the North-African race undulata. According to the
literature, they should also be smaller.
- Pallid Swift - Vale Gierzwaluw - Apus pallidus brehmorum
Birds are paler on the hindwing than Southern European and Middle Eastern subspecies.
- Great Spotted Woodpecker - Grote Bonte Specht - Dendrocopos major
canariensis
This Tenerife-race of Great Spotted Woodpecker is duskier on the underparts and has
more extensive red on the vent and especially on the back of the head.
-- Dendrocopos major thanneri
This (Gran Canaria) subspecies should have more creamy underparts, but this was not
very obvious.
- Short-toed Lark - Kortteenleeuwerik - Calandrella brachydactyla rubiginosa
The birds we saw were very rufous, especially on the cap, so they probably belonged to
this North-African race. Normally they are rare migrants on the Canaries, so these
Short-toed Larks might have been vagrants when they belonged to the North African race.
- Lesser Short-toed Lark - Kleine Kortteenleeuwerik - Calandrella rufescens
polatzeki
Much individual variation was seen amongst different groups of birds. Some had more
diffuse streaking on the breast, some more pronounced streaking. In some birds, there was
obvious black on the malar stripe, almost like Short-toed Lark.
- Grey Wagtail - Grote Gele Kwikstaart - Motacilla cinerea canariensis
Only a slight green wash is visible on the mantle, and for that one has to watch very
carefully. The folded wing is darker than that of the European subspecies, though.
- Robin - Roodborst - Erithacus (rubecula) superbus
This bird seems to be an entirely different species. It is very light on the belly,
the orange breast is smaller and more well-defined and its song is more like a cross
between Song Thrush and Nightingale. Its song lacks the melodious tones of the European
Robin, and consists of short, often repeated phrases.
- Blackbird - Merel - Turdus merula cabrerae
No obvious differences were noted, except for the fact that the females are darker,
especially on the chin and throat.
- Spectacled Warbler - Brilgrasmus - Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis
Birds have more black on the face, on the forehead and the lores. Also, the song seems
to differ of that of European birds in that it is less scratchy.
- Blue Tit - Pimpelmees - Parus (caeruleus) teneriffae
All Canary Islands' Blue Tits differ considerably from those in Europe, but also
fom each other. They all have different vocalizations and have larger bills than the
European Blue Tit. The race teneriffae, occurring on the three middle islands
(Gran Canaria, Tenerife and La Gomera) has an obvious dark blue mantle, without any white
on the tertialtips or wingbar. Its cap is a very dark blue, appearing black.
-- Parus (caeruleus) degener
This race occurs on the Eastern islands, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. It is very like
ultramarinus, the North-African race, in that it has a blue-grey mantle, a white wingbar
and tertialtips, and a black cap. Its cap is more restricted though, and therefore it has
more white in the neck. Compared to the European form, it has a more pronounced black
'Great Tit'-stripe over the belly.
-- Parus (caeruleus) ombriosus
In having a clear green mantle, this (sub)species looks more like its European
counterpart than any of the other (sub)species. It differs in having a larger bill and a
different call (like the other (sub)species), a black cap and a restricted amount of white
on the mantle and wing.
- Southern Grey Shrike - Zuidelijke Klapekster - Lanius meridionalis koenigi
Like other Southern Grey Shrikes, this subspecies (recorded by us only on Tenerife and
Fuerteventura) has a relatively dark grey mantle, a large bill, almost no white above the
supercilium, less white on the wing (than Northern Grey Shrike) and a small amount of
black above the bill. Most birds had an extensive light base of the bill. Lots of the
birds seen were juveniles, so this complicates matters.
- Canarian Chaffinch - Canarische Vink - Fringilla (coelebs) canariensis
This (sub)species has a light orange breast and facial pattern, and a dark grey head
and mantle. Its rump and tertialsides are dark green. Also, the song differs from that of
Common Chaffinch.
-- Fringilla (coelebs) ombriosa
This subspecies looks like a canariensis, but has a dark grey rump with a greenish
tinge. It occurs only on El Hierro.
- Linnet - Kneu - Acanthis/Carduelis cannabina harterti & maedewaldoi
These subspecies should be smaller and have more extensive colours: this was not very
obvious in the field.
- Corn Bunting - Grauwe Gors - Miliaria calandra thanneri
This subspecies has a large amount of yellow in the face and on the breast. It has
well-pronounced streaks on the back and breast-sides. Its song is identical to that of the
European race of Corn Bunting.
Return to trip reports.
This page served with permission of the authors
by Urs Geiser; ugeiser@xnet.com;
October 15, 1998; corrected November 5, 1999