Fuerteventura Gran Canaria

Fuerteventura Gran Canaria 19. 7. 2014 2. 8. 2014 Berthelot s Pipit, Morro Jable, Fuerteventura, 23.7.2014, Andreas Ranner Andreas Ranner, Eva Karner-Ranner, Thomas Ranner Vienna, November 2014

Introduction The Canary Islands are a good place to combine a leisure-type holiday with good birdwatching all year round. In our case we chose this combination as our summer holidays option with a third element to it: Our son is an avid plane-spotter, so a lot of time was spent near airports, but even that produced some nice bird observations. As we had been to Teneriffe before, we had no stress in locating the usual endemics; just the special birds of Fuerteventura were still missing on our list. So we combined a leisurely stay on Gran Canaria with a four day trip to Fuerteventura to catch up with those missing species. For those wishing to tick as many potential cryptic species as possible a visit to any Canary island is worthwhile. Although this was not our main goal we managed to get all of the endemic Gran Canaria subspecies. Itinerary 19.7.2014: Afternoon flight from Vienna to Gran Canaria. Picking up our rental car and driving to Las Palmas for an overnight stay. 20.7.2014: Ferry crossing to Fuerteventura. For seawatching reasons we chose the old-style Armas ferries which have open decks instead of Fred Olsen s high-speed catamaran-ferries which are completely closed. And this decision paid off really good: fine views of two White-faced Storm Petrels and a Bulwer s Petrel were fantastic starters for our triplist. Our hotel was at the edge of Morro Jable on Jandia peninsula on the south of the island. Incidentally it was next to a former zoo, the Jandia zoo, which was closed down a year or so ago. In the evening birdwatching in the semi-desert south of La Pared, yielding our first Houbara Bustard, Stone Curlew and Barbary Partridges. 21.7.2014: The first morning at our hotel we realised, that although the zoo had closed down, its birds were still there. Not only was there a large colony of Monk Parakeets all around in the palms, but there was also a free-flying group of Hadada Ibises! On that day we visited the wetland of Catalina Garcia which was not wet at all it was completely dry and bird-free, except for one Egyptian Vulture circling nearby. Next stop was Barranco de la Torre. We found out that the inner part of the valley is closed to visitors due to conservation reasons, what we of course respected. Maybe this is the reason why we found no Fuerteventura Chats but still the outer part of the barranco produced more Egyptian Vultures, Spectacled Warblers and Trumpeter Finches. 22.7.2014: We spent the quite stormy morning looking for Fuerteventura Chats in various barrancos on Jandia peninsula. After several fruitless attempts we were finally successful with a small family party in Barranco de Casas de Esquinzo. Other good birds included a flock of Lesser Short-toed Larks. In the afternoon we drove the scenic road to Betancuria (with an observation of the local subspecies of African Blue Tit) and onwards to Los Molinos reservoir. This held not much water and produced no special birds. 23.7.2014 In the morning we once again visited the semi-desert south of La Pared in search of Blackbellied Sandgrouse. We found several of them, supported by Houbara Bustards, Stone Curlews and a Barbary Falcon. 24.7.2014 Before our ferry crossing back to Gran Canaria we drove towards the southern tip of Jandia Penninsula, finding another Fuerteventura Chat near Cofete. The ferry crossing itself amazingly produced another White-faced Storm Petrel. On Gran Canaria we drove to the

central mountains, occupying our holiday house at El Mundillo on the edge of Santa Lucia de Tirajana. 25.7.-1.8.2014 Leisure birdwatching mainly around Santa Lucia and in the central mountains. Dedicated excursions were made to the picnic site of Llanos de la Pez on 28.7. successfully looking for the local form of Chaffinch and to the forest reserve of Pinar de Pajonales, where we managed to find a small party of the threatened Gran Canaria subspecies of Blue Chaffinch. 2.8.2014 Late evening departure to Vienna. Bird List ( 55 species) Systematics and taxonomy follows: Garcia-del-Rey, E. (2011): List of the Birds of Macaronesia. In: Garcia-del-Rey, E. (2011): Field Guide to the Birds of Macaronesia. Lynx, Barcelona. Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa): Common in the mountains of Gran Canaria, seen or heard almost daily between 25. and 31.7. Introduced only to Gran Canaria, the birds belong to the subspecies intercedens. Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara): A flock of 7 near La Pared on 20.7. Introduced to all Canary Islands except Gran Canaria, the birds belong to the subspecies koenigi. Bulwer s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii): 1 each on both ferry crossings between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura on 20.7. and 24.7, both times quite near to the ship. Cory s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis): Common at sea, also near the coast. 30 resp. 28 seen from the Gran Canaria Fuerteventura ferry on 20.7. resp. 24.7. Flocks seen from land included on Fuerteventura 40 off Barranco de la Torre on 21.7. and 20 off Morro Jable on 25.7., on Gran Canaria 25 at Las Palmas harbour on 24.7. and at least 10 off El Burrero on 31.7. White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma marina): Amazingly seen on both ferry crossings between Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura, close to the ship: 2 on 20.7. and 1 on 24.7. These birds probably belonged to the subspecies hypoleuca. Western Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis): Seen only on Fuerteventura: Birds near our accommodation at Morro Jable might originate from the closed-down Jandia zoo (20.7. 1 flying, 22. and 23.7. approx. 30 feeding early in the morning on lawns along the main road, 4 at Jandia golf course on 24.7.). Away from Morro Jable were 1 near Aldiana and 1 at Calete de Fustes, both on 21.7. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta): 1 at the sea shore north of Morro Jable, Fuerteventura, on 22.7. Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea): Seen only on Gran Canaria: 1 at El Burrero on 27.7. and 1 standing in a shallow reservoir near La Sorrueda on 30.7. African Sacred Ibis (Threskiornis aethiopicus): A flock of 15 birds flying in to roost at or near the former Jandia zoo, Fuerteventura, on 23.7. Hadada Ibis (Bostrychia hagedash): Quite unexpectedly we found a small but obviously reproducing group near our accommodation in the surroundings of the former Jandia zoo, Fuerteventura. One juvenile was seen on two occasions, a flock of 5 adults and juveniles was feeding with Cattle

Egrets on a roadside lawn on the northern edge of Morro Jable on 22.7. and each day several birds flew noisily out of the former zoo area at dawn and came back at dusk. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus): Only on Fuerteventura: On 21.7. 1 adult circling near Catalina Garcia and 2 adults flying around at Barranco de la Torre, finally landing near a small goat den. Subspecies majorensis. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo): On Fuerteventura 1 north of Gran Tarajal on 21.7., 2 at Barranco de la Torre also on 21.7. and 1 with almost white rectrices near Cofete on 24.7. On Gran Canaria 1-2 almost daily between 25.7. and 1.8. around Santa Lucia, 3 at Llanos de la Pez on 28.7., 3 at Pinar de Pajonales on 29.7. and 1 near Fortaleza de Ansite on 30.7. For the birds from the Canary Islands the subspecies insularum has been described. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): Common and widespread on both islands, seen daily except 22.7. Subspecies dacotiae on Fuerteventura and canariensis on Gran Canaria. Barbary Falcon (Falco pelegrinoides): Seen only on Fuerteventura, 1 on 23.7. south of La Pared and 1 on 24.7. flying over the northern edge of Morro Jable. Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra): 3 at Los Molinos reservoir, Fuerteventura, on 22.7. Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata): Two observations in the semi-desert south of La Pared, Fuerteventura: 1 on 20.7. and 3 on 23.7. walking between the bushes; several feathers blown into small bushes show the regular use of the area. Subspecies fuertaventurae (possibly not valid). Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus): 26 at Los Molinos reservoir, Fuerteventura, on 22.7. Eurasian Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus): 1 on 20.7. and 2 on 23.7. in the semi-desert south of La Pared. The birds on Fuerteventura are placed into the subspecies insularum. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius): 2 adults with one chick at Los Molinos reservoir, Fuerteventura, on 22.7. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis): Widespread along the coast (daily observations on 20.-27.7 and 31.7.), but almost nowhere really numerous, larger flocks only on 21.7. between Fuerteventura airport and the mouth of Barranco de la Torre. Birds from the Canary Islands possibly belong to an intergradation form between subspecies atlantis and michahellis. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus): 1 adult of the subspecies graellsii flying along the beach at Cofete, Fuerteventura, on 24.7. Common Tern (Sterna hirundo): Only seen in Las Palmas harbour, Gran Canaria, with 4 on 20.7. and 2 on 24.7. Rock Dove (Columba livia): Common and widespread, observed daily. Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto): Common and widespread, observed daily. European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur): On Fuerteventura seen only once in Barranco de la Torre on 21.7.; on Gran Canaria widespread and quite common, observed daily from 25.7.-1.8. Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis): Altogether 13 individuals were seen in the semidesert south of La Pared, Fuerteventura, on 23.7. Once we could also observe two full-grown

juveniles drinking from the breast-feathers of a male, which for that purpose was standing upright in front of them. Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus): Seen daily on Fuerteventura on 20.-24.7. There were several active nests in date-palms at the edge of Moro Jable, around the former Jandia zoo, obviously these birds had their origin there. Western Barn Owl (Tyto alba): Regularly seen or heard at night around our accommodation at the edge of Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria between 24.7. and 29.7. Eurasian Scops Owl (Otus scops): Quite surprisingly 1 was calling several times out of date-palms in the lower part of Barranco de la Torre, Fuerteventura, on 21.7. Plain Swift (Apus unicolor): Seen almost daily on both islands, mostly in smaller flocks. Larger flocks were seen in the mountain ranges of central Gran Canaria. 2 were obviously breeding at the old radar tower of Las Palmas airport, Gran Canaria. Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus): 2 were found in a mixed swift-flock over Llanos de la Pez, Gran Canaria, on 28.7. Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba): 1 was in the mixed swift-flock mentioned above over Llanos de la Pez, Gran Canaria, on 28.7. Eurasian Hoopoe (Upupa epops): 1 was at El Mundillo near Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria, on 29.7. Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major): Widespread and rather common in the pine forests on Gran Canaria, 6 were seen at Llanos de la Pez on 28.7. and 5 at Pinar de Pajonales on 29.7. The birds on Gran Canarias formerly were described as subspecies thanneri, but recently lumped with the birds from Teneriffe under the subspecies canariensis although the birds from the two islands differ quite markedly. Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens): Observed only on Fuerteventura: In the semi-desert south of La Pared 1 on 20.7. and 2 on 23.7., a small flock of at least 5 at Casas de Pecenescal on 22.7. Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum): 1 at Morro Jable, Fuerteventura, on 21.7. Berthelot s Pipit (Anthus berthelotii): Common and widespread on both islands, seen almost daily. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula): 2 along the road between Ayacata and Tejeda, Gran Canaria, on 30.7. Birds on Gran Canaria are recently considered as subspecies marionae. Fuerteventura Stonechat (Saxicola dacotiae): 1 male and 1-2 female-type birds in Barranco de Casas de Esquinzo on 22.7. and 1 male near Cofete on 24.7. Common Blackbird (Turdus merula): Common around Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria, seen daily from 25.- 31.7. Eurasian Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla): Common on Gran Canaria, observed daily mainly around Santa Lucia from 25.7.-1.8. Birds of the Canary Islands (and from Madeira) are sometimes considered as subspecies heineken.

Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala): One observation on Fuerteventura with 2 at Barranco de la Torre on 21.7. Observed daily on Gran Canaria from 27.7.-1.8., common around Santa Lucia. Birds from the Canary Islands are sometimes considered to form the subspecies leucogastra. Spectacled Warbler (Sylvia conspicillata): One observation on Fuerteventura with at least 3 at Barranco de la Torre on 21.7. Birds of the Canary Islands have been described as subspecies orbitalis. Canary Islands Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus canariensis): By far the commonest bird in the mountain ranges of Gran Canaria, observed daily from 24.7. to 2.8. Recent genetic studies indicate that the birds on Gran Canaria might form a distinct subspecies. African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae): On Fuerteventura one observation with 1 north of Betancuria on 22.7., birds on this island belong to the subspecies ultramarinus. Common and widespread in pine forests and villages on Gran Canaria, seen daily on 25.7.-2.8., several large flocks with juveniles. Birds on Gran Canaria form the subspecies hedwigii. Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor): Widespread on Fuerteventura, some birds were in song: 21.7. Barranco de la Torre 2; 22.7. Casas de Esquinzo 2, road from La Pared to Pájara 1, road from Pájara to Betancuria 1; 23.7. semi-desert south of La Pared 5; 24.7. Cofete 1 on the beach. Less obvious on Gran Canaria: 30.7. near Fortaleza de Ansite 1; 31.7. El Burrero 1; 1.8. another individual near El Burrero and 1 east of El Valle. Birds from the Canary Islands belong to the subspecies koenigi, which recently was lumped again into Lanius excubitor, formerly it was considered to belong to Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis. Northern Raven (Corvus corax): Numerous and widespread from 20.-23.7. on Fuerteventura, 3 at a mirador between La Pared and Pájara were surprisingly tame. Less common on Gran Canaria: 28.7. Llanos de la Pez 1; 29.7. west of El Juncal 1. Birds from the Canary Islands belong to the subspecies tingitanus. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis): On Fuerteventura a flock of 50 was at Los Molinos reservoir on 22.7. On Gran Canaria a few birds were seen in and around settlements (Santa Lucia, Las Puntillas, Arinaga) on most days. Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla teydea): One of the highlights of the trip was the observation of several individuals of the Gran Canaria endemic and threatened (total population approx. 250 individuals) subspecies polatzeki at Pinar de Pajonales just around midday of 29.7.: After having found a single female we came across a small flock of at least 2 adult males and 2-3 female-type birds. One of the latter was still begging for food, so obviously was a juvenile. One of them also had a red colour-ring. The birds were very unobtrusive and sometimes were sitting motionless on the pinetwigs close to the trunk for minutes. The trick was to recognize their very quiet and soft contactcalls which gave away the presence of the birds. Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs): In the evening of 28.7. 2 female-type birds were looking for food scraps under the tables of Llanos de la Pez picnic-site. The birds on Gran Canaria are regarded as belonging to the subspecies canariensis, but there might be evidence that they form a distinct endemic subspecies. Atlantic Canary (Serinus canaria): Daily observations on Gran Canaria from 27.7-2.8., widespread and rather common, sometimes in flocks of up to 15 birds.

European Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris): Three observations on Gran Canaria on 29. and 30.7., at El Juncal and Santa Lucia. Macaronesian subspecies aurantiiventris. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis): On Gran Canaria seen almost daily, but nowhere common. Macaronesian subspecies parva. Common Linnet (Carduelis cannabina): Seen only on 22.7. at Barranco de Casas de Esquinzo, Fuerteventura, a mixed flock with Trumpeter Finches, altogether around 60 birds. Subspecies harterti. Trumpeter Finch (Bucanetes githagineus): Seen only on Fuerteventura: on 21.7. two flocks in Barranco de la Torre with 35 and 20 birds each, on 22.7. a mixed flock with Common Linnets in Barranco de Casas de Esquinzo and a flock of 10 birds along the road from Pájara to Betancuria. Canary Islands subspecies amantum. Mammals Algerian Hedgehog (Atelerix algirus): Several road casualties on Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria. Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus): Widespread and common on both islands. Barbary ground squirrel (Atlantoxerus getulus): This species was introduced to Fuerteventura in 1965 and is now common and often very tame, begging for food. We found it especially obvious eg. along the road from Pájara to Betancuria and along the Morro Jable beach-front. Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus): At least 5 during the ferry crossing on 20.7. Amphibians and Reptiles Iberian Waterfrog (Pelophylax perezi): Calling from a cistern behind our accommodation on the edge of Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria, on most days. Canary Wall Gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis): On 21.7. 1 at Morro Jable, Fuerteventura. Boettger s Wall Gecko (Tarentola boettgeri): At least 3 at or around our accommodation at the edge of Santa Lucia, Gran Canaria, hunting preferably for antlions. Atlantic Lizard (Gallotia atlantica): We saw only 1 male on Fuerteventura, along the road from Pájara to Betancuria on 22.7. Gran Canaria Giant Lizard (Gallotia stehlini): This large lizard species is endemic to Gran Canaria. We had daily observations; obviously it is widespread and common, although in many places rather shy. The largest individuals with at least 40 cm were observed at Llanos de la Pez on 28.7., at Fortaleza de Ansite on 30.7., near El Burrero on 1.8. and at Arinaga lighthouse on 2.8.

Northern Raven, north of La Pared, 22.7.2014 Thomas Ranner Monk Parakeet, Morro Jable, 23.7.2014 Andreas Ranner Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, Pinar de Pajonales, 29.7.2014, Andreas Ranner Atlantic Lizard, south of Betancuria, 22.7.2014 Thomas Ranner Barbary ground squirrel, south of Betancuria, 22.7.2014, Thomas Ranner The highly localised Fuerteventura endemic Euphorbia handiensis, west of Morro Jable, 24.7.2014, Thomas Ranner