SHORT SUMMARY:

ROUGH ITENERARY:

WEATHER:

FIELD GUIDES:

SITE GUIDE :

AUDIOGUIDES:

HUMAN GUIDES:

GENERAL INFORMATION

MOBILE TELEPHONE:

CURRENCY:

ACCOMODATION

TRANSPORTATION:

Interisland travel from Tenerife to La Palma can be done in winter time by night ships (not good for birding). In summer time the ships run more frequently and even in day time (see links).

Interisland flights with Binter take you from Tenerife North (Los Rodeos) TO ALL the major islands (see links) including El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma. The round trip fare from Tenerife to La Palma is about 80 - 90 Euros. From Tenerife to Fuerteventura the roundtrip fare is just about 150 Euros. The prices have gone up by about 20% in the last 10 years. First flight from Tenerife North to La Palma is 06.00 and the only morning flight from Tenerife to Fuerteventura is at 08.30, which is really too late for morning birding.

PRICE LEVEL:

BOARDER FORMALITIES:

PEOPLE:

LANGUAGE:

MISCELLANEOUS:

LINKS:

MAPS:

GPS:

BIRDSITES VISITED IN LA PALMA

Roque de los Muchachos

Observatory site. Quite void of birds, expect Berthelot's pipits, Canaries and the occasional Chough and Spectacled Warbler.

Road to the Roque de los Muchachos from the direction of Santa Cruz

The road up is winding. Is ascends from sea level to the top of the island, and thus passes through many of the different vegetation zones. There are several places where you can pull over and look around for birds. One of the best sites is at Fuente de Olen at about 1720 meter altitude. Here you can park you car and wander around a little bit. Tenerife Kinglets, Chaffinches and Blue Tits are reasonably easy to find here.

Road to the Roque de los Muchachos from the direction of Garafia

The road is steeper and shorter than the road above. Basicly same species are observable as on the other road. One can usually pull over where the road bends. A few trails cross the road, from there you can explore the forests by foot.

Road Los Llanos - Puerto de Tazacorte - Puntagorda

Goes through residential areas and is generally quite far from the sea. A couple of sites could be with checking. First the harbor of Tazacorte is a reasonably reliable site to get close views of Lar michaellis atlantis. Driving North from the harbour you will end up in the Barranco de las Angustias. This is the only really deep Barranco along the road. It could be worth exploring for interesting birds, but parking can be a problem. It is best to park close to the Puerto de Tazacorte.

Further North the road ascends from the Barranco and you will arrive at the top of the vista site called Mirador del Time. About 250m North of the vista site Mirador del Time, there are two Eucalyptus trees on the ocean side of the road. You can pull over by these trees and view with a telescope the half a dozen of small water reservoirs. One site worth exploring on this route is the tip of the Punta Gorda peninsula. I don't know how to get there, but the ocean falls off pretty steeply here providing close by deep waters. This is the area where the "whale watching" tour takes you should you take one from Puerto de Tazacorte. I've seen Manx shearwaters on these trips in previous years.

Puntagorda Reservoir

This reservoir is described in Clarke's guide, but even so, we got lost when we tried to find it! Coming from South: The first intersection towards the reservoir from main road LP 1 is just by the Southern edge of Puntagorda (road sign showing the town limit). Of the two intersections on the sea side of the road, take the Northern one. It goes first though some fruit tree groves. After 510 meters the road passes under a huge Pine tree. Now you are in the center of Puntagorda, take a left here. Coming from North: Take the first intersection to Puntagorda, just after the city limit by turning right. Drive 350m meters, and you'll pass the pine tree which will be on your left. Continue straight. After the pine tree drive for about 120 meters, then turn right at a small triangle shaped city "square". Continue on this road for 1720 meters and you will arrive to the reservoir. You should also check the south side of the reservoir by continuing another 230m and walking up to the bank.

Puntagorda - Hoya Grande - Llano Negro

This is the main road from Puntagorda to Llano Negro. The road is quite busy, but there are several locations were you can pull over to watch birds. Altitude changes are not large on this road. Extensive forest fire damage occured in 2000.

(Puntagorda -) Las Tricias - Garafia - Llano Negro

The begining of this road is the same as of the one above. At 3.0 kilometers North of Puntagorda CEPSA gas station there is a Y intersection. Take a left here to "Las Tricias 800m". Drive on this road though Tricias. If you just stay on it you will end up in Garafia. There are four barrancos on the way. Each one seemed to have quite good number of birds in them in November. The distance from Las Tricas intersection to Garafia cemetery intersection is about 10.5km.

Roque de Garafia and Puerto de Garafia

This is a reasonable looking seawatching site. If you arrive from Puntagorda via Las Tricas, turn left towards the cemetery soon after the football field of Garafia, just before entering the town.

If you arrive from Llano Negro take a left at the only intersection of Garafia. Drive 400 meters and take a right towards the Cemetery.

Continue along the paved and later dirt road until you arrive at a parking area after 2.6 km on this road. I've used usually the first parking area providing good views of the both large rocks in the sea and also giving good views of the Ocean. The parking lot is about 170m from sea level. One should also explore the the lower parking area, or maybe even try seawatching closer to the sea level. The difficulty with a very high seawatching point is that although you can in principle see all the birds even in bad conditions, you will end up searching only a small area with the field of view of your telescope. It is also difficult to tell how far one should be looking at. If you are at a lower point (say 10m above sea level), then birds tend to dissapear into the waves, but even so you can in most cases follow them just by panning the 'scope at a constant speed. Well, here at least you really need a telescope for seawatching.

Llano Negro - Barlovento

This is the main Road along the Northern edge of La Palma. The road is not usually busy. There are several locations were you can pull over to watch birds. I have not properly brided on this road. We saw a couple of the endemic doves fly over the road in November. Access to Barlovento reservoir is from the East end of this road in Barlovento, or 1.4km after "Roque del Faro" restautant via LP 111. The road is surprisingly long and slow. If coming from the East/South the right turn to this road posted as "Franceses" is easy to miss. Note that there are NO GASOLINE STATIONS BETWEEN PUNTAGORDA AND BARLOVENTO! In March it had a 20km/h speed limit, so serious damage may have occured during the winter.

Laguna de Barlovento (Reservoir) and the LP111 scenic road

Access to LP111 from the East is easier. As you arrive from South and then from East to Barlovento just continue straight though the town and you will see a sign "Laguna" pointing straight. This is the start of LP111 (intersecting with the end of the road from Llano Negro). After about 1.6 km you'll see a sign on your left pointing towards "La Laguna". Drive this road for about 700m and you'll arrive to the large artificial circular lake on your right side. One viewing point is right at the first sight of the reservoir (NW end of the fence). A better viewing site is reached by driving clockwise, past the parking area to the end of the road. Some 10 meters in front of you you'll see a slippery mound (= small hill), which is easier to climb from the left side. At least before the tree heathers on the mound grow too high this is the best site to view the whole resevoir. You'll need a 60x telescope to identify small waders at the opposite end of the reservoir. Continuing along LP111 (about 12.6km), which is one-laned and has a speed limit of 30km/h, you'll see some of the best views of natural forest land in La Palma and maybe even get a view of the endemic pigeons and the endemic race of the buzzard. The west end of LP111 on the Llano negro-Barlovento Road is quite inconspicuous. If you are coming from west it is located on your right side about 1.4 km after the restaurant Roque del Faro.

Punta del Gaviota (or Los Camachos or Punta del Corche)

Many maps do not show the access road to this area, and some of the ones that do show it are incorrect. I ended up driving on one of the steepest tracks that I have ever driven, when I followed the road indicated on the "Mapa Rutas Rurales". The correct road starts by the yellow bus stop shelter in the village of Parades. If you arrive from south this is before the steep ascent to Barlovento starts. If you arrive from Barlovento it is obviously after the steep descents. Drive all the way to the end of this road to a large camping/parking area at the seashore with beautiful views and a very comfortable place for seawatching. It is about 10-15 meters above sea level. I stayed here an hour and a half in March, and got some very nice views of over a hunderd Cory's Sherawater (even with binoculars) and a quick look of an unidentified Storm-petrel.

Faro del Punta Cumplida / Faro de Barlovento

Apparently there is an access road from Punta Gaviota area to the light house, but finding it in limited time was not trivial, because it crisscrossed between banana orchards. The access to the light house is definitely worth investigating, because it may prove to be one of the best seawatching points on the island.
There is a separate road, with the intersection further towards Los Sauces that according to the traffic sign leads to the light house and the tip.

Barlovento - Santa Cruz

This is the main road along the NW side of the Island. Heavy constructions are taking place on it with a large number of tunnels being constructed (so that the maps will be more out of date!). The entrance to Los Tilos nature reserve is from this road. The Barlovento-Santa Cruz also can be very slow with a heavy trafic.

Los Tilos

Is located about 2.5km south of Los Sauces. If arriving from the south you have to keep your eye on the easy to miss sign "Los Tilos" on the left under some large trees, just before you cross a small bridge at the bottom of the barranco. The latest map that I obtained on my January trip showed a massive bridge across this barranco. If this materializes, new directions will be needed for this site. Along the entrance road to Los Tilos very limited parking is available. The road itself seems good for the pigeons, so keep your eyes open. The two spots where I have stopped shortly on my way up are just before the first bridge (at 0.8km) and just after the second bridge (at 1.9km). (Don't stop just before the second bridge below the cliffs, because rocks can fall on your car) Both stops have provided sights of pigeons. About 500m after the second bridge you will arrive to the first main parking site on your left (at 2.4km). Just before this a track begins on your left. You can walk on this track for several kilometers. Try to use all the view points you can get because they seem few and far in between. I have had on my previous trips good views of both pigeon species from this track. The parking lot was good in February for views of both pigeons in flight In about one hours I obtained several views of both species.
SOUTHERN PART OF LA PALMA

Santa Cruz/Airport to Fuencaliente (Los Canarios)

To get to the southern tip area of the island take the major (only) motorway intersection and drive towards Los Canarios - this is a newly readopted name for the village of Fuencaliente! The road crosses first hill side residential areas with many intersections and villages mostly at an elevation of 300-600m, after Monte de la Luna the road enters the pine forest zone at an altitude of about 700m. Within the pine forest there are several parking areas, where you can pull over and try your luck with the high elevation species, such as Tenerife kinglet and Chaffinch. My impression though is that they are much less common here than in the Northern part of the island.

Loop of Fuencaliente

Once you arrive to Los Canarios watch out for a Cepsa gazoline station on your left. Between the small gaz station and the CEPSA sign there is a road that leads down to the "Faro" and the "Salinas", the southern tip of La Palma. Take a sharp left here, and after some 30 meters continue straight (no right turn here!). It looks like you are driving back almost due North, away from the southern tip, but the road will eventually turn. On your way down you'll pass some lava fields. You'll also identify two targets: The first one is a light house (Faro de Fuencaliente) and west (left) of it a "field" of 5 windmills at Punta del Malpais. To get to Punta Malpais drive towards the lighthouse until you see an illmarked dirtroad on your left towards Las Cabaas, then continue, so that you'll arrive to the windmills, drive to the ocean shore. This appears to be a reasonable seawatching site. The way to the light house is quite obvious. The best spot for seawatching appeared to be right on the base of the lighthouse, there's just enough for an observer or two with telescopes. There are actually two such corners to be used. I saw from this spot in less than an hour in the afternoon (5-6PM) 12 Cory's shearwaters, 1 Arctic Skua and two schools of small whales (possibly pilot whales). From the light house you can see with a telescope most of the saltpans (Las Salinas) of the tip. A short walk will take you to them, and I guess you can enter the area as long as you behave properly. From the lighthouse, if you drive back a little way you'll get to the intersection that will take you along the west coast of the southern tip. This is mostly bananaplantations, but I have seen on other occasions here good numbers Pallid Swifts (September 1998), Little Egret and Grey Wagtails (this trip), so if you have time it is worth driving this way. Continue this road through Las Indias and you'll endup back in Los Canarios about 100m west of the start of the loop.

Fuencaliente (Los Canarios) to Los Llanos or El Paso
The road enters the pine forest and then moves into hilly residential areas staying all the time at an elevation of about 700 meters. Birdwise I have seen only some flocks of Choughs here (Sept 88).

El Paso/Los Llanos to Santa Cruz/Airport. There are two ways to get from the west side of the Cumbre Nueva mountain range to the East side. The easiest and the fastest way it to take the "time tunnel" though the mountain range and to follow the traffic signs. At present there is heavy road construction going on this road with temporary road tracks. The second, more scenic way is to drive over the mountain range. The road is easiest to find at it's West end, which is about 1km west of the time tunnel close to the only curve in the road west of the tunnel. I assume that you start your loop from this end. After 500 meters you'll find a couple spots on both side of the road where you can pull over. From these you can view the chestnut tree groves and the scrubs. On the top of the road (at about 1470m) there is a picknick and camping area of Refugio de Pilar. If you get up here early in the morning, it may be worth checking for montane species. After you start to descend on the east side of the range you'll pass some typical scrub habitat of tree heather and small laurels. One of the first houses you'll see will be a horse farm house close to San Isidro. This spot looked good, and is of a "unique type of habitat" for this island. It is definitely a site worth checking. I had here in Feb/Mar good numbers of buzzards, canaries, warblers, chiffchaffs. The good birding area appears to extend for about 800m after the white farm house. The end of this road (or the start of the Eastern point) is in the village El Llanito, which is a couple of km South of Brena alta.

BIRDSITES VISITED IN TENERIFE

In November we visited the NW region and the southern regions. In January we visited the NE and SW areas, and in March the central areas and the Southern areas were visited.

Los Silos reservoir

A large reservoir is shown on some maps as a huge body of water NW of Los Silos and NE of Buenavista. We were unable to find this despite trying to look for it quite extensively. Instead we found several small concrete reservoirs, which seemed like they could be good at suitable water levels. The first reservoir was only some 100 meters NW of the down town on the road towards the cemetery. It had tufted ducks and coots in it. The largest reservoir we were able to locate was on the NW slope of large hill NW of Los Silos. A nice looking double reservoir was West of it at the edge of Buenavista. We saw a couple of Grey wagtails around these reservoirs.

Punta de Teno Road

The Road to Punta de Teno is closed to public, and this is shown with large multilingual signs. Walking appears not to be forbidden. Based on a recent report in eurobirdnet we were succesful in getting gorgeous views of a Barbary Falcon.

Montes del Aqua or Erjos Forest Road

Plan to be here at day break. We were not dso on these trips. Note also that driving here should be done very carefully mainly because of big rocks sticking out of the ground.

Coming from the West (Buenavista-Masca Road) the start of the road is quite inconspicuous, despite of it being marked quite clearly as "Monte del Aqua". The dirt road starts from a paved yard.

You can reach from the East by driving North on the (Santiago del Teide - Icos road). The intersection is just opposite to the village sign "Erjos", just South of a Casuarina tree (="Australian pine"). The road descends to the small valley. At the bottom of the valley take the right fork.

In November we saw one Bolle's at the green water gauge station, but also 3 unidentified (all appeared to be Bolle's) about 2-4 km WEST of the water gauge. I have had a similar experience on my previous trips to the region, is that the water gauge is a good site for both doves, but the road west of the water gauge can be as productive, or even better. There are a couple of lookouts along the road west of the gauge. Sometimes you can see the doves sitting in the tree branches hanging above the road.

In January we visited the site in early afternoon without seeing a single doveS in one hour.

Las Lajas

Above vilaflor. Instructions will be updated. XXX.

Roquito del Fraile

The water reservoir is located West of El Fraile, which is along the road from Guaza to Las Galletas. The area is developping now very fast, and the tomato plantations are expanding. Clarke's guide gives directions to this site. An altenative set of directions is given with the GPS coordinates (see the top of this web site for the link). This must be the best body of water in the region. I had here in November a Gadwall, a Wigeon, 7 Teal, a Greenshank, Common sandpipers, 2 Lesser Scaups, and a bunch of Coots as well as Berthelot's pipits. I saw the Lesser Scaups also in January and March.

Las Galletas

Good site for Gull watching and photography. The Fish sales area is by the beach, so be there early.

Golf Courses del Sur and Amarilla

To get to the golf courses take the Las Chafiras/Abrigos exit, the next one west of the Reina Sofia Airport. Drive south. You will soon see a large traffic circle on you right. If you want to get to the Golf Course del Sur go only slightly to the right towards the ocean. After 900m you will see some kind of a monument on the right. You can park here. According to Clarke's guide you can also park at the club house parking area. Note that the driving direction arrows in Clarke's guide in the big (useless) loop (to bird) should be in opposite direction. To get to Gold course Amarilla you should turn sharply right from the trafic circle almost towards the Motorway, you will soon come to a second trafic circle, go straight here. And then from the first intersection turn left. The road then turns right and park by the trees where the road turns left again. There is a disused guard gate 100 meters further down the road.

Embalse del Ciguana

Also described in Clarke's guide, was dropless this time. Be careful when you pull over because the tarmac (=asphalt) has a 20 cm drop at the edge of the road. You have to climb uphill to get to the reservoir.

Medano, the disused airfield

Access to the area with a car is now restricted (Nov 2000, was accessible in Feb 99). You have to park your car in a small parking area close to the road leading to the Abrigos - El Medano road.

BIRDSITES VISITED IN FUERTEVENTURA

The first lesson is that if you are doing a day trip and you are renting a car, make sure you have 15 liters of gazoline for this trip. If you depart North towards Puerto Rosario fron the Airport, then keep an eye for the ONLY gas station on your left. You have to make a U-turn to get there, but it is worth it. There are no gas stations on the road to Oliva. Don't count on the gas stations in Antigua, Tuineje, Casillas del Angel to be open. They were not open at 5PM on Sunday!

La Oliva
The instructions from Clarke et al have changed slighly on the Oliva side. From Oliva, you should take the road towards Calderata. After about 1 km take a left on a wide dirt road. The valley of Fimapaire valley holds 20 pairs of chats, so I was told by a local orbnithologist. He also told that any of the nearby barrancos are equally good and that this year breeding was very unsucessful because of a long drought. More details to be updated. XXX.

Embalse de Molinos
Note that the name is quite similar to "Embalse de Valle de Molinas", which is located in Tenerife! If using Clark's guide, one should note that the village actually continues all the way to the goat farm. The reservoir itself apparently had very low water, but the ticking creek in the barranco 300-1500m BELOW the dam turned out to be nice! The track from the dam southwards is not really in good enough shape for driving.

NOTES ON BIRD SPECIES (LP=La Palma, T=Tenerife, FV=Fuerteventura):

Strompetrel sp Oceanodroma/Oceanites/Hydrobates
3.3 L 1 unindentified all dark looking stormpetrel from about 1000m with a 60x. Flew very fast in the same field of view with a Cory's Shearwater for a couple of seconds before dissapearing into the waves.

Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
19.11 LP 8 Garafia cliffs
27.2 LP 8 Punta del Malpais, 16 Faro de Fuencaliente, some reasonably closeby!
3.3 LP 16 Garafia, 131 Punta del Gaviota

Northern Gannet Sula bassana
22.1 T 1 adult Punta Blanca flying North

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
21.11 T 13 Amarilla guard gate pond
16.1 T 4 Amarilla guard gate pond
21.1 T 2 Embalse de Valle Molina, 1 Tejina Pond #1, 2 Tejina Pond #3c
22.1 T 1 Punta Blanca
23.1 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
27.2 LP 1 La Ballena, small reservoir

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
21.11 T 1 (2cy) Amarilla guard gate pond
17.1 LP 1 seen above a reservoir above the road at 28°48'.97:17°46'.50E
21.1 T 1 Embalse de Valle Molina, 1 Tejina Pond #1, 1 Tejina Pond #3c, 1 Road down to St Anders
27.2 LP 1 (2cy) Laguna de Barlovento

Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata
21.1 T 1 Tejina Pond 3a+b - all domestic ones, 3 at Road North of San Anders viewed from 28°30.'778N 16° 16°11.'519W
27.2 and 3.3 LP 1 ad male free flying at Laguna de Barlovento

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
21.1 T 33 Tejina Pond 3a+b - all domestic ones, 3 at Road North of San Anders viewed from 28°30.'778N 16° 16°11.'519W

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
21.11 T 1f Roquito del Fraile
23.1 T 1f Roquito del Fraile

Gadwall Anas strepera
21.11 T 1f Roquito del Fraile
23.1 T 1f Roquito del Fraile

Common Teal Anas crecca
17.11 LP 3 female Puntagorda reservoir (carolensis not exluded)
21.11 T 7f+1ecl male Roquito del Fraile (carolensis not exluded)
21.1 T 3f Embalse de Valle Molina (carolensis not exluded)
23.1 T 4m+5f Roquito del Fraile
28.2 LP 1f Puntagorda reservoir (carolensis not exluded)
4.3 FV 1f Embalse de Molinos

Shoveler Anas clypeata
21.1 T 1m1f Embalse de Valle Molina

Marbled Teal Marmonetta angustirostris 4.3 FV 4 Embalse de Molinos

Porchard Aythya ferina
21.1 T 3m Embalse de Valle Molina

Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
21.11 T 1f1m Cemetery intersection near Los Silos
21.1 T 2m2f Embalse de Valle Molina

Lesser Scaup Aythya affinis
21.11 T 2f Roquito del Fraile
17.1 T 2f Aythya sp, Roquito del Fraile, sleeping all the time, appeared to be these same birds.
5.3 T 2f Roquito del Fraile, identified positively eg. from wingsbar.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
4.3 FV 5 in the barranco below Embalse de Molinos

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
22.1 T 1 Los Lajas Zona recreativa

Buzzard Buteo buteo
20.11 T 2 Monte del Aqua, 1 elsewhere
17.1 LP 1 Los Tilos, 1 Roque del Faro restaurant
21.1 LP 1 ORM-SantaCruz at 775m elevation
21.1 T 1 Tejina Pond 2, 1 Monte de Las Mercedes
22.1 T 2 Erjos forest diplaying, 1 Portela Alta
27.2 LP 1 + 2 displaying Los Tilos
28.2 LP 1 + 2 displaying San Isidro Horse farm
3.3 L 1 along LP 111
4.3 FV 1 Fimapaire Valley
5.3 T 1 North of Guimar

Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
15.11 LP 1 female ORM, Telescope Nazionale Galileo
17.11 LP total of 40 various locations from sea level to 2200m
19.11 LP total of 12 various locations from sea level to 2200m
20.11 LP total of 6
20.11 T total of 6
21.11 T total of 4
16.1 T 2 Embalse de Ciguana
17.1 T 2 along autopista sur
17.1 LP 15 various locations, but mostly close to Barlevento
21.1 LP 2 ORM - SantaCruz
21.1 T 1 Embalse de Valle Molina
22.1 T 1 San Juan -Alcala
23.1 T 1 Vilaflor, 1 Guaza, 1 Guaracho
27.2 LP 8 in the NE parts of the island, 10 in the SE parts.
28.2 LP 8 in the W parts of the island, 6 in the SE and 6 in the NE.
3.3 LP 2 ORM-Llano Negro, 3 Garafia, 2 LP 111, 5 NE part
4.3 FV 1 Ringroad of Puerto Rosario
5.3 T 3 Guimar - Garanadilla, 2 elsewhere

Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides
20.1 T 1 at on the seaside of the cliffs of road leading to Punto de Teno

Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara
16.1 T 1 bird flew over the Autopista Sur at about 28°05'.5N 17° 31'.5E
21.1 T 2+1 birds at small rubbish tip between parking and Tejina pond 3c, 1 bird almost hit the car at 28° 31'.912N, 16°11'.760W, 280m, while driving down from Puerto de Bailadero to San Andres
4.3 FV 1 calling at Fimapaire Valley

Peafowl Pavo cristatus
4.3 1 male, 2 females, fig and palm farm weset of Oliva - extremely unlikely to be wild ;-)

Quail Coturnix coturnix
27.2 LP 2-3 calling birds Los Caletas, 1 Llano Negro (calling in the dark at 2100)
3.3 L 1 calling in Llano Negro
5.3 T 1 calling at Orotava

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
21.1 T 9 Tejina pond #1, 3 Tejina pond #2, 13 Tejina pond #3a+c, 2 Tejina pond #3.

Coot Fulica atra
20.11 T 13 Cemetery intesection resevoir Los Silos.
21.11 T 30 Roquito del Fraile
16.1 T 52 Roquito del Fraile
21.1 T 5 Tejina pond #1, 2 Tejina pond #2
23.1 T 53 Roquito del Fraile
4.3 FV 61 Embalse de Molinos
5.3 T 46 Roquito del Fraile

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 21.11 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
16.1 T 2 Roquito del Fraile
23.1 T 3 Roquito del Fraile
4.3 FV 6 Embalse de Molinos, 4 elow the dam
5.3 T 2 Roquito del Fraile

Dunlin Calidris alpina
23.1 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
5.3 T 4 Roquito del Fraile

Little Stint Calidris minuta
4.3 LV 1 Embalse de Molinos

Common Snipe Capella gallinago
17.1 LP 4 Laguna de Barlovento
4.3 FV 1 Embalse de Molinos

Whimbrel Numenius phaeops
22.1 T 1 Punta blanca
3.3 LP 1 Punta del Gaviota

Ruff Philomacus pugnax
23.1 T 1 winter male Roquito del Fraile
4.3 FV 1 female Embalse de Molinos
5.3 T 1 female/winter male Roquito del Fraile

Greenshank Tringa nebularia 21.11 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
16.1 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
21.1 T 6 Embalse de Valle Molina
4.3 FV 2 Embalse de Molinos, 2 below the dam
5.3 T 2 Roquito del Fraile

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
4.3 FV 1 Embalse de Molinos

Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos 21.11 T 2 Roquito del Fraile, 2 Amarilla guard gate pond
16.1 T 1 Amarilla guard gate pond, 1 Roquito del Fraile
21.1 T 5 Embalse de Valle Molina, 1 Tejina Pond#1, 1 Tejina Pond #3a+b, 1 Tejina Pond #3c,
27.2 and 3.3 LP 1 Laguna de Barlovento
4.3 FV 4 Embalse de Molinos
5.3 T 2 Roquito del Fraile

Turnstone Arenaria interpres
22.1 T 4 Punta Blanca

Parasitic Jaeger/Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
27.2 LP 1 adult pale morph passing east the light house Faro de Fuencaliente at about 17.50.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michaellis atlantis
17.11 LP 1 Puntagorda reservoir
19.11 LP 15 Roque de la Garafia
20.11 LP 20
20.11 T 15
21.11 T 30 Roquito del Fraile, 20 Las galletas, 15 elsewhere
16.1 T 47 Roquito del Fraile, 20 elsewhere
17.1 LP 20 Puerto de La Cruz Harbour, 90 Laguna de Barlovento
21.1 T 9 San Anders, Darsena Pesquera seawatch, 5 elsewhere
22.1 T 50 Punta Blanca Seawatch + 100 large gulls, 10 Alcala Puerto pescadora
23.1 T 8 Roquito del Fraile
27.2 LP 50 Laguna de Barlovento, 15 Faro de Fuencaliente + Salinas, 8 elsewhere
28.2 LP 4 Puntagorda reservoir, 4 small reservoirs near Time, 20 Puerto de Tazacorte, 2 Brena Alta (apparently far from water!)
3.3 LP 16 Garafia, 120 Laguna Barlovento, 20 Punta del Gaviota, 15 elsewhere
4.3 FV 4 Embalse de Molinos, 5+30+8 above the deepest desert!
5.3 T 28 Roquito del Fraile

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus graelsii
19.11 LP 1ad Roque de la Garafia
20.11 T 2 Road to Punta el Teno
21.11 T 6 Roquito del Fraile
16.1 T 6 Roquito del Fraile
17.1 LP 5 Puerto de La Cruz Harbour, 40 Laguna de Barlovento
21.1 T 5 San Anders, Darsena Pesquera seawatch
22.1 T 10 Punta Blanca seawatch
27.2 LP 1 Santa Cruz harbour, 8 Laguna de Barlovento
28.2 LP 2 Puerto de Tazacorte
3.3 LP 15 Laguna de Barlovento
4.3 FV 1 Motor way, just south of Puerto Rosario Ring Road

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
16.1 T 1 Roquito del Fraile
21.1 T 1 San Anders, Darsena Pesquera seawatch

Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
21.1 T 4 San Anders, Darsena Pesquera seawatch
22.1 T 2 Punta Blanca

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
21.1 T 1 San Anders, Darsena Pesquera harbour

Rock Dove/Domestic Pigeon Columba livia
17.11 LP total about 600 in villages, towns and even pine forest up to 1800m.
19.11 LP 6 apparently genuine Rock Doves in the Canyons between Tricas and Garafia, plus about 100 of the domestic variety
20.11 LP 80 domestic ones
20.11 T 200+ domestic ones
21.11 T 100+ domestic ones
16.1 T 100+ domestic ones
17.1 LP 300+ domestic ones
21.1 LP 100+ domestic ones
21.1 T 250 domestic ones
22.1 T 300 domestic ones
23.1 T 500 domestic ones, 4 apparently "proper" ones at Las Lajas, and 2 above Vilaflor at 1860m.
27.2 LP 150 domestic ones, 3 pure white ones at the Barranco of Los Tilos
28.2 LP 300 domestic ones
3.3 LP 70 domestic ones, and a few apparently wild ones.
4.3 FV only about 40
5.3 T only 40..

Large Pigeon Columba junociae/bollii
20.11 LP 2 apparent C bollii about 10km West of Barlovento
20.11 T 4 apparent C bollii about 2-4km West of the "water gauge"
17.1 LP 2 Road to Los Tilos, 2 Los Tilos, 2 LP111
27.2 LP 3 Los Tilos, last 1 km of the road
28.2 LP 1 unidentified on the road from Micra to ORM at elevation of 810m.

Laurel Pigeon Columna junociae
27.2 LP 4 Los Tilos, last 1 km of the road

Bolle's Pigeon Columba bollii
20.11 T 1 Monte del aqua "water gauge"
17.1 LP 1 1st bridge on road to Los Tilos
22.1 T none! at Monte del aqua water gauge between 13.00-14.00
27.2 LP 8 Los Tilos, mostly last 1km of the road

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur
27.2 LP 1 migrant at 28deg45.37'N 17deg45.28'W

European Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto
appears to be spreading in Tenerife and La Palma! In la Palma not seen at Los Llanos, El Paso, Brena alta, Brena Baja, Barlovento, Puntagorda or any other smaller villages. None noted in Fuerteventura.
20.11 T 30 Playa de las Americas, 3 El Fraile village
16.1 T 20 Playa de las Americas, 4 El Fraile village, 6 Guaracho church
17.1 LP 30 Puerto de la Cruz
21.1 T 1 North of San Anders at 28°30.'778N, 16°11.'519W, 80 San andres, 60 Santa Cruz
22.1 T 1 Alcala, 30 Torviscas/Playa de las Americas
23.1 T 1 Vilaflor, 5 Torviscas/Playa de las Americas, 8 El Fraile
5.3 T 4 Santa Cruz, 1 Fraile

Barbary Dove Streptopelia risoria These birds are very confusing.
16.1 T 1 very pale bird with a Str dec at Guacharo Church.
Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus
17.1 LP 2 at Santa Maria ship monument, Santa Cruz

Plain Swift Apus unicolor
17.11 LP 2 at 2000m on the road from ORM to Llano Negro
19.11 LP 40 between 1800m and 2000m on the road from ORM to Llano Negro
17.1 LP 1 unidentified swift high above Los Tilos
27.2 LP 2 unidentifies swifts high above the Santa Cruz-Barlovento Road, appeared to be A apus/pallidus at 350m elevation (28deg46.35'N, 17deg46.12'N)
3.3 LP 2 on LP111
4.3 FV 2 Fimapaire Valley

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major
16.1 T 2 Las Lajas
22.1 T 4 Las lajas
23.1 T 6 Las lajas, 4 Dripping water pipe, 2 same road at 1860m.

Lesser short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens
4.3 FV total of about 60 birds, usually in small flocks of about 1-7 birds.

Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii
15.11 LP 4 ORM area
16.11 LP 7 ORM area
17.11 LP total of 10
18.11 LP 6 ORM area
19.11 LP total of 15
20.11 LP total of 6
20.11 T total of 8
21.11 T total of 6
16.1 T total of 6
17.1 LP total of 8
18-20.1 LP 1-2 calling at ORM
21.1 LP total of 6
21.1 T total of 5
22.1 T 2 Teide Visitor's center (2170m), 4 las Lajas, 2 elsewhere
23.1 T 2 Las lajas, 2 Dripping water pipe, 2 Vilaflor, 2 El Fraile
27.2 LP 1 Los Caletas -- are they breeding now?
28.2 LP 2 ORM, 1 elsewhere
3.3 LP 1 at ORM, 3 at Garafia, 3 elsewhere
4.3 FV total of about 10 birds, seemed to show more rufous rump/tail than the ones on western islands
5.3 T 3 at Teide Vistor's center, 4 elsewhere

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
20.11 T 6 on the small reservoirs NW of Los Silos.
21.11 T 1 Roquito del Fraile, 1 elsewhere
16.1 T 1 Amarilla golf guard gate, 2/2 Reservoir by Guacharo church
22.1 T 1 between Los Gigantes and Tamaimo.
27.2 LP 1 Malpaises, 1 f La Ballena small rservoir, 1 Las Indias
28.2 LP 1 reservoirs near Time, 1 near Brena Alta
4.3 FV 2 Embalse de Molinos - winterers/migrants?
5.3 T 1 San Isidro Reservoir

White Wagtail Motacilla alba
17.1 LP 1 Laguna de Barlovento
27.2 LP 1 Laguna de Barlovento and 1 at La Ballena
3.3 LP 1 Laguna de Barlovento

Southern Great Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis
4.3 FV 1 Fimapaire Valley

Fuerteventura chat Saxicola dacotiae
4.3 FV 1 pair at Fimapaire Valley. Difficult to find!

Robin Erithacus rubecula
17.11 LP 1 between Llano Negro and Puntagorda
20.11 T 1 Monte del Aqua 21.1 LP 5 ORM - Santa Cruz
21.1 T 6 Monte de Las Mercedes
22.1 T 4 Monte del Aqua
27.2 LP 1 Las Caletas
28.2 LP 8 ORM-Llano negro, 8 Micra-Fuente de Olen
3.3 LP 6 ORM-Llano negro, 20 Llano Negro-Garafia, 6 LP111, 5 elsewhere
5.3 T 4 Orotava valley

Blackbird Turdus merula
19.11 LP 3m2f between Garafia and Llano Negro
20.11 LP 4 between Llano Negro and Barlovento
20.11 T 12 Monte del Aqua
16.1 T 1 Playa de las Americas, 1 Vilaflor
17.1 LP 25 Everywhere in singles.
21.1 LP 4 from ORM to Satna Cruz
21.1 T 10 Monte de Las Mercedes
22.1 T 4 Monte del Aqua
23.1 T 1 near Vilaflor
27.2 LP 3 Los Tilos
28.2 LP 12 Micra-Fuente Olen, 8 ORM-Puntagorda, 5 elsewhere
3.3 LP 7 Llano Negro-Garafia, 5 LP111, 7 elsewhere
5.3 T 4 Orotava

Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus
19.11 LP One bird singing, in a barranco between Las Tricas and Garafia. Not seen

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata
17.11 LP 1 at ORM (2200m)
16.1 T 2 Embalse de Ciguana
23.1 T 1 near Vilaflor (about 1200m)
27.2 LP 2 Las Caletas
3.3 LP 3 Llano Negro - Garafia
4.3 FV 3 Fimapaire Valley, 2 Embalse de Molinos

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
20.11 T
17.1 LP Laguna de Barlovento
21.1 T 1 Embalse de Valle Molina, 1 Tejina Pond #1, 3 Tejina Pond #3a-c
3.3 LP 2 Llano Negro-Garafia, 1 LP111
5.3 T 2 Orotava Valley

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla
November: I can't find any notes of this species from my note book, but I find it hard to believe that I didn't hear/see this rather common species!
21.1 LP 2 on the way from ORM to Santa Cruz
21.1 T 2 Embalse de Valle Molina, 3 Tejina Pond #1, 6 Tejina Pond #3a-c, 1 Monte de Las Mercedes
22.1 T 2 close to Tamaimo, 4 elsewhere
23.1 T 1 Torviscas (Playa de las Americas)
27.2 LP 6 Los Tilos, 6 elsewhere in NE of island
28.2 LP 1 Puntagorda res, 4 Puerto de Tazacorte, 2 San Isidro Horse farm, 8 Various other locations between 500m - 1000m
3.3 LP 1 Llano Negro - Garafia, 7 elsewhere
4.3 FV 1 on the way to Oliva
5.3 T 6 Orotava Valley

Canary Island Chiffchaff Phylloscopus canariensis
19.11 LP total of 35 at various locations between 700m ... 1100m
19.11 LP total of 6
20.11 T total of 10
21.11 T total of 8
16.1 T total of 4
17.1 LP total of 35
21.1 LP 4 Fuente de Olen, 15 along the road to Santa Cruz
21.1 T total of 12
22.1 T total of 20
23.1 T total of 4
27.2 LP 50 Los Tilos area, 20 elsewhere in NE part of island, 6 SE part of island
28.2 LP 6 ORM->Llano Negro, 30 Llano Negro->Puntagorda, 1 Punta Gorda Res, 2 Puerto de Tazacorte, 10 Cumbre Nueva, 8 San Isidro Horse Farm, 10 Micra -> ORM, 15 elsewhere
3.3 LP 23 ORM-Llano Negro, 91 !! Llano Negro-Garafia, 20 LP 111,15 elsewhere
5.3 T total of 30

Tenerife kinglet Regulus teneriffae
21.1 LP 7 Fuente de Olen
22.1 T 1 Las Lajas
23.1 T 1 Dripping water pipe

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus
17.11 LP 3 about 5 km NE of Puntagorda, 1 elsewhere
20.11 T 2 Monte del Aqua
16.1 T 4 Las lajas
17.1 LP 2 Los Tilos, 2 Road LP111
21.1 LP 8 Fuente de Olen
21.1 T 2 Monte de las Mercedes, 1 La Laguna
22.1 T 4 Monte de Aqua, 6 Las Lajas
23.1 T 2 Las Lajas, 4 Dripping water pipe
27.2 LP 2+2+nest hole Los Tilos
28.2 LP 2 Llano Negro - Puntagorda, 2 Micra-Fuente Olen
3.3 LP 1 ORM-Llano Negro, 1 Llano Negro
4.3 FV 1 in unexpectedly at Fimapaire Valley
5.3 T 2 Santa Cruz, 2 Orotava Valley

Chough Pyrrhocrocorax pyrrhocrocorax
16.11 LP 1 ORM area
17.11 LP 140 at 1700m from ORM to Llano Negro, 40 Llano Negro-Puntagorda, 1 Puntagorda
19.11 LP 20 at 1100m Llano Negro, 4 Cliffs of Garafia
17.1 LP 2 at 200m , 2 elsewhere close to sea level
21.1 LP 1 at ORM
27.2 LP 3 Los Tilos, 25 Laguna Barlovento, 3 elsewhere in NE part, 2 Malpaises, 6 Monte de la Luna, 64 Las Caletas, from 300m to 800m.
28.2 LP 50 ORM -> Llano Negro, 8 Puntagorda Reservoir, 4 Barranco de las Angustias, 2 NOT, 20 ORM 3.3 LP 2 ORM, 14 ORM-Llano Negro, 2 Llano Negro-Garafia, 29 Garafia, 25 Punta del Gaviota

Raven Corvus corax
23.1 T 1 Las Lajas

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
16.11 T 6 Guacharo Village
17.1 T 6 Playa de las Americas
17.1 T 4 Playa de las Americas
17.1 LP 10 Santa Cruz
21-23.1 T 7 residential areas Torviscas/Playa de Las Americas.
28.2 LP 4 Brena Alta
3.3 LP 6 Airport
4.3 FV 20 Tetir, 12 Metilla, 3 Oliva
5.3 T 10 Orotava Valley, 2 El Fraile

Canary Serinus canaria
It seems that the coastal canary population in LP stays at the coast. So where do the mountain top birds come from?
15.11 LP 80 ORM area
16.11 LP 40 ORM area
17.11 LP 160 Total
18.11 LP 40 ORM area
19.11 LP 140 Total
20.11 T 30 NW of Island and Monte del Aqua
16.1 T 1 Vilaflor
17.1 LP 30 Road to Tilos, 40 Barlovento area, 20 elsewhere
18.1,19.1 LP 15,2 ORM
21.1 LP 100 ORM area above tree line, 15 coastal areas
21.1 T 3 Embalse de Valle de Molina, 8 elsewhere
22.1 T 10 total
23.1 T 5 Las Lajas, 22 Dripping Water Pipe, 20 elsewhere
27.2 LP 4 Los Tilos, 25 Barlovento area, a40+40 Los Canarios
28.2 LP mostly between 700 and 1000m, 5 ORM->Llano Negro, 15 Llano Negro -> Puntagorda, 7 Puntagorda Reservoir, 2 Mirador del Time, 5 Puerto de Tazacorte, 8 Cumbre Nueva, 40 San Isidro Horse Farm
3.3 LP 20 ORM, 7 ORM-Llano Negro, 40 Llano Negro-Garafia, 6 LP111, 30 Barlovento
5.3 T 20 Orotava Valley, 15 Guimar - Granadilla

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis
27.2 LP 1 Los Tilos

Linnet Carduelis cannabina
4.3 FV 4 Western edge of Oliva
5.3 T 2 Orotava valley

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus
4.3 FV 20 Fimapaire Valley, 10 Embalse de Molinos, 15 elsewherw

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs
17.11 LP 4 at 1600m in the pine forest
19.11 LP 3 at 1000m in bushes between Garafia and Llano Negro
20.11 LP 2 at about 1600m ORM to Llano Negro
20.11 T 4 Monte del Aqua
21.1 LP 35 Fuente de Olen + 8 along the road downwards
21.1 T 2 Monte de las Mercedes
22.1 T 4 Monte del Aqua
27.2 LP 14 Los Tilos
28.2 LP 4 Micra-Fuente de Olen

Blue Chaffinch Fringilla teydea
22.1 T 1m3f Las Lajas, 6m2f Dripping Water pipe
23.1 T 5m1f Las Lajas, 15m5f Dripping Water pipe
5.3 T 1 flew over the Orotava Road at about altitude 1800m

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra
23.1 T 2+1+12 on TF51 about 3km from Vilaflor towards Arona.