halftwo
Monday 4th May 2009, 11:20
Just returned from a short break.
Have been staying at Cape Salema, the southernmost tip of Tenerife. I did some of the sights to see the specialities - but, having been birding there before I wasn't doing the mad-dash thing, though was reaquainted with the Tenerife specials - so here are a few more unusual things.
At the Cape, around the lighthouse, is a reserve which is a good for Spectacled warbler - quite easy, and stunners. More surprising though were the numbers of Southern grey shrikes - saw ten in the area (family groups mainly.)
Also several Tawny pipits amongst the Berthelot's, and a single singing Lesser short-toed lark. Cory's shearwaters constantly offshore.
There's a reservoir largely hidden amongst the banana screens - but viewable on all sides: Wood sandpiper, Redshanks, Dunlins, Common sandpiper, Ringed plover (nearby) and Coots (nesting).
On another day at San Juan beach I discovered a colony of Night herons (just behind the beach in a large tree.) Eight adults at least - and twenty newly hatched eggshells littered the floor underneath.
At the remains of the small reservoir adjacent seven Dunlin and a Common sandpiper. A few dragonflies - one looked like a Lesser emperor (?) A pair of Common terns in the harbour all day.
Interestingly one Pallid swift with the Plain swifts on one day was the only one I saw. I don't know their status on Tenerife.
The highlight was the incredible sight of three adult Bald eagles soaring over the coast - a Peregrine stooping at one at great speed - but then they were all wearing jessies - so I guess I won't be ticking them!
Have been staying at Cape Salema, the southernmost tip of Tenerife. I did some of the sights to see the specialities - but, having been birding there before I wasn't doing the mad-dash thing, though was reaquainted with the Tenerife specials - so here are a few more unusual things.
At the Cape, around the lighthouse, is a reserve which is a good for Spectacled warbler - quite easy, and stunners. More surprising though were the numbers of Southern grey shrikes - saw ten in the area (family groups mainly.)
Also several Tawny pipits amongst the Berthelot's, and a single singing Lesser short-toed lark. Cory's shearwaters constantly offshore.
There's a reservoir largely hidden amongst the banana screens - but viewable on all sides: Wood sandpiper, Redshanks, Dunlins, Common sandpiper, Ringed plover (nearby) and Coots (nesting).
On another day at San Juan beach I discovered a colony of Night herons (just behind the beach in a large tree.) Eight adults at least - and twenty newly hatched eggshells littered the floor underneath.
At the remains of the small reservoir adjacent seven Dunlin and a Common sandpiper. A few dragonflies - one looked like a Lesser emperor (?) A pair of Common terns in the harbour all day.
Interestingly one Pallid swift with the Plain swifts on one day was the only one I saw. I don't know their status on Tenerife.
The highlight was the incredible sight of three adult Bald eagles soaring over the coast - a Peregrine stooping at one at great speed - but then they were all wearing jessies - so I guess I won't be ticking them!