I've only seen Blue Chaffinch on Tenerife.
But Clarke & Collins 1996 (
A Birdwatchers' Guide to the Canary Islands) states that the only reliable site on Gran Canaria is the Pajonales NR, near Tejeda:
"Best visited in spring (April, May or possibly June), when Blue Chaffinch is most likely to be in song. It is found mainly in areas of mature Canary Island Pine with an understory of the white-flowered shrub Chamaecytisus proliferus, locally known as Escobon.
If it is singing, Blue Chaffinch can be located relatively easily, since the song is very like the song of the Chaffinch, the endemic race of which does not seem to occur in this forest. Early mornings or evenings are likely to be the best times to hear it. Even in this forest, Blue Chaffinch appears to be at low density, and the bird is somewhat retiring, so it is difficult to locate when not singing. Concentrate on the areas with a good understory, such as the area up to the left, just beyond the ICONA forest house."
Clarke & Collins also mention Pinar de Tamadaba, near Artenara, but state that although Blue Chaffinch occurs in the forest, it appears to be very scarce and not at all easy to locate.
[I can give the directions to both sites, if that would help.]
Richard
PS: Just noticed this, from Clarke 2006 (
Birds of the Atlantic Islands):
"...the Blue Chaffinch is now on the verge of extinction [on Gran Canaria] and special permission is needed to enter the area where it still occurs. To do this, contact Francisco del Campo by telephone ([00 34] 637-724319) or e-mail (
[email protected]); he can arrange the necessary permits."
