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RFI Tenerife in October (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Stranger
- Start date
markgrubb
Leading a life of quiet desperation
There is quite a lot of info on BF about Tenerife
Try Search forums-Advanced search-Key word-enter Tenerife-choose 'search titles only' and you will get a number of trip reports
Alternatively do you have any target birds in mind?-I'm sure many of us on the forum could point you in the right direction
Try Search forums-Advanced search-Key word-enter Tenerife-choose 'search titles only' and you will get a number of trip reports
Alternatively do you have any target birds in mind?-I'm sure many of us on the forum could point you in the right direction
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
I went in October a couple of years ago. The best site for migrants is probably the reservoir at El Fraile, it isn't the easiest to find but is likely to be worth the effort and isn't that far from Golf del Sur.
Golf del Sur itself is supposed to be quite good for migrants. Had a mooch round the outside and saw a few Cattle Egrets but not a lot else.
For the resident specialities La Lajas is a must for Blue Chaffinch.
I think my report is on here somewhere, I can search it out if you like.
Stephen
Golf del Sur itself is supposed to be quite good for migrants. Had a mooch round the outside and saw a few Cattle Egrets but not a lot else.
For the resident specialities La Lajas is a must for Blue Chaffinch.
I think my report is on here somewhere, I can search it out if you like.
Stephen
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 1
Started early morning at Blackpool North station in the pitch black and heard Redwing and Golden Plover. Decided not to include these in the trip list, nor the Magpie that passed the airport terminal building whilst we were in the departure lounge.
We arrived on Tenerife at 2pm. The long drive from the airport to the resort produced local race Kestrel, Collared Doves, feral pigeons and Yellow-legged Gulls.
After unpacking we had a few hours to explore Puerto de la Cruz. This produced some welcome sightings including Canary Islands Chiff Chaff, Canary, Tenerife Blue Tit, Monarch butterflies and several lizards. Other interest included a very approachable presumed tired migrant Tree Pipit in public gardens near the beach. All in all an enjoyable introduction to the island's wildlife.
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Started early morning at Blackpool North station in the pitch black and heard Redwing and Golden Plover. Decided not to include these in the trip list, nor the Magpie that passed the airport terminal building whilst we were in the departure lounge.
We arrived on Tenerife at 2pm. The long drive from the airport to the resort produced local race Kestrel, Collared Doves, feral pigeons and Yellow-legged Gulls.
After unpacking we had a few hours to explore Puerto de la Cruz. This produced some welcome sightings including Canary Islands Chiff Chaff, Canary, Tenerife Blue Tit, Monarch butterflies and several lizards. Other interest included a very approachable presumed tired migrant Tree Pipit in public gardens near the beach. All in all an enjoyable introduction to the island's wildlife.
__________________
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 2
Took advantage of our hire car to do a tour of North West Tenerife as described in the Sunflower Landscapes guide to the island. Unfortunately the Beetle we had ordered was unavailable and the replacement Plurial wasn't up to some of the hilly terrain we were covering.
We visited three sites in Clarke and Collins book en route. At Puerto del Teno 10 Cory's Shearwaters were seen offshore. Teno Alto did not hold any Rock Sparrows, but we did hear Tenerife Kinglet and Barbaary Partridge. We also covered Erjos ponds, and had Moorhen, Coot, Snipe Buzzard and best of all Sardinian Warbler.
Other sites visited included Buenavista golf course, where Whimbrel and Berthelot's Pipit were added to the list. At the Mirador El Lance a long scrap between a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk was observed and we were high enough up for Buzzards to fly beneath us.
Took advantage of our hire car to do a tour of North West Tenerife as described in the Sunflower Landscapes guide to the island. Unfortunately the Beetle we had ordered was unavailable and the replacement Plurial wasn't up to some of the hilly terrain we were covering.
We visited three sites in Clarke and Collins book en route. At Puerto del Teno 10 Cory's Shearwaters were seen offshore. Teno Alto did not hold any Rock Sparrows, but we did hear Tenerife Kinglet and Barbaary Partridge. We also covered Erjos ponds, and had Moorhen, Coot, Snipe Buzzard and best of all Sardinian Warbler.
Other sites visited included Buenavista golf course, where Whimbrel and Berthelot's Pipit were added to the list. At the Mirador El Lance a long scrap between a Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk was observed and we were high enough up for Buzzards to fly beneath us.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 3
With the afternoon given over to the tourist circuit (Loro Park) birding hopes were pinned on a trio of north eastern sites in the morning.
Tejina ponds saw Little Egret and Common Sandpiper added to the list, as well as Grey Heron, Moorhen and the obligatory Muscovy. At Punta del Hidalgo there was no evidence of any migrants. The wind direction was promising for seawatching, and a short seawatch produced 23 Cory's.
Finally Valle Molino reservoir was checked. Hopes were high here, especially when the gate was open and the whole of the water and egdes could be viewed. It was therefore a bit of an anti-climax to muster only 5 Little Egret, 5 Common Sands, 38 Coot and 2 Grey Heron.
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With the afternoon given over to the tourist circuit (Loro Park) birding hopes were pinned on a trio of north eastern sites in the morning.
Tejina ponds saw Little Egret and Common Sandpiper added to the list, as well as Grey Heron, Moorhen and the obligatory Muscovy. At Punta del Hidalgo there was no evidence of any migrants. The wind direction was promising for seawatching, and a short seawatch produced 23 Cory's.
Finally Valle Molino reservoir was checked. Hopes were high here, especially when the gate was open and the whole of the water and egdes could be viewed. It was therefore a bit of an anti-climax to muster only 5 Little Egret, 5 Common Sands, 38 Coot and 2 Grey Heron.
__________________
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 4
After a hiatus to change hire cars we headed towards El Teide for Blue Chaffinches. Perhaps three figure numbers of Plain Swift were passed. Stopping at Aguamansa (Caldera) we soon saw a cracking male Blue Chaffinch alongside 2 female Chaffinches (Tony Clarke mentions this site as one of few where both Chaffinches occur). We also had Tenerife Kinglet here.
After the tourist trip up the Teide cable car, with Kestrels and Berthelot's Pipit near the summit, we headed to Las Lajas passing our first Southern Grey Shrike of the trip. At Las Lajas itself the very distinctive local race Great Spotted Woodpeckers were much in evidence around the picnic areas as well as the Blue Chaffinches.
Heading back past Erjos we considered walking to the pigeon vantage point, but there wasn't enough time before dusk. Instead we walked the short distance to Erjos ponds and were very surprised to get seven Bolle's Pigeons which all eventually settled at close range in the trees behind the main pond.
After a hiatus to change hire cars we headed towards El Teide for Blue Chaffinches. Perhaps three figure numbers of Plain Swift were passed. Stopping at Aguamansa (Caldera) we soon saw a cracking male Blue Chaffinch alongside 2 female Chaffinches (Tony Clarke mentions this site as one of few where both Chaffinches occur). We also had Tenerife Kinglet here.
After the tourist trip up the Teide cable car, with Kestrels and Berthelot's Pipit near the summit, we headed to Las Lajas passing our first Southern Grey Shrike of the trip. At Las Lajas itself the very distinctive local race Great Spotted Woodpeckers were much in evidence around the picnic areas as well as the Blue Chaffinches.
Heading back past Erjos we considered walking to the pigeon vantage point, but there wasn't enough time before dusk. Instead we walked the short distance to Erjos ponds and were very surprised to get seven Bolle's Pigeons which all eventually settled at close range in the trees behind the main pond.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 5
Today involved an early start and late finish to get a reasonable delay on La Gomera. Unfortunately in ornithological terms the effort was not rewarded, though the island was delightful.
As well as a pigeon site (Laurel not seen) a couple of areas of freshwater were checked out on the off chance of migrants / vagrants. Presa de la Encantadora produced a couple each of Little Egret and Grey Heron, Moorhen and Coot. Chejelipes Reservoir only held the latter two species.
Similarly the ferry ride produced only more Cory's Shearwaters, but was memorable for Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Short-finned Pilot Whales.
Today involved an early start and late finish to get a reasonable delay on La Gomera. Unfortunately in ornithological terms the effort was not rewarded, though the island was delightful.
As well as a pigeon site (Laurel not seen) a couple of areas of freshwater were checked out on the off chance of migrants / vagrants. Presa de la Encantadora produced a couple each of Little Egret and Grey Heron, Moorhen and Coot. Chejelipes Reservoir only held the latter two species.
Similarly the ferry ride produced only more Cory's Shearwaters, but was memorable for Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Short-finned Pilot Whales.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 6
After an intensive day yesterday took it easy today with a late start and then a leisurely stroll around the resort. The walk added Monk Parakeet to the trip list.
Headed for Buenavista golf course where there were 2 Whimbrel. A flock of 9 Little Egret passed offshore and a Spectacled Warbler was by the clubhouse. Moving on to Teno no Barbary Falcon were seen, but four Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen from an unusual vantage point high on the cliffs.
Checked the Mirador de Largrimona, where after perhaps 40 minutes or so had satisfactory flight views of a couple of Laurel Pigeon. Got lost trying to find Los Rodeos, and so checked another golf course east of Tacoronte and had very good views of a female canariensis Great Spotted Woodpecker.
After an intensive day yesterday took it easy today with a late start and then a leisurely stroll around the resort. The walk added Monk Parakeet to the trip list.
Headed for Buenavista golf course where there were 2 Whimbrel. A flock of 9 Little Egret passed offshore and a Spectacled Warbler was by the clubhouse. Moving on to Teno no Barbary Falcon were seen, but four Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen from an unusual vantage point high on the cliffs.
Checked the Mirador de Largrimona, where after perhaps 40 minutes or so had satisfactory flight views of a couple of Laurel Pigeon. Got lost trying to find Los Rodeos, and so checked another golf course east of Tacoronte and had very good views of a female canariensis Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 7
Went to a number of southern sites today. At El Medano was saw our fist Kentish Plovers, ten in all.
Spent some time at the Golf Sur complex. This was eventually rewarded with three Cattle Egrets together on one of the fairways.
Headed on to the reservoir at El Fraile, which was expected to be the key site of the week for non-endemics. In many ways it didn't disappoint, with 2 Spoonbills, 72 Little Egrets, a Greenshank as well as a Common Sandpiper. Also in the immediate vicinity were 4 Barbary Partridges and 2 Hoopoes.
Stopped briefly at Las Lajas on the way back and enjoyed more good views of canariensis Great Spots.
Went to a number of southern sites today. At El Medano was saw our fist Kentish Plovers, ten in all.
Spent some time at the Golf Sur complex. This was eventually rewarded with three Cattle Egrets together on one of the fairways.
Headed on to the reservoir at El Fraile, which was expected to be the key site of the week for non-endemics. In many ways it didn't disappoint, with 2 Spoonbills, 72 Little Egrets, a Greenshank as well as a Common Sandpiper. Also in the immediate vicinity were 4 Barbary Partridges and 2 Hoopoes.
Stopped briefly at Las Lajas on the way back and enjoyed more good views of canariensis Great Spots.
Stephen Dunstan
Registered User
Tenerife Day 8
With our flight not until the evening there was time for some more birding during the day. We went to Erjos Ponds again and once more had superb views of up to 15 Bolle's Pigeons in the trees at the far end of the pond. There were also up to 5 Buzzards and a Sardinian Warbler in the area and we also got our best views of the local race Robins.
With our flight not until the evening there was time for some more birding during the day. We went to Erjos Ponds again and once more had superb views of up to 15 Bolle's Pigeons in the trees at the far end of the pond. There were also up to 5 Buzzards and a Sardinian Warbler in the area and we also got our best views of the local race Robins.
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