Fuerteventura and Lanzarote RFI (1 Viewer)

[James Lowther]

Hi all,
I’m thinking about a trip to the Eastern Canaries this winter. My principal targets in approx order of importance are:-

Fuerteventura Chat
Houbara
Blue Tit
Barn Owl
Barbary Partridge
Black-bellied Sandgrouse

I am wondering whether to spend all my time on FV, or stay on LZ but day trip (or overnight) FV (or even do the opposite).

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of these strategies? Obviously the chat (and sandgrouse?) are only on FV but I get the impression Houbara and barn owl are easier on LZ (although the owl is still v difficult).

Any opinions, or recent gen for these 6 spp much appreciated. I’d particularly appreciate reassurance that Houbara are relatively straightforward on FV!!

Cheers

James

 

[DMW]

There's an excellent recent trip report by Lieven de T on Cloudbirders for Fuerteventura that should answer some of your questions.
It's a few years since I visited these islands, so I probably don't have much useful to add other than Houbara was pretty well unmissable at Teguise on Lanzarote, the chat is easy within walking distance of the airport on Fuerteventura, and I saw Barn Owl at La Orzola on Lanzarote.

 

[James Lowther]

Cheers DMW,
What was your strategy for barn owl at Orzola?
James

 

[Scridifer]

I went to Fuerteventura last Jan/Feb and found Houbara easily enough in the Tindaya area. Had your other targets too with the exception of the Barn Owl. My trip report here if of interest. If I can help with any more info just shout.

Chris

 

[DMW]

Cheers DMW,
What was your strategy for barn owl at Orzola?
James

Driving around the area at night! Not very sophisticated but it worked.

 

[opisska]

Are you aware of the Tropicbirds? They are absent in deep winter, but we saw them already in February.

 

[James Lowther]

Thanks Jan,
I already saw them in Oman, so only a “lesser” target. But worth considering if my trip is delayed until early spring
James

 

[James Lowther]

I went to Fuerteventura last Jan/Feb and found Houbara easily enough in the Tindaya area. Had your other targets too with the exception of the Barn Owl. My trip report here if of interest. If I can help with any more info just shout.

Chris

Thanks Chris,
I will check that out. Seems most, but not all, people see the houbara on fuerteventura with sufficient effort. Barn owl might be slightly easier on lanzarote but possibly not enough to justify a side trip,
James

 

[Ferenc Domoki]

Hi all,
I’m thinking about a trip to the Eastern Canaries this winter. My principal targets in approx order of importance are:-

Fuerteventura Chat
Houbara
Blue Tit
Barn Owl
Barbary Partridge
Black-bellied Sandgrouse

I am wondering whether to spend all my time on FV, or stay on LZ but day trip (or overnight) FV (or even do the opposite).

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of these strategies? Obviously the chat (and sandgrouse?) are only on FV but I get the impression Houbara and barn owl are easier on LZ (although the owl is still v difficult).

Any opinions, or recent gen for these 6 spp much appreciated. I’d particularly appreciate reassurance that Houbara are relatively straightforward on FV!!

Cheers

James

Hello,

We had just spent one very fast birding week in the Canaries, effectively only one and a half day in Fuerteventura. Tried two mornings and one evening for the Houbara Bustard in Tindaya plains (September 5 morning and evening, September 6 morning). We saw 1-1 male at every attempt (increasingly better observations). Strategy: slowly driving, stopping the car and searching for movement. The golden hours of the morning and evening were successful (7:30-9:30 AM, 6:00-8:00 PM in September). Check also eBird for recent sightings: we had two along the paved (but potholed) road to El Huesilla viewpoint, and one near Magica Tindaya (farm). The classic site of the chat (Barranco de Rio Cabras) is good - one of the males checked us out perhaps too close directly flying at us from across the barranco landing near our feet- it might have been expecting some mealworms from us ? There in the tamarisks, African Blue Tits were also present (actually feeding on the barranco walls as well). Magica Tindaya site produced 15+ Sandgrouse while scoping for the Houbara. We missed both the partridge (category C there officially though) and the Courser. I attach an image from our last Houbara observation - preening bird after relaxed foraging with drive-away views, an absolutely unbelievable luck.

 

[James Lowther]

Thanks a lot Ferenc, very helpful
James