Birding advise for Lanzarote (1 Viewer)

[Beany Birder]

Hi all

I'm about to embark on a short holiday to Lanzarote, Canary Islands and wondered if anyone had any birding advise for the island (hotspots, general tips and tricks etc).

In targeting terms, I'd love to see a Hubara Bustard but otherwise I'm just looking forward to enjoying the birding delights this island has to offer.

Thanks in advance all
Beany

 

[stuartvine]

I've attached a little map - hope it helps. Berthold's Pipits, Kestrel, Grey Shrike and Cattle Egret can be widely seen. Whimbrel and Yellow-legged Gulls common. Lot's of other stuff I didn't see - including the **** Bustards, but they're meant to be in the desert area shown on the map.

 

[Beany Birder]

I've attached a little map - hope it helps. Berthold's Pipits, Kestrel, Grey Shrike and Cattle Egret can be widely seen. Whimbrel and Yellow-legged Gulls common. Lot's of other stuff I didn't see - including the **** Bustards, but they're meant to be in the desert area shown on the map.

Hi Stuart, thank you so much for the map and the advise, hugely helpful! Some birds there I've never seen so very excited.

 

[JoanT]

Hi Stuart, thank you so much for the map and the advise, hugely helpful! Some birds there I've never seen so very excited.

For the houbara get up early and be there at dawn. I used the map in Tony Clarke,s where to watch birds in the Canary Islands. A quick look in my bookcase didn't,t locate my copy.

Joan

 

[Hotspur]

I forgot my bins this summer which was rather annoying. Too many kids I reckon... Anyway despite this I managed a modicum of success with loads of Trumpeter Finches to the NE of Playa Blanca along with Stone Curlews, local race Linnets, Desert Grey Shrikes, Lesser Short-toed Larks, Berthelot's Pipits but no Bustards or Coursers. Offshore there were plenty of YL Gulls and I managed a trio of Cory's despite the lack of optics so a proper seawatch would doubtless be decent. I also had a Barbary Falcon plus Plain and Pallid Swifts over the hotel. I went to the golf course in Playa Blanca hoping for African Blue Tit but no luck.

 

[trw]

I've attached a little map - hope it helps. Berthold's Pipits, Kestrel, Grey Shrike and Cattle Egret can be widely seen. Whimbrel and Yellow-legged Gulls common. Lot's of other stuff I didn't see - including the **** Bustards, but they're meant to be in the desert area shown on the map.

Might be going without a car to Playa Blanca.
Where do we get taxi driver to drop us off for both areas arrowed on map.
Where would you see Stone Curlew near Playa Blanca?
thanks

 

[wolfbirder]

Hi Pratincol & Beany- I attach a report from 2010 where I gave as much detail as possible: -

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=174437&highlight=Mad+Blogs+Englishmen

It might help, but I gather Rubicon plain near Playa Blanca is not as good as it used to be. But Houbara Bustard can be seen near the cement works and huge concrete walls still on that track. Look for areas with slightly bigger bushes, they are often around those areas.

In my opinion a car is essential on Lanzarote, the birds are quite used to them but tend to hide at the first sight of pedestrians. Its really not the ideal place to bird without a car. Its particularly true of Rubicon Plain.

I never found Stone Curlews regular anywhere, and Cream coloured Coursers are apparently much rarer at Rubicon Plain, indeed if they are still there at all. The only Stone Curlew I saw was by the side of the road as you enter Playa Blanca via two roundabouts.

Do go to Vacational Trip Reports and search for more recent reports than mine.

 

[Phil Andrews]

BB - you didn't mention where you are staying?

Attached is a link to my 2013 trip report thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=252795&highlight=Lanzarote

 

[John Cantelo]

If your interest extends beyond birds or even if it doesn't, then I'd recommend you consider getting a copy of the Crossbill Guide Canary Islands Vol I - Lanzarote & Fuerteventura which should point you towards some of the best sites. I ought to add that, since I help edit the guides, I'm biased, but I do think it's a useful guide.

 

[Barred Wobbler]

Hi Pratincol & Beany- I attach a report from 2010 where I gave as much detail as possible: -

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=174437&highlight=Mad+Blogs+Englishmen

It might help, but I gather Rubicon plain near Playa Blanca is not as good as it used to be. But Houbara Bustard can be seen near the cement works and huge concrete walls still on that track. Look for areas with slightly bigger bushes, they are often around those areas.

In my opinion a car is essential on Lanzarote, the birds are quite used to them but tend to hide at the first sight of pedestrians. Its really not the ideal place to bird without a car. Its particularly true of Rubicon Plain.

I never found Stone Curlews regular anywhere, and Cream coloured Coursers are apparently much rarer at Rubicon Plain, indeed if they are still there at all. The only Stone Curlew I saw was by the side of the road as you enter Playa Blanca via two roundabouts.

Do go to Vacational Trip Reports and search for more recent reports than mine.

Having thought about going to Lanzarote for decades I finally paid a visit in early 2014 as an alternative to a trip to Morocco that was cancelled at the last minute by the trip company. I'd been to Fuerteventura several times (and loved it) and expected that Lanzarote would be much the same. I did flush a houbara from the main road running north from Playa Blanca and I found a hot spot for them on Teguise Plain. I came across a group of about 15 stone curlew feeding on snails right next to a track on the outskirts of Tao, but in general I found Lanzarote to be a disappointment and comparatively birdless after what I was used to in Fuerteventura. I tried hard and failed miserably in my search for cream-coloured coursers and only saw two trumpeter finches as they flew over the road in front of my car between Tias, where we stayed and Playa Blanca.

It's just my opinion, but I put a lot of the lack of numbers down to the agricultural practices. Grape vines and similar crops are grown in small fields enclosed by lava stone walls. The individual bushes are protected against the wind by the walls and each has a small rock crescent berm to collect any water which may fall as rain. The black volcanic soil looks at first glance like tarmac, and as far as plants other than those cultivated go, it might as well be tarmac. It looks as if no growth other than the vines etc is tolerated, with the result that there are no weeds around field edges for wild birds to take advantage of.

Even the Spanish Sparrows, so common on Fuerteventura are more limited in number on Lanzarote. Each village would have a flock, but they tended to be very local and confined.

Barbary partridges were comparatively easy at Tahiche Golf, as were Southern grey shrikes and cattle egrets. I also had my only plain swift of the trip there.

After the riches of Fuerteventura, I found Lanzarote to be a disappointment, particularly as they are separated by such a narrow channel of water, So close, yet so very different. Being an island I wasn't expecting much of a trip list, based on Furteventura experience, but the number I found was well below even my already low expectations.

 

[Beany Birder]

For the houbara get up early and be there at dawn. I used the map in Tony Clarke,s where to watch birds in the Canary Islands. A quick look in my bookcase didn't,t locate my copy.

Joan

Thanks Joan

 

[trw]

Thanks for your report Barred Warbler!
Sounds like it will be hard work but we have been to Fuertaventura which I found brilliant for birds-we may go there again.

 

[trw]

Hi Pratincol & Beany- I attach a report from 2010 where I gave as much detail as possible: -

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=174437&highlight=Mad+Blogs+Englishmen

It might help, but I gather Rubicon plain near Playa Blanca is not as good as it used to be. But Houbara Bustard can be seen near the cement works and huge concrete walls still on that track. Look for areas with slightly bigger bushes, they are often around those areas.

In my opinion a car is essential on Lanzarote, the birds are quite used to them but tend to hide at the first sight of pedestrians. Its really not the ideal place to bird without a car. Its particularly true of Rubicon Plain.

I never found Stone Curlews regular anywhere, and Cream coloured Coursers are apparently much rarer at Rubicon Plain, indeed if they are still there at all. The only Stone Curlew I saw was by the side of the road as you enter Playa Blanca via two roundabouts.

Do go to Vacational Trip Reports and search for more recent reports than mine.

Many thanks.

 

[Beany Birder]

I forgot my bins this summer which was rather annoying. Too many kids I reckon... Anyway despite this I managed a modicum of success with loads of Trumpeter Finches to the NE of Playa Blanca along with Stone Curlews, local race Linnets, Desert Grey Shrikes, Lesser Short-toed Larks, Berthelot's Pipits but no Bustards or Coursers. Offshore there were plenty of YL Gulls and I managed a trio of Cory's despite the lack of optics so a proper seawatch would doubtless be decent. I also had a Barbary Falcon plus Plain and Pallid Swifts over the hotel. I went to the golf course in Playa Blanca hoping for African Blue Tit but no luck.

Thanks for the advise Hotspur, most of those sound like lifers to me, so with a bit of luck I'd love to catch up with them as well.

 

[Beany Birder]

Hi Pratincol & Beany- I attach a report from 2010 where I gave as much detail as possible: -

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=174437&highlight=Mad+Blogs+Englishmen

It might help, but I gather Rubicon plain near Playa Blanca is not as good as it used to be. But Houbara Bustard can be seen near the cement works and huge concrete walls still on that track. Look for areas with slightly bigger bushes, they are often around those areas.

In my opinion a car is essential on Lanzarote, the birds are quite used to them but tend to hide at the first sight of pedestrians. Its really not the ideal place to bird without a car. Its particularly true of Rubicon Plain.

I never found Stone Curlews regular anywhere, and Cream coloured Coursers are apparently much rarer at Rubicon Plain, indeed if they are still there at all. The only Stone Curlew I saw was by the side of the road as you enter Playa Blanca via two roundabouts.

Do go to Vacational Trip Reports and search for more recent reports than mine.

Thanks Wolfbirder, that's fantastic info!! I will have a car so that will help by the sounds of things. I feel slightly more confident about finding a Houbara now

 

[Beany Birder]

BB - you didn't mention where you are staying?

Attached is a link to my 2013 trip report thread: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=252795&highlight=Lanzarote

Just east of Tias. Thanks for the trip report, that's wonderfully detailed and amazing you got 65 species! Before posting today my initial thoughts were around 35 so this has been very encouraging. Thanks again

 

[Beany Birder]

If your interest extends beyond birds or even if it doesn't, then I'd recommend you consider getting a copy of the Crossbill Guide Canary Islands Vol I - Lanzarote & Fuerteventura which should point you towards some of the best sites. I ought to add that, since I help edit the guides, I'm biased, but I do think it's a useful guide.

Thanks John, will take a look!

 

[Beany Birder]

Having thought about going to Lanzarote for decades I finally paid a visit in early 2014 as an alternative to a trip to Morocco that was cancelled at the last minute by the trip company. I'd been to Fuerteventura several times (and loved it) and expected that Lanzarote would be much the same. I did flush a houbara from the main road running north from Playa Blanca and I found a hot spot for them on Teguise Plain. I came across a group of about 15 stone curlew feeding on snails right next to a track on the outskirts of Tao, but in general I found Lanzarote to be a disappointment and comparatively birdless after what I was used to in Fuerteventura. I tried hard and failed miserably in my search for cream-coloured coursers and only saw two trumpeter finches as they flew over the road in front of my car between Tias, where we stayed and Playa Blanca.

It's just my opinion, but I put a lot of the lack of numbers down to the agricultural practices. Grape vines and similar crops are grown in small fields enclosed by lava stone walls. The individual bushes are protected against the wind by the walls and each has a small rock crescent berm to collect any water which may fall as rain. The black volcanic soil looks at first glance like tarmac, and as far as plants other than those cultivated go, it might as well be tarmac. It looks as if no growth other than the vines etc is tolerated, with the result that there are no weeds around field edges for wild birds to take advantage of.

Even the Spanish Sparrows, so common on Fuerteventura are more limited in number on Lanzarote. Each village would have a flock, but they tended to be very local and confined.

Barbary partridges were comparatively easy at Tahiche Golf, as were Southern grey shrikes and cattle egrets. I also had my only plain swift of the trip there.

After the riches of Fuerteventura, I found Lanzarote to be a disappointment, particularly as they are separated by such a narrow channel of water, So close, yet so very different. Being an island I wasn't expecting much of a trip list, based on Furteventura experience, but the number I found was well below even my already low expectations.

Thanks for the report, you took some lovely pictures of the birds you did find. I had read very similar things to your report before posting, it has been encouraging to see that others have had some successes at Lanzarote. It will be challenging by the sounds of it though. If I can I might try a trip to Fuerteventura as I didn't appreciate how much of a birding hotspot it was. Thanks again.

 

[Beany Birder]

The golf courses have cropped up a number of times as good locations, some people have said they were in cars, others have walked it. I presume it's a case of chatting to front desk and asking to enter? It's not a case that it's open from all sides if you know what I mean?

 

[foresttwitcher]

In case you haven't had enough information already, a link to my trip report is: http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=305123 which includes both Lanzarote & Fueteventura for comparison. In contrast to other comments I actually found Lanzarote better for the desert species than Fuerteventura; a matter of luck, I suppose.