Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch (1 Viewer)

[Paul Chapman]

I have a couple of days to try for Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch on Sunday & Monday. I am currently collating information from various kind sources but always keen to add to it especially as I think that it is likely to be a tough time of year.

Anyone with experience in the last few months or tips?

Many thanks

Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

To answer my own question as I sit eating
celebratory homemade ice cream with strawberries & hot chocolate in a cafe in Tejeda on Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch are certainly doable in the usual area at the end of June. A few trip reports to catch up but I plan to do one having been on Tenerife as well before nipping over to Gran Canaria by ferry with a couple of friends. In an hour and 20 mins yesterday & four hours today covering about 4 miles on foot:-

25 June - 3.40pm to 5.00pm
27.944218 -15.669703 - immature male

26 June - 9.20am to 1.20pm
27.943303 -15.670077 - two singing males
27.946132 -15.663041 - male
27.946329 -15.673649 - two females
27.947572 -15.661739 - male & female

There are good quality windy roads that are one car's width at times approaching from the south but then the last 3.5kms are a rough stony unpaved track where a decent 4x4 or similar with good clearance is useful. The track running west into the reserve from 27.943794 -15.663974 has a chain across it and we walked it for around a kilometre.

I'll post some pics on my return home.

All the best

Paul

 

[Larry Sweetland]

Thanks for pinpointing the sightings Paul, really useful for anyone who can make the trip👍

 

[cheshirebirder]

To answer my own question as I sit eating
celebratory homemade ice cream with strawberries & hot chocolate in a cafe in Tejeda on Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch are certainly doable in the usual area at the end of June. A few trip reports to catch up but I plan to do one having been on Tenerife as well before nipping over to Gran Canaria by ferry with a couple of friends. In an hour and 20 mins yesterday & four hours today covering about 4 miles on foot:-

25 June - 3.40pm to 5.00pm
27.944218 -15.669703 - immature male

26 June - 9.20am to 1.20pm
27.943303 -15.670077 - two singing males
27.946132 -15.663041 - male
27.946329 -15.673649 - two females
27.947572 -15.661739 - male & female

There are good quality windy roads that are one car's width at times approaching from the south but then the last 3.5kms are a rough stony unpaved track where a decent 4x4 or similar with good clearance is useful. The track running west into the reserve from 27.943794 -15.663974 has a chain across it and we walked it for around a kilometre.

I'll post some pics on my return home.

All the best

Paul

Paul, when you say “ good quality windy roads ” are you talking about forest tracks ie unpaved ? That’s all I can see from satellite images .

 

[Paul Chapman]

Paul, when you say “ good quality windy roads ” are you talking about forest tracks ie unpaved ? That’s all I can see from satellite images .

Tarmac until the last 3.5kms. Then a rough stony track that is interesting in places & best in a 4x4. Think the Erjos road of the late 90s if you ever experienced that.

All the best

Paul

 

[cheshirebirder]

Tarmac until the last 3.5kms. Then a rough stony track that is interesting in places & best in a 4x4.

Thanks , so a lot better than I’d assumed .

Think the Erjos road of the late 90s if you ever experienced that.

All the best

Paul

Yes, we parked near the beginning and walked in !

 

[Paul Chapman]

A bunch of Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch pics from Saturday & Sunday - first seven pics.

Edit - I have added a comparison shot of Tenerife Blue Chaffinch (pic 8). Gran Canaria has a blackish forehead band with whiter wing bars against blacker wings. Also added a sonogram from Merlin Bird App of Gran Canaria (pic 9) against Tenerife (pic 10).

All the best

Paul

 

[njlarsen]

I can find one single image of gran canaria blue chaffinch in the gallery, please upload there so more people may enjoy your images of this one.
Niels

 

[Paul Chapman]

I can find one single image of gran canaria blue chaffinch in the gallery, please upload there so more people may enjoy your images of this one.
Niels

I have added three images which appears to be the maximum for a 24 hour period. I anticipate that is enough & they are the most representative. 👍

All the best

Paul

 

[njlarsen]

Great!

 

[KC Foggin]

You sure got some great captures of these Blue Chaffinches