BIRDING IN LANZAROTE (CANARY ISLANDS)

Monday, November 3, 2008 - THE YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER AT UGA, LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

In the evening of 02/XI/2008, I detected a little warbler in a garden inside a property at the village of Uga, south of Lanzarote. I could confirm that it was a Yellow-browed Warbler, but I could not take photographs of the bird because the light was very poor. I went to Uga again in the morning of 03/XI and the bird was at the same place. Taking photos of this bird was very difficult because I was behind a wooden fence. This is our second record of Yellow-browed Warbler at Lanzarote, after the bird seen at Puerto del Carmen on February 2008 (there is photopage of this bird here).

NEW

The bird was still present on 04/XI when I went there with Antonio Unquiles and our good friend Juan José Ramos Melo (BIRDING CANARIAS), who came from Tenerife and twitched the Semipalmated Sandpiper and the Yellow-browed Warbler. We could obtain new pics of the bird.

04/XI/2008 PICTURES

Yellow-browed Warbler. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

03/XI/2008 PICTURES

Yellow-browed Warbler. Uga. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Saturday, November 1, 2008 - THE SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER AT TÍAS GOLF COURSE-FIRST FOR LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

In the morning of 01/XI/2008, under a very bad weather with strong wind and rain, I detected a Semipalmated Sandpiper in one of the shores of the dump at Tías golf course. With this very bad weather and with a very poor light, I could take some pics of the bird, but the rain made me go back home. In the afternoon, the sun was shining and I went again to the golf course, taking better photographs of the bird.

This is (if accepted) the first record of Semipalmated Sandpiper for Lanzarote and the eastern side of the Canary Islands.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Saturday, November 1, 2008 - OCTOBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

This month, about rarities, one Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Janubio salt pans on 15/X, increasing to 2 birds on 21/X, remaining one bird there until at least 26/X. The Wilson´s Phalarope was seen last time at Janubio salt pans on 21/X and the Blue Rock Thrush was seen again on 06 and 21/X, when I obtained one (horrible) pic of it.

About scarce migrants, ducks have started to arrive, with 1 Common Teal seen by A. Unquiles at Janubio salt pans on 07/X and another bird I observed at Tías golf course on 26/X, remaining there into November. At Tías golf course too, I observed 1 Northern Pintail on 19 and 20/X. 1 Montagu´s Harrier was found dead at San Bartolomé on 13/X. 1 Common Moorhen was seen at Tías golf course between 01 and 20/X. 1 Eurasian Oystercatcher was at Janubio salt pans all month staying there into November, 1 Little Ringed Plover was seen at Tías golf course on 19 and 20/X, 1 European Golden Plover was observed at Tías golf course on 05/X, Red Knots were seen at Janubio and La Santa, Little Stints at Janubio and Los Cocoteros salt pans, Curlew Sandpipers at Janubio and Los Cocoteros, Ruffs at Janubio and Tías golf course, 1 Eurasian Curlew at Órzola on 22/X and 1 Wood Sandpiper at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 18 and 22/X. Another interesting observations was 1 Sand Martin at Tías golf course on 19/X, Tree Pipits at Tías golf course, Grey Wagtails at Arrecife and Tías golf course, Whinchat (1 bird I observed at Tías golf course on 01/X and some birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 02 and 04/X), 1 Eurasian Reed Warbler seen by J. Sagardía at Janubio on 01/X, 1 Western Bonelli´s Warbler I saw at Arrecife on 03/X and 2 European Goldfinchs that I observed at Arrecife on 24/X.

OCTOBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Teal

Northern Pintail

Montagu´s Harrier

Common Kestrel

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Eurasian Oystercatcher. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

European Golden Plover. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Grey Plover

Red Knot

Red Knot. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Sanderling

Little Stint

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Ruff

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Wilson´s Phalarope

Wison´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Laughing Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Black Redstart

Whinchat

Whinchat. Famara plains. Photo. J. Sagardía

Northern Wheatear

Blue Rock Thrush

Blue Rock Thrush. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler (with Pied Flycatcher). Yaiza. Photo: J. Sagardía. This is migration!

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

European Goldfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Sunday, October 5, 2008 - AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

First of all I would like to say that there is little information about August because the whole team of BIRDINGLANZAROTE has been on vacation out of the island most of the month.
The only remarkable from August was the presence of 2 Eurasian Oystercatchers detected by A. Unquiles Cobos at Janubio at the end of the month (remaining there into September) and the first Willow Warblers of the autumn migration seen by the same observer.
About September, two new species have been added to our list: Wilson´s Phalarope (1 bird detected by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 24/IX at Janubio salt pans, remaining there into October). This is our "bird of the month" and a special photopage of it can be seen here.

Another new species for our list was Blue Rock Thrush (1 bird that I observed on 26/IX at Janubio was a very amazing record but I couldn´t take photos).
About another rarities, 1 Pectoral Sandpiper was observed by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos at Tías golf course between 07 and 16/IX, beeing our fourth personal record for the island and the third consecutive at Tías golf course (details and photos of the first two records can be seen here and of the 2007 bird here).

In relation to scarce migrants, the most interesting was: Eurasian Oystercatcher (2 birds were present at Janubio salt pans until at least 07/IX, remaining one bird into October), Red Knot (group of 5 birds at Janubio salt pans since 27/IX and staying there into October), Little Stint (birds at Janubio), Curlew Sandpiper (birds at Janubio too), Ruff (birds at Tías golf course, with 3 birds there on 26/IX), Eurasian Curlew (1 bird I saw at Janubio salt pans on 28/IX), Green Sandpiper (1 bird I observed at Tías golf course on 13/IX), Wood Sandpiper (1 bird I detected at Los Cocoteros salt pans on 10/IX), Alpine Swift (1 bird I saw at Puerto del Carmen on 28/IX), and the passage of passerines with observations of Tree Pipits at Janubio and Tías golf course, Eurasian Reed Warbler at Puerto del Carmen and Janubio and European Goldfinch (some birds I saw at Puerto del Carmen on 26/IX) among others.

SEPTEMBER 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Red Knot

Sanderling

Sanderling. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Little Stint

Pectoral Sandpiper

Pectoral Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pectoral Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Ruff

Ruff. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sadpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Wilson´s Phalarope

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

Alpine Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

White Wagtail

Blue Rock Thrush

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Common Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Southern Grey Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

European Goldfinch

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Thursday, September 25, 2008 - THE WILSON´S PHALAROPE AT JANUBIO, FIRST FOR LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 24/IX/2008 F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos detected a Wilson´s Phalarope on the shore of the salt lake of Janubio salt pans. The bird was inside a flock of waders composed of Black-winged Stilts, Curlew Sandpipers, Sanderlings, Common Redshanks and Common Greenshanks. The bird was discovered about 17.50 and the light was a little poor and all the times that we tried to approach the bird it flew hundreds of meters inside the flock of waders. This is the reason why we could not get good pictures of the bird, so we hope that it remains in the place to get best photos.

This is (if accepted) the first record of Wilson´s Phalarope for Lanzarote and the eastern part of the archipelago.

NEW

The bird is relocated at Janubio on 26/IX/2008 (F. J. García Vargas), with bad weather and rain, obtaining new shots (not very good but...)

26/IX/2008 PICTURES

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

24/IX/2008 PICTURES

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Wilson´s Phalarope. Janubio salt pans. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

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Sunday, August 3, 2008 - JUNE-JULY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

During these two boring months, no new species has been added to our list.

About scarce migrants, the only interesting observations was: Eurasian Spoonbill (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at La Santa on 02/VI), Lesser Kestrel (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Zonzamas rubbish dump on 01/VI and 3 birds at the same place on 03/VI), European Bee-eater (a flock of about 30 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 02/VI, 7 birds that I observed at Puerto del Carmen on 15/VI and 2 birds observed by J. Sagardía at Montaña Blanca on 13/VII) and Sand Martin (birds at Tías golf course until 13/VI).

JUNE-JULY 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Grey Heron

Eurasian Spoonbill

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel. Zonzamas rubbish dump. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Barbary Partridge (with chicks). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Courser (juv.). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Kentish Plover

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull (very early observation: 1 juv. observed at Tías golf course on 21/VII)

Yellow-legged Gull

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Ring-necked Parakeet

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Spectacled Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher (very late observation: 1 bird at Tías golf course on 01/VI)

Southern Grey Shrike

Southern Grey Shrike. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - MAY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On May 2008, two new species were added to our island´s list: Red-footed Falcon* (1 ad. male observed by A. Unquiles Cobos and F. J. García Vargas on 26/V at San Bartolomé, there is a special photopage of the bird here) and Great Reed Warbler (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

Another new for Lanzarote and the Canary Islands was the Black-headed Wagtail (1 ad. male observed between 5 and 7/V at Tías golf course). A special photopage of this bird can be seen here.

Another rarities were the following species: Short-toed Eagle (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 12/V at Teguise golf course), Temminck´s Stint (the bird at Tías golf course remained there until 05/V), European Scops Owl (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía and F. J. García Vargas on 11/V at Teguise) and Common Grasshopper Warbler (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise).

About scarce migrants were interesting the observations of Squacco Heron at Arrecife and Tías golf course, Purple Heron (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Arrecife, remaining there until at least 13/V), White Stork (flock of 8 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 29/V flying over Playa Honda), Eurasian Marsh Harrier at Arrecife and Famara plains, Montagu´s Harrier (birds at Famara plains), Osprey (1 bird observed by A. Unquiles on 04/V at Tías golf course probably was a bird on migration), Lesser Kestrel (at least 3 birds near Zonzamas rubbish dump, remaining there into June), Common Moorhen at Tías golf course, Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio on 09 and 12/V), Collared Pratincole (2 birds at Arrecife and 3 birds at Tías golf course), Little Ringed Plovers at Tías golf course too, European Golden Plover (6 or 7 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas on 09/V at Janubio salt pans), Common Snipe (birds at Tías golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Wood Sandpiper (birds at Janubio, Tías golf course, tha farm at Famara plains, Arrecife and Los Cocoteros salt pans), Common Cuckoo (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 01/V), European Bee-eater, European Roller (1 bird at Tías golf course between 05 and 11/V), Greater Short-toed Lark (2 birds observed by F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía on 05/V at Tías golf course), Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Tree Pipit, Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course and 1 bird at Arrecife on 12/V), Common Nightingale (1 bird observed by J. Sagardía on 01/V at Teguise), Whinchat, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Western Olivaceous Warbler (1 bird at Teguise between 03 and 15/V), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (a group of about 10 birds between 01 and 04/V at gardens inside some properties at Famara plains) and Woodchat Shrike.

*We would like to thank DANIEL FAMILIAR MORSE for giving us the information about this bird.

MAY 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

White Stork

Egyptian Vulture

Short-toed Eagle

Short-toed Eagle. Teguise golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier

Osprey

Osprey. Tías golf course. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Red-footed Falcon

Eleonora´s Falcon

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit. Janubio salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Common Cuckoo

Common Cuckoo. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Scops Owl

European Scops Owl. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Plain Swift

Pallid Swift

European Bee-eater

European Roller

European Roller. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Hoopoe

Greater Short-toed Lark

Greater Short-toed Lark. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Yellow Wagtail (including flava, flavissima, iberiae, thunbergi, cinereocapilla and feldegg)

White Wagtail

Common Nightingale

Whinchat

Northern Wheatear

Common Grasshopper Warbler

Common Grashopper Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Reed Warbler

Eurasian Reed Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Great Reed Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Western Olivaceous Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Wood Warbler

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, May 27, 2008 - THE RED-FOOTED FALCON AT SAN BARTOLOMÉ, LANZAROTE

by Antonio Unquiles Cobos and Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 26/V/2008 a birdwatcher who is living at Lanzarote informed to J. Sagardía by an email about the presence of a Red-footed Falcon at San Bartolomé. J. Sagardía (who is out of the island at the moment) told us this amazing new and we go there trying to find it.

Finally, between 18.00 and 18.30, we could see the bird, a beautiful adult male. We could take some pics of the bird and it was so difficult because the light was very poor. The bird was very active, haunting insects and we could see how it robbed some preys to the Common Kestrels from their feets and how the gulls were constantly attacking it. At least an adult male Lesser Kestrel was at the area too.

We enjoyed very much the observation of this first for our personal list, and we hope you enjoy the photos.

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon (with Lesser Kestrel). San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Red-footed Falcon. San Bartolomé. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Friday, May 9, 2008 - BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL AT TÍAS GOLF COURSE. FIRST FOR THE CANARY ISLANDS

by Juan Sagardía Pradera, Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 05/V/2008, J. Sagardía detected an adult male of Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg at Tías golf course. F. J. García Vargas and J. Sagardía visited again this place the same day in the afternoon and the bird was still there, being observed again by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles Cobos on 07/V/2008.

The bird was very shy and nervous, flying at a long distance and was very difficult to take photographs of it.

This is an extreme vagrant to the Canary Islands and (if accepted) it will be the first record for the archipelago.

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-headed Wagtail Motacilla flava feldegg. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Monday, May 5, 2008 - APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT: THE SPECTACLE OF MIGRATION

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On April 2008, we could enjoy the most spectacular migration we have ever seen in Lanzarote, with the irruption of hundreds of birds all around the island.

With this great variety, three new species have been added to our personal list: Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (1 bird detected by F. J. García Vargas y A. Unquiles on 26/IV near Teguise golf course, beeing a very long awaited first for the list and one of the highlights of the month), Black-eared Wheatear (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 02/IV at Famara plains) and Fieldfare (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Guatiza on 02/IV).

About rarities, is remarkable the presence of 2 Pallid Harriers seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains, beeing the second and third for the island, all seen on the same spring and by the same (lucky) observer. A Temminck´s Stint was seen by F. J. García Vargas, A. Unquiles and J. Sagardía at Tías golf course between 02 and 04/IV and again on 30/IV remaining there into May. The bird shows a ring on the right leg.

Water Pipits were present at Tías golf course until at least 01/IV, and there, was seen by F. J. García Vargas and A. Unquiles a new Citrine Wagtail, this time an adult female on 12/IV. This is the second bird of this spring after the adult male seen in a farm at Famara plains on March and a photopage of the bird can be seen on this blog. An adult male Ortolan Bunting was seen by J. Sagardía on 04/IV at Famara plains and an adult female was seen the same day by the same observer near Teguise golf course.

About rare and scarce migrants, Black-crowned Night Heron (3 birds seen by A. Unquiles on 19/IV at Mala reservoir), Squacco Heron (2 birds I saw on 30/IV at Tías golf course), Purple Heron (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 01/IV, 5 birds at the same place on 02/IV and 1 bird at Arrecife seen first time on 06/IV remaining there into May), Pintail (1 adult male seen by J. Sagardía on 01 and 02/IV at Los Cocoteros salt pans), Black Kite (1 bird at Mala reservoir on 04/IV, 4 birds at Zonzamas rubbish dump on the same day, 5 birds at the same place one day after and 2 birds still there on 23/IV), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (birds at Arrecife, Famara plains, Mala reservoir, Tías and Teguise golf courses), Montagu´s Harrier (2 birds at Famara plains 02/IV, a spectacular flock of at least 25 birds at the same place on 04/IV, and 3 birds still there on 13/IV remaining some birds into May), Lesser Kestrel (bird still at Famara plains until at least 02/IV), Common Moorhen (birds at Arrecife and Tías golf course), Eurasian Oystercatcher (1 bird at Janubio salt pans on 25/IV), Collared Pratincole (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 02/IV, 2 birds in a farm at Famara plains on 06/IV and 1 bird at Tías golf course on 25/IV increasing to 3 on 30/IV remaining there into May), Little Ringed Plover (birds at Tías golf course), Little Stint (a strong passage of birds starting on 28/IV with a flock of more than 20 birds in summer plumage at Janubio salt pans), Eurasian Curlew (birds at Janubio), Wood Sandpiper (the highest number of birds ever seen with 4 birds at Janubio, 10 birds at Tías golf course and 6 birds in the farm at Famara plains, remaining a good number into May), Gull-billed Tern (1 bird I saw at Caleta de Famara on 10/IV), Wood Pigeon (2 birds seen by J. Sagardía on 03/IV at Teguise golf course), Alpine Swift (1 bird I saw on 25/IV at Janubio), European Bee-eater (the highest numbers ever seen, with birds all aroud the island, sometimes in flocks of more than 50 birds), European Roller (1 bird near Teguise golf course on 25/IV increasing to 2 on 26/IV), Eurasian Wryneck (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles on 28/IV in the farm at Famara plains), and an spectacular passage of passerines including as more remarkable species: Tawny Pipit (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía on 01/IV at Famara plains), Tree pipit (birds all around the island), Red-throated Pipit (birds at Tías golf course, remaining there into May), Common Nightingale (birds near Teguise golf course and the farm at Famara plains), Whinchat (birds all aroud the island), Redwing (birds until at least 02/IV near Teguise golf course), Western Bonelli´s Warbler, Eurasian Golden Oriole (1 adult male near Teguise golf course on 21/IV and an adult female on 26/IV at the same place) and Woodchat Shrike.

APRIL 2008 LANZAROTE COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Black-crowned Night Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron. Mala reservoir. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Squacco Heron

Squacco Heron. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pintail

Pintail. Los Cocoteros salt pans. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black Kite

Black Kite. Zonzamas rubbish dump. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Egyptian Vulture

Eurasian Marsh Harrier

Eurasian Marsh Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Pallid Harier

Pallid Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Montagu´s Harrier

Montagu´s Harrier. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Kestrel

Common Kestrel

Barbary Falcon

Barbary Partridge

Common Moorhen

Common Moorhen. Arrecife. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Common Moorhen. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Houbara Bustard

Eurasian Oystercatcher

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Collared Pratincole

Collared Pratincole. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Collared Pratincole. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Temminck´s Stint

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Temminck´s Stint. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Curlew Sandpiper

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimberl

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Gull-billed Tern

Sandwich Tern

Wood Pigeon

Eurasian Collared Dove

European Turtle Dove

Plain Swift

Common Swft

Pallid Swift

Alpine Swift

Alpine Swift. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

European Bee-eater

European Bee-eater. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

European Roller

European Roller. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Hoopoe

Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Wryneck. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Tawny Pipit

Tawny Pipit. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Berthelot´s Pipit

Tree Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Red-throated Pipit. Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. thunbergi). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flavissima). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. flava). Tías golf course. Photo: J. Sagardía

Yellow Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin. Teguise. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Nightingale

Common Redstart

Common Redstart. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Whinchat

Whinchat. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Northern Wheatear

Black-eared Weathear

Fieldfare

Song Thrush

Redwing

Redwing. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Melodious Warbler

Melodious Warbler. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Spectacled Warbler

Subalpine Warbler

Subalpine Warbler. Teguie. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Whitethroat

Common Whitethroat. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Western Bonelli´s Warbler

Western Bonelli´s Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Wood Warbler

Wood Warbler. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Willow Warbler

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher. Yaiza. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Pied Flycatcher

Pied Flycatcher. Janubio salt pans. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Eurasian Golden Oriole

Eurasian Golden Oriole. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Woodchat Shrike. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Raven

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

Ortolan Bunting

Ortolan Bunting. Teguise. Photo: J. Sagardía

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Monday, April 14, 2008 - A NEW CITRINE WAGTAIL AT TIAS GOLF COURSE-LANZAROTE

by Francisco Javier García Vargas and Antonio Unquiles Cobos

On 12/IV/2008, and adult female Citrine Wagtail was detected at Tías golf course. The bird was near the lake of the golf course, accompanied by two Yellow Wagtails. This is the second bird of this spring, after the ad. male seen at the farm of Famara plains last month (you can see a photopage of this bird here), the third for Lanzarote and the fourth for Canary Islands. An exceptional year for this species in Lanzarote. Or are Citrine Wagtails less rare in Canary Islands than we have expected? Only time will tell.

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail (with Yellow Wagtail). Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Citrine Wagtail. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Sunday, April 13, 2008 - MARCH 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On March 2008, three new species were added to our personal list of birds observed in Lanzarote. One of them was a true rarity and (if accepted) first for Lanzarote: Pallid Harrier (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Los Ancones on 03/III). Another new species for us was Lesser Kestrel, discovering a flock of about 40 birds roosting in a solitary palm at Famara plains on 03/III. Is possible that these birds were at the area (and ovelooked) on February, when J. Sagardía informed me about a group of kestrels flyng around this palm. The Lesser Kestrel (all the group or at least part of it) have remained at Famara plains into April.

The other new species was Common Wood Pigeon (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Guatiza on 07/III).

About rarities, Water Pipits still at Tías golf course, remaining there into April and the ad. male Citrine Wagtail in a farm at Famara plains on 19/III. There is a special photopage of this bird on this blog.

About scarce migrants, the most remarkable was: Northern Gannet (1 ad. bird seen by J. Sagardía from Faro de Pechiguera on 08/III), Purple Heron (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at the farm of Famara plains on 05/III), White Stork (9 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Arrecife on 07/III), Common Teal (1 bird I saw at Guatiza on 01/III), Pintail (1 ad. male seen by J. Sagardía at Los Cocoteros on 31/III, remaining there into April), Marsh Harrier (1 bird at Famara plains on 06 and 31/III), Peregrine Falcon (1 bird seen by A. Unquiles at Famara plains on 27/III), Moorhen at Arrecife, Little Ringed Plovers at Arrecife, Tías golf course, the farm of Famara and Guatiza, European Golden Plover at Arrecife, including 2 birds on 28/III, Little Stints at Los Cocoteros, Eurasian Curlew (2 birds at Janubio on 02/III), Green Sandpiper at the farm of Famara, Common Tern (2 birds at Arrecife on 26/III and 15 birds at the same place on 31/III), Whiskered Tern (1 bird I saw at Tías golf course on 19/III and 4 birds seen by J. Sagardía at Arrecife on 31/III), Sand Martin, Red-rumped Swallow (including flocks of 20 or 25 at Tahíche), Red-throated Pipits at Tías golf course, remaining there into April, Grey Wagtails at Arrecife, Sedge Warbler (1 bird I saw at Arrecife on 26/III) and Woodchat Shrike (1 bird seen by J. Sagardía at Famara plains on 30 and 31/III).

MARCH 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Cory´s Shearwater

Northern Gannet

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egret (building nest). Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Purple Heron

Purple Heron. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

White Stork

White Stork. Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Teal

Pintail

Marsh Harrier

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier. Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Lesser Kestrel

Lesser Kestrel. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Common Kestrel

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon. Famara plains. Photo: A. Unquiles Cobos

Moorhen

Houbara Bustard

Houbara Bustard (chick). Los Ancones. Photo: J. Sagardía

Black-winged Stilt

Stone-curlew

Cream-coloured Courser

Little Ringed Plover

Great Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Little Stint

Dunlin

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Eurasian Curlew

Common Redshank

Greenshank

Green Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Common Tern

Whiskered Tern

Whiskered Tern. Tías golf course. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Woodpigeon

Common Woodpigeon. Guatiza. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Collared Dove

Eurasian Turtle Dove

Plain Swift

Common Swift

Pallid Swift

Hoopoe

Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail

Citrine Wagtail. Farm at Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Northern Wheatear

Northern Wheatear. Famara plains. Photo: J. Sagardía

Song Thrush

Sedge Warbler

Spectacled Warbler

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Woodchat Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Thursday, March 20, 2008 - THE CITRINE WAGTAIL AT FAMARA (LANZAROTE)

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On 19/III/2008, with my good friend Juan José Ramos, I detected an adult male Citrine Wagtail in a little wastewater pond of a farm at Famara plains. This is the third record of this species for the Canary Islands and the second for Lanzarote, after the bird at Arrecife between 20/XI/2005 and 18/I/2006 (you can see more details and photos of this record here). A very nice and unexpected spring present.

Citrine Wagtail. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

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Friday, March 7, 2008 - FEBRUARY 2008 LANZAROTE REPORT

by Francisco Javier García Vargas

On February 2008, a very long awaited new species was added to our personal list: Yellow-browed Warbler (1 bird seen at Puerto del Carmen between 05 and 12/II/2008). There is a special photopage of the bird here.

About another rarities, Audouin´s Gulls were seen at Arrecife, with 5 birds (the highest number ever seen) on 03/II (3 ad. and 2 3rd. cal. year) and 1 bird (3rd. cal. year) on 24/02 and the 3 Water Pipits at Tías golf course, remaining there into March.

About scarce migrants the most interesting was the presence of 2 Black-necked Grebes at Janubio until 13/II, the relocation of the Mallard at Arrecife on 24/II, Little Ringed Plovers at Tías golf course, European Golden Plover at Arrecife, Common Snipe in a farm at Famara plains, Red-throated Pipits at Tias golf course, Sand Martin and Red-rumped Swallow at Arrecife and Redwing at Costa Teguise.

About breeding birds, the most remarkable was the arrival of the Cory´s Shearwaters and Cream-coloured Coursers nesting at Famara plains.

FEBRUARY 2008 COMPLETE LIST

Black-necked Grebe

Cory´s Shearwater

Cattle Egret

Little Egret

Grey Heron

Mallard

Common Kestrel

Houbara Bustard

Black-winged Stilt

Cream-coloured Courser

Cream-coloured Courser. Famara plains. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover

Kentish Plover

European Golden Plover

Grey Plover

Sanderling

Common Snipe

Bar-tailed Godwit

Whimbrel

Common Redshank

Common Greenshank

Common Sandpiper

Ruddy Turnstone

Black-headed Gull

Audouin´s Gull

Audouin´s Gull. Arrecife. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Yellow-legged Gull

Sandwich Tern

Eurasian Collared Dove

Pallid Swift

Hoopoe

Lesser Short-toed Lark

Sand Martin

Barn Swallow

Red-rumped Swallow

House Martin

Barn Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin. Arrecife. Photos: J. Sagardía

Berthelot´s Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Red-throated Pipit

Water Pipit

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail (ssp. iberiae). Arrecife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Grey Wagtail

White Wagtail

European Robin

Black Redstart

Redwing

Sardinian Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler

Yellow-browed Warbler. Puerto del Carmen. Photo: F. J. García Vargas

Common Chiffchaff

Willow Warbler

Southern Grey Shrike

Common Starling

Spanish Sparrow

Common Linnet

Trumpeter Finch

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Tuesday, February 19, 2008 - 15 FEBRUARY 2008 SOUTH TENERIFE REPORT: THE TRICOLORED HERON SEARCH

by Juan Sagardía Pradera

On 15/02/2008 I made a trip to the south of Tenerife looking for the Tricolored Heron that has been there during more than a month. I tried to find it on December at Las Canteras beach on Gran Canaria without success. But this time was different and I could take lots of photographs of this beautiful species, never seen before in Spain.

After this and accompanied by a local friend I went to an irrigation pond in the south of the island where I took some pics of a Blacksmith Plover. This long stayer has nearly sure a captivity origin but it was a very amazing bird and was an enjoyment to take some photos of it.

A quick visit to El Fraile pond gave Eurasian Spoonbill, Eurasian Wigeon and Tufted Duck.

If you want to see more pics at higher resolution of the Tricolored Heron I invite you to see Juan Sagardía´s Birdingspain.

Tricolored Heron. Las Americas (Tenerife). Photo: J. Sagardía

Blacksmith Plover. Irrigation pond at South Tenerife. Photo: J. Sagardía

Eurasian Wigeon. El Fraile. Photo: J. Sagardía

Tufted Duck. El Fraile. Photo: J. Sagardía