Tenerife

[andy22]

Im off to tenerife later on in the year for a summer holiday with the family and i was just wondering about the birdlife out there. Im having trouble finding anything on it and i was just wondering if anyone have any information on the island and what i might see.

cheers andy

[Colin Key]

If you are anywhere near Playa de Las Americas, might I suggest a visit to what is called "The Strip" (a sequence of bars, clubs, discos, etc) anytime after 10.00 pm. The "bird-life" is quite incredible, but don't tell your wife!!! :laugh:

Colin

P.S. I will try to dig out something more sensible when I get time, but I think that if you "Google" a bit harder you will find what you want. You might also consider looking at "Vacational Trip Reports" on Birdforum - I recall reading some good stuff there about localities for endemic species. But, it is not a birder's paradise.

And being serious, keep well away from Playa de Las Americas and Los Cristianos - absolute hell-holes!

[Stephen Dunstan]

It isn't that difficult to get reasonable information. There is Birds of the Atlantic Islands, where to watch birds in the Canary Islands and a book solely devoted to Tenerife.

In terms of what you might get Tenerife Kinglet, Canary Islands Chiff, Blue Chaffinch, Bolle's and Laurel Pigeons, Barbary Partridge, Little Shearwater, local race African Blue Tit, Plain Swift, Southern Grey Shrike, Berthelot's Pipit, Spectacled Warbler, possible Barbary Falcon etc.

Regards,

Stephen.

[venkat]

Hi Andy

Ive been there before and bought a very good book on birding the canaries in general Ill try and dig the title out.

I remember there was a picnic area where blue chaffinch is pretty much guaranteed. Apart from that there are good options to see bolle's and laurel pigeons ( although we didnt see the latter) in the montane bits and we did get goshawk there.

The trip to el teide will get some birds as well and its a very scenic area

[chris tynan]

Hi Andy

I to have visited Tenerife a number of times with the family. We have normally stayed around Golf del Sur area were there are two golf courses, Golf del Sur has small pools and more bird life, especially around the top end as you drive in, but is fenced and Amarilla golf. This allows the non birders to sit around the pools and the birder to go for some walks!!

I have used the book 'A Birdwatchers Guide to The Canary Islands' by Tony Clarke and David Collins. It covers all the islands in the chain. Its ok for the regular sites but some site now show the books age. The Blue Chaffinch site is the picnic area at Las Lajas. Dont expect a large bird list but its worth it for the 3 endemics.

Regards
Chris

[Tony Clarke]

Hi Andy

I have written two books that are/were available from good bookstores, one a site guide and one a field guide. Contact me on bluechaffinch@btopenworld.com if you need any information that you can't get on the net.