Winter birding tour to Fuerteventura 13th-27th January 2004

We spent 2 weeks in the Fiesta Gardens, Corralejo on a last minute package break with Thompsons holidays. The flight was by Britannia (Glasgow-Fuerteventura return) and we mostly walked or used local buses to access sites. We rented a car (Citroen Saxo) from Europcar for 3 days to look for bustards and to reach more distant sites (40 euro / day).

We took it slowly and aimed to find all the specialities in the northern half of the island. We visited the island of Lobos twice using local daily ferries from Corralejo and visited Lanzarote using the Corralejo-Playa Blanca ferry. We saw 73 species and had great views of all the target species: Houbara Bustard, Cream-coloured Courser, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Barbary Partridge, Plain Swift, Berthelot's Pipit and Canary Islands Chat, plus bonus Marbled Duck and Barbary Falcon. Scarcer species seen included: Swallow, Sand Martin, Wood Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird and Redwing.

Itinerary

· 13 Jan: arrival at the airport
· 14 Jan: Corralejo area
· 15 Jan: Corralejo am, El Jable dunes pm (by bus)
· 16 Jan: La Oliva (by bus), walked north of town up La Arena mountain
· 17 Jan: El Jable for dawn (by bus), Los Lobos pm
· 18 Jan: Corraeljo area
· 19 Jan: Los Molinos Reservoir, barranco and beach (am), La Oliva and Rosa de Los Negrines (pm)
· 20 Jan: El Cotillo - plain to south (am), beaches to north (pm)
· 21 Jan: Las Penitas (am), Betancuria (midday), Aguas Verde and NW of La Oliva (pm)
· 22 Jan: Corralejo area
· 23 Jan: Los Lobos
· 24 Jan: La Oliva (by bus - early am) walk SE to Fimapaire Valley
· 25 Jan: Corralejo area
· 26 Jan: Day-trip to Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
· 27 Jan: Corralejo area and departure

Principal sites

The main sites we visited are listed below, where these are listed in the Clarke and Collins Guide we have given the site code C&C.

1) Corralejo area (C&C 8):

a) Lava flows to west of town held low densities of Berthelot's Pipit, Hoopoe, Spectacled Warbler, Southern Great Grey Shrike, Barbary Partridge, Trumpeter Finch.

b) Corralejo town had overhead Pallid Swift and the Hoplaco Hotel Gardens offered a shady oasis for wintering Chiffchaff, Blackcap and lone Iberian Chiffchaff, plus Linnet and butterflies.

c) Rocky Beaches - especially east of the town were good for waders, plus lone Osprey. Wintering Swallow here plus a Meadow Pipit.

d) El Jable - dunes south of town. Great spot for Lesser Short-toed Lark, also Southern Great Grey Shrike, Raven plus near the lava fields Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, Hoopoe and a Stonechat. Pallid Swift overhead plus Black-bellied Sandgrouse in early morning.

e) Ria Oliva beach Hotel grounds held Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler and Barbary Dove in with Collared Doves.

f) Lobos. Desert-island. Good for waders, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Grey Heron plus Haria Lizard and Vagrant Emperor.

2) La Olivia (C&C 3):

a) north of town to Arena mountain, vegetated gardens held Chiffchaff, Goldfinch, Robin, Blackcap plus Blackbird, Song Thrush and a surprise Wood Warbler. Lower slopes had very high densities of Spectacled Warbler plus Berthelot's Pipit, Barbary Partridge, Trumpeter Finch, Buzzard and a flock of Redwing in an Aloe grove.

b) Rosa de los Negrines track - Corn Bunting in cultivated area, 2 Houbara Bustards and an incubating Cream-coloured Courser in the low hills beyond.

c) Head of Fimapaire Valley - good site for Canary Island Chat. Also Barbary Partridge and Trumpeter Finch. Cultivations closer to town held White Wagtail, Lesser Short-Toed Lark plus Plain Swift in with Pallid Swifts and bonus Sand Martin.

3) El Cotillo (C&C 2)

a) On the coast, numerous waders and gulls, also Chiffchaff in bushes. Plain to the south held Cream-coloured Courser (with chick), Lesser Short-toed Lark, Trumpeter Finch etc and was the best site for Black-bellied Sandgrouse - particularly coming to drink at Casas de Taca, where Barbary Partridge also seen.

4) Los Molinos (C&C 1)

2 pairs of Ruddy Shelduck, 12 Teal, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Snipe, Trumpeter Finch, Hoopoe, etc. plus bonus Marbled Teal. Latter hard to spot in dense Tamarisks of inlet, well away from water's edge. Barranco below dam held Green Sandpiper, White Wagtail, Canary Islands Chat and Egyptian Vultures overhead.

5) Las Penitas and Betancuria (C&C 4)

a) Las Penitas. Excellent vegetated barranco with numerous palm trees, tamarisks and a dam - although the main pool was dry. The local degener race of Blue Tit was common here, as were Sardinian Warblers and Chiffchaffs. We also saw Blackcap, Robin and a Sedge Warbler in the reeds, plus Egyptian Vultures and Buzzards overhead, Barbary Partridge, Canary Islands Chat and a Grey Wagtail below the dam.

b) Betancuria. An attractive, shady village with a good restaurant. Blue Tit and Sardinian Warbler also present here.

6) Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

Easily reached as a day-trip by regular boats from Corralejo. Sea-watching was very quiet but included a Gannet, a few Sandwich Terns plus a surfacing Loggerhead Turtle.

Playa Blanca has much more cover than most of Fuerteventura, and held many Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, also a small flock of Redwing and several Greenfinches, plus a White Wagtail. Also Trumpeter Finch, Hoopoe and Southern Great Grey Shrike close to town.

Species Lists

We saw 73 bird species, 3 mammal, 3 reptiles, 7 dragonflies and 10 butterflies.

A) Birds

Gannet Sula bassana Single sub-adult from the Furteventura-Lanzarote ferry (26th).

Little Egret Egretta garzetta Small numbers along the coast at Corralejo, Lobos, El Cotillo and Los Molinos. Max. count of 12 at roost on Lobos (23rd). Metal-ringed bird at Playa Blanca, Lanzarote (26th).

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Odd birds along the coast including 3 on Lobos, 1 at Rosa de Los Negrines (19th).

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 1 on Lobos (17th), with 3 there 23rd, 1 at El Cotillo lighthouse (20th).

Marbled Duck Marmaronetta angustirostris 2 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 4 (2 pairs) at Los Molinos reservoir (19th).

Teal Anas crecca 12 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 2 at Las Parcelas (19th) with the same or two more nearby at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th), 2 at Las Penitas (21st).

Buzzard Buteo buteo insularum 1 north of La Olivia (16th).6 in the mountains around Las Penitas/Betancuria (21st).
Osprey Pandion haliaetus 1 flew to Lobos from east of Corralejo (27th).

Kestrel Falco tinnunculus dacotiae Widespread and common – seen daily in suitable habitat, although not on Lobos.

Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 hunting over Corralejo town (25th).

Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides Pair watched for 20 mins. displaying over sea-cliffs at Los Molinos (19th).

Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara Widespread. 1 west of Corralejo (14th), several birds calling north of La Oliva (16th), 5 south of El Cotillo at Casas de Taca (20th), 2 at Las Penitas (21st), 2 at the head of the Fimapaire Valley (24th).
Coot Fulica atra 25 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae 1 male just 10m from the car, NW of La Oliva (19th), another more distantly in the same area (21st).

Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus insularum 1 northeast of La Oliva (16th), also heard at El Jable.

Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor bannermani 1 on nest NW of La Oliva (19th), 1 south of El Cotillo with a tiny chick (20th).

Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius Only seen at Los Molinos Reservoir and on pools below the dam at this site - much display, at least 10 birds present (19th).

Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Widespread along coast around Corralejo, El Cotillo and Playa Blanca. 30 roosting east of Corralejo (27th).

Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 6 east of El Cotillo lighthouse (20th), none seen near Corralejo.

Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola Small numbers around the coast at Corralejo, El Cotillo and Lobos. Max of 10 east of Corralejo (27th).

Sanderling Calidris alba 60 east of El Cotillo lighthouse (20th), 20 east of Corralejo (27th).

Dunlin Calidris alpina 26 east of El Cotillo lighthouse (20th), 2 east of Corralejo (27th).

Snipe Gallinago gallinago At least 2 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica 4 near El Cotillo lighthouse (20th), 5 east of Corralejo (27th).

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Widespread and common along the coast at Corralejo, El Cotillo, Lobos and Playa Blanca.

Curlew Numenius arquata 1 on Lobos (17th).

Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus 1 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Redshank Tringa totanus Scarce. 2 east of El Cotillo lighthouse (20th), 1 at Corralejo (24th).

Greenshank Tringa nebularia Odd birds along the coast at Corralejo, 3 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus One in barranco below Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Widespread along the coast at Corralejo, El Cotillo, Los Molinos, Lobos and Playa Blanca, also inland along barrancos and 8 at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Turnstone Arenaria interpres Widespread and common along coast at Corralejo, El Cotillo, Lobos and Playa Blanca.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus Odd adult birds at Corralejo.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus (michahellis) atlantis Widespread and common. Maximum of ca 500 on Lobos including some 200 nesting pairs. 1 pair nesting on floating raft at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th).

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis Odd birds along coast at Corralejo, 5 at Playa Blanca.

Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis Flock of 12 flew south over El Jable, Corralejo at 08.10 (17th). 35 including one group of 23 birds on the plain south of El Cotillo (20th), bulk observed coming to drink at pools in the mid-morning at Casas de Taca.

Rock Dove Columba livia (canariensis ?) Feral birds common in and around towns, wilder-looking birds on Lobos and other more remote areas but true status unclear.

Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Widespread and common in towns/villages, Scarce away from settlements. None seen on Lobos.

Barbary Dove Streptopelia turtur One in a motley group of Collared Doves at Ria Oliva Hotel (15th).

Plain Swift Apus unicolor Odd single birds identified amongst larger groups of Pallid Swifts near La Oliva (19th and 24th), El Cotillo (20th) and Corralejo (27th).

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus brehmorum More numerous than Plain. Seen daily over Corralejo town, also over plains near La Oliva and El Cotillo, especially early morning and late afternoon in flocks of up to 35.

Hoopoe Upupa epops Widespread and common, seen daily in suitable habitat.

Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens polatzeki Widespread and common in suitable habitat (El Jable, south of La Oliva, El Cotillo plain).

Swallow Hirundo rustica 1 hawking over apartments east side of Corralejo (18th and 27th). Wintering bird?

Sand Martin Riparia riparia 2 over fields south of La Oliva (24th) – early migrants?

Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii Common and widespread at all sites visited. Small numbers on Lobos.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1 at east edge of Corralejo (18th).

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea cinerea 1 below the dam at Las Penitas (21st).

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba 2 below the dam at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th), 2 SE of La Oliva (24th), 1 at Playa Blanca (26th).

Robin Erithacus rubecula 2 in gardens north of La Oliva (16th), 3 at Las Penitas (21st), 1 north of La Oliva (24th).

Stonechat Saxicola torquata Male at edge of lava field El Jable (17th).

Canary Islands Chat Saxicola dacotiae Male and two females below the dam at Los Molinos Reservoir (19th), 1 at Las Penitas (21st), 5 at the head of the Fimapaire Valley (24th).
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos One in the garden of the captive-breeding centre north of La Oliva (16th).

Redwing Turdus iliacus Flock of 7 in tall Aloe grove north of La Oliva (16th), flock of 5 in gardens at Playa Blanca (26th).

Blackbird Turdus merula Single female-type bird in garden north of La Oliva (24th).

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 1 in reeds at Las Penitas (21st).

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis Widespread and common. Perhaps most numerous on vegetated lava slopes north of La Oliva. Fledged family on Lobos (17th).

Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra Widespread in suitable habitat e.g. 25 at Las Penitas (21st), also 1 at Rio Oliva beach hotel (17th), 2 at Casas de Taca (20th), 2 at Betancuria (21st).

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla Not uncommon in suitable habitat, including 1 north of La Oliva (16th), up to 5 at the Hoplaco Gardens in Corralejo throughout, 1 at Las Penitas (21st), 2 in gardens north of La Oliva (24th), 5 at Playa Blanca (26th).

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix One in the garden of the captive-breeding centre north of La Oliva (16th).

Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita collybita Widespread in suitable habitat, including 2 west of Corralejo (14th), 1 in gardens north of La Oliva (16th), up to 6 at the Hoplaco Gardens in Corralejo throughout, 1 at Casas de Taca (20th), 1 at El Cotillo (20th), minimum of 15 at Las Penitas (21st), 3 at Betancuria (21st), 1 SE of La Oliva (24th), 5 in gardens N of La Oliva (24th), 2 at Playa Blanca (26th).

Iberian Chiff-chaff Phylloscopus brehmii One seen and heard well at the Hoplaco Gardens (18th).

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus degener Very striking birds! 12 at Las Penitas (21st) including several ringed birds and 3 fledged broods of 1 young, 5 in Betancuria village (21st).

Southern Great Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis koenigi Widespread and seen daily in suitable habitat, including a pair on Lobos and at Playa Blanca.

Raven Corvus corax tingitanus Widespread and seen daily in suitable habitat around Corralejo, La Oliva, El Cotillo and the central mountains.

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis Abundant and widespread. None on Lobos.

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris (aurantiiventris ?) 1 at Corralejo school (14th), 6 at Playa Blanca (26th).

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva 1 north of La Oliva (16th), 2 at Las Penitas (21st) and 1 at Betancuria (21st).

Linnet Carduelis cannabina harterti Odd birds around Corralejo town, more common and widespread elsewhere. None seen on Lobos.

Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus amantum Widespread and common. Groups of up to a dozen birds at most sites, including Playa Blanca. Maximum of 25 at the head of the Fimapaire Valley (24th). Not seen on Lobos.

Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra Scarce and local. 3 (2 singing males) at Rosa de Los Negrines (19th). 2 singing males SE of La Oliva (24th).

B) Mammals

Algerian Hedgehog Atelerix algirus Only seen dead on the road.
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus Widespread, most easily seen in early morning.
Barbary Ground Squirrel Atlantoxerus getulus Widespread and common at most sites - not on Lobos.

C) Reptiles

Haria Lizard Galiotia atlantica atlantica Widespread, most easily seen on Lobos.
Eastern Canary Skink Chalcides polylepis occidentalis At least one in barranco inland from Los Molinos Bay.
Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta One at sea from the Furteventura-Lanzarote ferry (26th).

D) Butterflies

Large White Pieriis brassicae Several at Hoplaco Gardens, Corralejo only.
Small White Artogeia rapae Not uncommon.
Bath White Pontia daplidice Widespread and common.
Clouded Yellow Colias crocea Widespread. Many at Las Penitas.
Canary Island Brimstone Gonopteryx cleopatra Scarce.
Long-tailed Blue Lampides boeticus Scarce at Las Penitas and at Hoplaco Gardens, Corralejo.
African Grass Blue Zizeria knysna Scarce - only seen around Corralejo.
Red Admiral Vanessa Atlanta Common around gardens, wetter areas etc.
Painted Lady Cynthia cardui Widespread and very common, including Lobos.
Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus Common at Las Penitas. One at Hoplaco Gardens, Corralejo (27th).

E) Dragonflies

(blue-tailed damselfly) Ischnura saharensis Present at the barranco inland from Los Molinos Bay (19th) and at Las Penitas (21st).
Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator Several seen at sites where water present.
Lesser Emperor Dragonfly Anax parthenope Uncommon.
Vagrant Emperor Hemianax ephippiger Widespread at wet and dry sites including Lobos, where common over salt-flats.
(blue skimmer) Orthetrum chrysostigma Only seen at Las Penitas.
Scarlet Darter Crocothemis erythraea Widespread at sites where water present.
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombei Widespread in dry habitats as well as at wetter sites.