I'm interested to here how it goes.
I'm off there in January to pick up the endemics (I hope)
Hi Barred Wobbler et al,
Returned a few days ago from this four day trip. My main targets were the two pigoens, Blue Chaffinch, Canary Chiffchaff, Tenerife Blue Tit, Barbary Falcon and Little Shearwater. Was successful for all these except Little Shearwater (drew a blank from Los Cristianos to La Gomera ferry and an hour seawatching at dusk at Garachico). Most specialities seen at pretty standard sites. Numbers of pigeons were lower than some folks manage in spring or summer (the del Rey book cautions against trying for them in October to December so I was juts glad to see them at all). By way of quick summary, these were some of the most notable birds:
Laurel Pigeon: 1 or 2 (including perched bird) in an hour at Mirador Lagrimona
Bolle's Pigoen: Upto 8 in flight (only 2 seen clearly) in a couple of hours along the track leading from Erjos.
Blue Chaffinch: excellent views at Las Lajas
Tenerife Blue Tit: Only managed poor views of this one with birds at Las Lajas, Erjos and Aguamansa
Tenerife Kinglet: seen at Las Lajas and Erjos
Canary Island Chiffchaff: everywhere
Berthelot's Pipit: Seen at several sites
Barbary Falcon: 2 at Punta de Teno after hour and half wait.
Wood Duck: drake with drake Mandarin on Erjos pools - (apparently present since July and not of the best credentials)
Monk Parakeet: up to 4 in the main plaza at Ten-Bel
Canary: several sites, best views at Las Lajas
Jack Snipe: one flushed (along with with c.10 snipe) at Erjos pools
Spectacled Warbler: seen at a couple of sites between airport and Los Cristianos.
Southern Grey Shrike: c.5 between El Fraile and the reservoir.
Kentish Plover: flock of six just SW of Medano
Also several views of local races of Kestrel, Buzzard, Blackbird, Robin.
I might write up a short trip report over Xmas and will post a link to it here if I do,
Cheers
Nick
