General
Car hire costs were £97 for a week, (unlimited mileage and insurance) plus petrol - 37p a litre. Eating out is relatively cheap (about half the price of the U.K.) and there are some excellent restaurants to eat in - particularly seafood (paella).
We stayed in Maspalomas, which was a relatively good birding area, with several good and varying habitats. However it is also noted for its very good gay scene. I hadn't really noticed this until one evening when I was approached whilst birding in the sand dune area. I was asked if "I was looking for some action?" I replied "No, I'm looking for a Spectacled Warbler, if you could help?" which was met with mild amusement and I went on my way.
Driving on the Island is not for the feint hearted, many of the roads in the mountains are very steep and have many sharp bends. It is also not unusual to round a bend and find a bus coming in the opposite direction on your side of the road. However I suppose its part of the rich tapestry of life.
The week was in no way entirely devoted to birding, as the demon shopping raised its ugly head once more, however a good selection of birds are possible. The Island subspecies of common species are also worth a second look, which makes the birding more interesting, even if looking at common birds. The book 'A Birdwatchers' Guide to The Canary Islands' by Tony Clarke & David Collins priced at £12.95 is an invaluable aid to the sites and birding in any of the Canary Islands and is recommended. The Collins Field Guide to Birds of Britain & Europe with North Africa & the Middle East, should be sufficient for any identification problems (not including the 3 escaped birds which I encountered).
Itinerary
Day 1 - 16th April
A stroll in the evening along the Maspalomas Oasis area and Seafront.
Day 2 - 17th April
A drive along the coast road towards Mogan and St Nickolas onto Acusa in the mountains and return via the coast at St Adea - in the hope of Rock Sparrow.
Day 3 -18th April
A short drive just north of Maspalomas to Juan Grande and Castillo Romeron and a walk by Maspalomas Oasis and golf course.
Day 4 - 19th April
A drive up through the Central Massif to Artenara and return via the Pajonales Nature Reserve during the day and a walk around the Maspalomas Golf Course and Green Oasis Apartments waste ground at night - in the hope of Rock Sparrow and Blue Chaffinch.
Day 5 - 20th April
A short northerly drive to the coast at Arinaga returning via Juan Grande Coastal Plain and a walk along the Maspalomas Oasis.
Day 6 - 21st April
Local Maspalomas Oasis and seafront area.
Day 7 - 22nd April
Maspalomas golf course, Faro 2 shopping area and Juan Grande coastal plain.
Day 8 - 23rd April
Before departure, a quick 'round' in the morning around the local Maspalomas area.
Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis) Seen in good numbers from any part of the coast. Greater numbers were noted in the morning and evening, with some birds coming quite close inshore giving good views.
Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides) One bird was noted roosting in the reedbeds at Maspalomas Oasis on the 16th & 17th. This is listed as 'accidental' for the islands.
Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) One bird was noted flying over the Maspalomas Oasis on the 18th.
Little Egret (Egretta garzeta) One of two birds noted regularly at Maspalomas Oasis.
Buzzard (Buteo buteo insularum) One bird was noted circling over the cliffs just east of Artenara on the 19th and two birds were noted soaring over the Juan Grande coastal plain on the22nd.
Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis) This species may be regularly encountered anywhere on the island.
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) Four birds noted consistently, only at Maspalomas Oasis.
Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) Two different birds were noted at the Maspalomas Oasis on 16th,18th & 19th.
Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) Three to four birds were seen regularly at Maspalomas Oasis and Maspalomas golf course, throughout the visit.
Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) A maximum of three birds were noted at Maspalomas Oasis 20th, with singles being present on other visits. One bird was also noted at Arinaga salt pans on the 20th.
Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus) Noted on every visit to Maspalomas Oasis, with 2 chicks being noted on the 21st & 23rd.
Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola) Two birds were noted on the rocks below Maspalomas Lighthouse on the 16th and one bird was noted at Maspalomas Oasis on the 18th.
Sanderling (Calidris alba) Up to 35 birds were present at Maspalomas Oasis daily. Five birds were also seen on the coast at Arinaga on the 20th.
Little Stint (Calidris minuta) Ones and twos were present ant Maspalomas Oasis on several occasions.
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) A maximum of 3 birds were noted at Maspalomas Oasis on the 16 & 17th, with singles being present at other times.
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) Two birds were present at Maspalomas Oasis on the 16th & 18th, one was also present on the coast at Arinaga on the 20th.
Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) A singleton was noted at Maspalomas Oasis on the morning of the 18th.
Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus) Ones and twos were noted along the coast at Maspalomas lighthouse, Arinaga & Costillo Romeron with 4 being present at Maspalomas Oasis on the 22nd & 2 at the Maspalomas golf course on the same day.
Redshank (Tringa tetanus) Birds were present at Maspalomas Oasis daily, throughout the period.
Common Sandpiper (Actites hypoleucos) One bird was present at the Maspalomas Oasis on the 16th & 17th.
Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) Seven birds were present on the coast at Arinaga on the 20th.
Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans atlantis) Numerous birds were seen all along the coast with a maximum of 48 noted roosting on the Juan Grande coastal plain on the 22nd.
Sandwich Tern (Sterna bengalensis) Two birds were noted both over the sea near the Maspalomas Lighthouse, one on the 16th the other on the 21st.
Rock Dove (Columbia livia) Five birds were noted on the inland cliffs just east of Artenara
Barbary Dove (Streptopelia risoria) FERAL One bird was noted in the Maspalomas area on the 20th.
Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocta) Commonly noted around the Maspalomas area.
Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) Regularly noted around the Maspalomas area and also seen in ones and twos elsewhere on the island for the duration of the trip.
Ring-necked Parakeet (Psitacula krameri) FERAL Two were regularly seen around the Maspalomas golf course area where they appear to roost.
Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) FERAL Seen daily in good numbers around the Maspalomas oasis, gathering nesting materials.
Plain Swift (Apus unicolor) Can be seen anywhere on the island, however Maspalomas oasis and the Juan Grande coastal plain is a good place to observe them at close quarters to ensure correct identification.
Common Swift (Apus apus) Seen in good numbers amongst Plain Swift, making comparison easy.
Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus brehmorum) A little more tricky to identify but 3 were noted at Acusa in the mountains, with other small numbers being seen at Maspalomas oasis and the Juan Grande coastal plain. Usually present amongst the other swifts but generally feeding higher up.
Hoopoe (Upupa epops) Common around Maspalomas, especially in the parks and on the golf course.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major thanneri) One of this endemic sub-species was seen in the Pajonales nature reserve near El Juncal - in the mountains.
Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens polatzeki) Not an easy species to encounter unless the right places are visited. Mainly confined to the rocky sparse coastal plains of Juan Grande and Costillo Romaron. Birds were displaying here and a nest containing 2 eggs was also found. Good numbers were seen here with viewing down to 10 metres. The species was not seen elsewhere on the island.
Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Two birds were noted, one over the Maspalomas oasis on the 16th and the other at Juan Grande on the 20th.
House Martin (Delichon urbica) Up to 10 birds were seen feeding over the Maspalomas oasis and the golf course on several occasions.
Berthelot's Pipit (Anthus berthelotii berthelotii) Being described as ubiquitous is not an understatement; The species can be encountered everywhere, usually found through its fairly distinctive call. The sand dunes in Maspalomas are a good place to start looking.
Red-throated Pipit (Anthus cervinus) One bird was discovered at the Maspalomas golf course on the 21st.
Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) Three birds were noted all at the Maspalomas golf course. Races included flava and a probable thunbergi.
Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea canariensis) One bird was seen at Acusa and several at Artenara - both locations in the mountains, to the west to the Central Massif.
White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) One bird was found at the Maspalomas golf course on the 18th, in the company of a Yellow Wagtail.
Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) One bird was seen on the 20th at the Juan Grande coastal plain.
Blackbird (Turdus merula cabrerae) A common bird encountered everywhere.
Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala) Regularly seen around the Maspalomas oasis area and the golf course also noted in the mountains at St Bartholome.
Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla heineken) One female was seen at Acusa on the 17th.
Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita canariensis) - Canary Islands Chiffchaff
This distinctive sub-species may be encountered at all locations and altitudes on the island.
Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus teneriffae) Another very distinct sub-species, that may be seen at higher altitudes, ie Artenara, & Acusa.
Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor koenigi) - Southern Grey Shrike
This dark sub-species was seen in singles at Maspalomas sand dunes, Juan Grande (on the telegraph wires & 2 along the road from Mogan to St Nickolas.
Raven (Corvus corax tingitanus) Only seen at higher altitudes, 2 were noted at Artenara and 4 noted at the cliffs just east of the town.
Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) This uncommon resident can only be seen around the Maspalomas area, generally present feeding on the golf course driving range - 6 were noted in total.
Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) A common bird which can be seen anywhere.
Common Waxbill (Estrilda astrild) Four were seen in the reed bed at Maspalomas oasis on the 16th and two on the 23rd. Another good place to look is the Faro 2 shopping area. Seven birds were present here including 3 juveniles.
Canary (Serinus canaria) These birds are common at higher altitudes - 8 were noted at Artenara, where good views were had. Several were also present at Acusa.
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) This is a surprisingly difficult species to see. However 4 birds were seen on the waste ground behind the "Green Oasis" Apartments and one was seen on the golf course at Maspalomas.
Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) Once again, not a very common bird. Small numbers were seen at the Maspalomas golf course and at St Adea on the western coast.
Linnet (Acanthis cannabina meadewaldoi) Four birds were feeding in stubble around the mountain town of Artenara.
Trumpeter Finch (Budanetes githageneus amantum) A highlight of the trip, a small family group of 6 birds was seen on the waste ground behind the "Green Oasis" Apartments on the 19th. However a loose flock of 30 - 40 birds was noted on the Juan Grande rocky coastal plain on two occasions. Some stunning views of breeding males were possible from quite short distances.
The Ones that got away
Well, you've got to dip on something and this trip was no exception. Blue Chaffinch failed to materialise at the Pajonales nature reserve. The day was a rainy one and the birds weren't singing, so tracking it down was impossible in such a large area.
Despite two attempts I also failed to connect with Rock Sparrow at Acusa and Artenara. The bird is supposed to be common around Artenara, however all evidence was to the contrary on my trip.
Other Sites (not visited)
La Isleta - an area to the north of Las Palmas, reputedly a likely spot for Bulwer's Petrel at the right time of year and Barbary Falcon - also good for sea watching.
Agaete - an area to the North west of the island, with a good chance of seeing Barbary Falcon and Osprey.
Tamadaba - A mountainous forest area 8km from Artenara. Another possible sight for Blue Chaffinch and commoner island endemics.
The North Coast - An area good for Corn Bunting and Long-eared Owl.