Just 41 species of bird were seen during the week but this did include most of the islands specialities. Houbara Bustard was not seen despite an extensive search at three suitable and known sites and Marbled Duck was also missed due to the condition of Los Molinos reservoir. The heat and drought conditions may have influenced most of the species that were either seen or missed, in particular the chances of seeing waders and waterfowl. A list of mammals, dragonflies, reptiles and butterflies follows which contains such highlights as the exceedingly tame Barbary Ground Squirrels and the spectacular Plain Tiger butterfly. Several dragonflies and butterflies were seen at various sites throughout the week, but only those specifically identified are included in the list.
BIRDS
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea borealis
A single distantly offshore from the harbour at Caleta de Fustes, and 8 during a 10 minute seawatch to the south of the resort on 23rd October.
Little Egret Egretta garzeta
A single bird showed very well feeding on the rocky shore to the south of Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
A single flew north on 25th October along the coast road just to the north of Caleta de Fuste.
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
On 25th October, 4 adults showed well at Los Molinos reservoir both on the ground and in flight when they called frequently.
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus
On 25th October a fine adult gave excellent views circling over Los Molinos reservoir for c.5 minutes.
Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti
According to Clark and Collins this species is not found on Fuerteventura with the nearest breeding sites on Tenerife. It was therefore surprising to see a single bird circling around the mountains at Las Peñitas on 26th October before flying off south.
Buzzard Buteo buteo insularum
This Canary Island Subspecies, which is considered an uncommon breeder on Fuerteventura, is slightly shorter winged, browner above and more streaked below than nominate buteo. On 26th October, 3 birds gave good views circling for c.5 minutes from one of the viewpoints on the FV30 between Pájara and La Vega de Río de las Palmas and a single showed well as it circled over the FV20 at km6 eastbound, before drifting off east towards Puerto del Rosario.
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus dacotiae
This Canary Island Subspecies confined to the Eastern isles is smaller than the nominate race, paler with a more rufous/cream heavily streaked breast. A single was seen briefly at El Cotillo on 25th October and on 26th October a male and female were seen at Las Peñitas, the male being seen particularly well and allowing study of plumage differences. A further single was seen near Costa Calma on 27th October.
Barbary Partridge Alectoris Barbara
On 24th October, 8 flushed from the Barranco de la Torre were watched in flight before being lost to view over the plain in heat haze. On 26th October c.30 were flushed from beside a track at Costa Calma with 6 later showing well on the plain there, while on the same day c.30 were flushed at quite close range from a dry stream bed at Las Peñitas before landing on a nearby hillside.
Coot Fulica atra
On 25th October c.30 has collected on the small amount of remaining water near to the dam at Los Molinos reservoir.
Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor bannermani
A surprise find was an adult which showed well on a small area of stony plain immediately south of the resort of Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October, appearing quite unperturbed by walkers close by. Another adult showed well, actively feeding, at El Cotillo on 25th October and 4 adults showed quite well at Costa Calma on 27th October.
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
On 25th October a flock 41 were seen on the stony plain adjacent to Los Molinos reservoir.
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
A single on the rocky shoreline near the harbour at Caleta de Fustes, and 5 on the rocky shore to the south of the resort on 23rd October, with a single again on rocks near the harbour on 29th October.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
On 23rd October 4 showed well on the rocky shore to the south of Caleta de Fustes and a single was on rocks by the harbour at the resort on 29th October.
Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola
On 23rd October 2 were on the rocky shore to the south of Caleta de Fustes.
Sanderling Calidris alba
On 25th October, 9 showed very well on the rocky shore at El Cotillo.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
On 23rd October 3 were on the rocky shore to the south of Caleta de Fustes.
Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
A single was seen at Los Molinos reservoir on 25th October.
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
On 25th October 6 were seen at Los Molinos reservoir.
Common Sandpiper Actites hypoleucos
A single on the rocky shoreline near the harbour at Caleta de Fustes, and 6 on the rocky shore to the south of the resort on 23rd October.
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Two on the rocky shoreline near the harbour at Caleta de Fustes, and 3 on the rocky shore to the south of the resort on 23rd October
Yellow-legged Gull Larus cachinnans atlantis
Seen at several sites, but by no means numerous. At Caleta de Fustes, 3 on rocks just to the north of the harbour, 5 to the south of the resort and 20 on the beach on 23rd October. A single adult on the rocky shore at El Cotillo on 25th October, showing down to 6ft, allowed a prolonged close study while on the same day another adult was well inland over the plains at Los Molinos. Up to 3 were seen around the beach and harbour area at Caleta de Fustes during 27th to 29th October with up to 20 birds passing over the resort some evenings.
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis
Singles were seen offshore from the harbour at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October and off El Cotillo on 25th October with 7 off the harbour at Caleta de Fustes on 29th October.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis
As predicted the plains around Costa Calma proved to be the best site to see this species. On 26th October 4 showed very well in flight before landing and giving good views feeding for 10 minutes, and a further 10 flew north-west giving excellent views set against a clear blue sky. The same morning at nearby La Pared 28 flew over the beach car park, circled twice and then flew off south-west. All were heard, often for several minutes, before being seen, the bubbling call somewhat reminiscent of lekking Black Grouse, immediately giving away their presence. Birds were heard calling again at Costa Calma on 27th October but were not seen.
Rock Dove Columbia livia
Three at the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October were very like "pure" Rock Doves, including showing a white rump, but c.20 at Los Molinos on 25th October showed a variety of plumages. On 26th October 5 at Las Peñitas were close to "pure" birds
Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocta
This species is classed as localised on the Canary Islands with an uncertain status. Up to 3 around the resort of Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October, 5 around the zoo at La Lajita on 26th October and up to 3 around the resort of Caleta de Fustes again on 27th to 29th October.
Hoopoe Upupa epops
On 24th October a single flew over the cultivations at Rosa de los Negrines before briefly landing in a bush, while on 25th October another single showed very well at Los Molinos with a further 2 drinking from the reservoir itself. Singles were seen on the plain at Costa Calma on 26th and 27th October.
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens polatzeki
This canary Island Subspecies was only seen at one site. At Los Molinos on 25th October, 30 (including one with a deformed lower mandible) were drinking from a small pool with two birds proving particularly confiding showing to just a few feet. On 26th and 27th October flocks were heard calling at Costa Calma but were not seen.
Swallow Hirundo rustica
A single bird around the resort of Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October.
House Martin Delichon urbica
Two were seen around the resort of Caleta de Fuste on 23rd October.
Berthelot's Pipit Anthus berthelotii berthelotii
The Canary Island Subspecies of this Macaronesian endemic was seen across the island. At La Oliva on 24th October a single was seen on the stony plain just before entering the village and 2 flew over the track towards Rosa de los Negrines. On 25th October 2 were seen at El Cotillo and 3 at Los Molinos, all showing very well. A single showed well in the car park of the zoo at La Lajita on 26th October while on the same day birds were seen at some of the viewpoints on the FV30 between Pájara and La Vega de Río de las Palmas with 2 at one and 9 at another, and were often very tame approaching as close as 4-5ft. A single bird was then seen on a patch of rough ground near the harbour at Caleta de Fustes on 29th October.
Canary Island Chat Saxicola dacotia
This endemic species was seen just once. A single male showing well perched on a fence by the goat farm at Los Molinos on 25th October.
Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis
Some small Sylvia warblers seen very briefly at the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October were presumed to be this species.
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
A possible male was seen very briefly at the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October and a female showed well at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
A single was seen in the tamarisks at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca
A single showed well in the tamarisks at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Blue Tit Parus caeruleus degener
This uncommon distinctive Canary Island Subspecies confined to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote was seen only at Las Peñitas. On 26th October 13 were seen in the tamarisks here, some of which showed well to allow a more prolonged study of their distinctive plumage.
Southern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor koenigi
The Canary Island Subspecies proved quite easy to see. On 25th October, two showed very well at El Cotillo and a single was seen on roadside wires by the FV2 just to the north of Caleta de Fustes. Two were seen on the plain at Costa Calma on 26th October and on the same day two birds were seen along the FV30 between Pájara and La Vega de Río de las Palmas (at different viewpoints) one of which took to stealing food given to the Barbary Ground Squirrels. Also 2 showed very well at Las Peñitas, one of which was hunting a flock of Blue Tits and 3 were seen on roadside wires along the FV20. One near Casillas del Angel and 2 just to the north of Caleta de Fustes. A single showed well again at Costa Calma on 27th October
Raven Corvus corax tingitanus
On 24th October 2 were seen over hills to the north of La Oliva, while on 25th October a single was seen at El Cotillo and 2 showed very well at Los Molinos reservoir. On 26th October 2 were seen (at times very close) around the mountains at Las Peñitas
Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis
On 25th October, 15 around the goat farm at Los Molinos consisted of both male and female birds. The palms around the zoo at La Lajita held several birds on 26th October with a single female seen at Las Peñitas the same day. Up to 4 (3 male and 1 female) showed very well around bushes along the promenade and on the beach at Caleta de Fustes during 27th to 29th October.
Trumpeter Finch Budanetes githagineus amantum
On 23rd October 5 showed very well on a small area of stony plain just to the south of Caleta de Fustes while 10 were seen near to the entrance of the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October but were flighty. On 25th October 7 showed very well at Los Molinos and included a colour ringed male (white and green on right leg).
MAMMALS
Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus
Four on the plain at Costa Calma on 27th October were the only ones of the week.
Barbary Ground Squirrel Atlantoxerus getulus
This introduced species (confined to Fuerteventura within the Canary Islands) was seen at a few sites in the central part of the island and was often very tame. Two were seen along the access track to Los Molinos on 25th October and a total of 18 were seen at two viewpoints on the FV30 between Pájara and La Vega de Río de las Palmas (12 at one and 6 at the designated viewing point) often taking food from the hand.
DRAGONFLIES
Lesser Emperor Anax parthenope
A single, presumed female, seen several times at the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October.
Scarlet Dragonfly Crocothemis erythraea
A single male was seen well at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii
Up to 5 (3 females and 2 males) were seen very well at the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October and 2 (a male and female) were seen at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
REPTILES
Atlantic Lizard Galiotia atlantica maharotae
Referred to as Haria Lizard in Clarke & Collins, this sub species of the Canary Island endemic is confined to Fuerteventura and Los Lobos. It was seen at two sites. Due to colour and markings all were presumed to be either females or young males. Two were found sunbathing in the Barranco de la Torre on 24th October and two were seen very well along the cliffs by the beach car park at La Pared on 26th October.
BUTTERFLIES
Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta
A single was seen at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Painted Lady Cynthia cardui
A single was seen at Las Peñitas on 26th October.
Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus
A single individual of this spectacular butterfly was seen at Las Peñitas on 26th October, a site noted for this species. A single individual, presumably this species, was seen to fly in off the sea and inland over the beach at Caleta de Fuste on 28th October. Due to the view obtained however, Monarch Danus plexippus could not be ruled out.