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A Report from birdtours.co.uk |
Fuerteventura, October
2000,
Author
A report by Paul Hill
INTRODUCTION
Fuerteventura is one of the eastern Canary Islands,
just 100 miles off the African coast. Approximately 75 kilometres long and 20
kilometres wide the island can be easily birded in a week with plenty of sun-worshipping
stops or coffee breaks in the heat of the day. The following report is based
on an eleven-night stay at Caleta de Fustes on Fuerteventura. The trip was primarily
a combined family / birdwatching holiday during the half term designed to allow
birdwatching mam and dad to see the islands endemics whilst our four year
old son could partake of the beach and other entertainments. We had one
slightly wet day during the holiday, the winds reduced the temperature on the
remainder of the days which were hot, shorts were worn throughout from daybreak
(around 07:30 GMT) to dusk about 12 hours later. We chose a package with
Airtours staying in the Castella de Sol apartments. These are about twenty minutes
walk from the beach, but situated just at the edge of the resort, at the start
of the rocky plain. The location allowed us to compile an apartment list of quality,
but not quantity. Berthelots Pipit and Canary Island Chat were seen from
the apartment without any difficulty, whilst the dawn chorus consisted of Spectacled
Warbler and Southern Grey Shrike. Car hire was around 5000pts per day
(including full insurance and unlimited mileage) We hired an Opel Corsa for five
days used just a single tank full of petrol and covered about 700 kilometres.
The car handled the various tracks across the plains with relative ease and we
didnt really see the need for a four-wheel drive. We managed to
see all the island specialities to be expected the swifts had all departed
and we didnt really try for Barbary Falcon. A Birdwatchers Guide to the
Canary Islands by Tony Clarke and David Collins proved invaluable and all the
tracks were easy to find with the exception of the track to the lagoon at Catalina
Garcia. This was more down to the lack of the Goat Farm and taking the wrong
the track than not following the map in the book!!
SITES VISITED
1. Caleta de Fustes,
Salinas del Carmen, Barranco de la Torre
The resort of Caleta de Fustes was still under going expansion when
we visited and a new golf-course is under construction just to the south of
the resort. The stony plain behind the apartments held Trumpeter Finch, Lesser
Short-toed Lark, Barbary Partridge and Canary Island Chat. Black-bellied Sandgrouse
were seen towards the Barranco de la Torre and Houbara are also present but
not easy here we didnt even put the time in here for them. The
beach and rocky shore between here and the Salinas del Carmen attracted small
numbers of Ringed, Kentish and Grey Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling and Whimbrel.
Sea watching in the evening from the coast produced small numbers of Corys
Shearwaters and a single Bulwers Petrel. The Salinas themselves are fairly
small, and anyone familiar with the Salinas de Levante on Mallorca may find
them slightly disappointing. Only one very small pool was left in the Barranco
de la Torre.
2. Los Molinos
We accessed the reservoir, created by damming the Barranco de la Molinos,
provided the only substantial area of freshwater on the Island at the time of
our visit. The site is surrounded by stony desert and small hills. Various
waders were present on our visits along with Ruddy Shelduck and Marbled Duck.
Large numbers of Lesser Short-toed Lark were present on the plain and Egyptian
Vulture seen on each visit. The site should prove attractive to passage passerines
as well as waders and wildfowl during the main migration periods.
3. El Cotillo
This is a small fishing town in the north of the island. On entering
the outskirts of the town turn south and follow a track that runs parallel with
the coast. This, as predicted by Clarke and Collins, was our best bet for Houbara
Bustard. Views were so close we nearly ran it over!!! A small Barranco still
held water and had attracted a few small passerines. Several Corys Shearwaters
were present off the beach, where we felt distinctly overdressed in just shorts
even a pair of trunks here would have been overkill amongst the naturist
as opposed to the naturalist element present!
4. La Oliva
The larval fields at La Oliva held Canary Island Chat and Spectacled
Warbler, whilst the sandy plain on the opposite side of the road supported Cream-coloured
Courser and Barbary Partridge. Houbara also occur here.
5. Catalina Garcia
This site held very little water when we visited, although small numbers
of Lesser Short-toed Lark and Trumpeter Finch visited it for drinking. The
site was good for dragonflies and four species were recorded exuvia of
three were collected!
6. Pajara
What birdwatching trip would be complete without a coffee and sticky
bun stop! A small café in the wood park just as you enter Pajara
provides a pleasant setting for migrant watching. We enjoyed trip ticks such
as Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Goldfinch and Blue Tit in the small
town. The area around the car park and municipal swimming pool were equally
productive for passerines, Sardinian Warbler, Blackcap, Robin and Song Thrush
were all seen.
7. Costa Calma
The sandy/stony plain near the wind farm was accessed from the road
to La Pared. We drove along the ridge to just inside the fence and then carried
along on foot towards the wind farm. Cream-coloured Courser, Houbara Bustard
and Black-bellied Sandgrouse (130) were all seen. The Sandgrouse were almost
always heard calling before we saw them.
8. Risco de Playa, Jandia
The beach here was really visited for our son to paddle, but it did
add Black-headed Gull and a (presumed escape) Yellow-billed Stork to our trip
list and more assorted elderly wrinkled German nudists.
9. Zoo at La Lajita
Another family stop for lunch. Although not on the birdwatching itinerary
the zoo has a collection of over 200 exotic birds, all looking relatively healthy.
This is probably where the Yellow-billed Stork came from, but all of the wildfowl
appeared to be clipped. For full details of sites and access, together
with fuller species lists check out A Birdwatchers Guide to the Canary
Islands.
BIRD SPECIES SEEN
1. Bulwer's Petrel
(Bulweria bulwerii)
A single dark petrel seen off the Salinas del Carmen on the afternoon
of 25th October was believed to be this species. It was seen with a Corys
Shearwater enabling a size comparison to be made.
2. Cory's Shearwater
(Calonectris diomedea)
Up to 13 off Caleta de Fustes throughout, circa .50 off El Cotillo
on 25th October. Twenty off Salinas del Carmen on 25th and 27th;
50 off shore there on 29th October.
3. Little Egret (Egretta
garzeta)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes daily with up to three on the rocky shore
adjacent to the beach. A similar number also present at Salinas del Carmen
on each visit. Two at Los Molinos on 29th October.
4. Grey Heron (Ardea
cinerea)
Single at Salina del Carmen on 25th October.
5. Cattle Egret (Bulbulcus
ibis)
Single flew over the apartment at Caleta de Fustes, towards sea in
the morning on 24th October.
6. Yellow-billed Stork
(Mycteria ibis)
Adult, presumed escaped on the beach at Risco de Playa, Jandia on 28th
October.
7. Eurasian Spoonbill
(Platelea leucorodia)
Single flew south along the beach at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd
October.
8. Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna
ferruginea)
Five at Los Molinos on 25th October; three there on 29th
October.
9. Common Teal (Anas
crecca)
Single female at Los Molinos on 29th October.
10. Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Single female at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th October.
11. Marbled Duck (Marmaronetta angustirostris)
Four at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th October.
12. Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Sub- adult at Los Molinos on 25th October and three birds, an adult,
immature and sub-adult on 29th October.
13. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
1 at Jandia on 28th October, 3 at Los Molinos on 25th October and 1
at Salinas del Carmen on 29th October on plain
14. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)
Singles at the airport on 21st, Caleta de Fustes on 23rd
and Los Molinos on 25th and 29th October.
15. Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara)
Ten on the rocky plain behind at Caleta de Fustes on 24th October and
a single on the plain at La Oliva on 25th October.
16. Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus)
Single in the wildfowl enclosure at the bird garden near La Lajita
28th October.
17. Common Coot (Fulica atra)
Approximately 75 at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th October
18. Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata)
Single at El Cotillo on 25th October and single at Costa Calma 28th
October.
19. Cream-coloured Courser (Cursorius cursor)
Single at La Oliva on 25th October and two at Costa Calma on 28th October.
20. Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)
Present on the rocky shore at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del Carmen
as follows:
23rd October
|
Caleta de Fustes
|
6
|
24th October
|
Caleta de Fustes
|
3
|
25thOctober
|
Salinas del Carmen
|
4
|
27th October
|
Salinas del Carmen
|
1
|
29th October
|
Salinas del Carmen
|
1
|
31st October
|
Caleta de Fustes
|
2
|
21. Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del Carmen on each visit.
Maximum count of 45 roosting on the rocky shore at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd
October; otherwise between 10 and 20 at both sites. Also recorded at Los Molinos
on 25th and 29th October with approximately 12 present.
22. Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)
Single at Los Molinos on 29th October was the only one recorded.
23. Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del Carmen on each visit.
Maximum count of 34 roosting on the rocky shore at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd
October; otherwise recorded in similar numbers to Ringed Plover, with 15 roosting
at the Salinas del Carmen on 27th. Up to six at Los Molinos on both
25th and 29th October.
24. Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus)
Single at Los Molinos on 25th October and two present there on 29th.
25. Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)
Single on the rocky shore at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October.
26. Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus)
Between one and three recorded at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del
Carmen on each visit.
27. Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata)
Single at Salinas del Carmen on 25th October.
28. Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)
Single at Los Molinos on 29th October.
29. Common Redshank(Tringa totanus)
Single at Caleta de Fustes on 24th October, single at Salinas del Carmen
on 27th and 29th October with three present on 25th and
a single at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th.
30. Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia)
Three at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th October,
single at Salinas del Carmen on 25th October and a single on the
beach near Jandia on 28th October.
31. Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)
Single on the outlet stream at Los Molinos on 25th October.
32. Common Sandpiper (Tringa hypoleucos)
Up to four on the rocky shores at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del
Carmen on each visit. Four at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th
October.
33. Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)
Up to six on the shore at Caleta de Fustes and Salinas del Carmen on
each visit
34. Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Two on the beach and rocky shore at Caleta de Fustes on 23rd October.
35. Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
Single at Los Molinos on 25th October and two present on 29th.
36. Dunlin (Calidris alpina)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes on 22nd October, five there on 23rd,
single on 24th. Three at Salinas del Carmen on 25th and single there
on 29th. Three at Los Molinos on 25th and 29th
October.
37. Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)
Single at Los Molinos on 29th October.
38. Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans atlantis)
Recorded on small numbers (less than ten at any one site) around the
coast.
39. Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus)
Single with Yellow-legged Gulls at Salinas del Carmen on 27th October.
40. Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus)
Single on beach near Jandia on 28th October and one at Salinas del
Carmen on 29th.
41. Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Recorded at all coastal sites with a maximum of ten off Caleta de Fustes
and Salinas del Carmen.
42. Black-bellied Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis)
Five at Los Molinos on 25th October, two on the rocky plain
near Salinas del Carmen on 25th and 130 between 09:15 and 09:30 near
the wind farm at Costa Calma on 28th. The latter were flying south
over the wind farm, presumably having been drinking in pools around the resort
complex.
43. Rock Dove (Columba livia)
Recorded throughout, birds in around Los Molinos were more pure
than some of those seen around the villages and towns.
44. Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto)
Present throughout at Caleta de Fustes and around the zoo at La Lajita
45. Hoopoe (Upupa epops)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes on 24th October, at least five along the
coast track at El Cotillo on 25th and up to three at Los Molinos
on 25th and 29th October.
46. Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens)
Recorded in small numbers on the plain near at Caleta de Fustes. Much
more common away from the holiday complex areas, with flocks of up o 100 seen
along the track at El Cotillo, smaller number at Costa Calma and over 500 at
Los Molinos on 29th October. Also seen at Catalina Garcia lagoon
47. Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)
Single at Los Molinos on 25th October and two the same day
at Caleta de Fustes
48. Berthelot's Pipit (Anthus berthelotii)
Common throughout, even several feeding in the gardens on the apartments
at Caleta de Fustes and on the beaches!
49. European Robin (Erithacus rubecula)
Single along the track (near a water hole) at El Cotillo on 25th October.
Single in the zoo at La Lajita on 28th and three at Pajara on 27th.
50. Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros)
Singles at Caleta de Fustes on 30th October and 1st November.
The former in the apartment complex and the latter on the beach near the harbour.
51. Canary Islands (Fuerteventura) Chat (Saxicola
dacotiae)
Recorded daily at Caleta de Fustes, either on the plain just behind
the apartments, within the apartment complex or even on the beach. Also present
at various other suitable sites around the island this species wasnt
difficult to see at all. Present at Catalina Garcia, La Oliva, Salinas del
Carmen.
52. Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)
Singles at Caleta de Fustes on 22nd, 24th October and 31st
October. Single in Pajara on 27th.
53. Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)
Single at Caleta de Fustes on 22nd October and two at Pajara on 27th.
54. Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala)
Single at Los Molinos on 25th October and one at Pajara on 27th.
55. Spectacled Warbler (Sylvia conspicillata)
Recorded throughout the island, for example around the apartment at
Caleta de Fustes, the larva fields at La Oliva, along the track at El Cotillo,
Catalina Garcia and at Los Molinos
56. Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
Single in the wooded area around the café at Pajara on 27th October.
57. Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca)
Single near the car park in Pajara on 27th October.
58. Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus degener)
Two near the car park in Pajara on 27th October.
59. Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis koenigi)
Recorded throughout the islands, on the plains, around cultivation
and within the apartment complexes.
60. Common Raven (Corvus corax)
Recorded throughout the islands, usually seen in small numbers.
61. Spanish Sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis [domesticus])
Recorded around habitation. Up to 300 at the water treatment works
at Caleta de Fustes on 1st November.
62. Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)
Single at Caleta de Fustes on 30th October in Tamarisk bushes near
harbour. Heard calling first - a distinctive 'fink-fink' and then located in
bushes. Watched for a couple of minutes before it moved further into hotel
complex and couldn't be refound. The bird appeared to be of the nominate form
and identical to those seen in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, with no suggestion
of it being of any of the Canary Isle sub-species
63. European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
Three at Pajara on 27th October.
64. Eurasian Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)
Recorded at Caleta de Fustes on 22nd and 23rd October.
65. Trumpeter Finch (Rhodopechys githaginea)
Approximately 15 at Caleta de Fustes on 21st, 22nd
and 23rd October on the rocky plain behind the apartment. Fifty at Los Molinos
on 25th October with a similar number there on 29th. Also present
at Costa Calma, La Oliva and El Cotillo.
DRAGONFLIES SEEN
1. Ischnura saharensis
Considered by some to be a form of Ischnura elegans, Blue-tailed Damselfly,
seen at Catalina Garcia
2. Anax parthenope
Lesser Emperor
Single in the playground in Caleta de Fustes
3. Orthetrum trinacria
Although not listed by Clarke and Collins as occurring on the Islands, this
species was observed well at Catalina Garcia, where several males were present
and mating and ovipositing also observed. Exuvia collected at the site may
have been from this species.
4. Crocothemis erythraea
Scarlet Darter
Only seen at Catalina Garcia, where several males were present.
5. Sympetrum fonscolombei
Red-veined Darter
The commonest dragonfly seen, often well away from water
on the stone and sandy plains.
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