Island Tour - Part 5 - El Cotillo, Faro de Toston and Corralejo Natural Park

After our amazing trip to the Tindaya Plains, Jayne and I set off for the small town of El Cotillo and the nearby lighthouse (Faro de Toston). We had a lovely spot of brunch at The Happy Cactus (vegan café), before having a walk along the beach and through the dunes. 

Lighthouse (Faro de Toston)

No new bird species were added, but we did see: Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon, Collared Dove, Laughing Dove (heard), Yellow-legged Gull, Whimbrel, Turnstone, Atlantic Lizard and a single Portuguese Man o'War, that was washed up on the rocks.

Whimbrel and Turnstones

Atlantic Lizard

Portuguese Man o'War

On the drive back to Corralejo, we stopped off at the Corralejo Natural Park, and had a short walk along the Grandes Playas. One new species, Cory's Shearwater, was added to the trip list, when 2 were seen flying far out, over the sea.

Corralejo- March 28th and 29th

 Jayne and I arrived in the resort of Corralejo on Saturday afternoon. We spent the rest of the day, and the Sunday in the resort.

The first species seen on the island was.... Rock Dove/Feral Pigeon. This species was seen on everyday, at every location visited. Other species seen on the journey to the resort were: Kestrel, Yellow-legged Gull, Collared Dove (very common everywhere) and Buzzard (our 1 and only sighting).

On arrival at the hotel, we saw many more Collared Doves, Spanish Sparrow (very common across the island), Barn Swallow and Whimbrel (common on the rocky foreshore, and seen on every visit).

The next day, Sunday 29th, we walked around the town, and recorded the same species, as well as our first "lifer", Plain Swift, with 2 over the hotel. Other species added were: Turnstone (common, in small groups on the foreshore), Common Sandpiper (seen on every visit in 1s and 2s), Ringed Plover (3 seen), Sanderling (5 seen), Raven (1 over) and Little Egret (1 fishing on the shore).

Little Egret

Back at the hotel, we spent time by the pool, and had fly-over Ruddy Shelduck (2), a Kestrel (hunting the Atlantic (Haria) Lizard in the grounds, and, best of all, a couple of Laughing Dove (2nd lifer), that also flew over our heads. Unfortunately, this was our only sighting of the trip, so no photos.

Kestrel and half a lizard!