Welcome to my blog all about my birdwatching, wild bird ringing activities and moth recording at Linacre Reservoirs, Derbyshire; in Great Britain and abroad.
Saturday 4th April was our last day on Fuerteventura. We weren't being picked up until 5pm, so we spent the entire day walking around the town.
After our trip to the Molinos Reservoir, we drove across the island to Barranco de la Torre. By the time we arrived, it was 2.30pm, and quite warm, so there weren't too many birds around. We did, however, manage to add a couple of new species to the trip list.
The first birds seen were, as always, Spanish Sparrows, with many birds at the start of the Barranco (gorge), by the sea. Walking up the gorge, we had Ravens overhead, and a couple of Trumpeter Finches. We also spotted several warbler species. One was a male Sardinian Warbler, one was a Willow Warbler (new species) and the other 2/3 were Chiffchaffs (new species). A single Egyptian Vulture was seen, sitting on a nest.
On the walk back down, we spotted a new species of butterfly, when a single Plain Tiger landed briefly. A beautiful sight!
After our morning visit to Calderon Hondo, Jayne and I drove across the island to the beautiful village of Betancuria, where we spent a few hours discovering the old own and church, whilst also adding two new bird species to the list.
The first new bird species seen was a single, male Atlantic Canary (8th lifer), that was singing in a tree above the car park. Unfortunately, this was our only sighting, and he flew off before I could take a photograph! The second new species was African Blue Tit (9th lifer). One adult and 2 juveniles were seen, around the car park. Again, I only managed very fleeting views, and these were the best shots I got.
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).
