Day 7 We were greeted by yet another glorious morning. Whilst heading to breakfast a Red-vented Bulbul could be heard singing from the trees above us as we went and also the local flock of Spanish Sparrows had come down for a drink at the water sprinklers, which were watering the freshly mown grass. After breakfast I headed out on to the beach and had a walk along the rocky edge with my dad. A Cattle Egret was hunting in the dunes behind and along the foreshore the seemingly always full of energy Sanderlings were running up and down the rocks looking for any tiny morsel that they could pick off. There was a total of 14 of them running up and down the rocks making it almost as though the rocks had tiny little white lice running about. (Picture Below) Offshore a couple of Sandwich Tern were fishing alongside some Yellow-legged Gulls and a Kestrel sat on a lamppost over looking the whole scene and scanning for its next prey item. Above: Sandwich Tern Below: Kestrel A Little Egret flew along the shore and landed up ahead in a little sheltered cove which also contained at least 20 roosting Sandwich Tern. 4 Ravens flew through in land and 2 nice adult plumage Yellow legged Gulls sat there and watched as I went past in one direction and then back in the other. A small wader was also flushed, but I didn't manage to see what it was, although I had my suspicions. Above: Yellow-legged Gull Above: Sandwich Tern Below: Yellow-legged Gulls As I headed back towards the hotel I realised that the Sanderling flock hadn't moved very far and gave us great views of these tiny waders. (Pictured Below) Just as we were moving on I noticed two waders coming in from further up the coast. The first didn't stop however it was easily identifiable as a Ringed Plover. The second decided that the best place to stop for a rest would be right at my feet. It was a Common Sandpiper (Pictured Below). Above: Common Sandpiper Below: Sanderling Just as we were coming to the end of the rocks a Whimbrel appeared from nowhere and paraded around in front of us poking its long beak down into the rocks to get at the grub that most others can't. (Pictured Below) After this a round of Volley Ball was enjoyed in the now searing heat. The afternoon saw a trip to Playa De Sotevento to play some footie. When we arrived there were 7 Whimbrel roosting on the beach, before they were flushed by some joggers. They then flew up into the sand dunes and were lost to sight. A Little Egret was in one of the channels fishing and the Spoonbills could just about be made out further down the beach. A flock of 21 Sandwich Tern were also feeding in the shallow pools that form on the beach, but due to how successful they were at catching fish they had attracted a large amount of Yellow-legged Gulls which were mobbing them and attempting to steal every catch. Above: Whimbrel We then went off into the dune system to have a look at what we could find. In the end we came up with 2 Berthelot's Pipit, 2 Spectacled Warbler, and 2 Cattle Egret all giving some amazing views in the now slowly fading light. Above: Spectacled Warbler Below: Berthelot's Pipit After this we headed back to the hotel to take in an amazing sunset from the hotel balcony. As the sun went down the cloudless sky filled up with colour and i don't think the photo's do it justice. Day 8 Another stunning morning and due to this long period of decent weather Butterflies had emerged. There were some white ones which i am yet to identify, but also a massive Monarch Butterfly which swamped the others by a mile and is by far the largest butterfly i have ever seen. (Pictured Badly Below) Unfortunately as it was the last day today i didn't have my camera handy, but i did have my trusty phone to hand, which is why the photo's aren't as good quality. Today was also the last day to soak up the sun before heading back to London. The morning consisted of sitting on the beach and playing Volley Ball. 5 Sandwich Tern feed off shore and a Grey Heron flew from the sheltered cove and along towards the main bustling touristy area of the coast the first i have personally ever seen in this area. Yellow-legged Gulls were loafing around on the still sea and 2 Cattle Egret entertained all those on the beach by searching for Lizards in the dunes. Berthelot's Pipits were also around the beach and a Sanderling was feeding down at the shoreline. Above: Cattle Egret After lunch my brother and i played a quick game of football before heading to the airport. Whilst playing football Berthelot's Pipits were feeding just outside the football pitch and Chiffchaffs were calling from the palm trees surrounding the outside as well. Several Ravens also flew over calling and marked the last ones that we would see on the trip. When driving out of Costa Calma the usual Cattle Egret roundabout this time had 3 individuals on it busily poking through the long lush grass. This was the last bird life that i saw on the trip bar the odd Collared Dove flying to and from the telephone wires. The landscape however was still worth taking in with the extinct peaks of Fuerteventura sticking out among the largely flat barren landscape. When we reached the golf course at Caleta De Fuste a large eruption of at least 40 Yellow-legged Gulls filled the sky. Also somewhat surprisingly a flock of 6 Spoonbills also were flushed from the golf course and headed South in the now fading light. As we got closer to the airport there is a plantation just South of the runway and to my surprise there were some white Chickens running around inside of it. A bit odd! We then went to the car rental to give back the hire car and in doing so saw our last flock of Spanish Sparrows. And as the sun went down we boarded our flight back to London Gatwick which somehow was the only flight to the UK to leave on time. And so i leave you with the final trip list below and some highlights of an amazing trip. I also would like to take this opportunity to again thank David for taking me on the day trip and also for the other local outings. I have to admit that i can't wait to come back to this island again in the future! Trip List: 67 Species (15 Lifers)
Above: Common Chiffchaff Below: Southern Grey Shrike Above: All 5 Little Bunting Below: Red-vented Bulbul Above: African Blue Tit Below: Canary Islands Stonechat Above: The Dwarf Bittern Below: Raven Above: Yellow-browed Warbler Below: Canary Islands Stonechat Above: Sacred Ibis Below: Little Egret Above: Turnstone Below: Kestrel Above: Sandwich Tern Below: Spoonbill Above: Berthelot's Pipit Below: Barbary Ground Squirrel Above: Berthelot's Pipit
Below: Whimbrel
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AuthorI have been a birder since i was 8 however only really started to be able to go out to places by myself in Summer 2016 (Blame the parents) My blogs will be from all over the place, but mainly from RSPB Rainham Marshes and Totteridge Valley! Photography done by Samuel Levy aged 17. ArchivesCategories |