CANARY ISLANDS
Few of the many thousands of tourists who visit this archipelago stray far from its sun-kissed beaches. But the volcanic grey sands which give the beaches a very unusual appearance are just a tiny part of the natural wonders of the Canaries. Dormant volcanoes, remote mountain valleys, cloud forests and deserts combine with endemic birds to make this a holiday not to be missed.
On Tenerife, a journey of less than 30km takes us from our base on the coast through euphorbia scrub, past numerous extinct small volcanoes, through pine forests and finally to the foot of Mount Teide. At 12198 feet it is higher than any mountain in the Pyrenees.
Fuerteventura’s dry climate results in a completely different appearance which more closely resembles North Africa than the western islands. The birdlife too is very different and is characterised by those species which prefer dry stony deserts and vast sand dunes. Furthermore, it is home to the most restricted of all the endemics, the Fuerteventura Chat.
In order to appreciate the full diversity of birdlife that these islands have to offer we will spend three nights on Fuerteventura and four nights on Tenerife. From Tenerife we will also visit La Gomera on a day trip. The species list is not long and the birdwatching will be unhurried, but there is great quality in the rare and endemic species that we will see. We know of reliable sites for all the key species….
Fuerteventura closely resembles the hot, sandy deserts of North Africa, just 70 miles to the east. It still gives away its origins with impressive extinct volcanoes and craters, but the dry climate has made its mark on the landscape. Huge sand dunes are home to a few North African species while others prefer the stony deserts which cover most of the island.
First and foremost, our visit to Fuerteventura will take us in search of the most restricted of all the eastern Atlantic endemics. The Fuerteventura Chat, a relative of our Stonechat, is not difficult to find in suitable habitat. These beautiful birds favour dry stony river beds and broken ground. In the same dry wadis or barrancos we can also find Southern Grey Shrikes and Sardinian Warblers, alongside the common and easy to see Spectacled Warbler. In the stony desert-like plains a number of birds typical of North Africa can be found. Black-bellied Sandgrouse are fairly common and Lesser Short-toed Larks are very numerous. Hoopoes can be seen feeding at the edge of cultivated fields and Spanish Sparrows frequent the towns. Trumpeter Finches call to each other as they move about in small parties, scratching out a living from this dry habitat. Stone Curlews can be heard giving their evocative, melancholy calls at dawn and dusk. While walking through the broken ground we may flush a party of Barbary Partridges and we must always keep an eye open for Egyptian Vultures.
Plain Swifts breed throughout the islands and are fairly common, and we can also expect to see Pallid Swift.
A large pool in the centre of the island has recently attracted a few immigrant Marbled Ducks, alongside Coot and Moorhen, two species which are themselves scarce on these islands. Even the Ruddy Shelduck has started to breed, but whether these remain for future years, when the original population is so small, remains to be seen. Our recent tours also yielded surprises, including Ring-necked Duck, Baillon’s Crake, Little Crake, Spoonbill, Collared Pratincole and Palm Dove.
We shall endeavour to find the two most exciting North African species; the Cream-coloured Courser and Houbara Bustard. Both frequent the sandy dunes and stony deserts which are a feature of the island. The former is one of the most elegant of all birds while the latter is highly endangered. The sight of a magnificent Houbara Bustard will provide one of the many highlights of this holiday.
Tenerife will be our base for the next four nights. The island is home to most of the Macronesian endemic birds, as well as numerous endemic subspecies. It is the largest island in the Canaries archipelago. However, as the crow flies, one has only to travel about 10km from the coast to Mt Teide.
We will stay in the beautiful interior of the island, at Villaflor. Our hotel is the amazing Hotel Villalba, a spa hotel which boasts five or six Canary Island endemics in its garden!
At about 5000 feet the endemic Canary Island Pine starts to predominate. Here, life is very difficult for wildlife as there is practically no standing water due to the porous volcanic rocks. Any bird that lives here must be totally suited to its environment. Tenerife's most famous endemic, the Canary Island or Blue Chaffinch lives here. Very few other species share this demanding habitat, though Great Spotted Woodpeckers have found a niche. We will also see the Tenerife race of the recently split African Blue Tit, with neat black crown and brilliant blue mantle.
At about 6500 feet we leave the pine forests and come to a gigantic crater called Las Canadas del Teide. With a diameter of about 12 miles, it is visually awe inspiring, but supports very little bird life. One species does scrape out a living here. The Bertholot's Pipit is so perfectly adapted to life on these islands that it can survive in even the most inhospitable parts.
On the north facing slopes, where the wind brings damp air from the Atlantic, there is a totally different habitat. The Laurel forests, sometimes called rain forest, but more accurately described as cloud forest, are home to a much richer diversity of bird and plant life. Two species of bird have evolved to live in this habitat and are found nowhere else but in the laurel forests of Tenerife and La Gomera. These are the rare Bolle's Laurel Pigeon and the White-tailed Laurel Pigeon.
The Tenerife Kinglet is common here. Taxonomists generally assumed it to be a race of the Firecrest, despite its Goldcrest like appearance, but more recently it has been declared a species in its own right.
The Chaffinch which inhabits this threatened forest habitat has also evolved a very different appearance to the mainland birds. Although not as far down the evolutionary path as Blue Chaffinch, these birds are nevertheless very striking, with blue backs and peachy underparts.
Avoiding the dense Laurel forest, the Canary inhabits woodland edges and hedgerows in northern Tenerife. This wild ancestor of the familiar domestic bird is fairly common and should give good views.
Barbary Falcons nest in small numbers. Little Egrets can be seen feeding in coastal rock pools, alongside the dark-looking local race of the Yellow-legged Gull and there is a small population of Cattle Egrets.
On one day we will take a car ferry across to La Gomera. From the boat we hope to see Little Shearwater and Cory’s Shearwater. As well as the seabirds, there are large numbers of Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Short-finned Pilot Whales, which also take advantage of the rich feeding. On La Gomera, there is some well preserved Laurel forest with easy access, where we have a good chance of seeing the Canary Islands’ most elusive endemic, the White-tailed Laurel Pigeon. La Gomera is a very peaceful island, with great beauty in its forests and rocky peaks. It will provide a lovely ending to an exciting week’s birdwatching.
Breakfast will be taken at about 7.30am most mornings. Basic fitness is all that is required. Full days will be spent in the field and short walks on the flat will be undertaken regularly. There will be little or no uphill walking.
Full-board accommodation will be provided, with three nights at the Hotel Mariquita Hierro, El Cotillo, Fuerteventura and four nights at the Hotel Villalba, Villaflor, Tenerife. Rooms are en-suite. The Hotel Villalba is a fantastic hotel; one of the best that we use. Packed lunches will be provided every day.
PRICE INCLUDES …..
All birdwatching excursions with expert leader, full-board accommodation, local transport by minibus, flight to Fuerteventura, returning from Tenerife, internal flight between Fuerteventura and Tenerife, ferry to La Gomera, soft drinks at meal times, and all airport taxes.
Our optional travel insurance, payable at the time of booking. Items of a personal nature, alcoholic drinks, laundry.
Return flights from London Gatwick to Fuerteventura, returning from Tenerife, using the services of a major charter airline. Outbound flight departs early afternoon, return flight arrives back early evening.
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7 nights:
Principal leader:
Maximum group size:
Cost with discount (if you book before 13th December 2007):
Full Cost:
Single supplement:
Deposit:
Insurance premium:
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28th March to 4th April 2008
Paul J. Willoughby
7 clients with one leader or 14 clients with two leaders
£1220 per person sharing
£1320 per person sharing
£130
£200
£26 due at time of booking (£39 for age 65 to 69) (£52 for age 70 and over)
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