The Canary Islands

Naturetrek Tour Report 25 February – 4 March 2017

Black-bellied Sandgrouse Volutaria canariensis

Tenerife Speckled Lizard - Gallotia intermedia Southern Grey Shrike

Report and images compiled by Paul Harmes & Andrew Bray

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Tour Report The Canary Islands

Tour participants: Paul Harmes and Andrew Bray (leaders) together with 14 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Saturday 25th February

Nine tour group members met with Paul and Andrew at Gatwick’s North Terminal for the Easyjet flight EZY8703 to Tenerife South Airport. We landed on the island around midday, just in time to collect our vehicles and have lunch at the nearby Casa Pedro in Las Chafiras, hearing our first Blackcap as we arrived. After lunch, we moved to some nearby waste ground and a small concrete tank. A quick look at the dam by the entrance road produced the local race of Grey Wagtail [canariensis], Moorhen, two Yellow-legged Gulls [atlantis], and a Little Egret. Meanwhile, across the road, we found the curious Ceropegia fusca, Euphorbia canariensis, Euphorbia regis-jubae, Aizoon canariensis, Argyranthemum gracile, Schizogyne sericea (Canary Samphire) and Frankenia capitata..

From here we began our drive up towards Mount Teide, initially passing through San Miguel before taking the road up to Vilaflor. Along the way we saw Pinus canariensis (Canary Pine) and Sonchus canariensis (Canary Sowthistle) by the roadsides. Once we had arrived at Vilaflor, we began the climb up to the picnic site called Las Lajas, to look for Blue Chaffinch. We parked away from the picnickers and began to scan the bushes and the bare ground between. Soon we had seen African Blue Tit and several Canaries and, before too long, our first Blue Chaffinches. In addition, we saw three adults of the island race of Great Spotted Woodpecker [canariensis], and a number of Canary Islands Chiffchaffs. We finished with sightings of about ten Blue Chaffinches, both male and females. Two notable plants were Adenocarpus viscosus (Teide Sticky Broom) and Erysimum scoparium (Canary Island Wallflower).

It was now time to make our way to our hotel, on the north side of the island. We drove up to Boca de Tauce and along the ridge road past Mount Teide to El Portillo de la Villa. Here we turned left down to the TF-5 Autoroute at La Orotava, where we turned north-east to two junctions to Santa. Ursula and then drove the last mile to the Hotel la Quinta Park Suite & Spa, our base for the next four nights.

Day 2 Sunday 26th February

After breakfast, which we took at 8am, Andrew and Paul needed to go shopping to get the supplies for our picnic lunch. Once they had done this we took the TF-5 towards Puerta Cruz. Our first stop for the day was at the Mirador La Grimona, where it didn’t take too long to find the endemic Laurel Pigeon. Plants included Echium giganteum, Silene gallica, Argyranthemum frutescens, Lavandula buchii and Marcetella moquiniana. More Canaries, Canary Islands (Common) Buzzard and Tenerife Robin were also added.

A brief comfort stop at a Service Area produced our first butterfly, a Canary Large White, and another two Laurel Pigeons on the cliffs above..

We now moved on through Icod, and on to Buenavista, at the beginning of the Punto de Teno. Here, our leaders set up the picnic lunch under some trees. Our lunch was taken whist being serenaded by several Canaries. With our meal complete, we explored an area of waste ground, close by. Echium plantagineum (Purple Viper’s Bugloss), Mezembryanthemum crystalinum (Greater Dewplant), Forsskaolea angustifolia (Narrow-leaved Forsskaolea), Sonchus congestus (Anaga Sow-thistle) and Galactites tomentosa (Galactites) were all identified. We also found Small Copper and African Grass Blue butterflies, and male and female Tenerife Speckled Lizards and Tenerife Lizard,

The Canary Islands Tour Report

together with a Western Canary Skink. Raven, Berthelot’s Pipit and a pair of Spectacled Warblers completed a good list.

We now made the short hop to the Punta de Teno. Unfortunately there were access restrictions in place, so we set about scanning the cliffs for birds. Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel [canariensis] and Yellow-legged Gull were seen, as well as a couple of Barbary Falcons, one of our target species.

Leaving Teno, we took the windy road towards the small, isolated village of Masca. After about twenty minutes, we left the road and followed a track up into the hills at Monte del Agua. Here, we found a single flowering specimen of Isoplexus canariensis (Canary Island Foxglove) and a fine show of Canarina canariensis (Canary Bellflower). There was also Sonchus acaulis (Stemless Sow-thistle) Aeonium haworthii (Haworth’s Houseleek) Hypericum canariensis (Canary St.John’s-wort), Myrica faya (Wax Myrtle), Ranunculus cortusifolius (Atlantic Island Buttercup). Canary Island Chiffchaffs and African Blue Tits we busy feeding in the trees above us.

Returning to the road, we continued on up to a viewpoint beyond the village of Masca., where we made our last stop of the day to explore a hillside. Canary Island Speckled Wood butterfly was spotted and a small number of Orchis canariensis (Canary Orchid), together with Euphorbia atropurpurea. For the birders there was more excitement when a pair of Barbary Falcons were seen chasing a Common Buzzard.

Dropping down to Santiago del Teide, we re-joined the road back to Icod and Santa. Ursula.

Day 3 Monday 27th February

Today we headed off to the north-eastern end of the island, to the Anaga Peninsula. Leaving our hotel, we joined the TF-5 motorway to La Laguna and then made our way to Chinamada, where we parked. As we approached our destination, we spotted a pair of Barbary Partridges on the road. Setting out on a short walk, it was not long before we were finding new plants. These included, Monanthes anagensis, Erodium moschatum (Musk Stork’s-bill), Rumex bucephalophorus (Horned Dock), Polypodium marcaronesicum (Polypody), Echium aculeatum, Echium strictum, Andryala pinnatifida, Gonospermum fruticosum (Canary Tansey), Pericallis tussilaginis, Sonchus congestus (Anaga Sow- thistle), Aeonium canariensis (Canary Houseleek), Aeonium urbicum, Aichryson parlatorei, Urtica membranacea (Membranous Nettle), Allium roseum (Rosy Garlic), Nothoscordum gracile, Dracaena draco (Dragon Tree), Scilla haemorrhoidalis, Romulea columnae subsp. grandiscapa, Briza maxima (Greater Quaking Grass), Briza minor (Annual Quaking Grass) and Sonchus leptocephaluss. As we progressed towards the headland, we also recorded Berthelot’s Pipit, Canary Island Chiffchaff, Common Buzzard, Canary and a second pair of Barbary Partridges, as well as Canary Island Speckled Wood butterfly.

After our picnic, we made our way to the Mirador at Cruz de Carmen, where we found both European and Tenerife Robins and Common Chaffinch. We also found Erica scoparia (Besom Heath), together with Polypodium marcaronesicum, and Davallia canariensis as epiphytes on Laurus novo-canariensis (Azores Laurel).

We now moved to the recreation area at Llano de Los Viejos to search for Bolle’s Pigeon and Tenerife Goldcrest. Unfortunately, we could not locate the Pigeon, but we did manage to find several Goldcrests, although they were not the best views as the birds were high in the canopy.

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Our leaders tried a couple more potential sites for the Pigeon, but their efforts were thwarted by low cloud over the laurel forest, so we made our way back to the hotel in time for dinner.

Day 4 Tuesday 28th February

Today we had planned to visit the nearby island of La Gomera, However, due to a number of unforeseen circumstances, it was necessary to cancel. Therefore, our leaders prepared some alternative excursions.

We began by making our way back to the Punto de Teno. This time we were early enough to avoid the restrictions imposed on access, as we had arrived before 10 o’clock. Making our way on to the peninsula, we passed several plants of Lavatera acerifolia (Canary Tree Mallow). Parking at the end of the peninsula, we set about scanning the sea and the land for birds. An obliging Spectacled Warbler was seen preening, as well as numerous Yellow-legged Gulls, Berthelot’s Pipit, Canaries and a pair of Barbary Partridges. At this point the botanists went with Paul to explore the volcanic ‘lunar’ landscape desert that makes up the headland. Meanwhile, the birders went with Andrew to scan the sea for birds and possible cetaceans. Plants recorded included, Euphorbia canariensis, Kickxia scoparia, Limonium pectinatum, Lyceum intricatum, Periploca laevigata, Astydamia latifolia, Parolinia intermedia and Euphorbia aphylla. Down by the sea, the birders had found Cory’s Shearwater, but, sadly, no whales or dolphins. Before leaving, as the sun was warming up the ground, we found a good number of lizards. Many were the Tenerife Lizard, but other much larger ones proved to be Tenerife Speckled Lizard, which was only described in 1996.

After our picnic and a comfort cum ice cream stop, we made our way up to Santiago del Teide, where we set about exploring some rough volcanic waste ground near the cemetery. Early bird sightings included Common Kestrel, Canary and a splendid pair of Sardinian Warblers which gave very good views, enabling the group to determine the differences between the two sexes. The botany here was outstanding, with a good variety of Houseleeks. These included Aeonium urbicum, A. pseudourbicum, A. sediforme and A. spathulatum. In addition, we found Chaemaecytisus proliferous, Umbilicus rupestris (Wall Pennywort), Sonchus canariensis (Canary Sowthistle), Rumex maderensis (Madeiran Sorrel), Scilla haemorrhoidalis and two species of Fern, Cheilanthes pulchella and Notholaena marantae.

We now made our way back to Santa. Ursula and our hotel. This evening there was a ‘Gala Dinner’ being held in the hotel, so we went to a local restaurant, Tasca Taller de D.Diego Alvarez.

Day 5 Wednesday 1st March

Today we made the transfer to Fuerteventura. However, before doing so, we made one last attempt to try and find Bolle’s Pigeon. We made our way back to the Anaga Peninsula and the recreation area Llanos de Los Veijos, where we parked and set off to explore the canopy of the ‘laurasilva’. Common Chaffinch, Tenerife Goldcrest and Tenerife Robin were all seen, and six good sightings of Bolle’s Pigeon were also had.

It was now time to make our way to the Tenerife North Airport for our 2.20pm fight to Fuerteventura. After returning our hire vehicles and before boarding, we had lunch in the café. Once on the more eastern and desert- like island of Fuerteventura, we collected our new vehicles and after buying fuel and some water, we got straight into the wildlife with a visit to the small shallow dam in the inland section of the Barranco de la Torre. Here, we

The Canary Islands Tour Report

saw Ruddy Shelduck, Moorhen, Coot, Little Ringed Plover, Common Snipe, Black-winged Stilt and a small number of Canary Islands Trumpeter Finches [amantum]. Walking a little way into the barranco, we came across a pair of Fuerteventura Chats. It was not too long before we realised that they were feeding a youngster. Plants included Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum (Dewpalnt), Dittrichia viscosa (Stink Aster) and Phragmites australis (Common Reed).

Returning to our vehicles, we re-joined the main north–south road towards Morro Jable. Along the way we added Southern Grey Shrike [koenigi] and the occasional Common Kestrel [dacotiae]. After about three quarters if an hour, we reached the Hotel Melia Gorriones, our base for the next three nights.

Day 6 Thursday 2nd March

At 7am we met with our leaders outside the hotel and joined our vehicles for the ten minute drive to the desert plain behind Costa Calma, for a pre-breakfast excursion in search of birds. It was not too long before we encountered a pair of Canary Islands Houbara Bustards feeding some seventy metres from the trackside. Excellent scoped views were had of these rare birds, before they took to the air. All around us there was the constant calls of Lesser Short-toed Larks [polatzeki], with occasional sightings of these and Berthelot’s Pipit. Our next encounter was with two small flocks of Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and three or four Cream-coloured Coursers on the ground and, once again, good views were had by all. On leaving the desert, we added Yellow- legged Gull and Raven as we returned to the hotel for breakfast.

After eating we again met at the buses for a visit to the Jandia National Park in the south of the island. In this area we found the very rare and very localised Euphorbia handiensis, a cactus-like species found at only two locations on the planet. This is one of the rarest species in the Canary Island flora. In addition, we also recorded Echium bonnetii, Lotus glinoides and Aizoon canariensis (Canary Dewplant). There were also Eastern Canary Geckos and Atlantic Lizards.

Moving back into Morro Jable, we stopped for a short time at the Stella Canaris resort where we had good views of Monk Parakeets and three Hadeda Ibis. Just a short distance from here, on the new golf course, we saw four Ruddy Shelduck and Plain Tiger and Greenish Blacktip butterflies.

Returning towards the hotel, we took lunch at a pizza restaurant near the petrol station in Costa Calma. During the meal, we had a ‘fly over’ from a solitary Canary Island Egyptian Vulture. Once we had finished eating, we went to look at the vegetation at La Lajita, a well-known location for Laughing Dove, a recent coloniser on the island from Africa. It didn’t take long to locate the birds, which proved quite numerous. We also recorded Hoopoe, Barbary Partridge, two Ruddy Shelduck and Barbary Ground Squirrel.

The final destination for the day was a return to the Costa Calma desert. This time we saw one displaying male Houbara Bustard, one Cream-coloured Courser with a chick and distant views of another six Black-bellied Sandgrouse. For the botanists, there was Lotus lancerottensis, Convolvulus caput-medusae (Dwarf Sea Bindweed), Zygophyllum fontanesii (Canarian Bean-caper), Helianthemum canariense (Canary Rock-rose) and Reseda crystallina.

We now returned to the hotel in time for some ‘down-time’ before dinner.

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Day 7 Friday 3rd March

A morning bird walk around the hotel grounds produced European Robin, Spanish Sparrow, Barn Swallow and Red-vented Bulbul. Scanning the Beach area, it was obvious there were a good number of sea birds much further down to the south west. So, after breakfast, we joined our buses and drove along the low cliff track to check them out. Grey Heron, Common Ringed Plover, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Whimbrel, Sandwich Tern and Kentish Plover were all seen.

From here we drove inland to Pajara where we had a brief look around the barranco whilst Andrew and Paul did a quick shop for our picnic. Species here included African Blue Tit, a pair of Sardinian Warblers, Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Trumpeter Finch and Linnet in and around some planted Casuarina equisetifolia (Casuarina) trees. On some waste ground we also saw Fagonia cretica (Fagonia) and Malva parviflora (Least Mallow).

We now continued our journey to a hilltop recreation/picnic area at Castillo de Lara. Raven, Berthelot’s Pipit, Sardinian Warbler and Common Buzzard were all noted as we ate. After the meal, we set about exploring the rocky hillside, finding the rare and curious Caralluma burchardii, with a Plain Tiger caterpillar on it, Asparagus pastorianus, Orobanche sp., Calendula arvensis (Field Marigold), Lamarckia aurea (Lamarck’s Golden Grass) and Helianthemum thymiphyllum (a Rockrose). There were also Small White, Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow butterflies.

The last main location for the afternoon was the barranco at Vega de Rio Palmas, which has some natural running water which attracts birds and insects. Our exploration of the area produced Laughing Dove, a few African Blue Tits, Sardinian Warbler, plus Epaulet Skimmer and Broad Scarlet dragonflies. Butterflies included Greenish Black-tip and Clouded Yellow. For the botanists we added Limonium lobatum, Spergularia marina (Lesser Sea Spurrey), Rumex lunaria (Canary Dock), Polypogon monspeliensis (Annual Beard-grass) and Opuntia dillenii.

The final stop for the day was at the Mirador de Las Peñitas where the main attraction was the population of introduced Barbary Ground Squirrels that live on the hillsides and have become rather tame and attracted to ‘hand-outs’ from tourists. The major ornithological interest at this site is the Egyptian Vulture nest ledge that can be seen distantly from here. However, today we were unlucky as there were no birds present. A pair of Ravens posed for photographers, also in hope of a ‘hand-out’.

We took a coffee and ice cream stop in Pajara, before making our way back to the hotel, in time to pack before dinner.

Day 8 Saturday 4th March

Today was the final day of the tour and, after an early breakfast, we set off in the direction of the airport, making another stop at the Barranco de La Torre where we were able to wander for about half an hour. The highlights here were Fuerteventura Chats with young and a pair of Egyptian Vultures. In addition we saw Berthelot’s Pipits, a pair of Ruddy Shelduck, Little Ringed Plover and eight Black-winged Stilts. A good selection on which to end the trip!

The Canary Islands Tour Report

It was, sadly, now time to make our way to the airport, where we bid our farewells to Jean, Ken, Marylin, Roger and Rosemary, who were flying to Birmingham and Manchester respectively.

Soon it was time for our return flight to London Gatwick where another very successful trip to these beautiful islands came to an end.

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Habenaria tridactylites Orchis canariensis

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants

(***=Canary Islands endemic; **=Atlantic Island endemic; *=Single Island endemic; []=Introduced or planted)

Please Note: Nomenclature contained within this list follows the taxonomic amendments, based on DNA analysis, made by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Missouri Botanic Garden, and following The Plant List, an internationally accepted list of vascular plant families, published and maintained by these two institutions.

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES

Lycophytes Clubmosses & Quillworts

Sellaginellaceae Lesser Clubmoss Family Selaginella kraussiana Kraus's Clubmoss Chinamada - Anaga

Leptosporangiate Ferns True Ferns

Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium hemionitis** Mule's fern Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

Blechnaceae Hard Fern Family Woodwardia radicans** Chain Fern Roadsides - Anaga

Davalliaceae Hare's-foot Fern Family Davallia canariensis** Hare's-foot Fern Cruz del Carmen - Anaga

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Chinamada - Anaga

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium macaronesicum Macaronesian Polypody Chinamada - Anaga

Pteridaceae Ribbon-fern Family Cheilanthes pulchella - Santiago del Teide Notholaena (Cheilanthes) marantae - Santiago del Teide

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus canariensis*** Canary Islands Pine Near Vilaflor

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS

Pre-Dicots Primitive Angiosperms

Lauraceae Laurel Family Laurus novo-canariensis**(L. azorica) Azores Laurel Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Eu-Dicots True Dicotyledons

Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Aizoon canariensis - Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Aptenia cordifolia Baby Sun Rose Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Ice Plant Buenavista Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum Dewplant Barranco de la Torre

Amaranthaceae (Chenopodiaceae) Goosefoot Family Achyranthes aspera Devil's Coach-whip Punto de Teno Atriplex glauca subsp. ifniensis Shrubby Orache Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima Sea Beet Barranco de la Torre Salsola vermiculata - Barranco de la Torre Suaeda vera Shrubby Sea Blight Barranco de la Torre

Anarcardaceae Sumach Family [Pistachia terebinthus] Turpentine Bush La Lajita

Apiaceae Carrot Family Astydamia latifolia Canary Samphire Punto de Teno Daucus carota Wild Carrot Chinamada - Anaga Ferula linkii Monte del Agua Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Chinamada - Anaga Scandex pecten-veneris Shepherd's Needle Above Masca

Apocynaceae Periwinkle Family Calotropis procera Apple of Sodom Moro Jable Caralluma burchardii*** - Castillio de Lara Ceropegia dichotoma*** Tenerife Wax Plant Punto de Teno Ceropegia fusca*** - Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Periploca laevigata*** - Punto de Teno Vinca major Greater Periwinkle Monte del Agua

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex canariensis*** Canary Island Holly Llano Los Viejos - Anaga Ilex perado subsp. platyphylla** Broad-leaved Holly Tinguarra cervariaefolia***

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera canariensis*** Canary Ivy Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium aculeatum*** - Chinamada - Anaga Echium bonnetii*** - Jandin Peninsula Echium decaisnei*** Gran Canaria Bugloss Castillio de Lara Echium giganteum* Giant White Bugloss Mirador de La Grimona Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's-bugloss Buenavista Echium simplex* Silver Viper's-bugloss Chinamada - Anaga (leaves) Echium strictum*** Rough-leaved Bugloss Chinamada - Anaga Echium wildpretii* Teide Bugloss E of Boca de Tauce (over) Heliotropium erosum*** - Costa Calma Desert

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Cakile maritima Sea Rocket Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's Purse Buenavista Descurainia millefolia*** Canary Flixweed Chinamada - Anaga Erophila verna Whitlow-grass Above Masca Eruca vesicaria Rocket Castillio de Lara Erysimum scoparium* Canary Island Wallflower Las Lajas Hirschfeldia incana Hoary Mustard Barranco de la Torre Lobularia canariensis*** Canary Islands Alison Chinamada - Anaga Parolina intermedia* - Punto de Teno Sisymbrium irio London Rocket Santiago del Teide

Cactaceae Cactus Family [Opuntia dellinii] - La Vega de Rio Palmas [Opuntia maxima] Barbary Fig Very Common

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Canarina canariensis*** Canary Bellflower Monte del Agua

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Roadside above Icod Viburnum rigidum*** Canary Island Guelder Rose Monte del Agua

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Cerastium glomeratum Sticky Mouse-ear Cruz del Carmen - Anaga Paronychia canariensis** - Chinamada - Anaga Polycarpaea carnosa** Succulent All-seed Chinamada - Anaga Silene gallica Small-flowered Catchfly Mirador de La Grimona Silene vulgaris Bladder campion Chinamada - Anaga Spergularia marina Lesser Sea Spurrey La Vega de Rio Palmas Stellaria media Chickweed Cruz del Carmen - Anaga

Casuarinaceae Sheoak Family [Casuarina equisetifolia] - Pajara

Cistaceae Cistus Family Cistus symphytifolius Canary Cistus Monte del Agua (in fruit) Helianthemum canariense* Canary Rock-rose Costa Calma desert Helianthemum thymiphyllum - Castillio de Lara

Compositae (Asteraceae) Daisy Family Ageratina adenophora** - Monte del Agua Andryala pinnatifida*** - Chinamada - Anaga Argyranthemum coronopifolium* Buenavista Daisy Punto de Teno Argyranthemum frutescens*** Paris Daisy Mirador de La Grimona Argyranthemum gracile*** - Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Artemisia absinthium Wormwood Mirador de La Grimona Asteriscus (Nauplius) sericeus* Fuerteventura Sea-daisy N of Pajara Asteriscus (Nauplius) aquaticus - Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Atractylis cancellata - Chinamada - Anaga (in bud) Bidens pilosa Bur Marigold Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Mirador de La Grimona Carduus clavulatus - Chinamada - Anaga

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Carlina salicifolia** Canary Carline Thistle Chinamada - Anaga Conyza bonariensis Argentine Fleabane Cruz del Carmen - Anaga Cotula australis a Buttonweed Buenavista Cynara cardunculus Cardoon N of Pajara Dittrichia viscosa Stink Aster Barranco de la Torre Galactites tomentosa Galactites Buenavista Galinsoga quadriradiata Shaggy-soldier Chinamada - Anaga Glebionis coronaria var. discolor Crown Daisy Buenavista Gonospermum fruticosum*** Canary Tansy Chinamada - Anaga Ifloga spicata*** - Chinamada - Anaga Kleinia neriifolia*** Canary Islands Candle Plant Very Common Launaea arborescens Barbed-Wire Bush Very Common Pericallis tussilaginis - Chinamada - Anaga Phagnalon rupestre Phagnalon Chinamada - Anaga Reichardia crystallina*** - Punto de Teno Reichardia tingitana - Costa Calma Schizogyne sericea*** Canary Samphire Near Chafiras - Waste Ground Silybum marianum Milk Thistle Chinamada - Anaga (leaves) Sonchus acaulis*** Stemless Sow-thistle Monte del Agua Sonchus asper Prickly Sow-thistle Buenavista Sonchus canariensis*** Canary Sow-thistle Near Vilaflor Sonchus congestus*** Anaga Sow-thistle Mirador de La Grimona Sonchus leptocephalus*** - Chinamada - Anaga Sonchus oleraceus Smooth Sow-thistle Monte del Agua Urospermum picroides - Buenavista Vieraea laevigata*** Tenerife Samphire Punto de Teno Volutaria canariensis - Buenavista

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Roadsides Convolvulus canariensis*** Canary Bindweed Pajara Convolvulus caput-medusae*** Dwarf Sea Bindweed Coasta Calma desert Cuscuta planiflora Small-seeded Dodder N of Pajara

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Aeonium arboreum - Santiago del Teide Aeonium canariense* Canary Houseleek Chinamada - Anaga Aeonium ciliatum* - Roadside cliffs - Anaga Aeonium haworthii* Haworth's Houseleek Monte del Agua Aeoneum pseudourbicum - Santiago del Teide Aeonium sedifolium - Santiago del Teide Aeonium spathulatum*** - Santiago del Teide Aeonium urbicum*** Giant Houseleek Chinamada - Anaga Aichryson laxum*** Annual Houseleek Chinamada - Anaga Aichryson parlatorei*** - Chinamada - Anaga Aichryson punctatum*** - Chinamada - Anaga Crassula tillaea Mossy Stonecrop Monte del Agua Monanthes anagensis* - Chinamada - Anaga Monanthes laxiflora*** - Chinamada - Anaga Monanthes pallens*** - Chinamada - Anaga Umbilicus rupestris Navelwort Santiago del Teide

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Cucurbitaceae White Bryony Family Bryonia verrucosa*** - [Citrullus colocynthis] Desert Gourd Barranco de la Torre

Ericaceae Heather Family Erica arborea Tree Heather Monte del Agua Erica scoparia Besom Heath Cruz del Carmen - Anaga

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia aphylla*** Leafless Spurge Punto de Teno Euphorbia atropurpurea*** - Above Masca Euphorbia balsamifera*** - N of Pajara Euphorbia canariensis*** Canary Island Cactus-spurge Punto de Teno Euphorbia handiensis* - Jandin Peninsula Euphorbia regis-jubae*** Common Canary Spurge Near Chafiras - Waste Ground [Ricinus communis] Castor Oil Plant Buenavista

Frankeniaceae Sea Heath Family Frankenia capitata a Sea Heath Near Chafiras - Waste Ground

Fumariaceae Fumitory Family Fumaria muralis Common Ramping Fumitory Santiago del Teide

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Chinamada - Anaga Erodium malacoides Mallow-leaved Stork's-bill Mirador de La Grimona Erodium moschatum Musk Stork's-bill Chinamada - Anaga Geranium reuteri*** (G. canariense) Canary Island Crane's-bill Monte del Agua Geranium purpureum Little Robin Punto de Teno Geranium robertianum Herb Robert Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

Hypericaceae St.John's-wort Family Hypericum canariensis** Canary St.John's-wort Monte del Agua Hypericum grandifolium** Monte del Agua

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Ajuga iva - Castillio de Lara Lavandula buchii* - Mirador de La Grimona Micromeria varia** Common Canary Savory Castillio de Lara Satureja varia - Above Masca Stachys arvensis Field Woundwort Chinamada - Anaga

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Adenocarpus viscosus*** Teide Sticky Broom Las Lajas Astragalus solandri - Costa Calma desert Bitumaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Buenavista Chamaecytisus proliferus*** Tagasaste Near Vilaflor Lathyrus tingitanus Tangier Pea Roadsides Lotus campylocladus - Las Lajas Lotus glinoides (Pink) - Costa Calma desert Lotus lancerottensis*** - Costa Calma desert Medicago minima Bur-medick La Vega de Rio Palmas Ononis hesperia a Yellow Restharrow Costa Calma desert

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Scoparius muricatus Scorpion Vetch Buenavista Teline canariensis*** - Cruz del Carmen - Anaga Teline salsaloides - Punto de Teno Trifolium campestre Hop Trefoil Buenavista Trifolium tomentosum Woolly Clover Buenavista Ulex europaeus Gorse Roadsides Vicia benghalensis Bengal Vetch Buenavista

Malvaceae Mallow Family Lavatera acerifolia*** Canary Tree Mallow Punto de Teno Malva parviflora Least Mallow Pajara

Mimosaceae Acacia Family Acacia cyanophylla - Santa Ursula

Myricaceae Sweet Gale Family Myrica faya** Wax Myrtle Monte del Agua

Orobanchaceae Broomrape Family Cistanche phelipaea Cistanche Playa de Sotavento de Jandia Orobanche sp. a Broomrape Castillio de Lara

Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup Common

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Eschscholzia californicum Californian Poppy near Vilaflor Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy Buenavista

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Isoplexis canariensis*** Canary Island Foxglove Monte del Agua Misopates orontium Weasel-snout Buenavista Nanorrhinum (Kickxia) heterophyllum - Coasta Calma desert Nanorrhinum (Kickxia) scoparia - Punto de Teno Plantago afra - Castillio de Lara Plantago arborescens** Canarian Shrubby Plantain Chinamada - Anaga Plantago coronopus Stag's-horn Plantain Playa de Sotavento de Jandia Plantago lagopus Hare's-tail Plantain Buenavista Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Monte del Agua

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Limonium fruticans* Tenerife Sea Lavender Chinamada - Anaga Limonium lobatum - La Vega de Rio Palmas Limonium pectinatum** Dwarf Sea Lavender Punto de Teno

Polygonaceae Dock Family Rumex bipinnatus - Buenavista Rumex bucephalophorus Horned Dock Chinamada - Anaga Rumex lunaria*** - Mirador de La Grimona Rumex maderensis** - Santiago del Teide

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis (Blue) Scarlet Pimpernel Mirador de La Grimona

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Ranunculus cortusifolius** Atlantic Islands Buttercup Monte del Agua

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Reseda (crystallina) lancerotae*** - Costa Calma desert

Rosaceae Rose Family Marcetella moquiniana*** Red Shrubby Burnet Mirador de La Grimona [Prunus dulcis] Almond Santiago del Teide Rubus ulmifolius - Monte del Agua

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium aparine Cleavers Monte del Agua Phyllis nobla** Capitana Roadsides - Anaga Rubia fruticosa Madder Chinamada - Anaga

Salicaceae Willow Family Salix canariensis** Canary Willow Monte del Agua

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Datura stramonium Thornapple Buenavista Lycium intricatum - Punto de teno Nicotiana glauca Shrub Tobacco Buenavista Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade Buenavista

Urticaeae Nettle Family Forsskaolea angustifolia*** Narrow-leaved Forskaolea Buenavista Urtica membranacea Membranous Nettle Chinamada - Anaga

Zygophyllaceae Caltrop Family Fagonia cretica Fagonia Pajara Zygophyllum fontanesii Canarian Bean-Caper Coasta Calma desert

Monocots Monocotyledons

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Nothoscordum gracile - Chinamada - Anaga

Arecaceae Palm Family Phoenix canariensis*** Canary Palm Sea cliffs

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Asphodelus aestivus Common Asphodel Chinamada - Anaga Asphodelus tenuifolius an Asphodel Jandin Peninsula Asparagus pastorianus - Castillio de Lara Dracaena draco Dragon-tree Chinamada - Anaga Drimia (Urginea) maritima Urginea Castillio de Lara (leaves) Scilla haemorrhoidalis*** - Chinamada - Anaga

Cyperaceae Sedge Family Cyperus alopecurioides - Santa Ursula

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name Comments

Iridaceae Iris Family Romulea columnae subsp. grandiscapa*** Canary Crocus Chinamada - Anaga

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Habenaria tridactylites*** Canary Twayblade Chinamada - Anaga Orchis canariensis*** Canary Orchid Above Masca

Poaceae Grass Family Anisantha diandra Great Brome La Vega de Rio Palmas Arundo donax Great Reed La Vega de Rio Palmas Avena barbata Bristle Oat Buenavista Briza maxima Greater Quaking Grass Chinamada - Anaga Briza minor Annual Quaking Grass Chinamada - Anaga Cenchrus ciliaris Buffle Grass or Sand Bur Punto de Teno Hyparrhenia hirta - Common Lamarckia aurea Lamarck's Golden Grass Mirador de La Grimona Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Pennisetum setaceum Fountain Grass Common gutter weed Phalaris paradoxa Awned Canary Grass Phragmites australis Common Reed Barranco de la Torre Poa annua Annual Meadow-grass Mirador de La Grimona Polypogon monspeliensis Annual Beard-grass La Vega de Rio Palmas Setaria verticillata Rough Bristle-grass Buenavista Stenotaphrum secundatum Buffalo Grass Stipa capensis - Buenavista Stipa neesiana - Tricholaena teneriffae - Vulpia bromoides Squirrel-tail Fescue Buenavista

Smilaxaceae Smilax Family Smilax canariensis*** - Cruz del Carmen - Anaga

Xanthorrhoeaceae Aloe Family [Aloe vera] - Jandin Peninsula [Agave americana] Century Plant Common

Fungi: Laurobasidium lauri Laurel Fungus Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

Lichens: Lobaria pulmonaria Lungwort Lichen Llano Los Viejos - Anaga

Birds ( = recorded but not counted; H = heard only)

* = Endemic Species or Sub-species;** = Near Endemic Species or Subspecies (also occurring on Madeira & Azores) Feb/Mar Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 1 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 4 6 2 2 Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara 4 2 6 5 3 Cory's Shearwater Calonectris borealis 7 4 Hadeda Ibis Bostrychia hagedash 3 5 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 2 2 1 6 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 1 1 1 2

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Feb/Mar Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 7 Canary Island (Egyptian) Vulture Neophron percnopterus majorensis 2 1 1 8 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti 1 9 Canary Islands (Common) Buzzard Buteo buteo insularum 5 1 5 1 2 2 10 Canary Islands Houbara Bustard* Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae 3 11 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 10 6 12 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra 2 1 2 13 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus insularum 1 14 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 6 8 15 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 6 16 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 2 1 17 Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus 6 18 Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 1 1 19 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 2 20 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 21 Dunlin Calidris alpina 20 22 Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor 8 23 Azorean Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis atlantis 2 ● 1 ● ● ● ● ● 24 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii 3 25 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis 1 ● 26 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 21 27 Rock Dove (Feral) Columba livia feral ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 28 Bolle's Pigeon* Columba bollii 6 29 Laurel Pigeon* Columba junoniae 7 30 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 31 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis ● 4 32 Plain Swift ** Apus unicolor 2 6 4 33 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 2 2 2 34 Tenerife Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major canariensis 3 35 Canary Islands (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis 1 8 2 4 35a Canary Islands (Common) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus dacotiae 1 4 2 3 36 Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides 4 37 Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus ● 38 Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri 1 1 39 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor koenigi 3 ● 4 3 40 Northern Raven Corvus corax tingitanus 1 3 1 1 7 16 5 41 African Blue Tit Cyanistes teneriffae 20 ● 6 ● 41a Fuerteventura Blue Tit* Cyanistes teneriffae degener 12 42 Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens polatzeki ● ● 43 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 1 1 44 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica 4 5 45 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica 1 46 Canary Islands Chiffchaff* Phylloscopus canariensis 2 6 ● ● ● ● 47 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla heineken H 2 2 2 3 1 48 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis 2 1 2 1 49 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra 1 2 2 3 50 Tenerife Goldcrest* Regulus regulus teneriffae 2 2 51 Common Blackbird Turdus merula cabrerae 5 ● ● 2 52 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 1 52a Tenerife Robin* Erithacus rubecula superbus 1 1 1 ● 53 Fuerteventura Chat* Saxicola d. dacotiae 3 4 54 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 10 ● ● ● ● ● ●

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Feb/Mar Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 55 Grey Wagtail Motacilla c. cinerea (race canariensis) 2 56 Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus 1 57 Berthelot's Pipit** Anthus berthelotii berthelotii 2 1 ● 1 2 5 6 58 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 6 ● 59 Tenerife Blue Chaffinch* Fringilla teydea 10 60 Common Linnet Acanthis cannabina harteri 1 61 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva 6 62 Atlantic Canary** Serinus canaria ● ● ● ● ● 63 Canary Islands Trumpeter Finch* Bucanetes githagineus amantum 7 1

Mammals (D= dead)

1 Algerian Hedgehog Atelerix algirus D 2 Barbary Ground Squirrel Atlantoxerus getulus ● ● ● 3 Rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus ● ● ● ● ●

Amphibians & Reptiles:

1 Tenerife Lizard Gallotia galloti ● ● ● 2 Atlantic Lizard Gallotia atlantica ● ● ● 3 Tenerife Speckled Lizard Gallotia intermedia ● ● 4 Tenerife Gecko Tarentola delalandii ● 5 East Canary Gecko Tarentola angustimentalis ● ● 6 West Canary Skink Chalcides viridanus ●

Butterflies (C = caterpillar)

1 Canary Islands' Large White Pieris cheiranthi ● ● 2 Small White Pieris rapae ● ● ● ● ● 3 Greenish Black-tip Euchloe charlonia ● ● 4 Clouded Yellow Colius palaeno ● ● 5 Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas ● ● 6 African Grass Blue Zizeeria knysna ● 7 Plain Tiger (C = caterpillar) Danaus chrysippus ● C 8 Painted Lady Vanessa cardui ● 9 Canary Speckled Wood Pararge xiphioides ● ● ●

Moths

1 Hawaiian Beet Webworm Spoladea recurvalis ● ●

Other Invertebrates

1 Broad Scarlet Crocothemis erythraea ● 2 Epaulet Skimmer Orthetrum chrysostigma ● 3 Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii ● 4 Bush Cricket Decticus albifrons ● 5 True Cricket Gryllus sp. ● 6 Red-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda germanica ●

7 Blue-winged Grasshopper Oedipoda caerulescens ● 8 Gendarme Bug Lygaeus sp. ● 9 Sawfly Symphyta sp. ● 10 Caterpillar Hunting Potter Wasp Delta dimidiatipenne ● 11 Canary Bumble Bee Bombus canariensis ● ● ● ●

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Feb/Mar Common name Scientific name 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 12 White-banded Digger Bee Amegilla quadrifasciata ● ● 13 Tawny Mining Bee Megachile sicula ● 14 Honey Bee Apis millifera ● ● ● 15 Pollen Chafer Tropinota squalida ● 16 Darkling Beetle Pimelia fernandezlopezi ● 17 Oil Beetle Meloe tuccius ● 18 Seven-spot Ladybird Coccinella 7-punctata ● ● ● 19 Sea Slater Ligia c.f. oceanica ● 20 Millipede Tachypodolulus niger ● ● ● 21 Harvestman Opiliones sp. ● 22 Jumping Spider Macaroeris sp. ●

23 Tropical Tent Web Spider Cyrtophora citricola ● ●

The Group