The Canary Islands

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Naturetrek Tour Report 11 - 18 November 2017

Blue Chaffinch by Andrew Bray Dragon Tree by Andrew Bray

Tenerife Lizard by Martin Beaton Fuerteventura Chat by Martin Beaton

Report and images by Andrew Bray and Martin Beaton

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: Andrew Bray and Martin Beaton (leaders) with 14 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Saturday 11th November

We arrived at Tenerife South airport to join the throngs, and meet up with the earlier arrivals. After lunch at a small cafe called Casa Pedro in Las Chafiras, we went to a small reservoir where we saw our first Little Egret (one ringed with a yellow Darvic ring) and Spanish Sparrow. The landscape here is a semi-desert plain, typical of the south coast, with plants like Canary Islands Candle Plant or Verode (Kleinia neriifolia), Canary Island Cactus- spurge (Euphorbia canariensis), Balsam Spurge (Euphorbia balsamifera), Canary Samphire or Schizogyne (Schizogyne sericea), Barbed-wire Bush (Launaea arborescens) and Balo or Plocama (Plocama pendula).

From here we drove to Amarilla Golf Course and Golf de Sur which were teeming with golfers and one Little Egret. We moved on to the dam to the north of Los Abrigos, but there was no water at all and the only bird seen was a Kestrel. As it had been a very early start for the group, we headed up the mountain to our hotel at Vilaflor, stopping only for cold water from the garage at San Isidro. At the hotel we saw lots of birds, including Tenerife variants of Blue Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Robin, Chiffchaff and Chaffinch. There were also the endemic Blue Chaffinch and Atlantic Canary. That night we dined early at 7pm and soon retired to bed.

Day 2 Sunday 12th November

After breakfast at 7.30am, people went birdwatching around the hotel, watching Blue Chaffinch, Atlantic Canary, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Robin and Tenerife Kinglet, while a picnic lunch was being organised. We left at 8.30am for our first stop, at the popular picnic site of Los Lajas. The picnic area is situated amongst the extensive forest of Canary Island Pine (Pinus canariensis) which clothes the southern slopes of the hill side. Here we found lots of Blue Chaffinch, Atlantic Canary and one Great Spotted Woodpecker in their classic habitat, which is enhanced by the presence of water in a small pool at the rear of the picnic site where birds drink. Beneath the open canopy of pine, we found the Teide White Broom (Spartocytisus supranubius), Sticky Broom (Adenocarpus foliolosus), a Carline thistle (Carline xeranthemoides) and the Canary Island Wallflower (Erysimum scoparium).

Continuing northwards, we moved above the tree line and entered the Teide caldera, stopping at Mirador de Boca Tauce and Mirador Llano de Ucanca for photographs. This stark volcanic landscape contains only scattered bushes of the Flixweed Descurania bourgeauana and Teide White Broom, though at our second stop we also had excellent views of a confiding Berthelot’s Pipit, along with a Canary Chiffchaff, which is darker then the continental birds. It was then a long drive down the other side of the caldera and along the coast to a small layby at Mirador de Lagrimona. It was very quiet except for a Laurel Pigeon which flew by, as did a Kestrel, but generally, the only birds in place were feral pigeons; some may be proper Rock Doves, but one can never be sure and thus they are not recorded. In addition to the birds, we found numbers of basking Tenerife Lizard. In the steep cliffs adjacent to the layby we saw the dock Rumex lunaria, Periploca (Periploca laevigata) with its unusual seed heads, Giant White Bugloss (Echium giganteum), and the Marguerite Argyranthemum gracile.

We stopped at a garage not too far along the road for a comfort break, and pushed on to Buenavisata del Norte for lunch, where a few families were already having their picnic in the shade. In the tree over our picnic table there was a Blue Tit and Sardinian Warbler. After lunch we continued along the road to the barrier across the road for Teno Point which is now only open to local traffic. We had a look for birds, but once again Chiffchaff

The Canary Islands Tour Report

dominated. We did, however, find a substantial colony of Cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus) on a Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indicus).

We made our return to the hotel via Masca, on the very scenic route to the main road, stopping at the col above Satiago del Teide. Once back at the hotel we found a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and Blue Chaffinch in the hotel grounds. After dinner we reviewed our checklist for the past two days in the quiet of the lounge.

Day 3 Monday 13th November

There was an early start in the dark for our day trip to La Gomera, travelling by ferry to San Sebastian from the port of Los Cristianos. At the port there were a pair of Turnstone on the internal pier, along with numerous Yellow-legged Gulls. At sea we saw numbers of Cory’s Shearwater and two Manx Shearwater following a fishing boat. There were various pods of Short-finned Pilot Whales along with a single group of Common Bottlenose Dolphins leaping high out of the water. Stopping at San Sebastian to collect supplies for a picnic lunch, we saw a Barbary Falcon taking centre stage, as well as a Spectacled Warbler. We drove up the GM1 route through the tunnels and up to Mirador El Rijo where we saw Bolle’s Pigeon and had a great view of a Sparrowhawk. Further up the hill we stopped at Mirador El Bailadero for lunch, during which we saw with lots of Bath White butterflies, a Small Copper and found some early flowers of the Gomeran Bugloss (Echium acanthocarpum).

The northern slopes of these mountains are covered by Laurel forest, a relic of a one much more widespread and unique subtropical humid forest dating back to the Tertiary Period, when it occupied vast areas of southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin.This is the habitat of the endemic and rare Laurel and Bolle’s pigeons, which are difficult to see in this evergreen canopy of trees. The principal tree species is the Azores Laurel (Laurus novocanariensis). In addition, we found Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica, so not a true laurel), Canary Laurel or Barbusano (Apollonias barbujana) and, as shrubs in the lower canopy, Capitana (Phyllis nobla) and the Canary Island Guelder Rose (Viburnum rigidum) along with the magnificent Chain Fern (Woodwardia radicans) and Hare’s-foot Fern (Davallia canariensis). We returned the same way as we had gone up the hill, stopping again at Mirador El Rijo, mainly to see if we could get better views of the Pigeons; unfortunately, all our sightings were quick and even in the trees they were hard to see. We were back at the port at 3.30pm for a 4.30 sailing, so we took time to have a welcome ice cream in the café. We had a great return trip on the ferry with lots of Cory’s Shearwater following a fishing boat and the possibility of two Manx Shearwater in the distance. We reached our hotel as it was getting dark.

Day 4 Tuesday 14th November

We started the day with a long drive to the Anaga Peninsula. Our first stop was at the Llano de los Viejos picnic site, where there was a dearth of pigeons but great views of Kinglet and the local Chaffinch. This site contained some sizable Laurel Trees which provided a useful sense of scale to this habitat. In addition, there was Broad- leafed Holly (Ilex perado subsp. platyphylla) and Picconia (Picconia excelsa). It was then on to Chinamada for a short walk to Mirador Ugaide, though not everyone made it as sometimes the birds in the valley, especially the Black Redstart, proved too popular. At the Mirador we looked down on two Buzzard soaring below us. On our walk we found the small and very rare succulent plant Monanthes wildpretii and the equally rare Tenerife Sea Lavender (Limonium fruiticans) with its spectacular blue flowers. In addition, there were lots of Canary Twayblade orchids (Habenaria tridactylites) in flower covering one of the banks.

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

After our walk, we had lunch at the parking site, with most people hunting the butterflies, including Painted Lady, Plain Tiger and Macaronesian Red Admiral. From the picnic site there were views of one of the few Dragon Trees (Dracaena draco) remaining in the wild. Our next stop was at the Information Centre, Cruz del Carman for a comfort break, ice cream and views. They had put barriers up by some of the paths, so the European Robin could not be found. We then headed down the road for a couple of kilometres to Mirador Zapata where we found lots of Plain Swift flying above the forest. Our final stop was back at the picnic site where we had first stopped in the morning, but there were people with grills and music. However, moving further away, we did manage to see Bolle’s and Laurel Pigeon plus the local Chaffinch, Robin and Blackbird. It was then a long drive back to the hotel along the motorway.

Day 5 Wednesday 15th November

This was our last morning in Tenerife. We drove down to the Amarilla Golf Course and parked near the stables as directed by a helpful professional from the club. What a great choice, as we were inundated with Hoopoe, Wagtails, Pipits, Shrike, Black Redstart, Laughing Dove and lots of Collared Dove and Starling. Returning from the Barranco, we tried to park at Golf de Sur near water tanks, but there was nowhere for two minibuses to park. So, we stopped on the coast a kilometre east of Los Abrigos. The tide was in so only saw one Sanderling. Heading for the northern airport was a very straightforward drive and, after handing back the vehicles, we easily booked in passed through security and had lunch in the cafe.

The flight to Fuerteventura was only 30 minutes and took us over Gran Canaria. On landing, we picked up vehicles and headed south to Salinas del Carmen by the salt museum. Here we found a number of waders and gulls. Moving just down road to Barranco de la Torre which leads to a quarry, we found Raven and Southern Grey Shrike. Our next stop was at the start of Barranco de la Torre, at Los Alares. Unfortunately, in the dry weather all the water had gone, except for the private supply where there were Black-winged Stilt, Common Sandpiper and two Ruddy Shelduck. There were plenty of Berthelot’s Pipit running about and, eventually, we had good views of a male Canary Islands Stonechat (also known as Fuerteventura Chat). Over the next two days we were going to get a lot closer to Fuerteventura Chats and in some cases, it was a matter of feet not yards! One or two people explored the stony ground above the vehicles and found several Eastern Canary Geckos beneath the stones. Time was getting on, so we headed for the hotel, which was a huge impersonal place full of package-holiday makers. There was even more extension work going on!

Day 6 Thursday 16th November

We started with an early morning drive in the Costa Calma desert. There were quite a few Berthelot’s Pipits and eventually three Houbara Bustards were spotted close to the track. We edged forward and all had great views. The landscape across this desert is broken only by scattered bushes of Mediterranean Saltwort (Salsola vermiculata), Barbed-wire Bush (Launea arborescens), Traganum (Traganum monquinii), Canary Boxthorn (Lycium intricatum) and occasionally the rare Dwarf Sea Bindweed (Convolvulus caput-medusae, also called Medusa’s Bindweed), all providing an element of cover for the bustard in the otherwise open landscape. It was then back for breakfast at 9am. Later that morning we drove to the Jandia Peninsula where we found the Jandia Spurge (Euphorbia handiensis) at its only location on the island and in the world. We then drove back to the resort of Morro Jable where we found lots of Monk Parakeet by the abandoned zoo. On the ground there were Cattle Egret, two

The Canary Islands Tour Report

White Wagtails and another Yellow Wagtail. After this, we were ready for lunch at a pizza restaurant used by locals, in Costa Calma.

After lunch we followed the FV2 to an area opposite Oasis Park. Here we saw lots of Laughing Doves, Barbary Ground Squirrels (plus tourists on camels) but were distracted by a circling Griffon Vulture which we discovered was being fed and displayed by the zoo. Amongst the trees we explored there were lots of Spanish Sparrows and some Trumpeter Finch were below us. We eventually drove down the track and had good views of them before continuing to the beach for the views. It was then back to the desert to retrace our morning drive. The first birds that we saw close to the road were Short-toed Larks. Further on we saw a Cream Coloured Courser and a Black- bellied Sandgrouse. More coursers and sandgrouse were then spotted, including a Black-bellied grouse passing overhead, along with very close views of Coursers close to our van as we progressed through the desert. As a fitting end to the day, a little further down the track we saw three very close Houbara Bustard, and a Stone- curlew was also spotted in the opposite direction and did not move.

Day 7 Friday 17th November

We started with a drive up the valley from La Pared to Las Hermosas where we found lots of Ravens and other species around the goat and sheep pens. We then travelled around the roads to Pajara where we looked at the three-century-old carvings in the church and the old door whilst our picnic was purchased in the local Spar. We had good views of African Blue Tit with its white wing bar, a Spectacled Warbler also showed well, and a Southern Grey Shrike posed for photographs. Our next stop was at Mirador Risco de las Peñas with Barbary Ground Squirrels, Ravens and Berthelot‘s Pipit all very close, and the Fuerteventura Sea-daisy (Asteriscus sericeus). We then headed to the picnic site at Castillo de Lara with a minor detour via the wrong picnic area. Here we found Canary Islands Candle Plant or Verode (Kleinia neriifolia), Pastor’s Asparagus (Asparagus pastorianus) and the uncommon Burchard’s Caralluma (Caralluma burchardii) an endemic cactus-like plant in the Periwinkle family. It flowers only in winter and early spring after rain; numerous plants had buds, but we found only one flower. We had our last lunch of the tour and then headed back to Vega de Rio Palmas.

On the way we saw two Egyptian Vultures near Km 18. At the village we walked along the stream hoping to find Tree Frogs but found three Ring Ouzels instead. We also found Scarlet Darter, Epaulet Skimmer and Blue Emperor dragonflies. Driving to the next view point, we decided to retrace our steps for the elusive Barbary Partridge. We drove back past the entrance to the picnic site to Betancuria. This was the old capital of Fuerteventura. Here we bought more cold water and drove back along the road, stopping to listen for the calls of the Partridge. We gave up and headed back! Two kilometres south of Pajara there was a covey by the road. They ran off as we came to a halt and we had to reverse back. We all had great views of Barbary partridge, plus 40+ Trumpeter Finches not far away. Our last stop was at the astronomical site of Mirador de Sicasumbre to look at the view. From here in setting sunlight you could see a large part of the island landscape, east, west as well as the Jandia Peninsula. It was a then a non-stop drive back to the hotel for 6pm.

Day 8 Saturday 18th November

We left the hotel at 8.15am as clients had different flight times, so there was no time to stop on the way though some clients did do some early morning birdwatching around the hotel.

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

In summary, we did manage to find all our key birds species including all the endemic birds, though some views were a lot better than others. Few plants were in flower and it looked as though they had not seen rain for quite some time, but we did identify the key species from the principal habitats we explored. It was a whistle-stop tour of three islands, all with different, spectacular scenery and there was also a pelagic trip. We were at heights of over 2,000 metres all the way down to sea-level, and the weather was hot and sunny every day, even when we were based above the clouds. Altogether, it was a memorable trip.

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The Group by Andrew Bray

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (*** = Canary Islands endemic; ** = Atlantic Island endemic; * = Single Island endemic) Scientific name Common name Location

PTERIDOPHYTES FERNS & ALLIES Lycophytes Clubmoss and quillworts Sellaginellaceae Lesser Clubmoss Family Selaginella denticulata Mediterranean Clubmoss Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Leptosporangiate Ferns True Ferns Aspleniaceae Spleenwort Family Asplenium onopteris Irish Spleenwort Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Blechnaceae Hard Fern Family Woodwardia radicans** Chain Fern Laurel Forest - La G. / Anaga

Davalliaceae Hare's-foot Fern Family Davallia canariensis** Hare's-foot Fern Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Dennstaedtiaceae Bracken Family Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Polypodiaceae Polypody Family Polypodium macaronesicum Macaronesian Polypody Anaga - Chinamada

Dryopteridaceae Male Fern Family Dryopteris guanchica*** A Male Fern Laurel Forest - La Gomera Dryopteris oligodonta A Male Fern Laurel Forest - La Gomera

GYMNOSPERMS CONIFERS Cupressaceae Juniperus cedrus Canary Island Juniper Laurel Forest - Tenerife Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata Phoenician Juniper Coastal Areas - Tenerife

Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus canariensis*** Canary Islands Pine Mountain slopes - Vilifore

ANGIOSPERMS FLOWERING PLANTS Pre-Dicots Primitive Angiosperms Lauraceae Laurel Family Laurus (azorica) novocanariensis** Azores Laurel Laurel Forest - La Gomera Apollonias barbujana Canary Laurel Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Eu-Dicots True Dicotyledons Adoxaceae Moschatel Family Viburnum rigidum*** Canary Island Guelder Rose Laurel Forest

Aizoaceae Dewplant Family Aizoon canariensis Aizoon Wayside places Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Ice Plant Wayside places Carpobrotus edulis Hotentot Fig South coast only

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Amaranthaceae (Chenopodiaceae) Goosefoot Family Atriplex glauca subsp. ifniensis Shrubby Orache South Coast Einadia nutans Buenavista Maireana brevifolia Fuerteventura / Desert Salsola divaricata - Fuerteventura / Desert Salsola vermiculata - Fuerteventura / Desert Traganum moquinii - Fuerteventura / Desert

Apiaceae Carrot Family Ferula linkii Roadsides - Tenerife Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Roadsides - Tenerife

Apocynaceae (incl Asclepiadaceae) Periwinkle Family Calotropis procera Apple of Sodom or Calotrop Caralluma burchardii*** - Castillo de Lara Ceropegia fusca*** - Succulent Scrub - S. Coast Periploca laevigata*** Periploca North Coast - Tenerife Vinca major Greater Periwinkle Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Aquifoliaceae Holly Family Ilex perado subsp. platyphylla** Broad-leaved Holly Laurel Forest - Tenerife

Araliaceae Ivy Family Hedera canariensis*** Canary Ivy Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium acanthocarpum* Gomeran Bugloss Mirador El Bailadero Echium giganteum* Giant White Bugloss Mirador de Lagrimona Echium wildpretii* Teide Bugloss Teide Caldera Heliotropium (ramosissimum) erosum*** - Fuerteventura

Brassicaceae Cabbage Family Descurania bourgeauana** Teide Caldera Erysimum bicolor** - Mirador El Bailadero Erysimum scoparium* Canary Island Wallflower Los Lajas

Cactaceae Cactus Family Opuntia dellinii - Frequent S. coast of T Opuntia ficus-indicus Barbary Fig Widespread

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family (incl Dipsacaceae & Valerianaceae) Pterocephalus lasiospermus* - Teide Caldera Centranthus ruber Red Valerian Vilaflor - Roadside

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Polycarpaea nivea*** - Roadsides Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Vilaflor

Compositae (Asteraceae) Daisy Family Argyranthemum gracile*** - Mirador de Lagrimona Artemisia thuscula (canariensis) *** - Mirador de Lagrimona Asteriscus (Nauplius) sericeus* Fuerteventura Sea-daisy Mirador Risco de las Peñas

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Calendula arvensis Field Marigold Chinamada Carlina salicifolia** Canary Carline Thistle Common Tenerife Carlina xeranthemoides*** - Los Lajas Cheirolophus teydis* Teide Knapweed Teide Caldera

Kleinia neriifolia*** Canary Is. Candle Plant or Verode Frequent South Coast. T / F Launaea arborescens Barbed-Wire Bush Frequent South Coast. T / F Pericallis steetzii* Gomeran Cineraria Laurel Forest - la Gomera Schizogyne sericea*** Canary Samphire Frequent South Coast. T Sonchus acaulis*** Stemless Sow-thistle Widespread Sonchus canariensis*** Canary Sow-thistle Road to Vilaflor Sonchus congestus*** Anaga Sow-thistle Laurel Forest - Anaga Sonchus gomerensis (gonzalezpadronii)* - Laurel Forest - La Gomera Sonchus hierrensis*** - Laurel Forest - La Gomera Sonchus leptocephalus*** - N Coast Tenerife

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus althaeoides Mallow-leaved Bindweed Roadside Convolvulus caput-medusae*** Dwarf Sea Bindweed Costa Calma Cuscuta planiflora Small-seeded Dodder Growing on Launea - F

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Aeonium castello-paivae* - La G. - Mirador El Bailadero Aeonium gomerense* - La Gomera Aeonium holochrysum*** - La G. - Mirador El Bailadero Aeonium subplanum* - La Gomera Aeonium tabulaeforme* Saucer Houseleek Anaga - Chinamada Aeonium urbicum*** Giant Houseleek N Coast - T Aeonium volkeri Anaga - Chinamada Aichryson laxum*** Annual Houseleek La Gomera Monanthes wildpretii*** - Anaga - Chinamada

Ericaceae Heather Family Arbutus canariensis*** Canary Strawberry Tree Laurel Forest - Tenerife Erica arborea Tree Heather Laurel Forest - Tenerife Erica scoparia Besom Heath Laurel Forest - Tenerife

Euphorbiaceae Spurge Family Euphorbia atropurpurea*** - Road to Masca Euphorbia balsamifera*** - South Coast of T Euphorbia canariensis*** Canary Island Cactus-spurge South Coast of T Euphorbia handiensis* Jandia Spurge Jandia Peninsula F Ricinus communis Castor Oil Plant Frequent Wayside Places

Frankeniaceae Sea Heath Family Frankenia capitata a Sea Heath South Coast - T

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Erodium cicutarium Common Stork's-bill Roadsides Geranium reuteri*** (G. canariense) Canary Island Crane's-bill Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Hypericaceae St.John's-wort Family Hypericum canariensis** Canary St.John's-wort Laurel Forest - La Gomera

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The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Lamiaceae Dead-nettle Family Bystropogon canariensis*** - Laurel Forest - La Gomera Cedronella canariensis** - Laurel Forest - La Gomera Lavandula buchii* - Anaga - Chinamada Micromeria varia** Common Canary Savory Anaga - Chinamada Sideritis lotsyi* - Anaga - Chinamada

Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Pea Family Adenocarpus foliolosus*** Sticky Broom Los Lajas and Tiedi caldera Bitumaria bituminosa Pitch Trefoil Occasional - Roadsides Spartium junceum Spanish Broom Roadside Spartocytisus supranubius*** Teide White Broom Los Lajas and Tiedi caldera

Myricaceae Sweet Gale Family Myrica faya** Wax Myrtle Laurel Forest - Mir. Zapata

Oleaceae Olive Family Picconia excelsa Picconia Laurel Forest - Los Viejos

Oxalidaceae Wood Sorrel Family Oxalis pes-caprae Bermuda Buttercup Widspread - T

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Eschscholzia californicum Californian Poppy Roadsides

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago arborescens** Canarian Shrubby Plantain Anaga - Chinamada

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Limonium fruticans* Tenerife Sea Lavender Anaga - Chinamada Limonium pectinatum** Dwarf Sea Lavender South Coast - T

Polygonaceae Dock Family Rumex lunaria*** - Frequent, banks, roadsides - T

Portulacaceae Purslane Family Portulaca oleracea Common Purslane Roadsides

Rosaceae Prunus lusitanica subsp. hixa** - Laurel Forest Rubus ulmifolius - Roadsides

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Phyllis nobla** Capitana Laurel Forest - La Gomera Plocama pendula*** Balo South - dry coast areas T

Salicaceae Willow Family Salix canariensis** Canary Willow Laurel Forest - La Gomera

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Lycium intricatum Canary Boxthorn Costa Calma Nicotiana glauca Shrub Tobacco Roadsides, wayside places

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Tamaricaceae Tamarisk Family Tamarix canariensis Canary Tamarisk South - dry coast areas T

Urticaeae Nettle Family Gesnouinia arborea*** Tree Pellitory Laurel Forest - La Gomera Parietaria judacia Pelitory of the Wall Roadside - walls

Monocots Monocotyledons

Araceae Arum Family Arisarum vulgare Friar's Cowl Anaga - Chinamada

Arecaceae Palm Family Phoenix canariensis*** Canary Palm Widespread - Native + Planted

Asparagaceae (incl Dracaenaceae) Asparagus Family Asparagus pastorianus Pastor's Asparagus Castillo de Lara Dracaena draco Dragon-tree Anaga - Chinamada

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Habenaria tridactylites*** Canary Twayblade Anaga - Chinamada

Poaceae Grass Family Aegilops spp Roadsides Fuerteventura Arundo donax Great Reed Widespread - T Briza media Quaking Grass Occasional - T Pennisetum setaceum Fountain Grass Widespread - T and F. Setaria verticillata Rough Bristle-grass Roadside Fuerteventura Stipa capensis - Roadsides - Fuerteventura

Xanthorrhoeaceae Aloe Family Aloe vera - Fequent - throughout Agave americana Century Plant Common - throughout

Roadside and Garden Plants Araucaria excelsa Norfolk Island Pine Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Elegant Palm Bougainvillea glabra Bougainvillea Casurina equisetifolia Casurina Delonix regia Royal poinciana Euphorbia candelabrum Candelabra Tree Euphorbia pulcherrima Poinsettia Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig Ficus elastica Indian Rubber Tree Lantana camara Lantana Monstera deliciosa Mexican Breadfruit Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Palm Plumbago auriculata Plumbago Plumeria rubra Frangipani

Schefflera actinophylla (Syn Brassaia actinophylla) Octopus Tree Schinus molle Peruvian Pepper Tree Schinus terebinthifolius Brazilian pepper tree

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Scientific name Common name Location

Senna didymobotrya Senna Spathodea campanulata African Tulip Tree Strelitzia reginae Bird-of-Paradise Flower Tecoma stans Yellow Trumpetbush Thevetia peruviana Yellow Oleander Washingtonia robusta Washingtonia

Birds

(=recorded but not counted; * = Endemic Species; ** = Near Endemic Species (also occurring on Madeira & Azores) Nov Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea 2 4 2 Barbary Partridge Alectoris barbara 10 9 3 Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea borealis  4 Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus 2 5 Western Cattle Egret Bulbulcus ibis 5 2 6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 1 1 3 1 7 Little Egret Egretta garzetta 3 5 3 2 8 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1 9 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus majorensis 2 2 10 Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti 1 2 11 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo insularum 2 3 4 2 2 12 Houbara Bustard* Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae 3 13 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 1 14 Eurasian Stone Curlew (E. Canaries) Burhinus oedicnemus insularum 1 15 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus 4 16 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 2 2 17 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 1 18 Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata 1 19 Eurasian Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 1 20 Common Redshank Tringa totanus 1 21 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 1 22 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 2 23 Sanderling Calidris alba 1 24 Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor 10 25 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 1 26 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis atlantis 11       27 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii 1 28 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis  29 Black-bellied Sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis 15 30 Rock Dove (Feral) Columba livia feral         31 Bolle's Pigeon* Columba bollii 6 2 32 Laurel Pigeon* Columba junoniae 1 1 33 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto 3 7 2 5     34 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis 3   35 Barbary Dove Streptopelia risoria h 36 Plain Swift ** Apus unicolor 70+ 1 37 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 8 4 2 38 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major canariensis 2 3 3 1 39 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis 2 5 4 1 40 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus dacotiae 1 2

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Nov Common name Scientific name 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 41 Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides 2 2 1 42 Monk Parakeet Myiopsitta monachus  43 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor koenigi 1 2 3 6 1 44 Northern Raven Corvus corax tingitanus 3 7  1 45 African Blue Tit Cyanistes degener 3 46 Canary Blue Tit* Cyanistes teneriffae 2 8 5 2 47 Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens polatzeki 32 48 Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer 3 2 49 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus colybita 2 1 50 Canary Islands Chiffchaff* Phylloscopus canariensis      51 Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis 1 1 4 52 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra 1 2 1 4 2 53 Tenerife Kinglet* Regulus teneriffae 2 1 1 54 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris  55 Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus 3 56 Common Blackbird Turdus merula cabrerae  4 1 2 57 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1 1 1 58 European Robin Erithacus rubecula 1 2 1 59 Canary Island Robin* Erithacus superbus 1 2 4 2 60 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros 1 1 1 1 61 Canary Islands Stonechat* Saxicola dacotiae 1 3  62 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 3 4      63 Western Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava 1 1 64 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea canariensis 1 1 1 65 White Wagtail Motacilla alba 4 66 Berthelot's Pipit** Anthus berthelotii berthelotii 4 5 12   67 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs tintillon 1 6 68 Tenerife Blue Chaffinch* Fringilla teydea   5 6 69 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva 1 70 Atlantic Canary** Serinus canaria   10   71 Trumpeter Finch Bucanetes githagineus amantum 12 40+

Butterflies

Small White, Pieris rapae Bath White, Pontia daplidice Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas African Grass Blue, Zizeeria knysna Monarch, Danaus plexippus Plain Tiger, Danaus chrysippus Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Macaronesian Red Admiral, Vanessa vulcanica Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui

Other Invertebrates

Blue Emperor, Anax imperator Broad Scarlet, Crocothemis erythraea Epaulet Skimmer, Orthetrum chrysostigma Red-veined Darter, Sympetrum fonscolombii Carpenter Bee, Xylocopa sp. Millipede, Tachypodolulus niger Spider, Cyrtophora citricola

The Canary Islands Tour Report

Mammals

Bottle-nosed Dolpin, Tursiops truncatus Short-finned Pilot Whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus Barbary Ground Squirrel , Atlantoxerus getulus Rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus

Fish

Flying Fish sp., Exocoetoidea sp.

Amphibians & Reptiles

Tenerife Lizard, Gallotia galloti East Canary Gecko, Tarentola angustimentalis Boettger's Lizard, Gallotia caesaris Terrapin sp.,

Cream-colored Courser by Andrew Bray

Barbary Ground Squirrel by Martin Beaton