BIRDING ABROAD - FUERTEVENTURA - Sunday 5 to Thursday 9 February 2017

TOUR OVERVIEW: The archipelago offers a broad range of native and also a high degree of endemism amongst its flora and fauna. The westernmost islands, such as Tenerife and Gran Canary, are quite mountainous and retain large areas of moist and shady laurel forests notable as the home to two endemic of pigeon. The more easterly islands, including Fuerteventura, are lower and much drier and are largely covered in semi-desert and xerophytic scrub. Lying just 100 kilometres from the African coast, this influence is reflected in a hot dry climate and also in the very different life to that found in the wetter and more westerly islands. This rocky, arid landscape is home to the unique Fuerteventura Stonechat, found only here on Fuerteventura and nowhere else in the world. It is also a stronghold of the much sought after Houbara Bustard which shares its home with all of Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Trumpeter Finch and Cream-coloured Courser. Indeed Fuerteventura offers some of the best opportunities to see these desert specialists anywhere in the world.

TOUR DESCRIPTION: A five day trip is based in one hotel in the north of the island close to best areas for our target . Fuerteventura is not a large island and because we are centrally based journey times will be small, this meaning each day involves a leisurely pursuit of our targets.

PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES: Since the overall range of species is relatively small, time can be spend with each target to ensure good and prolonged views and hence a good potential for photographs unfolds.

BIRD LIST: Being a small island the total species list will amount to only 50 to 60 types of bird, but there is nevertheless plenty of quality to be had! The two outstanding species are the Fuerteventura Stonechat, an endemic species which is confined to this island and the Houbara Bustard, of more widespread occurrence, but with a good population on the island making this possibly the best place in the world to actually see one. Other desert dwelling specialists include Cream-coloured Courser, Trumpeter Finch and Black-bellied Sandgrouse and we have good chances of all these, as well as the commoner Lesser Short-toed Lark, and Egyptian Vulture. Equally notable are Plain Swift, Berthelot’s Pipit and Island Canary, all three endemic to the Macaronesian archipelago. For those with an interest in , the local Blue Tits have become part of a four way split (now part of African Blue Tit) so we will keep our eyes open for this European tick and the Desert Grey Shrikes of the race koenigi which occupy the arid plains. With little competition from close relatives, Spectacled Warblers are common on land, whilst offshore Cory’s Shearwaters are regular. Not far from the African coast, our winter visit could always turn up an overshooting vagrant, particularly when we search the small wetlands where Ruddy Shelduck can be found.

The sought after Fuerteventura – an island endemic meaning that it only occurs here and nowhere else in the world

MAMMALS AND OTHER WILDLIFE: For those with an interest beyond birds, there is a wealth of endemism amongst the flora and fauna on Fuerteventura. Reptiles include the Atlantic Lizard, found in dry areas across the island (including some hotel grounds), and the Eastern Canarian Gecko which can be found chasing on floodlit patios. Butterfly enthusiasts will no doubt hope for a sighting of the Canary Islands versions of Red Admiral, Brimstone, Blue and Speckled Wood, all recognised as true endemic species, whilst the African Tiger and the Monarch, both strikingly large butterflies, are realistic targets not to be missed. Whilst there are no endemic dragonflies, at least three species are found only here and in neighbouring . For botanists, the Canary Islands are a dream, with several hundred endemic plants and wild flowers, some of which will be on show at the time of our visit. We should also come across the relatively common Barbary Ground Squirrel. EASE AND PACE: A leisurely short break with no long car journeys and plenty of time to enjoy the Canarian sun. For the most part observations will be made from the vehicle with short walks no more than a few hundred metres.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD: We spend each night at a very comfortable and charming hotel, located inland away from the man tourist facilities. It is from this convenient base that we explore the island. Our delightful rooms are all en suite and the food is locally acknowledged to be good.

WEATHER: Of course no one has a silver ball, but it would be surprising should we not encounter warm sunny days with temperatures reaching a pleasant 70F. Of course rain is possible, but with an average of only two rainy days in February we would be very unfortunate.

PRICE: The price is £725 per person to include all guiding with expert leader, all travel in Fuerteventura, accommodation including bed, breakfast, evening meals plus lunch taken either in a cafe or as packet lunch.

Not included are your drinks during the day and with evening meal.

In addition, expect international flights to cost around £200.

GROUP SIZE: the tour will proceed with five group members plus a Birding Abroad leader. Maximum group size will be 10 plus two leaders.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 – Sunday 5 February - Our mid morning flight from Manchester arrives at lunchtime enabling a slow drive north-westwards towards our hotel where we will check in before our first venture to explore the avifauna. Common birds inhabiting land near our hotel will be Lesser Short-toed Lark, Berthelot’s Pipit, Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch and Spanish Sparrow. The shore line is worth checking for passage Kentish Plovers.

Trumpeter Finch, a regular sight on the island

Day 2 – Monday 6 February – After breakfast we make the short journey to the Tindaya Plain where we begin our search for some of the most exciting birds that the island has to offer. This area has some of the highest densities of the stunning Houbara Bustard anywhere on the island and with Cream coloured Coursers and Black-bellied Sandgrouse also regularly seen, our eyes will be peeled for any movement. Desert Grey Shrike (of local race koenigi) and Stone Curlew are also found here. After lunch we will visit a local headland to look offshore and watch for any passing seabirds which should include many Cory’s Shearwaters and Yellow-legged Gulls and perhaps some passage gulls or terns, including if we are lucky, an Audouin’s Gull or two. It is of course possible to encounter a rarer seabird such as Barolo Shearwater, but it is probably best not to hold your breath for that one!

Good views of Cory’s Shearwater even from land are to be expected

Day 3 – Tuesday – 7 February – Another leisurely start, we visit the Barranco de la Torre, one of many dry barranco’s (dry wadi) that are found throughout the island, where our target will be the endemic Fuerteventura Stonechat. Though reasonably common in the right places, this smart relative of the Stonechat and Whinchat is actually a global rarity, occurring nowhere else in the world. Barbary Partridges and Egyptian Vultures are also found, as well as for mammal lovers the Barbary Ground Squirrel. Agricultural areas close to pretty villages often produce Laughing Dove. After lunch we explore one of the island’s few wetland areas at Rose de Catalina Garcia, where we can expect Ruddy Shelduck and also waders which regularly feature Kentish Plover and Black-winged Stilts. Of course it is also possible to encounter an American duck or two that may have found long term refuge here after a previous transatlantic flight; so anything can turn up!

Lesser Short-toed Larks are frequently seen

Day 4 – Wednesday – 8 February – Migrant birds find their way to areas where there is shade and water on this arid island, and the timing of our visit provides an opportunity to look for any such species, especially those which have over-wintered. Today we will check out sites to the south of the island, where previous trips have found over-wintering Yellow- browed Warbler, Olive-backed Pipit or even a rare crake. The island’s Blue Tit ultramarinus is now a race of African Blue Tit, specifically distinct from the birds at home. Hoopoes and resident Sardinian Warblers are found here too, whilst overhead we will check for Plain Swifts with other swift species such as Pallid, which is possible in February. Introduced species adding interest and colour are Monk Parakeets and Red-vented Bulbul. During the late afternoon we return to one of the plains, hopefully consolidating our views of the classy Houbara Bustards and Cream-coloured Coursers as well as having an hour or so watching the sea as Cory’s Sheawaters ‘wheel’ lazily past close inshore. A star attraction is the Houbara Bustard, here displaying

Day 5 – Thursday 9 February – A last look at the Fuerteventura Stonechat will be on the agenda, and with a homeward flight not due until late afternoon we have ample time for some very leisurely birding at Los Molinos, a small reservoir, where Marbled Ducks sometimes occur or perhaps move to one of the migrant hot spots which has been a group pleaser in the days before. We will have a pleasant late cafe lunch before making our way to the airport.

Our flight departs at 15:35, arriving into Manchester at 20:10.

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