World Trip Reports
Lanzarote from 3rd- 10th September 2007
Monday 3rd September 2007
My partner and myself arrived at Lanzarote at 9pm at night (this was after a few hours journey from Bedford to Gatwick), and then a 3hr 40min plane ride to the airport at Arrecife, Lanzarote
We stayed at a place called Playa Blanca, which is close to El Ribicon – so it is well situated on the coastline, so we thought it was an ideal for Wildlife.
We decided to go self-catering, as it would suit our needs and us. We where warned about biting insects, but thank goodness it was the wrong time of year for them.
We stayed at a self-catering complex called Atlantic City – very apt name.
It was a largish complex which housed a few tourists in chalet like apartments. All mod-cons where there for us to use. The accommodation was close to the sea too, so that was in our favour.
It was sitting amongst all types of palms, cactuses and bushes with flowers of many colours. It felt so tropical, calm and peaceful.
There is a constant wind of varying degrees and it was a welcome relief to have it otherwise it would have been too hot to cope with being outdoors at all.
Looking at the island it was very Volcanic, and all the stone used for walls and general building work was a black solid rock. The history of the place showed that it had a Volcanic life many years ago, and all the plants and wildlife showed this in many ways. Plants had to be tropical, and cope with the lack of water on the island.
Anyway, we went for our first evening walk to get the feel of the place. It was almost peaceful to hear the tidal waves splashing against the wall of the promenade.
So we had a relaxing night to begin with.
Tuesday 4th September 2007
We got up quite late, and decided to go out and get our breakfast locally close to our apartment. As we locked up our apartment, there was our first glimpse of wildlife outside our door. It was a small butterfly (no bigger than a thumbnail) fluttering around. It appeared to have an iridescent look about it as it was flying about. Very brown/blue/mauve on top of the wings and speckled on the underside of the wing (in it's landing position). It was the sheer tiny size, which made it such an interesting find.
It was very active so therefore it never sat to long at all for a really good look at it. This butterfly was in abundance as it was the right of the year for it to feed and breed.
We walked long the promenade and aimed towards the restaurant (where we had our drinks the previous night)
As we walked we saw what we thought was a Secada on the pavement jumping away from us as we approached it. It blended in well to its surroundings so it was hard to see. A nice find to start the day with, and it made us smile.
The shoreline was very dark in appearance because of the rock formation; we could hear noises of shore birds, and the regular gulls, which patrolled the patch.
We looked over the water to see the island of Fuerteventura in the distance, along with other smaller islands. Fuerteventura is twice the size of Lanzarote, and has the most amazing Sand dunes and beaches which a beautiful in so many ways.
The one noise was a shorebird we thought sounded like a Whimberal. The reason for this was of the call and the amount white in the wings flashing each time the bird flew around living its life, as it should. We then could see that there where two of them so they may have been a pair, both calling to one another.
I could see them through my bins but they did not stay long enough for a really good look.
As we sat and had our breakfast a few birds appeared around our table, which had the appearance of a Collared Dove. They sounded like them too. The black ring around the neck was very apparent. To look at these birds, they where a lot more delicate and attractive (dare I say than the ones in the UK). The colours differed a bit from smokey grey/rose grey. The wing tips where black in appearance but varied a bit (may have been the fact it was juvs). They have black bills and pink feet for added information. I am sure that they have another name. Let me know someone here please?.
They happily came up to our table for the odd crumb or two, and I managed to take a snap shot or two of them. They where not shy in the picture department, I would say.
Later on in the day, we where lucky to see a glimpse of a Hoopoe flying overhead. It was so distinctive to look at, and was unmistakable to recognise to miss. It made my day to see this event.
Gulls flew about here and there and funnily enough they spent more of there on their own, rather than in a group. Lots of juvs of all ages hung around the Lobster pots and Fishing Boats.
There seemed to be one distinctive type that I could see, and it was the Lesser Black Backed Gull (they sat still enough for me to see them through the bins)
While walking about later on in the day, we came across a Red Admiral Butterfly. I was surprised to see this butterfly here, as I have seen so many of them in GB. It looked the same to me. It shows that they are abundant everywhere.
Lazed about, and then enjoyed an expensive meal out later watching the large Ferry Boat coming into the harbour (from Fuerteventura) and filling the air with its welcome hoots – much to the delight of the tourists
Came back to our apartment to find a big Cockroach had made an appearance, and was happily sitting in our bath looking at us (By the way our apartment was immaculate and clean so it was not to do with any unhealthy domestic habits)
Luckily, I am not squeamish about these things. Anyway we found where it got in under the back door and blocked its entrance. We had a few more but my OH threw them out of the door each time they made an unwelcome appearance.
I found a flying ant buzzing around in the kitchen too so it was thrown out under the unwelcome house visitors things we had going in the apartment.
I noticed that the Sparrows seem to love all the tiny ants living on the paving stones. Must be heaven to them.
It was quite an interesting day in the wildlife department.
Wednesday 5th September 2007
I got up and found the sun was at its best again. It was very hot, and the weather was one hot heat wave from morning to night. It was lovely.
We went out for our breakfast this time to be confronted by a large white Butterfly, as we walked along the promenade to the local restaurant. A few minutes later a small white butterfly flew by. So this reminded me of home. Both whites flew high up, and well out if sight. There was no chance of seeing them close up at all.
As we made our way along we could hear Terns, and we could see them flying around the shoreline, but they where to fast to see through the Bins. They call was so distinctive to hear. Three of them flew here there and everywhere, flitting in all directions.
Another butterfly flew past and this time was a tiny buff coloured one, no larger than a thumbnail.
It appeared to us that some of the butterflies where very small to look at. So delicate to be buffeted around in the wind like they here – little robust survivors that they are.
In the afternoon we went for a bit of fishing to see if there was anything of interest. Another shoreline bird made an appearance and it seemed to be on its own this time. Form what I could see I thought this bird had to charactistics and appearance of a Moorhen, along the wide toed feet. It dodged between the rocks and moved around keeping well out of sight of human beings closeby to where it was.
I wondered what it could be. Any ideas here would be welcome from anyone here?
I sat looking at the rock pools and could see that there appeared to be lots and lots of tiny little black crabs popping in and out of the small holes in the rocks. They seemed to be using the rock holes as places to hide, and congregate in to stay away from the birds for safety - no doubt.
Another slightly larger beige crab, that behaved in the same manner as the small black one, using holes to hide in. I could see this being shorebird heaven for a meal or two.
Lots of tiny shrimps, and crustations moved about in the rock pools, so the pools where alive with lots of interesting wildlife too.
I heard a huge bug fly passed me while I sat on the rocks. I thought it might have been a black beetle of some description. He was quite large and noisy.
After a day lounging about feeling relaxed and lazy we came back to find lots of Sparrows around out door squabbling over some bread that someone had thrown down for them to consume
The Sparrows are so delicate compared with ours back in the UK. They appeared to be a lot more strongly coloured through their wings – more shading of browns and beiges. The male birds still had the charactistics black bib. At one stage I thought I was seeing a finch and a sparrow along with each other. Some confusion here I think. Still it goes with the territory and the learning process.
Super day in all ways possible. Any advice here about what was observed would be appreciated. 