Hi All,
I am going to Tenerife at the end of February, has anyone had any experience of this island & can give me a few pointers. I am looking for viewing areas & types of birds really, I've had a quick look on the net, but its too general & some of it vague, this is the best place for info. Any ideas?
Dicky
Alright mate
I was in Tenerife a few years ago, I went in August so the info might not be applicable in February, but for reference I can give you some ideas. One thing about Tenerife is that there's not a great deal of species but the ones that are there are quite good. One place to make sure you visit is the Las Lajas car park which I believe (if I remember properly) is to the south of Mt. Teide. This is very good for Blue Chaffinch, they were hopping around in the car park as I drove in, also Canary and Berthelots Pipit were a cinch here. There was G.S. woodpecker of whatever obscure race people claim it as. Plain swifts were very noticeable over most areas although I'm not sure what the winter movements of these are, similarly with seawatching, I don't really know what the winter situation is. You should get plenty of Yellow Legged Gulls on the beaches though. I did'nt go for the two pigeon species but from what I heard about them, you will need a 4 x 4 to get up the track to see them. And lastly, I know that most winters (have'nt heard about this year) there are Red-Throated Pipits at the Golf course (Amarilla I think it is) on the south of the Island.
Hope this helps
Regards
Chris
I've been to Tenerife in late Feb.
Get yourself WTWB in Tenerife by Eduardo Garcia del Rey. Superb little book that has all you need to know (including maps, photos and ID).
Pigeons: had quite a few Bolle's at Monte del Agua (NW of island), but it took a couple of trips to get good views. I didn't find them too elusive, but it is often misty. Best place was from a side track off the main path to your right as you reach the crest ridge of the bowl-shaped valley, but anywhere with a view will do. You will most likely get the Kinglet and the Robin (race superbus – and it deserves its name) there, too, and the African Chaffinch is in the fields at the bottom of the valley. Unless you have mobility issues, 4x4 not required as it is a pleasant walk from the main road with good birding en route. For White-tailed Pigeon take a day trip to La Gomera, ask a taxi to take you somewhere scenic with laurel forest and wait somewhere with a vista. Different race of Blue Tit in smae places.
Rest of endemics: Las Lajas, as Chris says, which also has the Blue Tit.
Seabirds: saw only Cory's.
Have fun
John