1 week trip from Manchester. Used Cicar rentals and they are unique in including all insurance for a good price, no hassle, stress free. Roads were great, except going up to Vilaflor at night and in fog! Stayed Vilaflor 1 night, Puerta de la Cruz 4 nights and the peaceful Las Galletas in the south for 2 nights. Some mountain sights weren't possible as the car parks were rammed even early on. The 3 picnic sights were easiest.
Target Lifers
Canary Island's Chiffchaff: 1st seen at Vilaflor village, then La Caldera and everywhere outside the mountains. Very distinctive plumage and particularly calls and song. More enjoyable than other chiffchaff splits.
Blue Chaffinch: 10+ at 1st stop at Las Lajas Picnic site. Tricky at first, then they appeared on the tables and around. Great views, but it was to get better. 35+ at Ramon el Caminero picnic site. They immediately appeared next to the car and then all over the tables with a foot of us. Incredible photo opportunities, even with a phone. They were then seen above the site, opposite the picnic area going to a small pool.
Berthelot's Pipit: 1st sighting at Mount Teide car park, then almost tame views of one at Minas de San Jose car park. Also seen near PDL Cruz and Guaza mountain.
African Blue Tit: 1st seen at Las Lajas and then pretty much everywhere.
Canary: 1st one at Vilaflor and then everywhere.
Canary Island's Chaffinch: Apparently now split. Seen at La Caldera picnic site easily and also Erjos.
Plain Swift: 1st seen at Park Taoro in PDL Cruz. a 7th lifer in one day! Also amazing views so close you could actually say it wasn't a pallid or regular swift at Costa Del Silencio on a small mountain walk. Others were spread in small numbers around the island.
Barbary Partridge: 3 at the small walk from the car park at Rambla de Castro. 1 flying at the banana plantations at Camino el Boullullo near PDL Cruz.
Laurel Pigeon: 6+ at Barranco de Ruiz first visit and they were quite easy here on all visits with some great views. 10+ at El Tanque (Lomo Molino viewpoint) on forst visit and easy to see here in the trees below the car park.
Bolle's Pigeon: 10 at El Tanque with Laurel Pigeons on 1st visit. A surprise that they were easy here on both visits and completed all 10 targets in 1.5 days.
Cory's Shearwater: 20+ at Charco Del Viento and many at Las Galletas. Recently split from the Scopoli's seen in Majorca etc, so officially a lifer, even if a boring one.
Nanday Parakeet: Several in Playa de las Americas at various sites. Seems currently a pending cat C bird in Spain. 12th and final lifer if countable.
Other interesting birds
Little Shearwater: Didn't see any at Charco Viento and from ebird sightings I suspect others fooled themselves into ticking this bloody hard to identify bird at distance.
African Collared Dove: Another dodgy bird that you think you've seen until you realise it's another collared or barbary dove in different light. You never hear the African call, there are numerous collared and barbary doves that interbreed with African and themselves and Spain doesn't have it on their cat C list, so better not to bother.
Spectacled Warbler: Tracked down 2 in Las Galletas cactus fields area.
Goldcrest: The formerly tickable and distictive race at La Caldera, great views.
Barbary Falcon: 1 flew over the car in the mountains, the only sighting. Distinctive race of Peregrine.
GS Woodpecker: Local race seen at Las Lajas.
Robin: Apparently a local race, it looked like ours.
Whimbrel: Great views at the spectacular Buenavista Golf coastal walk and a few elsewhere including PDL Cruz harbour.
GG Shrike: Las Galletas and Guaza mountain. Koenigi race.
Rest
1 mediterranean gull at Galletas. ringed plovers, hoopoes, monk and RN parakeets. 1 sparrowhawk. Spanish sparrows. Buzzards and kestrels (local races identical to ours for me).
Lez Fairclough said
Fri Dec 24 12:10 AM, 2021
A couple of lifer sightings for me in the form of an African Blue Tit & Atlantic Canary in the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife.
Two weeks staying in the Tamaimo Tropical Hotel, Puerto Santiago, Tenerife 25/03/14 - 08/04/14. 33 species in all, but along with the endemic species the sub-species count was interesting. I used the Helm guide to the Atlantic Islands which proved very useful. Any interesting sub-species (ssp) are highlighted. The list is:
Below seen around hotel and offshore from Puerto Santiago
Rock Dove Canary Islands Chiffchaff (many round the hotel and the most common sight of all) Lesser Black Backed Gull Yellow Legged Gull (ssp atlantis) African Collared Dove Common Tern Eurasian Blackbird (ssp cabrerae) Ruddy Turnstone Plain Swift (flocks of 40+ above Los Gigantes) Eurasian Kestrel (ssp canariensis) Cory's Shearwater (passage of an estimated 2000 per hour for two hours early morning on 28, 29.03.14 during stormy conditions) Island Canary Spanich Sparrow Booted Eagle (1 above Los Gigantes 04.04.14 and 1 near airport on way home 08.04.14) Berthelot's Pipit (above Los Gigantes, but surprisingly few seen)
Los Christianos 30.03.14
Eurasian Collared Dove Ring Necked Parakeet
Erjos Pools to Monte Del Agua 03.04.14
African Blue Tit (ssp teneriffae, also seen in Santiago Del Teide) Barbary Partridge Eurasian Moorhen Eurasian Coot Sardinian Warbler (ssp leucogastra) Eurasian Linnet (ssp meadewaldoi) Common Buzzard (ssp insularum) Common Raven Blackcap Common Chaffinch (ssp canariensis) European Robin (ssp superbus) Canary Islands Goldcrest Bolle's Pigeon (4 seen flying over Laurel canopy) Laurel Pigeon (4 seen flying over Laurel canopy) Barbary Falcon (1 seen hunting over Laurel Canopy) Grey Wagtail (ssp canariensis)
Pods of Dolphins and Pilot Whales along with 200+ Cory's Shearwaters seen on boat trip from Los Gigantes. 1 Great Whale, Blue or Fin by size of the spout and length seen on surfacing.
Indian red Admiral (Vanessa indica vulcania, and endemic to the Canaries and Madeira) Clouded Yellow Canary Speckled Wood (Parage xiphioides and endemic to the Canaries) Monarch
I need to return to to get the last endemic species Blue Chaffinch that I dipped on due to lack of transport, so I have something to look forward to. A few more ssp's await as well. It was fascinating to work through ssp's even such as Robin, Linnet and Blackbird.
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 11:03:03 AM
Pete Welch said
Mon Aug 26 5:36 AM, 2013
Just back from a family holiday into which I sneaked some birding - highlights were Shearwater flocks and Petrel species past the hotel, Blue Chaffinch, Bolle's Pigeon, Southern Grey Shrike, Tenerife Kinglet, African Blue tit [very striking birds], Berthelot's Pipits, Night Heron, Barbary Partridge, Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler, Plain Swift and Hoopoe [with a few other ID's to work on...]. Also Pilot Wales, Green Turtle and the ever present Tenerife Lizards. I might do a trip report as whilst I used John's excellent report on here and others from the web there are a few updates to some of the key sites. Also found a pair of bins in the forests so have let the leading Tenerife birder know and used a few other means to try and locate their owner but if anyone hears of anyone missing a pair out there let me know [a long shot I know].
David Duncan said
Sat Nov 3 12:57 AM, 2012
Just returned from a very enjoyable week in Los Cristianos, 16th - 23rd October. Birds seen Southern Grey Shrike, Spectacled Warbler, Berthelots Pippit and Kestrel on spare land between Arona Gran and mountain. Birds on the Beach included, Grey Wagtail, Turnstones, Whimbrel, Cattle Egrets a single juvenile ringed plover and the ubiquitous Berthelots Pippits. Other birds seen were Chiffchaffs and Sparrows. Other wildlife seen were pilot whales, and the odd butterfly and dragonfly.
Pete Hines said
Thu Aug 9 5:19 PM, 2012
Try the link on here
http://www.rarebirdspain.net/arbsr000.htm
Craig Higson said
Thu Aug 9 7:37 AM, 2012
Can anyone tell me if Osprey is frequently recorded on the island? I've been going to Tenerife (Los Cristianos) for 4-5 years now and have never seen one, but this year had two over the apartment, and presumably the same pair fishing in the Harbour. I wouldn't mind reporting to the relevant recorder if there is one either.
Pete Hines said
Tue May 8 5:35 PM, 2012
Ian has recently added some of my images from a short trip to Tenerife from last November. One which is snapshot from video footage taken of a Great Spotted Woodpecker of the race canariensis on a Canarian Pine cone at Galeria Pino de la Cruz, in central Tenerife. My question is does anybody have any liturature to hand (eg. BWP or Woodpeckers of Europe) which identifies what exactly is inside these huge cones that are so attractive to the bird ?. I can hazard a guess at a tasty grub or sap. Cones found on the ground revealed the core had been completely hollowed out. This bird spent a lot of time and energy getting into this cone and the third clip posted on You Tube shows it really getting into the core here
It's odd enough seeing these birds in pine forests let along hanging upsidedown on a pine cone.
The site Galeria Pino de la Cruz is lsited in the Clarke and Collins guide and is a site for Blue Chaffinch (images in the gallery) easily accessible from Puerto de la Cruz on the TF21. If visiting be prepared, the temperature at 9am on 25th November was a chilly 4 degrees C. I didn't record many species here at this roadside picnic area though here is a short list.
Kestrel, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Tenerife Goldcrest, African Blue Tit and Blue Chaffinch (a maximum of 2 males and 2 females).
For Bolle's Pigeon I found the Anaga Peninsula in the north east (listed in Clarke & Collins guide) easier to work than Erjos and they were easy at Chamoga (not listed) at the end of the road.
As indicated in John Rayner's excellent trip report from June 2011 in the trip report gallery (which also lists other reports useful in preparation for a trip) Laurel Pigeon (image in the gallery not digiscoped although a scope is advisable for views) is easy at Mirador la Grimona, which is very convienient if based in Puerto de la Cruz.
Some pics from Tenerife.
Originally posted today by Ian Moran:
8th-13th March 2024
1 week trip from Manchester. Used Cicar rentals and they are unique in including all insurance for a good price, no hassle, stress free. Roads were great, except going up to Vilaflor at night and in fog! Stayed Vilaflor 1 night, Puerta de la Cruz 4 nights and the peaceful Las Galletas in the south for 2 nights. Some mountain sights weren't possible as the car parks were rammed even early on. The 3 picnic sights were easiest.
Target Lifers
Canary Island's Chiffchaff: 1st seen at Vilaflor village, then La Caldera and everywhere outside the mountains. Very distinctive plumage and particularly calls and song. More enjoyable than other chiffchaff splits.
Blue Chaffinch: 10+ at 1st stop at Las Lajas Picnic site. Tricky at first, then they appeared on the tables and around. Great views, but it was to get better. 35+ at Ramon el Caminero picnic site. They immediately appeared next to the car and then all over the tables with a foot of us. Incredible photo opportunities, even with a phone. They were then seen above the site, opposite the picnic area going to a small pool.
Berthelot's Pipit: 1st sighting at Mount Teide car park, then almost tame views of one at Minas de San Jose car park. Also seen near PDL Cruz and Guaza mountain.
African Blue Tit: 1st seen at Las Lajas and then pretty much everywhere.
Canary: 1st one at Vilaflor and then everywhere.
Canary Island's Chaffinch: Apparently now split. Seen at La Caldera picnic site easily and also Erjos.
Plain Swift: 1st seen at Park Taoro in PDL Cruz. a 7th lifer in one day! Also amazing views so close you could actually say it wasn't a pallid or regular swift at Costa Del Silencio on a small mountain walk. Others were spread in small numbers around the island.
Barbary Partridge: 3 at the small walk from the car park at Rambla de Castro. 1 flying at the banana plantations at Camino el Boullullo near PDL Cruz.
Laurel Pigeon: 6+ at Barranco de Ruiz first visit and they were quite easy here on all visits with some great views. 10+ at El Tanque (Lomo Molino viewpoint) on forst visit and easy to see here in the trees below the car park.
Bolle's Pigeon: 10 at El Tanque with Laurel Pigeons on 1st visit. A surprise that they were easy here on both visits and completed all 10 targets in 1.5 days.
Cory's Shearwater: 20+ at Charco Del Viento and many at Las Galletas. Recently split from the Scopoli's seen in Majorca etc, so officially a lifer, even if a boring one.
Nanday Parakeet: Several in Playa de las Americas at various sites. Seems currently a pending cat C bird in Spain. 12th and final lifer if countable.
Other interesting birds
Little Shearwater: Didn't see any at Charco Viento and from ebird sightings I suspect others fooled themselves into ticking this bloody hard to identify bird at distance.
African Collared Dove: Another dodgy bird that you think you've seen until you realise it's another collared or barbary dove in different light. You never hear the African call, there are numerous collared and barbary doves that interbreed with African and themselves and Spain doesn't have it on their cat C list, so better not to bother.
Spectacled Warbler: Tracked down 2 in Las Galletas cactus fields area.
Goldcrest: The formerly tickable and distictive race at La Caldera, great views.
Barbary Falcon: 1 flew over the car in the mountains, the only sighting. Distinctive race of Peregrine.
GS Woodpecker: Local race seen at Las Lajas.
Robin: Apparently a local race, it looked like ours.
Whimbrel: Great views at the spectacular Buenavista Golf coastal walk and a few elsewhere including PDL Cruz harbour.
GG Shrike: Las Galletas and Guaza mountain. Koenigi race.
Rest
1 mediterranean gull at Galletas. ringed plovers, hoopoes, monk and RN parakeets. 1 sparrowhawk. Spanish sparrows. Buzzards and kestrels (local races identical to ours for me).
A couple of lifer sightings for me in the form of an African Blue Tit & Atlantic Canary in the port of Santa Cruz, Tenerife.
33 species in all, but along with the endemic species the sub-species count was interesting. I used the Helm guide to the Atlantic Islands which proved very useful. Any interesting sub-species (ssp) are highlighted. The list is:
Below seen around hotel and offshore from Puerto Santiago
Rock Dove
Canary Islands Chiffchaff (many round the hotel and the most common sight of all)
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Yellow Legged Gull (ssp atlantis)
African Collared Dove
Common Tern
Eurasian Blackbird (ssp cabrerae)
Ruddy Turnstone
Plain Swift (flocks of 40+ above Los Gigantes)
Eurasian Kestrel (ssp canariensis)
Cory's Shearwater (passage of an estimated 2000 per hour for two hours early morning on 28, 29.03.14 during stormy conditions)
Island Canary
Spanich Sparrow
Booted Eagle (1 above Los Gigantes 04.04.14 and 1 near airport on way home 08.04.14)
Berthelot's Pipit (above Los Gigantes, but surprisingly few seen)
Los Christianos 30.03.14
Eurasian Collared Dove
Ring Necked Parakeet
Erjos Pools to Monte Del Agua 03.04.14
African Blue Tit (ssp teneriffae, also seen in Santiago Del Teide)
Barbary Partridge
Eurasian Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Sardinian Warbler (ssp leucogastra)
Eurasian Linnet (ssp meadewaldoi)
Common Buzzard (ssp insularum)
Common Raven
Blackcap
Common Chaffinch (ssp canariensis)
European Robin (ssp superbus)
Canary Islands Goldcrest
Bolle's Pigeon (4 seen flying over Laurel canopy)
Laurel Pigeon (4 seen flying over Laurel canopy)
Barbary Falcon (1 seen hunting over Laurel Canopy)
Grey Wagtail (ssp canariensis)
Pods of Dolphins and Pilot Whales along with 200+ Cory's Shearwaters seen on boat trip from Los Gigantes.
1 Great Whale, Blue or Fin by size of the spout and length seen on surfacing.
Indian red Admiral (Vanessa indica vulcania, and endemic to the Canaries and Madeira)
Clouded Yellow
Canary Speckled Wood (Parage xiphioides and endemic to the Canaries)
Monarch
I need to return to to get the last endemic species Blue Chaffinch that I dipped on due to lack of transport, so I have something to look forward to. A few more ssp's await as well. It was fascinating to work through ssp's even such as Robin, Linnet and Blackbird.
-- Edited by Lawrence Hindley on Tuesday 22nd of April 2014 11:03:03 AM
http://www.rarebirdspain.net/arbsr000.htm
It's odd enough seeing these birds in pine forests let along hanging upsidedown on a pine cone.
The site Galeria Pino de la Cruz is lsited in the Clarke and Collins guide and is a site for Blue Chaffinch (images in the gallery) easily accessible from Puerto de la Cruz on the TF21. If visiting be prepared, the temperature at 9am on 25th November was a chilly 4 degrees C. I didn't record many species here at this roadside picnic area though here is a short list.
Kestrel, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Blackbird, Canary Islands Chiffchaff, Tenerife Goldcrest, African Blue Tit and Blue Chaffinch (a maximum of 2 males and 2 females).
For Bolle's Pigeon I found the Anaga Peninsula in the north east (listed in Clarke & Collins guide) easier to work than Erjos and they were easy at Chamoga (not listed) at the end of the road.
As indicated in John Rayner's excellent trip report from June 2011 in the trip report gallery (which also lists other reports useful in preparation for a trip) Laurel Pigeon (image in the gallery not digiscoped although a scope is advisable for views) is easy at Mirador la Grimona, which is very convienient if based in Puerto de la Cruz.