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Friday 27 March 2015
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Saturday 21 March 2015
EUROPEAN TURTLE DOVE (Streptopelia turtur) adult at Barranco de Betancuria, Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a migratory member of the family Columbidae, which includes doves as well as pigeons and is in the genus Streptopelia. It is a summer breeding resident in Europe (including the Canary Islands), parts of the Middle East, as well as western Asia and north Africa. It is absent as a breeding species from Iceland, Ireland (formally bred) and most of Scandinavia but does occur in spring and autumn as
an uncommon/rare overshooting migrant. Over much of its northern range,
there has been a very sharp decline in its population. In the autumn,
it migrates south to spend the winter in southern Africa. Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Thursday 19 March 2015
Friday 13 March 2015
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus subspecies F. t. dacotiae) male with freshly killed ATLANTIC LIZARD (Gallotia atlantica), Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click external link here for detailed species information Click external link here to see distribution map and to hear calls
The Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small bird of prey of the family Falconidae which is in the genus Falco.
Alternative names include European Kestrel, Common Kestrel or simply
referred to as a Kestrel. This falcon occurs throughout Europe, Asia and
Africa. More recently, the British and Irish populations have been in serious decline which
may be as a result of changes in agricultural practices and increased use of rodenticides (rat poisons). Nest predation by Common
Buzzard (Buteo buteo), Grey Crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) and Common Raven (Corvus corax), whose populations have increased, may also be a factor. |
Wednesday 11 March 2015
ATLANTIC LIZARD (Gallotia atlantica) male, Los Molinos Reservoir, Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information
There are only three species of reptile resident on the Eastern Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and the Chinijo Archipelago). They are the Atlantic Lizard Gallotia atlantica, the Eastern Canary Gecko (Tarentola angustimentalis) and the Eastern Canary Skink (Chalcides simonyi), all of whom are endemic. The lizard is common, has a wide spread distribution and in some locations can be abundant. It is found in a variety of habitats from sea level up to the higher peaks. Males are larger than females but rarely exceed 200mm in length. Three clutches of up to five eggs are laid annually. It is a very important food item in the diet of Eurasian Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus subspecies F. t. dacoyiae) and also for Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo subspecies B. b. insularm). Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds |
Monday 9 March 2015
Wednesday 4 March 2015
LESSER SHORT TOED LARK Calandrella rufescens ssp.C.r. polatzeki Los Molinos Reservoir, Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain
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| CLICK ON PHOTO TO SEE HIGHER QUALITY IMAGE Click here for detailed species information |
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