LAS PARCELAS (GOAT FARM) Las Parcelas, Betancuria, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain.

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The goat farm at Las Parcelas and the surrounding plain holds some of the most sought after bird species on Fuerteventura. These include, Trumpeter Finch, Berthelot’s Pipit, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Stone Curlew, Cream Coloured Courser and Houbara Bustard.  Located west of the nearby village of Las Pacelas and at the start of a driveable track which leads to the Los Molinos dam and reservoir.

BARBARY PARTRIDGE Alectoris barbara ssp. A. b. koenigi. Las Parcelas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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The Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) is a North African gamebird. It is also native to the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. On the Iberian Peninsula there is a small colony at Gibraltar. The endemic subspecies Alectoris barbara koenigi occurs on the Canary Islands. On Fuerteventura, although uncommon, it is found throughout the island where at times it can be difficult to locate.

EURASIAN STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Ssp B. o. insularum Tindaya, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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World-wide, there are nine species of Stone Curlew (also known as Thick-knee or Dikkop). They are found in both tropical and temperate regions. On the Iberian Peninsula, the Eurasian Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) is sedentary but in the rest of Europe it is mainly a summer resident which winters in North Africa. The endemic subspecies Burhinus oedicnemus insularum occurs on the Canary Islands and its cryptic coloration help it blend in very well with the semi desert type habitat on Fuerteventura. 

SPECTACLED WARBLER (Male) Sylvia conspicillata Ssp S. c. orbitalis Tindaya, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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The Spectacled Warbler occurs mainly in the Western Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and Cyprus. The endemic subspecies Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis is resident on most of the scattered group of islands in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean, known as the Macaronesia Islands. Within this group, it does not occur on the Azores but is commonly found on the Canary Islands. Because of the arid semi desert type habitat on Fuerteventura Island it has a very local distribution. This species along with the Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra) are the only warblers breeding on Fuerteventura. Like most Sylvia warblers it is skulking by nature and can be very un-obliging when it comes to having its photograph taken.

 

EMPEROR DRAGONFLY (Anax imperator) male, Las Penitas, Barranco de las Penitas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

 

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The Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) or Blue Emperor Dragonfly is of the family Aeshnidae which is in the genus Anax. This large and powerful species is a voracious predator of other flying insects. Prey items including medium sized dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and other flying invertebrates are captured on the wing but it tends to avoid predating bees, wasps and hard shelled flying insects such as beetles. Probably as a result of climate change, in the last 20 years or so it has greatly expanded its range north ward. Now relatively common throughout the Western Palearctic, excluding Iceland and the vast majority of Scandinavia. In the Eastern Atlantic it occurs on all the Macaronesian Islands including Fuerteventura where it is encountered in lush valleys and gardens. 

 

Patrick J. O'Keeffe / Raw Birds

LAS PENITAS (RESERVOIR) Barranco de las Penitas, Vega de Rio Palmas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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CANARY ISLAND DATE PALM Las Penitas, Barranco de las Penitas, Vega de Rio Palmas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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SARDINIAN WARBLER (Male) Sylvia melanocephala ssp. S. m. leucogastra Las Penitas, Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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The Sardinian Warbler found on the Canary Islands is classified as a separate subspecies (Sylvia melanocephala leucogastra). It is shorter winged and has a thicker bill when compared to its mainland European counterpart. At times, it can be quite skulking as was the case here. As it hid in a Shrubby Launaea bush, it tried its best not to be photographed.
  

COMMON RAVEN Corvus corax ssp C. c. canariensis Fuerteventura, The Canary Islands, Spain

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The Common Raven or Northern Raven (Corvus corax) has a widespread distribution across the Northern Hemisphere. A minimum of eight subspecies are recognised including Corvus corax canariensis  which is confined to the Canary Islands. It is smaller in body structure, has a smaller more decurved bill and shows an oily brown gloss to its plumage. Ravens are normally very wary but at this location, they are tame because titbits can be scavenged from the tourists which pull in at this mirador (viewing area). This area overlooks the lush valley and reservoir at Las Penitas, an important area for wildlife on Fuerteventura.Text © www.rawbirds.com