Lanzarote 3-10/4-15 (my 40th birthday)

Well, to celebrate my 40th birthday, I wanted nothing more than to run away from home and just be with my family. The plan, or rather my wife's plan, was to go to Bornholm... but about a week before this trip, she told me that I could choose, as a birthday gift,  between a new camera house or a longer trip. To the Canary Islands and Lanzarote in particular. The choice was easy. I mean, my camera might be old (bought in 2006) but it still works fine, so I didn't take me five seconds to decide.

Of to Lanzarote and the town Costa Teguise. I had done some homework as to which birds might be possible to see. However, it was never going to be a birding trip but a social trip instead. Though we planned for at least one day with a rental car to see some of the island. Because of the quite cold temperature we actually rented a car twice.

So, as for birding, there were definitely some interesting birds to see. I thought that I should be able to get possibly three new lifers and perhaps as many as five. Well, three I managed but five proved difficult.

First there are some photos from the area surrounding Costa Teguise and then some from other parts, which we reached by car.

Whimbrel (småspov, Numenius phaeopus)

First day after we arrived, we went to the beach to check it out. The beach was really nice and as for birds, this Whimbrel was the only thing that showed itself.

Yellow-legged Gull (medelhavstrut, Larus michahellis 
atlantis)

Another day we rented a four seat bike which took us along the scenery road by the coast. This Yellow-legged Gull, which must be of the atlantic varian (atlantis). This photo might be fooling the eye a little bit but the wings and back does seem quite a lot darker compared to the Yellow-leggs I've seen in Croatia.

Ruddy Turnstone (Roskarl, Arenaria interpres)

During that bike ride, we saw this little group of Turnstones. My wife told med that I couldn't shoot photos of the birds as bathers were close by and they would think I took photos of them...

During this bike ride I also saw a large Tern. Probably a Caspian but I could never get a good enough look at it.

Clouded Yellow Butterfly (rödgul höfjäril, Colias croceus)

On the other side of the town, in towards land, there was a playground for the kids. We went to this playground several times and I brought my binoculars and my camera. I tried to shoot some photos of butterflies as well as I've started to learn butterflies and dragonflies as well. I hope I got the species correct...

Willow Warbler (lövsångare, Phylloscopus trochilus)

Beside the playground, there were some bushes and som trees and there were actually some birds flying around. This little Phylloscopus warbler was one of them. I really wanted to see an Iberian Chiffchaff or a Canary Islands Chiffchaff but, if I'm not mistaken, this is nothing but a common Willow Warbler...

Willow Warbler (lövsångare, Phylloscopus trochilus)

Swift sp. (seglare, Apus ??)

Now this is where I got a bad feeling after coming home from this trip. I had apparently not done my homework good enough...
This is the only photo I have of this Swift and when I checked my Collin's guide after the trip I realised that there is this Plain Swift in the Canary islands. This could very well have been one but I didn't think to check while still on Lanzarote. Not good...

Spanish Sparrow (spansk sparv, Passer hispaniolensis)

Together with the omnipresent Collared Dove, the Spanish Sparrow was definitely the most common bird.

Southern Grey Shrike (iberisk varfågel, Lanius meridionalis)

Some 50 meters from the playground, mentioned above, I found this beautiful Southern Grey Shrike. As always, Shrikes are alluring to me and I just stood there and watched it for a long time. Turned out to be quite a common bird on Lanzarote, but I didn't mind.

Berthelot's pipit (kanariepiplärka, Anthus berthelotii

One morning I awoke quite early so I could walk about a bit. As soon as you get out of the town and into the lava fields the Berthelot's pipits starts to make themselves heard. Difficult to shoot photos of though... at least the ones I tried to shoot.

Trumpeter Finch (ökentrumpetare, Bucanetes githagineus)

The same morning I saw this Trumpeter Finch. Actually I had already seen one on this trip (photo below) but this was a new lifer for me. During this shart walk I saw at least four Southern Grey Shrikes and at least four Berthelot's pipits.

Other birds close to Costa Teguise were Linnets, Kestrels, House Martins, Feral Doves and one White Wagtail

As I mentioned, during two days we rented a car and drove around the island. We visited the market in the town Teguise (where I saw a Hoopoe) and then drove around the norhern part of the island. First thing after Teguise was to drive over the plain of El Jable. The obvious target species being the Houbara bustard, of course. Well, I wasn't lucky... no bustards could be seen. But plenty of Berthelot's pipits and Lesser Short-toed larks. On the other side of the plain, just by the town of Sóo, I finally saw my first Trumpeter finch. 

Overview of the plain of El Jable from the town Teguise

The scenery on Lanzarote is spectacular almost everywhere. Old volcanos can be seen in many places. You are seldom out of view of one.

The plain between Teguise (from where this photo is shot) and the town on the other side is supposed to be one of the best places for the Houbara bustard

Tja

Hoopoe (härfågel, Upupa epops)

After crossing El Jable, we closed in on Sóo and stopped at a some stone walls, close to some vegetable patches, where this Hoopoe was feeding.

Tja

Trumpeter Finch (ökentrumpetare, Bucanetes githagineus)

My first ever Trumpeter Finch. Not in the nice, male plumage but still...

Tja

Lesser Short-toed Lark (korttålärka, Calandrella rufescens)

The Lesser Short-toed Lark is easy to find on the El Jable plain.

Tja

Egyptian Vulture (Smutsgam, Neophron percnopterus)

As we didn't see the Houbara bustard, this Egyptian vulture was a little bit of consolation :-)

After the El Jable plain, we drove to the lookout point of Mirador del Rio. I got my first really good view of a Berthelots't pipit here but didn't manage to take a photo of it.

Painted Lady (tistelfjäril, Vanessa cardui)

At Mirador del Rio, I saw this nice butterfly.

On my 40th birthday, I drove again to El Jable plain. I didn't want to give up on the Houbara bustard so we rented a car the evenening before so I could get out early in the morning. 

Berthelot's pipit (kanariepiplärka, Anthus berthelotii

As mentioned before, the Berthelot's pipit is common on the plain and this time I managed to get some photos.

Tja

Berthelot's pipit (kanariepiplärka, Anthus berthelotii

Tja

Houbara Bustard (ökentrapp, Chlamydotis undulata)

Houbara Bustard (ökentrapp, Chlamydotis undulata)

Finally!! There it was. In the morning sun. The Houbara bustard. The third lifer for me on this trip.

Tja

Cream-colored Courser (ökenlöpare, Cursorius cursor)

When I drove on after the Houbara, I saw a flying bird which resembled a large shore bird. I drove down a side road to see if I could find it. I had a notion in my mind that it could be a Cream-colored Courser and when I found the bird again I was proven to be right.

I've seen the Cream-colored Courser before, in Dubai, but never as close as here.

Tja

Cream-colored Courser (ökenlöpare, Cursorius cursor)

When I got out of the car to shoot some photos of the group of Coursers - there were at least 7 individuals - I more or less stumbled upon this one. I shot some quick photos before receding, in order to not disturb the bird more.

Tja

Cream-colored Courser (ökenlöpare, Cursorius cursor)

Some of the birds in the group.

Tja

The dramatic view of the west coast of Lanzarote. Beautiful!

Lanzarote is definitely not only for birding, you can do that without spending a hole week. The scenery is, as mentioned befor, spectacular.

Hej

We visitid the national park of Timanfaya, where the latest volcanic activity was recorded. Very interesting and beautiful in its own way. Is definitely worth a visist, even though there are many tourists here. There is also a restaurant here where you can eat volcano barbecue. Meat and vegetables grilled over volcanic heat.

Other birding spots which should be mentioned would include the Salinas de Janubio. We stopped very shortly beside the salinas but I soon realised that a spotting scope would be of great use here. I did see a family of Ruddy Shelducks but nothing more during my short stay. 

List of birds seen on Lanzarote:

Berthelot's pipit (kanariepiplärka, Anthus berthelotii)

Spanish Sparrow (spansk sparv, Passer hispaniolensis)
Collared Dove (turkduva, Streptopelia decaocto)
Whimbrel (småspov, Numenius phaeopus)
White Wagtail (sädesärla, Motacilla alba)
Kestrel (tornfalk, Falco tinnunculus)
Southern Grey Shrike (iberisk varfågel, Lanius meridionalis)
Linnet (hämpling, Linaria cannabina)
Swift sp. (seglare, Apus ??)
House Martin (hussvala, Delichon urbicum)
Willow Warbler (lövsångare, Phylloscopus trochilus)
Cattle Egret (kohäger, Bubulcus ibis)
Hoopoe (härfågel, Upupa epops)
Lesser Short-toed Lark (korttålärka, Calandrella rufescens)
Southern Grey Shrike (iberisk varfågel, Lanius meridionalis)
Egyptian Vulture (Smutsgam, Neophron percnopterus)
Trumpeter Finch (ökentrumpetare, Bucanetes githagineus)
Yellow-legged Gull (medelhavstrut, Larus michahellis atlantis)
White Stork (vit stork, Ciconia ciconia)
Ruddy Turnstone (Roskarl, Arenaria interpres)
Houbara Bustard (ökentrapp, Chlamydotis undulata)
Cream-colored Courser (ökenlöpare, Cursorius cursor)
Ruddy Shelduck (Rostand, Tadorna ferruginea)
Clouded Yellow Butterfly (rödgul höfjäril, Colias croceus)
Painted Lady (tistelfjäril, Vanessa cardui)

Liten brun fågel...

Trots att jag jobbat i Malmö så har jag ju skådat väldigt lite fågel i staden. Mest har det ju blivit de småintressanta arterna vid jobbet, som sidensvans i april, som jag stannat till för. Men tanken har ju hela tiden funnits där att det är många fågelskådare i stan och nån gång dyker det väl upp något som kan vara kul att se. Så i lördags dök det då upp en sån där liten sångare som jag hela tiden letar efter hemma i buskarna. En liten Phylloscopus. Ok, hemma hade jag ju definitivt varit glad för en tajgasångare men det som sågs i Malmö i helgen var strået vassare. En brunsångare! Visserligen oansenlig men väldigt kul.

Efter att ha hunnit med alla dagens uppgifter, söndagar innebär aktiviteter för barnen, så åkte jag iväg. MöX-larmet hade rapporterat om obsar ner till fem meter ifrån. Det visade sig stämma. Fågeln var mycket tillmötesgående under tiden jag var på plats. Den lockade också flitigt stundtals vilket ju var kul att lära sig. Det borde nu finnas en viss chans att jag klarar av att identifiera en om jag skulle upptäcka den själv.

Brunsångaren blev art nr. 281. Tolfte nya arten för i år. Nedräkningen har nu börjat på allvar... bara 19 arter kvar. :-)

1/11-14 Al Qua'a fodder field

Ok, it's been almost a year since I visited this place so it's about time I finish these blog posts about my days with Mark, birding in UAE in October/November -14. I'm soon off to a new birding trip, 10 days in Oman in the second half of November so more travel blog posts are to be expected. Though perhaps not quite as detailed as these ones have been.

Last major stop during my two days with Mark was the Al Qua'a fodder field. A place which I had looked forward to very much since my visit in UAE in 2013. At that time, there had been two Amur Falcons (amurfalk, Falco amurensis) at the fodder field and Crested Honey Buzzard (tofsbivråk, Pernis ptilorhynchus) I believe is a regular species found here.

This time though, there were neither Amur Falcons nor Honey Buzzards over the fields. Quite a few Kestrels (tornfalk, Falco tinnunculus), a Marsh Harrier (brun kärrhök, Circus aeruginosus) and some Western Cattle Egrets (kohäger, Bubulcus ibis) together with a lot of Tawny Pipits (fältpiplärka, Anthus campestris), a few Desert Wheatears (ökenstenskvätta, Oenanthe deserti) and Daurian Shrikes (isabellatörnskata, Lanius isabellinus) were the most obvious species around. We also found a Stonechat (svarthakad buskskvätta, Saxicola rubicola) and at least one Richard's Pipit (större piplärka, Anthus richardi) but what finally caught our attention was the Montague's/Pallid harrier (ängs/stäpphök) which showed itself from afar. After some studying some poor photos of the bird we could finally say that it was a Pallid Harrier (stäpphök, Circus macrourus), which was a new species for me.

Daurian Shrike (isabellatörnskata, Lanius isabellinus)

This Daurian Shrike should be viewed together with the Turkestan shrikes in the post from Dubai Pivot fields. The differences between the species (for 1cy birds) can be seen when compared.

Daurian Shrike (isabellatörnskata, Lanius isabellinus)

Marsh Harrier (brun kärrhök, Circus aeruginosus)

It took some time to get good enough photos to be able to identify this bird as a Pallid Harrier. But, then again, it was my first and it is not that easy to tell from Montague's...

The last thing we did before leavin Al Qua'a was to free this little Quail. We saw a man placing this trap (raptor trap) some distance away from us and Mark wanted to see if we could find it and I didn't mind, to say the least. This time, there was no raptor trapped but I guess they capture quite a few... even though it's supposted to be illegal. The trap itself was also destroyed. Not a very nice finish to this place.

Where this trap was placed we also spotted a Short-toed Lark (korttålärka, Calandrella brachydactyla)

Captured Quail (Uppfödd vaktel)

On the way back to Al Ain, a Brown-necked Raven (ökenkorp, Corvus ruficollis) flew over the road. A new species for this trip.

While driving back towards the west coast, it the sun set. Now, this was the plan all along as we were aiming for the Al Wathba Camel Race track. The obvious target species being the Egyptian Nightjar (ökennattskärra, Caprimulgus aegyptius). With the help of playing the call of the Nightjar and a quite powerful lamp, we managed to get a good view of the bird. A perfect ending to a very nice day and two excelent birding days, which I will always remember. Thanks Mark!!

New species during this part were the Pallid harrier and the Egyptian Nightjar.

In the end, I could count to some 25 new species during these two days and a lot of laughs on top of that. :-)

1/11-14 Zakher lake

This peculiar lake, in the middle of the desert (and I literally mean the middle of the desert, large dunes close by), is a fantastic birding spot. Of course, water in UAE draws wildlife like bees to honey and there were a lot of birds in this large lake. Due to its size, its a bit difficult to completely cover the entire lake but still, a lot could be seen. 

We first drove on a sandy road betweed a couple of dunes to reach one side of the lake. We stopped to check the lake but from this side, the distances were to big for any photos to be taken and we didn't really see anythin worth mentioning except for, perhaps, the trip's only Greater Flamingo (större flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber).

We drove around the lake to a spotting place just beside the road. From here we could see a lot of waders and other birds close by.

Glossy Ibis (bronsibis, Plegadis falcinellus)

First nice bird from the second stop by the Zakher lake was this Glossy Ibis (bronsibis, Plegadis falcinellus)

Soon Mark got excited... He had found a Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus). We drove closer to try to get some photos. So, I started shooting photos. In the end we managed to get really close to the Snipe, which was not at all bothered by us.

Red-wattled Lapwing (rödflikvipa, Vanellus indicus)
Snipe (enkelbeckasin, Gallinago gallinago)

First photo of the Snipe... At first I just started to shoot photos. Then I realised that something was wrong...

Red-wattled Lapwing (rödflikvipa, Vanellus indicus)
Snipe (enkelbeckasin, Gallinago gallinago)

It turned out to be a Common Snipe (enkelbeckasin, Gallinago gallinago)... But Mark was, of course, not wrong in seeing a Jack Snipe. It was just a little bit to the right and quite a bit smaller.

This was the first time for me seeing a Jack Snipe like this. If I remember correctly, I have once in my youth heard a Jack Snipe during a visit to Store mosse in Småland (Sweden) but that might be a false memory...

Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)

Here it is, the Jack Snipe. There will be quite a few photos now picturing this bird.

Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)

As with so many places in UAE, there is trash everywhere. Really sad to see...

Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)

Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)

Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)

Other birds were of course present.

Little Stint (småsnäppa, Calidris minuta)

Just beside the lake, the desert is everywhere. And also the deser birds. The red dunes can be seen behind this nice male Desert Wheatear (ökenstenskvätta, Oenanthe deserti). 

Desert Wheatear (ökenstenskvätta, Oenanthe deserti)

Immediately on the other side of the road, still close to the lake, we went looking for another elusive bird. I did not manage to see it during my previous trip to UEA but this time I was luckier. It didn't take five minutes before no less than three Asian Desert Warbler (ökensångare, Sylvia nana) could be found. 

Asian Desert Warbler (ökensångare, Sylvia nana)

Not a good photo but the Deser Warbler tried to stay as far away from me as possible...

Before driving down to Al Qua'a fodder field, which was the last main stop during this trip, we visited one of the parks in Al Ain called Al Jimi Oasis, where we hoped to find a Pallid Scops Owl (blek dvärguv, Otus brucei). Now, Mark knew which tree the owl was supposed to roost in so we went to the tree and started looking. No owl... We checked all the other trees close by but no owl. I must have checked the same tree at least ten times beford Mark suddenly said that he had found it. In the same tree as we had checked so many times. But there it was and I cannot understand how we managed to miss it. 

What a beauty though...

Pallid Scops Owl (blek dvärguv, Otus brucei)

So, new species for me here at Zakher lake and Al Jimi oasis were Asian Deser Lark and Pallid Scops Owl. Below there is a list of some of the birds seen in these two locations

Little Grebe (smådopping, Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Glossy Ibis (bronsibis, Plegadis falcinellus)
Cormorant (storskarv, Phalacrocorax carbo)
Grey Heron (gråhäger, Ardea cinerea)
Greater Flamingo (större flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber)
Egyptian Goose (nilgås, Alopochen aegyptiacus)
Shoveler (skedand, Anas clypeata)
Garganey (årta, Anas querquedula)
Pochard (brunand, Aythya ferina)
Marsh Harrier (brun kärrhök, Circus aeruginosus)
Coot (sothöna, Fulica atra)
Black-winged Stilt (styltlöpare, Himantopus himantopus)
Ringed Plover (större strandpipare, Charadrius hiaticula)
Kentish Plover (svartbent strandpipare, Charadrius alexandrinus)
Red-wattled Lapwing (rödflikvipa, Vanellus indicus)
White-tailed Lapwing (sumpvipa, Vanellus leucurus)
Snipe (enkelbeckasin, Gallinago gallinago)
Jack Snipe (dvärgbeckasin, Lymnocryptes minimus)
Little Stint (småsnäppa, Calidris minuta)
Temminck's Stint (mosnäppa, Calidris temminckii)
Lesser Black-backed Gull (silltrut, Larus fuscus heuglini)
Caspian Gull (kaspisk trut, Larus cachinnans barabensis)
White-winged Tern (vitvingad tärna, Chlidonias leucopterus)
Sand Martin (backsvala, Riparia riparia)
Pale Crag-Martin (blek klippseglare, Hirundo obsoleta)
Citrine Wagtail (citronärla, Motacilla citreola)
Desert Wheatear (ökenstenskvätta, Oenanthe deserti)
Asian Desert Warbler (ökensångare, Sylvia nana)
Pallid Scops Owl (blek dvärguv, Otus brucei)

Bronsibis i Skanör 10/10

När Linda ville åka på en sväng till sin brorsa passade jag på att göra en liten utflykt med barnen. Det hade sedan några dagar tillbaka hållit till en bronsibis nere på falsterbohalvön och dessutom varit stationär på ett ställe i Skanör ett tag. Så, det var ett lätt beslut att ta med Ella och Klara för att titta på den. Det är ju en ganska stor fågel och när vi kom fram så visade det sig att den stod relativt nära också så det gick bra för båda barnen att titta på den.

Bronsibis har jag ju sett flera gånger tidigare, både i Kroatien och i UAE men det var första obsen i Sverige och art nummer 280. Bara 20 kvar nu... :-)

Den samsades ofta med den här brushanen. Det verkade
som att brushanen följde efter ibisen

Ibisen syns som en lite brun prick i mitten av bilden. Ella
har blivit duktig på att använda handkikaren

Så här bra kan det faktiskt bli när man använder mobiltele-
fonen genom tubkikaren. Borde öva mer på det...

Ella tyckte att det var kul att stå med alla andra skådare och
titta på ibisen.

Tidigare på förmiddagen hade det varit ett bra sträck på tomten. Bl.a. dök årets första fjällvråk upp och det sträckte rätt så mycket duvor. En ren flock med sju skogsduvor var ju lite häftigt. Både dubbeltrast, rödvingetrast och trädlärka blev också nya årstomtarter.

Tomtens första tistelfjäril

Även på söndagen kom det en del fågel. Fyra fjällvråkar varav den här kom riktigt nära. Dock hade jag inte koll på kamerainställningarna så den här fågeln blev kraftigt underexponerad och jag har fått ljusa upp den ordentligt i photoshop. Det blev ok men rätt mycket detaljer har ändå försvunnit ur de mörkare delarna av fågeln. Klantigt!