Osprey

 Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

Despite having bred on La Palma in the past, the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is no longer a resident species on the island. The example shown here was photographed in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane) this afternoon, and could well be the same bird which was regularly sighted in the same area in 2010, and last seen by me in May 2011. As mentioned in previous posts, carp and goldfish introduced into some of the freshwater irrigation ponds provide abundant, easy-to-catch prey.

Osprey surveying irrigation ponds in Las Martelas

Although no rarities have been discovered, there have been several migratory species on the island in recent weeks, including:

Las Martelas: Wood Sandpiper (Tringa glareola), Ruff (Philomachus pugnax), Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Tazacorte: ca. 15 x Sand Martin (Riparia riparia), ca. 15 x Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica), 10 x Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Las Salinas (Fuencaliente): Redshank (Tringa totanus), Little Stint (Calidris minuta)

Gravel pits near airport: Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula)