Early 2021

 It has been a quiet birding year so far, with few surprises. The usual small numbers of common waders have been observed at the irrigation ponds in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane), including a solitary Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) on Jan16, and a Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) on Jan 23.

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) together with Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa)

On Feb 28 I spotted a small group of Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) off the southern tip of the island at El Faro, the first birds of the year returning to breed. On March 20 the first Plain Swifts (Apus unicolor) appeared in the skies above El Paso, and on March 21 a flock of 15 migrating Barn Swallows (Hirunda rustica) was seen in Tazacorte.

At the saltpans this morning (March 26) I found 3 x Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), a much less frequent visitor to La Palma than the Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula). 

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)

Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) at the saltpans in Fuencaliente, March 26.