First half of October

 The first two weeks of October have seen the arrival of a number of interesting migrants, including the two species shown in the present post:

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe ), 1w

Sightings of Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) are almost annual on the island. Both adult and juvenile birds have turned up at several unpredicatable locations in recent years, sometimes in small groups. 

Northern Wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) 1w

The present individual was discovered by chance as I walked around the Dos Pinos (Los Llanos de Aridane) reservoir on Oct 9. It was perched 5 or 6 metres above me, offering an unusual perspective of a species typically observed close to the ground.

A noteworthy find on Oct 15 was the bird shown here:

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) imm.

The Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is described as an irregular winter visitor to the Canary Islands in the "Fieldguide to the Birds of Macaronesia" (Lynx Edicions, 2011).

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorx carbo) exploring the pond

There have been several records on La Palma, from both coastal locations and freshwater habitats. Since some of the irrigation ponds in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane) are stocked with carp or tilapia, piscivores are able to find easy prey.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) leaving the water

Initially seen standing on the concrete ramp visible in the first photo above, the bird eventually swam underwater and reemerged on the far side of the pond without making a catch. It then settled to dry off, apparently in no hurry for a second attempt.

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) drying off

Also seen in the same area in the last couple of weeks:

9 x Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), a sizeable group for the island, plus small numbers of common waders such as Redshank (Tringa totanus), Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). 

1-2 Spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) have been roosting by day at the Dos Pinos reservoir, but probably feed elsewhere.

Elsewhere on the island, at the saltpans in Fuencaliente, the number of Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) was up from one, to two birds on Oct 7.

September-October highlights

 In addition to the birds featured in the previous two posts, September and early October have also seen the arrival of the following species:

1. Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), one at Las Salinas (Fuencaliente) and two at the airport pools (Mazo):

 

One of two Redshank (Tringa totanus) feeding at the airport pools on Oct 2

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

Redshank (Tringa totanus)

A regular seasonal migrant to La Palma, the Redshank (Tringa totanus) doesn´t qualify as an oustanding find, but I was pleased to get pictures of the bird feeding on marine worms. Below it is shown enjoying  another tasty meal on Sep 9:

The airport pools seem to offer a reliable food supply to visiting waders like the Redshank (Tringa totanus)

I was tipped off about the next two species by Tim Brereton, who was guiding a Naturetrek group on the island. They discovered two Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) and a Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) at the saltpans in Fuencaliente on Sep 27, and a group of 7+ Yellow Wagtails (Motacilla flava) on the farmland in the high part of El Paso (Llano de Las Cuevas) on Sep 29.

2. Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

I managed to locate one of the two Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) on Sep 28. The bird was foraging for insects on the stone walls:

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus) at the saltpans in Fuencaliente

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

This species has turned up at the saltpans before, and at the irrigation ponds in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane), but cannot be considered a regular visitor to the island. Or perhaps many birds just go undetected, especially if they settle in wooded habitat or gardens.

3. Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava)

On Sep 30 I found a small group of approximately 4 individuals at the same location where Tom Brereton and Naturetrek had observed their 7+ birds. Significantly, this was a small field containing livestock, ideal terrain given the species´ marked habit of feeding at the feet of grazing animals:

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) in Llano de Las Cuevas (El Paso), Sep 30

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) in rather different surroundings. No livestock here: this is the arid area adjacent to the saltpans in Fuencaliente.

Another shot at the same location, together with a Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) for comparison.