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.