Ruddy Shelduck at the saltpans

 

4 x Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

A trip to Las Salinas in Fuencaliente this morning (Aug 29) led to the discovery of four Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) in one of the main ponds. As can be appreciated in the images shown here, a strong wind was blowing on the day, producing rough seas. The adverse weather conditions, plus the fact I was only equipped with a compact camera, explains the poor quality of the photos.

3 of the group of 4 Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

Back in April this year, the first two Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) to be recorded on La Palma appeared in an irrigation pond in Las Martelas (Los Llanos de Aridane), spending several days at the site. It was hoped the pair might attempt to breed on the island, but the birds eventually moved on. Similar sporadic visits have been recorded on most of the Canary Islands.

All four birds in flight

This species is a relatively recent coloniser of the island of Fuerteventura, where breeding was first recorded in spring 1994 at the Catalina García wetland.  It now occupies other wetlands on the island and can be observed in a variety of habitats including farmland, golf courses and parks. The natural colonisation process is believed to have originated from North Africa, and movements between the islands and the nearby continent continue. A recent census carried out by SEO/Birdlife put the Canary Island population at 515 individuals.

The same group of Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) seen from an upwind position, with the sun behind me

Prone to drought-driven, seasonal movements, the Fuerteventura population abandons the island in summer in search of suitable habitat in Africa, and the first birds start to return from September onwards, coinciding with the wetter autumn and winter months.

Group of four Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)

The presence of these four individuals on La Palma at the end of August could indicate the early arrival of a small contingent from Africa, but since disturbance-free breeding sites are lacking on La Palma, these birds will probably fly on.