Red Knot at the saltpans

 

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

 

The Red Knot (Calidris canutus) is a regular passage migrant to the Canary Islands (all islands, except La Gomera, La Graciosa and the Chinijo archipelago, a group of 5 uninhabited islets north of Lanzarote). Cases of overwintering individuals are also occasionally documented.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

Juvenile birds are more frequent in winter, whereas adults predominate as passage migrants at suitable stopover points. Post-breeding migration from the circumpolar nesting range takes place between July and September, making this species one of the first migrant waders to appear on the Canaries, in summer.

Red Knot (Calidris canutus)

My past records of Red Knot (Calidris canutus) on La Palma include sporadic sightings in both summer and winter. This morning, July 28, I responded to a handy eBird Alert and went down to the saltpans in Fuencaliente to photograph the bird in its splendid breediing plumage.