This Blue Tit is quite common in very different habitats of Tenerife and La Gomera, from sea level to the high mountain vegetation zone, at more than 2,000 m a.s.l. It is possible to find the species even in densely populated cities like Santa Cruz de Tenerife. 

Tenerife Robin is common in different types of woodland (laurel forest, humid Canary Pine forest and dry, transitional forest between succulent scrub vegetation and laurel forest); it is present also in cultivations. In the Canary Islands there are other Robins, the nominal or typical subspecies (Erithacus rubecula rubecula) on El Hierro, La Palma and La Gomera and E. r. marionae (= E. superbus marionae), recently described and endemic to Gran Canaria Island. 

This subspecies is quite common in the laurel forest and other woodland habitats, but also in nearby cultivations. The bird in the image is an adult male. 

This juvenile Eurasian Dotterel formed part of a small flock of three individuals. The species is seen more or less regularly in the Canary Islands, normally during the autumn migration and winter. In the eastern islands (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote) sometimes it is possible to find important wintering groups in sandy or stony open plains.  

The adult female which formed part of a group of at least four Lesser Kestrels seen in April 2015 around an airport on Tenerife. 

This species is a rare migrant to the Canary Islands, but it may be overlooked between local Common Kestrels. The bird in the image is an adult male which formed part of a group of at least four individuals (two adult males, one immature male and an adult female) seen during April 2015 around an airport. 

Bird of the subspecies Burhinus oedicnemus insularum, endemic to Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and nearby islets. It is very common and found in different habitats, including cultivations, lava fields and open valleys, apart from sandy and stony plains. The validity of this subspecies has been confirmed by recent genetic studies, and also of B. o. distinctus, present in the rest of the Canary archipelago. 

An adult male, seen together with the female of the previous photo. 

Black-bellied Sandgrouse is locally common on Fuerteventura Island, both in sandy and stony plains, and also in open valleys. Sometimes is possible to find big flocks of up to 200-250 birds. in any case, it is more usual to see small groups. There are also some records for Lanzarote and La Graciosa, and in the past it was observed on Gran Canaria. The bird in the image is an adult female. 

Two adult birds sitting at the entrance of their nesting hollow. The southern cliffs of Raso islet are probably one of the best places to see the species in the Cape Verdes and the entire Western Palearctic.  

Adult female. The bird formed part of a flock of about 40 birds. The species is common even in very dry places. 

This shearwater, endemic to the Cape Verde Islands, is seen in good numbers during a pelagic trip between S. Nicolau and Raso, mainly in the period spring-autumn. Raso holds its most important breeding colony. In any case, the species is considered endangered, and in the last years there are efforts to protect the breeding sites on this islet, which is a Nature Reserve. On the other hand, there are several records of C. edwardsii (even inside colonies of Cory's Shearwaters) in the Canary Islands, the Selvagens Islands and Madeira, which seems to indicate an increasing presence of this seabird in other Mid-Atlantic or Macaronesian archipelagos. 

White-rumped Sandpiper is one of the most common North American waders in the Canary Islands, where there are many records. The bird in the image was part of a group of three individuals, seen together with a Lesser Yellowlegs in the same locality. 

This Nearctic wader is a very rare vagrant to the Canary Islands, with only 5 records known so far. The bird in the image was very tame, permitting very close approaches.

This Nearctic wader is a very rare vagrant to the Canary Islands, with only 5 records known so far. The bird in the image was very tame, permitting very close approaches. 

This 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was very tame, being possible to take photos of the bird at distances of only 2,5-3 m. It was the fourth record of the species for the Canary Islands, where this wader is considered a very rare vagrant.

This 1st winter Long-billed Dowitcher was very tame, being possible to take photos of the bird at distances of only 2,5-3 m. It was the fourth record of the species for the Canary Islands, where this wader is considered a very rare vagrant. 

Grey-headed Kingfisher is quite common in three islands of the Cape Verde archipelago (Santiago, Fogo and Brava), and there are also some recent records for Maio. It is considered a symbol of these islands, due to its colourful and attractive plumage. 

Cape Verde Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea bournei) is endemic to Santiago Island. It is a highly endangered subspecies, which breeds in the crown of big trees in very few localities. The best site to see the species is the Barragem de Poilao, a big dam with good conditions for aquatic birds. Perhaps in the near future this taxon will be considered a full species, Ardea bournei. 

Red-billed Tropicbird breeds in many of the islands and islets of the Cape Verde archipelago, and one of its main breeding colonies is on Raso. The photo shown here was obtained from a boat close to the southern cliffs of the islet. Landing in this protected area is forbidden without a special permission. 

Corn Bunting is not common in the Canary Islands in recent years, as the species is declining from the last decades of the XX century. Its situation in some islands, like La Palma, is critical, and on Tenerife local populations have reduced considerably. This is due in part to changes in habitat characteristics. 

Cory's Shearwater is the most common seabird in the Canary Islands. There are many big colonies in all the archipelago, including islets and small coastal rocks. Sometimes breeds in ravines of the interior. 

Berthelot's Pipit is endemic to Macaronesia (archipelagos of Madeira, Selvagens and Canaries). The subspecies of the Canary Islands is Anthus berthelotii berthelotii, very common and present in different open habitats, from lowland, coastal areas to the high mountain vegetation zone, at more than 3,500 m a.s.l. 

Canary Islands Stonechat (subspecies Saxicola dacotiae dacotiae) is endemic to Fuerteventura Island, where it is not rare and shows a wide distribution, mainly in ravines and rocky places in the low parts of mountains and massifs. The subspecies S. d. murielae, endemic to the islets of Alegranza and Montaña Clara (Lanzarote), is extinct. The bird in the image is a juvenile male. 

Common Greenshank is common in low numbers in the Canary Islands, both in the coast and small reservoirs and lagoons. The bird in the image was resting during high tide very close to the coast. 

Whimbrel is very common and widespread in the Canary Islands, especially in winter and during migration periods, mainly in rocky coastal places. The bird in the image was quite tame, in sleeping position during high tide. 

Opsrey is relatively common in some islands of the Cape Verde archipelago, like Boavista. Some pairs breed in mountains of the interior. 

Brown Booby is localy common in the Cape Verde Islands, where there are some important breeding colonies, like the one of Raso islet. The image was obtained from a boat in close proximity to land, as this area is protected by law and is necessary to have a special permission for landing there. 

Iago or Cape Verde Sparrow is very common and shows a wide distribution in the archipelago. The bird in the image is an adult male. 

Cape Verde Warbler is an endemic species to the Cape Verde archipelago, locally common in some areas of Santiago, but it is considered endangered. This bird present also on Sao Nicolau and Fogo islands. The bird in the image was singing after playing registered song and calls in the breeding area. 

A common heron in the Canary Islands, present during all the year, being more abundant during the winter and migration periods. Some pairs breed on Lanzarote, and there is one isolated case of reproduction on Tenerife. 

This wader is common as a wintering species in some localities of the Canaries, like El Médano (southern part of Tenerife), normally found in sandy beaches.  

Het was iets later dan voorgaande jaren maar vandaag  traditiegetrouw de eerste Amerikaan van het seizoen gevonden

Pikzwarte spreeuwen, in kolonies als oeverzwaluwen broedend in steile wanden.

Op de vraag van Norman Deans van Swelm hierbij de Tapuit uit Azerbaijan.

Bedoel je dat deze van de ondersoort Oenanthe oenanthe libanotica is ... Mij viel het op dat de Tapuiten daar veel grijzer zijn (vooral de gehele borst en buik komen erg grijs over. Op deze foto niet zo goed te zien omdat hij de veertjes wat opzet.

Vanmiddag kreeg ik het prachtige 'Handbook of Western Palearctic Birds' volume I en II binnen. Gelijk bladeren natuurlijk en werkelijk een must voor iedere DB-er !

In Azerbaijan hadden we Spreeuwen waar ik gelijk bij dacht; hè wat een 'zwarte' Spreeuw ! Niet wetende dat het hier om de ondersoort Sturnus vulgaris nobilior ging. Ik kwam er dus pas achter toen ik de foto in deel II op pagina 279 zag en het oud Hollandse kwartje viel ;-)). Moest ook denken aan die maffe donkere spreeuw van Texel toen ...

Zeer late broedvogel met normaal gesproken de eerste juveniels na half Juli.

De karakteristica bedel/locatie roep van de jonge vogel wordt ook door de volwassen vogels gebruikt in deze maand. Na Augustus gaan ze gewoon weer eentonig fluiten tot aan de volgende zomer.

Ijseend in zomerkleed, in de wintertijd kun je ze hier aan de kust of in een haven tegenkomen.

In de Sierra de Boumort regelmatig gezien. Meestal juv. maar ook wel adulten.

Vanavond zat de Arendbuizerd steeds diep in de "Hetter", net in Duitsland. Tegen 22:00 u vloog de vogel naar een meidoorn nét aan de Duitse kant van de Hetterlandwehr, een drievoudige (!) grenssloot. Van daaruit vloog hij zowaar even de berm aan de Nederlandse kant in, tot grote vreugde van de weinige aanwezigen.

Op de genoemde Locatie, op zo'n 1800 meter hoogte, hadden we 8 van deze beauty's foeragerend. Een soort die hoog op het verlanglijstje stond. Op andere locaties in Azerbaijan hadden we er nog een aantal, maar niet echt talrijk ...

Tijdens een whaletripje met Madeira Wind Birds 4 Pterodroma's gezien. Dit was de enige vogel die dichtbij genoeg kwam om er een naampje op te plakken.

Plaatje van (alweer) 10 jaar geleden maar na aanleiding van de discussie bij de vogel van Georgie van Rene, hier een plaatje van een Finsch uit Turkije. Ik herinner me een smalle witte rug (op deze foto niet te zien). Op deze reis zagen we ook nog een paartje bij Demirkazik.

In Salyan (mega gebied) hadden we 5 mannetjes roepend en 1 vrouwtje.

Uiteindelijk na zo'n 9-10 km rijden over een weggetje door dit mega gebied loopt, kom je uit bij een gebouwtje (met overkapte open balkon) waar je over een soort Flevolpolder gebied kijkt, maar dan weer mega groot ! Je weet even niet waar je moet kijken, overal vliegt en zit wat ... Groepen Witoogeenden, Groene Bijeneters vliegen langs, Woudaapjes, Kwakken, Grote Karekieten zingen volop, groepen Kleine Torenvalken, Steenuil met slang in bek, Ménétriés' Zwartkop enz. enz.

Veel tapuiten gezien in Azerbaijan.
In volgorde van algemeenheid (in gebieden die wij bezocht hebben):

- Izabeltapuit - zeer talrijk
- Tapuit
- Finsch' Tapuit
- Oostelijke Blonde Tapuit
- Bonte Tapuit
- Roodstaarttapuit

Ook hadden we tapuiten waar we niet uitkwamen ...
kruising Finsch' x Bonte ?

Rechtsonder op foto: een pas uitgevlogen Finsch'.

Aan Rotsklevers hadden we geen gebrek, maar voor de Grote Rotsklever moesten we nog wel even ons best doen om die te vinden ... Uiteindelijk 5 vogels gevonden.