Rubén Barone
 ·  21 July 2025  19:19

Hi.

Nice picture...

The area of Barranco de Ruiz is one of the classical spots to see the species well on Tenerife, but it's forbidden to go inside the gorge, mainly for security reasons, and because this is a sensible, natural protected area ("Sitio de Interés Científico de Barranco de Ruiz"), with a high density of endemic and endangered species, both of flora and fauna. But from the upper borders of the barranco, with some patience, it is possible to discover several individuals of this laurel pigeon and sometimes also of Bolle's or Dark-tailed Laurel Pigeon (Columba bollii), in flight, but also perched in trees or rocks.

Best regards from the Canaries.

Wouter Van Gasse
 ·  21 July 2025  20:03

Hi Rubén,

When I was there they were fairly easy from the recreational zone at the north end, especially in flight.

But if they also venture outside the Barranco into human settlement, as they did when I was there, it would make it easy for people to observe them without any disturbance to the birds and the environment.

Kind regards.

Rubén Barone
 ·  21 July 2025  20:22

Hi again.

Thanks for your reply.

Yes, on the western border of the gorge, there is a perfect site to see the species and other interesting birds without any disturbance. It's one of my favourite birding spots in the north of the island. I have done a lot of hours of continued birdwatching over many years, and it's a very good place.

By the way, do you have any interesting records of migrant species on Tenerife or other islands of the archipelago?

Best regards from the Canaries.

Wouter Van Gasse
 ·  21 July 2025  21:03

Rubén,

This trip I was only on Tenerife and I was only there from monday till friday so my focus was only with finding the endemic species and subspecies.

Not the Canaries but when I was in Madeira last month I did have a Booted Eagle in Machico.

Grtz

Rubén Barone
 ·  21 July 2025  22:06

Hi again, Wouter.

Thanks for your latest response. Interesting record, the Booted Eagle on Madeira. Here, in the Canaries, this species is quite regular during migration periods, and sometimes even during the winter.

I suppose you have seen all the endemic species present on Tenerife. By the way, did you watch any Rock Sparrow? This passerine is being more and more rare in the Canaries in general, and the number of birds in typical sites like Teno Alto in the western end of Tenerife is reduced at the moment (until the 90s and even the first decade of this century it was possible to see flocks of more than 50 birds, even of about 100 birds, but now this is a dream...).

Best regards.

Wouter Van Gasse
 ·  21 July 2025  22:23

Rubén,

Yes I managed to get all species and 'important' subspecies. The Long-eared Owl was a HO but from what I can tell it doesn't look like a near future split...

With the lack of time I wasn't able to go for the Rock Sparrow sadly. Maybe when I go to Gran Canaria in one of the upcoming years. I still need the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch ;)

Grtz

Rubén Barone
 ·  22 July 2025  11:26

Hi.

Ok, perfect. On Gran Canaria, you have not only the GC Blue Chaffinch, but also the recently separated at a specific level Gran Canaria Robin (Erithacus marionae), plus the insular endemic subspecies, Gran Canaria Canary Islands Chaffinch (Fringilla canariensis bakeri) and GC African Blue Tit (Cyanistes teneriffae hedwigae). On the other hand, in the central and western areas of the island, you have some chances to see the Rock Sparrow, even if this bird is becoming rare. And in several localities, mainly in the southeast and south, you can see steppic birds like Trumpeter Finch and Lesser Short-toed Lark. Finally, one of the Canarian endemic subspecies of Eurasian Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus distinctus) is found in many localities, both in the north and south.

Best regards.