A family, so strictly non-birding, holiday to Lanzarote to get some winter sun was really relaxing and enjoyable. Although it was not a birding trip I did of course manage to get some done and had taken my 'scope and bins "just in case"! Having visited Lanzarote in 2009 there were not any target species to go for as I had cleaned up first time round, but it was still good to see some species I'd not had the opportunity to view for a few years.
The plains north-east of Playa Blanca, the resort where we stayed, produced three Cream-coloured Coursers a few Lesser Short-toed Larks and some Southern Grey Shrikes.
A trip to Timanfaya National Park for a camel ride and to see the volcano was good for Rock Dove and Trumpeter Finch, plus a bonus Barbary Falcon.
I did manage a couple of trips to the salt pans and lagoon at Salinas de Janubio. This was great for birds, with good numbers of Black-winged Stilt, seventy Black-necked Grebe, a Spoonbill, Knot, several Ruddy Shelduck, loads of Sanderling and Ringed Plover, etc. I also had three Teal here, but light was dreadful so I could not rule out Green-winged Teal.
Other highlights of the holiday included several Berthelot's Pipits, a Hoopoe and a Laughing Dove.
All in all not a bad little haul for a family holiday, just 37 species for the week, but we fully recharged our batteries.
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