Spain – The Canary Islands

Winter Sunshine Break

20 February to 27 February 2011

Principal Leader: David Walsh

Maximum of 14 clients (two leaders with more than seven clients).

Cost: £1,699 single room supplement £100

The Canary Islands provide us with the chance of seeing some special birds in welcome late winter sunshine! Remarkable for the wealth of unique plant and animal life, this Archipelago has been isolated from the continents for a long period, thus giving rise to an endemic avifauna not found in any other part of the world. The Canaries are made up of seven islands and five islets, which fall conveniently into two main groups - the Western Islands (Tenerife, Gomera, La Palma, El Hierro, Gran Canaria) and the Eastern Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and five islets). This natural division is based on the physical characteristics which the islands exhibit and we plan to visit three of them during our tour. Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and its varied landscapes reflect its volcanic origins. Here, and on the adjacent island of La Gomera, the prevailing winds produce a climate conducive to ancient laurel forests and open pines. The eastern island of Fuerteventura is completely different and more like North Africa, being much drier with scrubby vegetation, rocky gorges and desert-like scenery. The Canary Islands hold a number of endemic (and near-endemic) species, including Fuerteventura Stonechat, Island Canary, Blue Chaffinch, White-tailed and Dark-tailed (Bolle's) Laurel Pigeons. In addition there is a healthy population of Houbara Bustard and we hope to see this species in its spectacular display alongside Cream-coloured Courser and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. Additionally, there is the chance to spot some interesting seabirds and cetaceans. The main tour leader will be David Walsh and this will be his sixth winter visit to the Canary Islands.