On the distribution of regular winter visitor bird species to the south of Tenerife (Canary Islands)

Abstract

The distribution of regular winter bird species to the south of Tenerife is studied on a UTM grid of 1x1 km. Eighteen bird species (i.e. 14 non-passerines & 4 passerines), belonging to 7 families were detected: 5 non-passerines (Anatidae, Rallidae, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, Sternidae) and 2 passerines (Alaudidae and Motacillidae). Anatidae, Rallidae, Sternidae, Alaudidae were all represented by a single species, whereas Charadriidae by 2 and Motacillidae by 3 species. At least 9 members of the Sandpipers (Scolopacidae) were detected, but some limited their distribution to an important man-made reservoir (Charca del Fraile): Little Stint (Calidris minuta), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Common Greenshank (Tringa nebularia). It is concluded that conservation measures should try to protect the wintering grounds of the species recorded by this study with particular attention to the waders near El Médano.