Migratory Birds in La Palma

La Palma, a volcanic island in the Atlantic, is a good place to observe migratory birds. Its position between Europe and Africa makes it a resting point for many species during their spring and autumn journeys, while its coasts host thousands of seabirds each year that come to breed.

Birds that can be observed

Among the most easily seen migratory birds in La Palma are:

• Cory's shearwater: It is the most characteristic seabird of the Canary Islands. It arrives in late winter to breed on the cliffs and leaves in autumn. At sunset, large groups can be seen flying over the sea, and at night, their very distinctive calls can be heard.
• Shorebirds: Small shorebirds, such as the turnstone, the common ringed plover, or the common redshank, that stop to rest and feed during their migrations. The whimbrel or the bar-tailed godwit also occasionally appear.
• Herons and spoonbills: They make stops on the island during their journeys between Europe and Africa. Even some flamingos have been occasionally sighted.

Best places to observe birds

Some of the best places to observe birds in La Palma are:

• Salinas de Fuencaliente: At the southern tip of the island, it is one of the few wetlands in the Canaries and a Site of Scientific Interest since 1994. Up to 50 species of migratory birds use it to rest and feed. The best times are during the spring and autumn migrations, and a telescope is very helpful.
• Coastal viewpoints: From the cliffs, Cory's shearwaters and yellow-legged gulls can be observed, especially at sunset.
• Laurel forests: Although they are not migration spots, in areas like the Bosque de Los Tilos live the endemic laurisilva doves, the rabiche, and the turey.

A gem that does not migrate: the red-billed chough

If you visit La Palma to see birds, do not miss the red-billed chough, a black corvid with red beak and legs. La Palma is the only island in the Canaries where it lives, and it is easy to see in noisy groups flying over ravines and peaks. Additionally, in the shrubs of the southern coast, the blackcap, the dartford warbler, the canary willow warbler, and the meadow pipit are common.

For all these reasons, La Palma is a highly recommended destination for bird lovers, both during migratory passages and throughout the rest of the year. Before heading out, check the condition of the sea and sky on the west coast with our Charco Verde webcam or discover all the webcams of La Palma.