Flying the flag of freedom

Pictured here is a friendly raven who resides ‘up top,’ namely the Roque de Muchachos. We call him Ronaldo Raven (obviously) and he really is quite a poser for the camera. First he sits atop the trig point and then when he feels he has attracted all the photos he reasonably can expect, he has a short fly over to the information hut for more snaps.

The raven is a member of the chough family which is the symbolic bird of the island. This bird has a distinctive red beak and likes to inhabit caves, of which there are any number on the island, so housing will certainly not be an issue.

However, bird watching is probably not the first thought that will spring to mind when you think of La Palma. And it is true that to the undiscerning eye, the skies will appear to be fairly devoid of bird life, and since hedgerows are not necessarily abundant, it could be claimed to be true.

But it is in fact far from the truth as you will readily discover and even while you are still in bed, you will be aware of bird life. First the blackbird will have a good splash in the pond, carrying out its ablutions with amazing efficiency and zest. And once you are ready to start the day yourself, you can begin to enjoy the varied bird life.

Hawks are a very common sighting on La Palma, both the sparrow hawk and the Common Kestrel. The raucous mating call will often attract your first attention, or you will spot them swooping in the barrancos looking for prey or sitting on top of a nearby post. The kestrels will often swoop surprisingly low, especially when you are out driving in the car when you may also spot an impressively large common buzzard.

Excitement comes when you see the swifts out in ‘air-force’, sweeping and swooping in joyous unity. One swallow may not make a summer, but you can be sure that it will swiftly be with us. (sorry about that)

The humble pigeon is not always viewed as a treat to see but they are beautiful none the less. Many you will see are ringed, as racing is a popular sport among the islands, and they will often try and stay with us longer than they should. But if you get the chance, duck into laurasilva forest of Los Tilos or nearby La Zarza and you may see the laurel pigeon, Bolle’s pigeon or the collared dove, beautiful with their fascinating plumage.

And in the evening, settle back for your free in-flight display courtesy of the Canarian chiffchaff. Similar to the robin but with a yellow-green chest, they will delight you with their unrehearsed choreography. Watch entranced as they move as one, like a swirling cloak, first this way and that, momentarily all landing in a fig tree or cactus where they are hardly visible until they take flight again, as one.

Truly a delight and one of the many things I love about La Palma.