Happy New Year from Tenerife in the Canary Islands. All of us, including Leroy the "Redneck" Penguin were out celebrating last night. I am not sure how he can put away so much booze but he always does. We are not sure he ever stopped drinking yet.
We were out for a 8 course New Year's dinner and then we watched the fireworks at 0000 hour.
The food was great, the wine glass was never empty and the hangover lasts until January 2nd.
We have been learning to walk stairs here. The beaches are down cliffs
It is a tough island to have acrophobia on, the fear of heights where roads and sidewalks are perched on cliffs by steel plates or carved into rocks has left me with some quivering legs and intestines. Especially when we will be going to the volcano in the search of birds and views.
The trip has so far not involved being stuck on a rock, food poisoning, sudden cold snaps, nor finding out or room has been sublet to others. The streets are narrow, and parking is by dumb luck. Our friends from Sweden, Peter, Kajsa, and Camilla had their car towed within ten minutes of coming to the island. I always say a few mishaps lead to better blogs but just the same, new stories is also a good trip.
Bird wise, we have been slowly working on the island endemic (and near endemic) list, so far I have seen about half of the goal species
The African blue tit, not an endemic but a lifer bird. Sort of a great tit looking like a blue tit in size
A bit harder to find than anticipated, but the Canary Island Chaffinch (male)
Canary Island chiffchaff, seen easily and everywhere
Island Canary, here and the Azores
I have seen the elusive Laurel Pigeon and barbary partridge but they have remained elusive to my camera but we still have four more days until we go back to Iceland and hopefully get to see the volcano. Just six lifers but heck, some of these are just here.
Will give a complete trip update, but just would like everyone to be wished a very Happy New Year from our temporary island retreat.
Olaf
Thanks ! For taking us along
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