Gran Canaria, perhaps the most interesting island from an overall ecological point of view, does not boast any endemics of its own but it is a good place for the endemic Berthelot's Pipit, Canary and the ever-present Canary Island Chiffchaff. Its most spectacular inhabitant is the Gran Canary Lizard, actually the largest of the 6 endemic Gallotia lizards on the islands. It is exceptionally common almost everywhere and is particularly fond of tomatoes. The endemic skink is also well worth watching out for, especially in the south of Gran Canaria where it sports a bright, electric-blue tail.
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2001 [April] - Mark Easterbrook
ReportWe stayed in Maspalomas, which was a relatively good birding area, with several good and varying habitats. However it is also noted for its very good gay scene. I hadn't really noticed this until one evening when I was approached whilst birding in the sand dune area. I was asked if "I was looking for some action?" I replied "No, I'm looking for a Spectacled Warbler, if you could help?" which was met with mild amusement and I went on my way....
2004 [March] - Dave & Gerda Flumm
ReportGerda and I booked a fortnight package holiday via the internet for £304 ea with Airtours, flying from Exeter (our preferred choice, closest to home) at midday on 1st and returning at the same time on 15th which was ideal. We had self-catering accommodation at the Los Salmones hotel complex at Playa del Ingles in the south which, as it turned out was just a 25 minute bus ride away (for 63p) to probably the best migration spot on the island: La Charca lagoon and sand dune area at Maspalomas.
2005 [April] - Martin Coath
ReportMy wife, son and I spent a week on Gran Canaria at the small, quiet and fairly tasteful resort of Tauro which lies a little inland and to the NW of crowded and tacky Puerto Rico. This island is not often visited by birders, because it has no endemics which cannot be seen elsewhere...
2009 [March] - Alan Miller
Report...From a birding perspective we found our visit to be of two very different halves; the coast and inland. The central areas have plenty of low scrub coverage but birds were relatively scarce. There were two main areas of pine forest with the trees thinly spread letting much light through to the ground. We found few areas of heavy agricultural use. As a general comment, birding away from the resort was hard work with few sightings. Conversely we were very pleased with birding from the hotel and along to Maspalomas where there were more waders and other interesting sightings than we were used to on the coast of a Canary Island...
Gran Canaria Flora and Fauna
InformationMany of the birds found in the Canary Islands are either endemic species or subspecies, with many examples of races unique to individual Islands. This phenomenon is often found on islands where species are allowed to evolve in isolation...
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