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Observations of Common Cranes in the Canary Islands, Spain, in December 1999
by César- Javier Palacios

Sketch Map of the area

For the first time, as far as we know, some Common Cranes Grus grus have been observed and identified without any doubt, in the Canary Islands. The only other record we know is an old reference in the literature (Meade-Waldo 1893) relating verbal comunications from some fishermen.

The closest recent valuable information about Common Cranes in Africa was sent by Juan C. Alonso, who during a Great Bustard census was able to observe, from his observation point in 35º33.9'N, 5º55.3'W, some 500 individuals entering a roost on 12th March 1999. In the same place he did observed again more than 100 birds entering the same roost on 3rd March 2001, and some more 250-300 birds feeding in dispersed flocks. The third observation he reported was of some 30 birds in 35º38.7N, 5º51.3W, on 10th March 2001. All these observations were made in the area between the localities of Tanger and Larache, quite close to the western Moroccan coast line. (JAA)

The Charca de Catalina García is the only wetland in the area, and it was probably there where the observed cranes were comming from. It is a breeding place for Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea and Houbara Bustard Clamydotis undulata.
(Picture C-J. Palacios)