Fuerteventura  - Southern Grey Shrike and Kestrel 

We spent a couple of days on the vast expanse of beach that lies alongside the sand dunes and the National Park. A taxi ride to one of the two huge hotels that stand isolated on the beach, allows easy access with all the amenities you need within easy reach. The beach was perfect for the kids and we set up camp on some relaxing loungers ourselves between the sea and the local beach café - a lovely spot! And I was even able to do some bird watching as well. A few of the Whimbrel and Little Egret images, previously posted, were taken nearby. But whilst I only got a fleeting glimpse of a small flock of Hoopoe as they flew by, I was able to get some photos of one of two other species as well.

The beach is vast and open, with sand as far as the eye can see. But there are one of two bushes near the hotel area. On arriving one morning, a bird caught my eye as we arrived on the beach. It didn't allow me to get as close as I would have liked, but I was able to grab a couple of shots  of this Southern Grey Shrike.

Southern Grey ShrikeCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Southern Grey ShrikeCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

The bird remained in and around the beach but I didn't see it again on this bush. It did come to rest on a telegraph wire at the back of the beach. With care I was able to get quite close, although I prefer the natural setting of the first set of images. 

Southern Grey ShrikeCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Southern Grey ShrikeCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Southern Grey ShrikeCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands  

I kept a watchful eye on this telegraph wire just to see of the bird returned. But it never it, although it was around and sufficiently close to keep my attention!

On one occasion, when I looked up from my lounger, I saw a different bird sitting on the same wire. I had previously seen a bird of prey flying over and around the hotel. I didn't rate my chances of getting very close to this Kestrel, but I thought I would give it a go.

KestrelCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

KestrelCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

Typically, the bid chose the cloudiest few hours of the holiday to sit and have its picture taken, making the exposure very tricky. Unfortunately the sky is very washed out but I was still pleased to get my first photos of this great bird.  

KestrelCorrelajo, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands