Guillermo Delgado’s scientific contributions

In this paper we report some interesting observations of breeding birds (and supposed breeding birds) on Porto Santo Island (Madeiran archipelago), as a result of two ornithological expeditions carried out in July and December 2000. The most important records are those of a falcon (Falco peregrinus / F. pelegrinoides) with territory in the Ilhéu de Baixo and the summer and winter presence of Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) in the main island. Information on the current status and/or relative abundance, distribution and breeding of other seven species (Bulweria bulwerii, Buteo buteo, Falco tinnunculus, Coturnix coturnix, Charadrius alexandrinus, Tyto alba, and Serinus canarius) is included.

Data on the distribution of steppe birds on Tenerife and Gran Canaria are updated on 2.5x2.5 km & 1x1 km UTM grids. Stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) was found to be well distributed on the northern slopes and east of Gran Canaria, with a population estimated at c.200 breeding pairs, whereas on Tenerife this species occupies a small area in the south with c.50 pairs. Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens) holds c.300-350 pairs concentrated below 200ma.s.l. and located in the north,east and south of Gran Canaria. Trumpeter Finch (Rhodopechys githaginea) is well distributed on Gran Canaria whereas on Tenerife it is very scarce with a reduced population in the south of this island, segregated in four small areas.

We offer the results of two recent ornithological expeditions to the Porto Santo Island (Madeiran archipelago), made on July and December 2000. A total of 20 migratory, non-breeding species were observed there. Among them, Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae) and a rare Phylloscopus (probably P. inornatus) are "new" species for this archipelago. On the other hand, the records of Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Alpine Swift (Tachymarptis melba), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) and Greenfich (Carduelis chloris) are of special interest, as they are "occasional", "exceptional" or "very rare" species on Porto Santo and the entire archipelago of Madeira after the literature. Finally, we comment briefly some aspects of the phenology of the birds observed.

First breeding data of four bird species (Erithacus rubecula, Sylvia conspicillata, Sylvia atricapilla and Regulus ignicapillus) on Porto Santo Island are reported. Furthermore, information on distribution and abundance of these species are presented, and some historical and biogeographical questions are discussed.

A general article on the breeding birds of the Cape Verde Islands.

In this work we offer part of the results of a recent ornithological expedition to the Cape Verde archipelago (islands of Sal and Boavista) between 30 September-14 October, 1998. A total of 52 bird species were detected, being 27 of them migratory, non-breeding species in the archipelago. Of this group, the most interesting birds were Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), new to the Cape Verde Islands, Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) and Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago), additions to the list of Sal, and Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), new to Boavista. At the same time, we obtained data of other rare species, such as Western Reef Egret (Egretta gularis), Eurasian Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), Dunlin (Calidris alpina), European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur), Sand Martin (Riparia riparia), and Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata). Finally, it is analysed the information obtained from both qualitative and quantitative point of view.

Recent data on the breeding birds of the islands of Sal and Boavista (Cape Verde Islands), obtained between 30 September - 14 October, 1998, are presented. The nesting of the Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) on Boavista is confirmed, and the first registers of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) for this island are included here. On the other hand, we could detect species found only 2-3 times on Boavista, as the Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla). In the case of this last species, our data indicate that it must be a breeding species on this island. At the same time, several aspects of the avifauna of both islands are analysed: faunistic, habitats, breeding phenology and important areas for conservation.

Techinical report on a census of breeding aquatic birds of the Canary Islands during the spring and early summer of 1991. Fieldwork undertaken by a group of ornithologists coordined by Ornistudio, S.L. Project developed for TragsaTec / ICONA.