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Very few butterfly pictures so again you may wish to fast-forward.

On the last day of our holiday in 2011 we had travelled to the picturesque village of Masca in the Teno mountains and it was such a fitting end to a great holiday. So when I suggested we go there again there weren’t any complaints (actually there was a puzzled look … none of the ladies remembered it )
The ride through was challenging enough but the toughest was still to come after we had reached Santiago del Teide. Or at least that’s what I was expecting but part of the narrow switch-back road which takes you along sheer precipices was closed for re-surfacing (fair enough …no margin for error on this road ). So a (huge) detour was needed and this took me through to an area called Buenavista del Norte. The road you see in the shot below was one that I had to take to get me down to Los Sillos close to sea level. When I reached the bottom of the ‘twisty’ and into a banana plantation, I spotted a Monarch circling and then land . Quick as a flash I parked up got my camera and crept up to the spot. But then another car (jalopy) went by (it was bound to happen ) and the butterfly was back on the wing. Although it circled a couple of times it didn’t land again. As in 2011 Monarchs were proving almost impossible to photo After buenavista it was climb climb climb and a lot longer a journey than if I’d come in through the ‘proper end’. Eventually we got there and holed up in a little café bar for some refreshing home-made lemonade. I think the girls really enjoyed the trip After that we set off to explore and take a slow amble down to “Bar Blanky” Back in 2011 I saw a Large White, Monarchs and an Epaulet Skimmer Dragonfly but this time there was nothing but the odd Small White in amongst the various cultivated plots terraced on the hillsides. The scenery at Masca is stunning. And another (stunning) thing:- in the time we were there the resurfaced road was re-opened saving us one hell of a long journey back. Speed, efficiency and creating a minimum of inconvenience seem to be the approach to roadworks in Tenerife . The next day and it was time to try out Aqualand. Aqualand is another water park probably more suited to the little-uns and us adults who prefer their thrills and spills to be less ‘white knuckle’. It’s main attraction however are the dolphins and the spectacular show they put on . In between the water slides and the show I did some exploring and found this unusual little wasp And of course there was the Monarch proving difficult as ever After Aqualand our day was nicely rounded off when we got a tip-off from a local for a really good traditional cuisine restaurant, the El Cordero at Guargacho. We visited it on our last night in Tenerife. The place is fronted by a giant lamb topiary, has great food, is cheap too but I wouldn’t recommend it for vegetarians . For me a visit to the loo in the dead of night is pretty much the norm these days. As I switched on the bathroom light there crawling along the pipes of the shower unit was a full-sized American cockroach with its shiny orange-brown body and gyrating long antennae. Hmmm Sharon and the girls are not going to like this . The next morning I couldn’t find it, but the search revealed a cluster of the not so mini-beasts in the ventilation slats of the back door . Knowing how fast they move there was only one way to deal with this … use the industrial-sized can of roach spray the resort supply us with in the utility cupboard. If you come to Tenerife you have to expect BIG roaches on occasion. With the continuing increase in climate temperature it’s only a matter of time before their numbers take off over here .
Later on and it was time for our excursion to the Capital, Santa Cruz (taking in a blanket sale … the wonders of merino wool bed-ware). We only had 2 hours in Santa Cruz so only enough time to do some shopping and have a meal. Lovely city from what I saw. I snapped this wonderful piece of architecture through the bus window on the way home. As soon as we got back late afternoon I was off again to explore the waste ground area around Los Abrigos. The sun was lower and less intense and created little jewels of red reflected light in the wing cells of the Red-veined Darter I tracked down . Our final day before our early evening flight saw us at the Jungle Park zoo properly known as Park Las Aguilas (Eagle park after the collection of Eagles on show). Routes to the zoo are not well signposted so is difficult to find if you haven’t a sat nav (may be worth checking for buses?). However the hassle encountered in getting there it was well worth it. I know that some people on UKB have a problem with the whole principle of zoos but for those who don’t I would highly recommend this place both for the way the animals are kept and for the imaginative way the site is laid out . The place is aptly named as it is like being in a jungle in places, with paths on different levels, rope bridges across ‘crocodile infested’ ravines and lots of nooks and crannies. With all the well watered plants I hoped it might attract a butterfly or two. If there are no butterflies about then we 'butterfliers' will often focus on other stuff, usually dragonflies and birds. So was the case at Jungle Park. My first sighting was a Grey Wagtail in the White tiger enclosure quickly followed by an Emperor dragonfly, a Blackbird (scrounging like a sparrow or chaffinch around the café tables) a Scarlet Dragonfly and a Black-crowned Night Heron. Also seen was a chiff-chaff Always on the lookout for a butterfly my first sighting was of a Long-tailed Blue by the Mandrill enclosure. The butterfly was tantalisingly too far away for nothing but a record shot. The mandrill on the other hand was quite happy to have his picture taken . Soon after the Long-tailed Blue I spotted Monarch and got this ‘getting slightly better’ record shot . The layout of the zoo is such that it gradually winds down through a valley but rather than take their time the kids decided to follow a jungle adventure trail which resulted in us getting split up . Sharon wasn’t too pleased as I’d given them permission to go on it before realising that it was far too tough for me to follow . Thankfully we were eventually re-united in the lower reaches and at that moment more Monarchs showed up initially landing tantalisingly out of reach. Eventually one landed and settled I was at last able (despite camera problems and poor camera craft) to get a decent close up shot of this tatty but priceless individual . And so this was a fitting climax to the holiday . In all I’d seen 11 species: Bath White; Small White; Clouded Yellow; Small Copper; African Grass Blue; Long-tailed Blue; Canary Blue; Canary Speckled Wood; Canary Brimstone; Red Admiral and Monarch + a lot of other wonderful fauna. When I started this report I didn’t think it would go as far as it did but there again I think some of my experiences were real one-offs never to be repeated so I’ve taken the view of record it while you can. I also hope this report has proved useful for anyone planning to visit the canaries, even if like me you’re just going for a family holiday .
One final tip. Once back in Britain if like me you’ve left your car parked some way from the airport and have been left with a phone number to arrange for a transfer back, make sure you contact them as soon as you’re off the plane rather than doing it after you’re trudged through to your pick-up point.

Phil

Glad you got your Monarch pictures Phil. I found a small patch of milkweed in Masca where I spotted some Monarch flying about. A closer look revealed eggs, caterpillars and a chrysalis. Yes, the road in is a bit of an event in itself, particularly when you meet a bus coming the other way!

Didn't see any Monarchs in Masca this year (end of July) but saw a few in 2011 (Aug). Would love to have seen the larvae but need to check up on what milkweed looks like. Funnily enough my first danaid seen in Tenerife was a Plain Tiger in November 2009 (pre my UKB days) Have not seen one since .

NickMorgan wrote:the road in is a bit of an event in itself, particularly when you meet a bus coming the other way!

Yep, having to reverse on these roads to let the buses squeeze by is a real test of your nerve. Have to say though the bus drivers out there are very good.

Phil