October 2026 - birding records for Madeira
Despite migratory birds not being seen around Madeira as in previous years, let's hope they might be a bit late and so we'll get good bird records in October... 13th of October…
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September 2026 birding records for Madeira
September should bring some migratory birds to Madeira though the wind has to blow from the right direction to bring them in... 27th of September 2026 off Caniçal Great White…
No migration pelagic - 19th-21st August 2026
Expectations of watching some tubenoses and skuas migrating were quite high, but we only got Wilson's Storm Petrel. For breeding species, we even missed the gulls that usually are…
August 2026 birdwatching records for Madeira
With such high temperatures all over the world wildlife will also suffer with it and might change its behaviour or routines... Let's see which species visit Madeira on this…
Eclipsed by Bulwer's! Pelagic 10-12th August 2026
The pelagic started with great sightings of Skuas, 2 quick views of Zino's Petrels and then Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii and some Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis…
Back to great pelagic days! 29th-31st July 2026
What a rich pelagic expedition in terms of seabird species and some cetaceans as well! We finally got to see Barolo's shearwater (1st confirmed observation this year!) and…
Birdwatching in Madeira - July 2026 records
It has been a very quiet summer in terms of vagrant or accidental bird species in Madeira archipelago... 23rd of July 2026 at Santo da Serra Reservoir Green Sandpiper Tringa…
Light winds of change - pelagic expedition 14-16th July 2026
Finally got some proof the storm petrels still exist around Madeira! The light wind from a very unusual quadrant (south) for summertime brought us a White-faced storm petrel but…
So much sea, so little seabird species! 7-9th July 2026
Another pelagic expedition with great views of Pterodromas but with no storm petrel at all! Even the numbers of Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria…
Many Pterodromas but no Oceanodromas! 24-26 June 2026
We do not know what is happening with Madeiran Storm Petrels but this is the second pelagic expedition they do not show... This time we had good wind and even a day with some…
Local stormies don't like calm seas... Pelagic 18-20 June 2026
A very smooth pelagic expedition which turned out good for Pterodromas , for non local storm petrels and other marine vertebrates but not so much for the Madeira breeding storm…
Great Pterodromas show! - pelagic 12-14 June 2026
After two weeks of very strong winds it calmed down just for this pelagic expedition, so we were lucky to get the perfect conditions for a relatively comfortable trip with good…
Vagrant birds in Madeira, June 2026
Summer is no longer a good period for migratory birds to be stopping by Madeira archipelago on their way "home" but there might some delayed ones... 16th of June 2026 at Santa…
Inverted Pelagic Expedition, 27 - 29 May 2026
The forecasts were quite good as there was some relatively flat sea (comfortable for us) but still a nice breeze (good for the seabirds) though it turned out to be quite weird…
1st pelagic of 2026 brought us a Black-capped Petrel!
We usually start the pelagics later in May to guarantee Desertas' Petrels which are the latest ones to arrive to Madeira, normally between mid and end of May. But April and early…
Birding in May in Madeira, 2026
May is the month of uncertainties, like its name suggests - it may rain, it may be sunny, it may be cold or it may be hot... we just never know! It is similar with the birds,…
Birding in Madeira - April 2026
April's a good month for migration! Let's see which species are blown out of their migratory route into this small piece of land and concrete, called Madeira... 27th of April 2026…
Birdwatching in Madeira - March 2026 records
The winds have been blowing quite strongly from the north, accelerating over the island's tips. This may interfere with bird flights, and it has certainly been affecting local air…
February 2026 birding records for Madeira
This year, the weather has been quite extreme, with several storms affecting mainland Portugal and the Azores. Fortunately, Madeira has remained relatively safe from these…
January 2026 - Birding records for Madeira
New year, same old strategies... It is disheartening to see continued focus on new construction, increasing fireworks shows and, consequently the destruction of natural habitats.…
Birdwatching in Madeira, December 2025
Let's see which bird species are coming to spend Chritmas and New Year in Madeira, despite the amount of fireworks all over the island at this time of year... 31st of December…
Birding in Madeira, November 2025
Although it is already November, air temperatures are still above 22ºC in Madeira and winds are mostly blowing from the south quadrant which is not so common... Let's see if there…
Birdwatching records for Madeira, October 2025
October brough the autumn weather and maybe with it can also blow some vagrant birds out of their migratory course and into this piece of land (still) called Madeira (which means…
Birding records for Madeira, September 2025
It's that time of year again when summer is ending and the birds start their winter migration... So let's see which bird species will be blown off their course into Madeira: 28th…
Migration Pelagic Expedition - 25-27 August 2025
What a successful conclusion of our pelagic birding season! On our final outing, we hit the perfect time and location to witness a spectacular migration of Skuas. After deploying…
August 2025 vagrant bird species report
August, despite being a summer month, sometimes brings interesting bird species to Madeira as some birds begin their migration. We were excited that a White-rumped Sandpiper was…
19-20 August 2025 Pelagic Expedition
By mid-August we were expecting some more seabird species passing by on their migration but we still got a Long-tailed Jaeger and a few Arctic tern. As per usual, Cory's…
Lack of species but got what we aimed for! 15-17 July 2025
It was an unusual pelagic trip in terms of both the number of birds and the species we observed. Interestingly, we even missed the Yellow-legged Gull in the chum on two out of the…
July 2025 birdwatching news for Madeira
July began with strong winds on the east side of Madeira, causing many flight cancellations and diversions. This unfortunately led to shortened or canceled holidays for some…
Rough on us, great for seabirds! 25-27 June 2025
Three days of offshore birding with predominantly medium to strong N–NE winds which are favorable for Pterodroma observations but quite hard on us, humans. Overall, a productive…
Calm & relaxing but not so good for stormies...
This time was a bit too calm for seabirds which should have been good for cetaceans but those decided to go on holidays somewhere else! The first 2 days were really 'too' calm…
June 2025 - vagrant birds visiting Madeira
June might still be good for some late migratory birds which got off their course to stop by Madeira, so let's see which species we will get this year! 20th of June 2025 at…
'Can't have it all' pelagic 12-14 June 2025
We've got perfect ocean and wind conditions and great views of the seabirds species that passed on the chum slick but we missed the now rare White-faced storm petrel and the…
Pelagic 4-6 June 2025 - missing the local storm petrels...
The weather and sea conditions were perfect for 3 comfortable trips and for the seabirds to fly around and smell the chum but it seems that it was not enough for the local storm…
Tough but successful pelagic! 27-29 May 2025
It was a tough pelagic as the ocean swell and waves made it quite choppy and the wind was just about right for the seabirds which is not so comfortable on us... But we had…
Pelagic Expedition 21-23 May 2025 - we've got them all!
Our Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expeditions have gotten off to a great start! Despite some challenging ocean conditions, we've successfully observed all of our target seabird species.…
Birding records around Madeira, May 2025
May started with the Madeira flower festival but in what concerns to sustainability, we'll just tell you that on the flower parade there were a few dozen of ballons released... :(…
Birdwatching in Madeira archipelago - April 2025
April is usually a good month for migratory birds to be blown off their course and into the islands of Madeira archipelgo... Let's see what the wind will blow our way: 30th of…
March 2025 - birding news to Madeira
March, the Spring month! Although some of the resident bird species in Madeira are already feeding their chicks by the begging of March, this should be the best month to observe…
21 years birdwatching in Madeira! February 2025 bird observations
It's been 21 years since Wind Birds started its operation! It has not been an easy ride, specially in what concerns to Nature as there is not much awareness or conservation in…
New Year's bird visitants to Madeira, January 2025
May this year be greener, cooler and much more peaceful than the previous ones! And despite all these climate changes let's hope for some interesting bird species to visit Madeira…
Birding around Christmas festivities in Madeira - December 2024
Seasonally speaking we are almost entering winter but the maximum temperatures in Madeira coastal areas have been still above 24ºC which was not usual for early December... 30th…
Birdwatching in Madeira, November 2024
First, our deepest sympathy to the loss of lives and homes in the south of Spain due to the extreme weather events. It is heartbreaking to watch the consequences of climate…
Birding records for Madeira, October 2024
October should be an autumn month but temperatures in Madeira are still like summer... Migration should be on its way, so let's see which bird species will visit Madeira…
September 2024 - birding news for Madeira
Although Madeira is not so attractive as it once was, due to fires, overbuilding and overcrowding, it might still work as a lifeline for some of the vagrant bird species that lost…
Madeira birdwatching news for August 2024
Usually in August starts migration and depending on wind and weather conditions sometimes Madeira gets a few vagrant birds which were diverted from their migration course... Some…
3 days for a perfect Zino's Petrel - 31st July to 2nd August 2024
Although the wind conditions were quite good it seemed the bird species changed the areas where they usually are around... On the first 2 days we could not watch a proper Zino's…
Back to watch them all! - Pelagic expedition 25-27 July 2024
Fortunately the wind, ocean and general conditions improved and this pelagic was another successful one with Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Cory's shearwater Calonectris…
Slow pelagic expedition - 18-20 July 2024
This was the slowest pelagic expedition of 2024 in all aspects! Light wind conditions although increasing a little bit every day and quite hot temperatures of air (max around…
July 2024 birding observations around Madeira
July, as a summer month does usually bring much vagrant birds to Madeira though with all these climate changes it is just "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're…
Slow but not bad Pelagic Expedition, 12-14 July 2024
After a month of rough ocean and strong wind we got a much calmer pelagic expedition. It did not bring so many seabird species as in the previous pelagics but it was 3 comfortable…
The rarest were the most common! 27-29 June 2024 pelagic expedition
During these 3 consecutive afternoon we had more Zino's Petrels than Desertas Petrels and more White-faced storm petrels than any other storm petrel. Thousands of Bulwer's Petrel…
Has White-faced returned to our pelagics? 22-25 June 2024
We sure hope so!! This was a very rough pelagic expedition but with most Madeira breeding seabird species well observed! We even postponed 1 day to get smoother conditions but we…
17-19 June 2024: Hat-trick on the last day of pelagic!
The west and northwest winds on the first days changed the dynamic of seabirds though we got some views of the petrels... But on the 3rd day with the usual Northeast wind we've…
Amazing petrels day! Pelagic expedition 12-14 June 2024
An amazing set of 3 afternoon pelagic trips varying a lot with position and ocean conditions! As usual, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria…
1-3 June 2024 - Petrels and Storm-petrels display!
Perfect wind and sea conditions on this Zino's Petrel pelagic Expedition allowed us to have very good views of the petrels breeding in Madeira and a good list of storm-petrels! As…
Birding in Madeira - June 2024
June should be a summer month though there is still some late migratory birds being blown off their course into Madeira islands. Let see what June 2024 will bring us... 30th of…
Petrels pelagic, 27-29 May 2024
Another successful pelagic expedition with the perfect wind conditions but some choppy sea! As always, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii…
Zino's Petrel show - 13-16 May 2024
Another rough pelagic expedition but very successful as we observed all the aimed species! We even took a break of 1 day to try to get some lighter wind but it insisted in…
2024 1st Zino's Pelagic Expedition, 9th-11th May
A rough start for our 1st Zino's Petrel pelagic Expeditions of 2024 with strong wind and quite choppy sea but we had amazing views and number of Zino's Petrels! As usual, Cory's…
Birding in Madeira, May 2024
May tends to be a very good month for migratory birds to be blown off their migratory course into this small peace of land that is Madeira. Let see which species may be visiting…
April's 2024 birdwatching records to Madeira
In April Spring should be 'well installed' and so northwards migration should be on and in Madeira one can watch birds displaying, nesting or already feeding their chicks! Last…
Vagrant birds in Madeira, March 2024
March should mean Spring though in Madeira it looks like we are 1 season delayed so Winter atmospheric conditions only arrived now... It has been very quiet in terms of vagrant…
February 2024 - bird records for Madeira
We keep beating air temperature records for each month in Madeira and birds are displaying like it is Spring time already... It is getting scary all this climate changes and…
January 2024 - Birding madeira news
We certainly would like to wish a happy 2024 but for those who observe nature and actually care about it, it is not looking good... Anyway, let's keep hope alive and do our best…
Bird species visiting Madeira, December 2023
Another end of the year... Unfortunately hopes about getting a better one next year are gone! So much loss of habitat due to forest fires and new constructions in Madeira kill any…
Birdwatching around Madeira - November 2023
November has started but the temperatures are still around 25ºC intercalated with some rainy days... As it is still migration season anything can stop by Madeira archipelago, so…
Birding in Madeira, October 2023
Very high temperatures for the beginning of the autumn, reaching 30ºC... It is migration time, but it seems the weather seasons are disappearing. Let's see which species will be…
September 2023 - birdwatching news for Madeira
August was a calm month regarding migrating birds passing by or stopping by Madeira. Ruddy turnstone was the only species recorded by Wind Birds, so there were no news for August…
Migration pelagic expedition 21-23 August 2023
In the 2nd half of August usually starts the migration season for seabirds and we already saw a few species passing by Madeira. As for breeding birds we got all we were expecting…
Undiversified pelagic expedition, 26th-28th July 2023
This time the ocean conditions did not help with the number of birds or bird species... It was a strange pelagic expedition with much less numbers of Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria…
So many Bulwer's, so little other petrels! 20-22 July 2023
It was another successful pelagic expedition but considering the good wind and rough ocean one would expect a few more Pterodromas and Oceanodromas to fly along with thousands of…
Hat trick pelagic expedition,15th-17th July 2023
Another great pelagic went by and this time we got the 3 highlight species of these expeditions: Zino's Petrel, Madeiran storm petrel and White-faced Storm petrel plus the…
July 2023 records for vagrant birds in Madeira
July as a summer month is not expected to have many vagrant birds in Madeira but with global warming everything is changing and we never know what we're going to get! 24th of July…
Pterodromas pelagic pageant - 9th to 11th July 2023
Another great pelagic expedition with very good numbers of Pterodromas ! As normal, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were watched…
4th-6th July 2023 - Troubled pelagic but great for Pterodromas!
Due to a malfunctioning in one of the engines we were not able to run the 2nd day of this pelagic expeditions but we had great views of both Pterodroma madeira and Pterodroma…
St. Peter's pelagic feast - 28th-30th June 2023
While in land most seaside villages were celebrating the Saint Peter's feast, in the ocean we had a great feast with seabirds, beating the record number of Procellariiformes seen…
Half a dozen of Zino's Petrels! Successful pelagic expedition 23rd-25th June 2023
Finally we had a more common pelagic expedition with good wind on the 1st two days and from the predominant quadrant: North! Fortunately we have seen all the aimed species on the…
Calm but great pelagic expedition, 14th-16th June 2023
After the storm last week we managed to have a soft pelagic expedition with light winds and a nice number of species watched, being the highlight the Red-billed Tropicbird which…
Storm Oscar messed up our pelagic plans! 6th-9th Jun 2023
The storm Oscar brought to Madeira island the records of rain ever recorded in Portugal in 24 hours! Nearly 500 litres of rain per square meter in only 24 hours, between the…
June 2023 bird observations for Madeira archipelago
June started with Southwest winds which is not usual for this month. Normally the winter storms come from the southwest... Anyway, lets see which bird species will be diverted…
Good start of pelagic's season, 28-30 May 2023
Despite the uncommon wind direction (Southwest) for this time of year which blown the most common seabirds, like Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel…
Bird sightings for Madeira archipelago, May 2023
May the birds be with us! Despite the bird flue that is hitting hard quite a few species around Europe, in Madeira archipelago so far it was not detected and a few vagrant birds…
April's 2023 birdwatching records for Madeira
First week of April started with summer temperatures and some eastern winds which is a good combinations to divert some migratory bird species out of their routes into Madeira...…
March 2023 birding observations around Madeira
March equals Spring in Madeira archipelago and the right wind direction might push some warblers out of their migratory course and bring them to visit Madeira! So let's watch…
Birding in Madeira, February 2023 - it's been 19 years!
In February some of the breeding species start to display, as Spectacled Warbler and Atlantic Canary. As for passing birds, we already had a few records of Common House Martin and…
Little Bunting
Emberiza pusilla Pallas, 1776 · Emberizidae · Vagrant to Madeira
January 2023 birding observations for Madeira archipelago
Happy New Year! Rain and wind can divert some birds out of their migratory route into these little pieces of land named Madeira islands. Let's see what 2023 has reserved for us in…
December's 2022 visiting species to Madeira
December is usually a good time of year for some visiting ducks as the rains fill up some water reservoirs... Let's see if this is the case this year... The rain is falling well…
Birding news for Madeira, November 2022
Deep in Autumn, November tends to be a good month for some migratory birds to stop by Madeira, normally waders and ducks... Let's see which bird species will pass by Madeira this…
Bird observations in Madeira, October 2022
October is normally a good month for vagrant birds and with the 'delayed' hurricane season in the Atlantic we might get some special vagrants being blown off their course and…
Birdwatching around Madeira in September 2022
September is starting with some easterly winds which during migration are good to blow some birds out of their course, into Madeira... 28th of September 2022 at Machico Spotted…
Birding in Madeira, August 2022
In August starts some of the migration and depending from where the winds blow, Madeira might get some vagrant birds passing/stopping by... 31st of August 2022 at Machico 14 Ruddy…
Light wind delays migration - pelagic August 13-15 pelagic 2022
Light wind does not help seabirds' migration and it gets more difficult to watch Madeiran storm petrel as well... Anyway, it was a comfortable pelagic expedition with some great…
Windy pelagic but without storm petrels...3rd-5th August 2022
A hardcore pelagic with oblivious participants makes us worry more about the birdwatchers safety and the equipment safeguard than the birdwatching itself... Cory's shearwater…
All in 1 (day) pelagic expedition, 24th-26th July 2022
What a start for a Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition! We saw all the aimed species in a single day, even White-faced Storm Petrel which has been scarce in the last 4 years! The 2nd…
Harsh seas, great petrels' show, 19th - 21st July 2022
This was the roughest pelagic so far. It started with quite tolerable wind and sea conditions but got worst as the days went by... But, what is not so comfortable for us is great…
13-15th July 2022 - Unexpectedly good pelagic expedition!
After loosing a couple of customers due to strong winds at the airport that diverted the airplanes and consequently cancelled the flights to Madeira, the next days were with very…
Pelagic 5-7 July 2022. No Oceanodroma species this time...
Despite having the right sea and wind conditions for storm-petrels, which makes it a bit uncomfortable for the birdwatchers, this time we only had 1 European Storm Petrel... But…
Zino's Petrel extravaganza pelagic expedition!
What a great way to start a Zino's Petrel pelagic Expedition watching 9 birds at close range within 3.5 hours of chumming! The other 2 afternoons we searched for different…
July 2022 - birdwatching in Madeira
July, as a summer month, is not the best period for vagrant birds but as climate change is being felt everywhere, lets see which bird species are blown into Madeira archipelago...…
Rough but special pelagic expedition - 26th - 28th June 2022
The ocean was not soft on us during these 3 afternoons but those are the conditions most Procellariiformes enjoy! And we had great views of all the seabirds described below, plus…
No stormies pelagic but really nice anyway - 21st-23rd June 2022
Although we looked for Storm Petrels for 2 days, we had no sighting of any storm-petrel species... Spring was weird as we hardly had sightings of Wilson's and European storm…
Patience is a virtue! Pelagic expedition 16th-18th June 2022
The ocean started rough and ended up flat but storm-petrels only showed when it was flat and late in the evening... Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel…
A rich deep sea pelagic expedition, 11-13 June 2022
The first two days were a bit rough on our bodies but with rich observations while the third day was a slow day for new species though with thousands of Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria…
Got them all! Pelagic 5th-7th June 2022
The wind conditions were good for the 3 days pelagic but the number of seabirds around were not as much as we are used to... Anyway, we got to see all the aimed species, including…
Birding in Madeira - June 2022
June is a transition month between Spring and Summer and usually Madeira is a stop over for some birds in migration... 28th of June 2022 off Machico Peregrine falcon Falco…
A very choppy but full pelagic expedition, 1st - 3rd June 2022
This pelagic started with strong westerly wind and rough ocean and ended up with very light wind but still quite choppy... As usual, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis ,…
Black-capped Petrel on pelagic expedition 27-29 May 2022
The started very light on the 1st day and increased gradually to quite strong on the 3rd day of pelagic expedition but everyday we had good observations with a great surprise on…
Quiet pelagic days but we've watch the breeding seabirds well!
Despiste the good winds which normally brings us some interesting sightings during this migration period, this pelagic was a bit quiet for migratory seabirds... But we did see the…
Great start for the Zino's Petrel Pelagics season! 17-19 May 2022
After hibernating for 6 months 'Oceanodroma' rhib is running Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expeditions again and with a great start! 7 Zino's petrel, 7 Madeiran storm petrel and 7…
Birdwatching in Madeira - May 2022
May is a good month for birdwatching everywhere in the world! It's peak Spring and birds are active, either cleaning their nests or displaying or, (in Madeira at least) already…
Madeira - birding in April 2022
April should be a Spring month when most birds are singing, displaying and preparing their nests but this year April started wetter and colder than usual and with snow up on the…
Birdwatching in Madeira, March 2022
After a couple of difficult years we had some days off so the bird news about Madeira where a little slow for a while... March, despeite being a Spring month brought some strong…
Western Black-eared Wheatear
Oenanthe hispanica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Common Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758 · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
White-rumped swift
Apus caffer (Lichtenstein, MHK, 1823) · Apodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo maroccanus Hartert, 1906 · Phalacrocoracidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Scaup
Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Birding in Madeira - February 2022
This month Wind Birds is celebrating its 18th year of birdwatching tours in Madeira and we sure hope to celebrate it with some interesting vagrant species around! Some of the…
January 2022 - birdwatching observations in Madeira
Happy New Year! We sure hope this year will be better than the last ones, at least healthier in all ways! January started with quite warm temperatures which is not common for this…
2021 December birdwatching in Madeira
With summer temperatures during this winter month let's see which species will visit the island... Happy Holidays to all!! 31st of December 2021 at Funchal 5 Little Egret Egretta…
Birding in Madeira in November, 2021
Despite the summer temperatures at the beginning of this month, migration is on and so some birds are still visiting Madeira... 30th of November 2021 at Calheta marina - reported…
October 2021, birding records for Madeira
This time was our time for holiday, as Madeira is beautiful but can sometimes be too small for the ones who live it in... So the bird records for Madeira this month are very few…
2021, September bird records for Madeira
September should be a good month for migration although the temperatures in Madeira are still quite high, resembling mid-summer... Let's see if the winds blow any interesting…
Another light wind pelagic expedition... August 24-26, 2021
Another light wind pelagic but this time with the wind blowing from unusual quadrants which did not bring us many migratory seabird species... Anyway, Cory's shearwater…
Light wind pelagic... 2021, August 19-21
This was a pelagic with very light wind which blown us some interesting migrant seabirds but was not enough to attract a Madeira Storm Petrel to the chum... As usual, Cory's…
Seabirds migration started - 2021, August 14-16
It started with a great 1st day despite the light breeze but the next days were quite poor in terms of seabird species... Only Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Cory's…
Rough ocean but a good show of petrels - 10th-12th August 2021
A pelagic with two days of rough oceanic conditions... The first day the wind was two low to blow the chum smell distant enough to attract seabirds. The second day was perfect but…
August 2021 - birdwatching in Madeira
August is that time of year when Madeira starts to get some visiting bird species which were blown out of their migration route... So let's see what this hot weather will bring…
Cape Verde Shearwater - pelagic expedition August 5th!
Another great pelagic with good observations and a second confirmed record of a Cape Verde shearwater for Madeira archipelago! Although White-faced Storm Petrel was observed when…
Swinhoe's Storm-petrel on the pelagic 29 July 2021
What a great 1st day of pelagic expedition with Pterodromas visiting the chum quite early and finishing with an observation of Swinhoe's Storm-petrel! The next days were quite…
'Had them all' pelagic expedition! 24-26 July 2021
A great pelagic with all the aimed bird species well observed! Even White-faced Storm Petrel appeared and stood quite a while feeding on the chum! As usual, Cory's shearwater…
Birding in Madeira - July 2021
Although most of our time has been spent on pelagic expeditions, July is not the best month for vagrant birds as it is a summer month when bird species are breeding on their…
Despite the odds it was another great pelagic expedition, 6th - 8th July 2021
The forecasts were for very light wind but it ended up with enough breeze for the seabirds to smell the chum and come and check it! Thousands of Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii…
1st week July 2021 - Pelagic Expedition with some surprises!
Another light wind pelagic… But the breeze still blown the chum smell further enough to attract the aimed species! and even a 1st record for these pelagic expeditions: Sooty Tern!…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - 27th to 29th June 2021
This time we had low wind but there was still a breeze to blow the smell of the chum away and attract some seabirds and, despite having to wait for them quite patiently we finally…
Rough oceanic pelagic expedition - 22nd to 24th June 2021
Quite choppy sea and some good wind made these 3 consecutive afternoons quite tiring but also rewarding! We definitely understood that seabirds love the choppy ocean that make…
Low wind, deep sea pelagic expedition - 13th to 15th of June 2021
A group of British were brave enough to come to Madeira even with Portugal on the amber list of Covid-19 which will require them to self-isolate for 10 days when arriving back to…
Birdwatching in Madeira, June 2021
June... a summer month! It started with some strong winds which may still blow some bird species into this piece of land... Temperatures are quite high already, as well as the UV…
First 2021's Zino's Petrel Pelagic - May 26th, 27th and 28th
Finally we are back to the ocean to look for some of the rarest seabirds in Western Palearctic! Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii are a…
Birding in Madeira - May 2021
Finally the Sars-Cov2 restrictions are lifting up again and tourism is slowly coming back to Madeira! So we are resuming our tours and sea trips from the last week of May! Despite…
Birdwatching in Madeira - April 2021
April is a Spring month when many bird species return from their migration to their breeding grounds. With the right conditions of wind we can get some blown off course species,…
Barnacle Goose
Branta leucopsis (Bechstein, 1803) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Birding in Madeira - March 2021
March... the first month of Spring! 2021 is not corresponding to anybody expectations but we sure hope by mid-Spring we can get a bit closer to normal with travelling resuming to…
Common Firecrest
Regulus ignicapilla (Temminck, 1820) · Regulidae · Vagrant to Madeira
17 years birdwatching in Madeira - February 2021
It's Wind Birds' 17th anniversary and to celebrate it in these times of furlough and lockdown Catarina & Hugo decided to run a Big (birdwatching) Day to count the most number of…
January 2021 birding observations for Madeira archipelago
Happy New Year!!! And we sure hope this year will be better than the last one!!! Despite the cold weather it seems that some migratory birds decided to spend the New Year in…
December 2020 bird sightings in Madeira
It is finally the last month of this very weird year... Birdwatching tours are at its lowest in Madeira but birds are still visiting the island, so lets try to get some good…
Birding in Madeira, November 2020
In November temperatures start to decrease and rain gets more often. Depending on the winds direction, we may get some interesting species landing in Madeira: 21st of November…
October 2020 - birding in Madeira
In October we start to feel the autumn, although they say it starts by the 21st of September... Temperatures are a bit less warm and some rain starts to fall. Depending on the…
Birdwatching in Madeira - September 2020
In September starts the autumn and so it is time for some migratory birds to fly to their wintering grounds... If we get the right winds in Madeira, we might get some species…
(No) migration pelagic expedition, August 24-26 2020
Another pelagic with a low number of species though quite rough sea and at least 1 well observed Zino's Petrel! It seems the coronavirus also affected the travelling of seabirds…
Birding in Madeira - August 2020
August should be a good season for some migratory birds to be blown off their course and be watched in Madeira archipelago though it has been a bit quiet around... 31st of August…
Another pelagic expedition but not so much for seabirds... 2020, Aug 10-12
The second Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2020 was as weird as the year itself... The sea conditions were comfortable (maybe too comfortable!) as the wind was light and the…
Finally the 1st pelagic expedition of 2020! August 2-4
After the cancellation of several Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition due to the coronavirus situation, we were finally able to welcome the 9 participants for the 1st Zino's Petrel…
Birdwatching in Madeira, July 2020
July was the re-opening of Madeira airport and many other commercial activities though the number of tourists arriving to the island is still quite scarce... But some bird species…
Birdwatching after coronavirus confinement- June 2020
Although Madeira was not severely hit by Covid-19 as we only had 90 cases and fortunately no deaths, the rules of confinement were quite strict, so with no tourists around we just…
No birdwatching in April and May due to coronavirus confinement
Due to the Coronavirus situation which messed up the whole world and made us stay home for a few weeks, we were unable to go around the island or to the ocean to watch for birds…
Birdwatching in Madeira - March 2020
By end of February some easterly winds blew strongly, bringing sand and warm temperatures from the Sahara Desert. Some birds may also have been blown off their course and were…
Birding in Madeira - February, 2020
February started with warmer temperatures than previous years and that, despite delighting the tourists that visit the island, is quite worrying in a nature conservation…
2020 New Year Birdwatching in Madeira
Happy 2020 and successful birdwatching is what we wish you all, birdwatchers out there in the field! This January started with Spring temperatures and that might attract or at…
Birdwatching in Madeira during December 2019
December is a low season in Madeira not only for birds as all seabirds have migrated but also for tourism. Although temperatures are better than in the rest of Europe, only the…
Birding in November, Madeira, 2019
November should be a winter month but until mid-November we have been getting summer weather, with quite high temperatures for this time of year and not so much rain as one should…
Birding in Madeira in October 2019
October is usually a good month for migration and with some of these climate changes blowing hurricanes to the Northeast Atlantic it may be a good combination to deviate some…
Birding observations around Madeira during September 2019
Migration is on its best this month so lets hope wind will blow some bird species this way to diversify the birding population around Madeira! Despite the 48 breeding species it…
Final deep sea pelagic of 2019 - there's more next year!
It was not the expected ending for 2019 as we missed a good view of Zino's Petrel. We saw it on all other 2019 pelagic expeditions though... The good part is that Storm-petrels…
Storm-petrels are back! August 6-8 Pelagic Expedition
Finally things are getting back to normal with more species of Storm Petrels observed! Ok, White-faced Storm Petrel was literally taken out of a box, it was a rescued bird in land…
Birdwatching in August 2019 in Madeira
In August migration starts and so there is always a good chance to get some interesting vagrant bird species stopping or passing by Madeira archipelago. Roseate Terns, for…
Birding Pelagic Expedition 31st July - 2nd August 2019
We had some good wind but the storm-petrel seem to be out on vacation... Anyway, we got good views of Zino's and Fea's/Desertas Petrels and, of course, the everyday seabirds…
Petrels Pelagic Expedition - 23rd-25th July 2019
A pelagic with very light wind is always more difficult to watch the seabirds than when there is good wind to blow the smell of the chum in a distance. Also, seabirds are lazzy…
Zino's & Fea's Petrels Pelagic Expedition - July 2019
Despite the choppy conditions of the ocean the wind blew quite a few Pterodromas our way and we had great observations and photo opportunities of these rare species! Storm-petrels…
July birding reports for Madeira, 2019
July tends to be a quiet month regarding vagrant bird species though in what regards to the weather it has been a bit weird as it seems more like a spring month than a summer one,…
Another great Pterodroma pelagic expedition! - 25th to 27th June 2019
Another great Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition for Pterodromas though not so great for storm petrels as in previous years we did get a few different species of these small petrels…
Pterodromas pelagic expedition - 19th to 22nd June 2019
A Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition with very light winds which is not the best conditions to watch seabirds... So in order to get the most of it we had to postpone one of the days…
June 2019 birding observations in Madeira
Temperatures already feel like August though we are still in June... Global warming is what is called! Let's see which bird species are blown to Madeira and out of their migratory…
Successful pelagic with all aimed species observed - 28-30 May 2019
Another very successful pelagic with all the aimed bird species observed and even some surprises! The weather forecasts were for the wind to drop a bit for the 2nd and 3rd days…
Madeira Pelagic Expedition 22nd-24th May - We got them all!
Another successful pelagic expedition with all the aimed species observed! Some sightings were better than other but, hey that's birdwatching! The sea conditions started…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - first of 2019!
The first pelagic of the year started with 4 well observed Zino's Petrels though the second day we were surprised by an electronic failure on both the brand new engines which made…
Birding in Madeira, May 2019
May is a good month for birdwatching worldwide! In Madeira it started with some rain in the north and east tip of the island but it is normally real Spring month, so let's see…
Birdwatching in Madeira in April 2019
April, in Madeira, started under water and cold temperatures which made us cancel a few tours. Heavy rain is not good to watch birds and it is also not safe to go around the…
Birdwatching in Madeira during March 2019
March is the start of Spring and we can already watch some of the native birds displaying! It is also the start of migration northwards, so lets see if we get some eastern winds…
Visitant birds to Madeira in February 2019
Despite the very cold weather in Europe, Madeira is still above 15ºC as the easterly winds bring some of the warmth of the North of Africa. Lets see which species will follow…
2019 New Year's bird species visiting Madeira
Happy New Year to all of you who read our Madeira birding news! This year started with light southerly winds which usually do not blow any migratory birds into Madeira but we'll…
Birds visiting Madeira for season holidays - December 2018
December started with strong easterly winds and very warm temperatures, beating the records of the last 50 years. Lets see if these inviting temperatures and the winds pushed some…
Birdwatching in Madeira, November 2018
It's November and air and sea temperatures are still above 20ºC... Perfect conditions for the migrating birds to stop by and rest for a few days before continuing their journey!…
Madeira, birdwatching in October 2018
October started as a summer month in Madeira with high temperatures. Migration is on the go though on the continent strong easterly winds were felt and these can push some birds…
September 2018 bird observations in Madeira archipelago
September is normally a good month to start watching some vagrant birds - birds who got lost on their migration route and were lucky enough to find a piece of land (Madeira!). So…
Migrating seabirds pelagic, 23-25 August 2018
Puffinus gravis " class="img-responsive caption"/> A nice pelagic expedition which started with a Madeiran Storm Petrel as soon as we dropped the first block of chum - a good sign…
Birdwatching in Madeira, August 2018
August started with very hot temperatures in mainland Portugal but Madeira is been keeping its mild temperatures and even some rain, so lets see if which birds prefer this…
Madeira deep sea pelagic -1st to 3rd of August 2018
A great pelagic expedition to observe Petrels but poor for Storm-petrels! The wind and sea conditions were actually quite good for Storm-petrels though it seems these birds have…
Petrels and Cetaceans pelagic 25-27th July 2018
Another pelagic with light winds which is great for cetaceans but not so good for storm petrels... 5 species of Odontoceti (toothed whales) were observed and great sightings of…
July 2018 birding observations around Madeira
July is not the best month for vagrant birds though there is always a chance to find some lost bird in Madeira... 30th of July 2018 at Ponta do Pargo Peregrine Falcon Falco…
Great views of Pterodromas on the Pelagic Expedition early July 2018
This pelagic expedition was not as breezy as we would like and although we got good observations and numbers of Zino's Petrels and Desertas Petrels we missed a few storm petrels…
26th to 28th June 2018 pelagic - calm... but with great observations!
This pelagic expedition started with a very light wind which normally is not so good to watch seabirds though we did manage to observe them all very close! Cory’s shearwater…
'All in one' Pelagic Expedition - June 2018
Amazing pelagic expedition with the aimed species observed very well and the four seasons felt! Although the wind kept calming down through the days we got very close views of the…
Bird visitants to Madeira in June 2018
In terms of vagrant birds, birdwatching in June is normally less interesting than in May but when talking about birds we never know... Let's see what which bird species are blown…
May 2018 Pelagic - Hard...but we got them all!
Pterodroma madeira " class="img-responsive caption"/> The first Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2018 was quite hard for the participants, due to the weather and sea…
Birdwatching in Madeira, May 2018
May started with some cooler temperatures and light winds which is not so good to blow migrating birds off their migration route into Madeira. Breeding birds are already in…
Spring migration season - April 2018
It's April and bird migration is starting to move northwards! Let's see which species the winds will blow into Madeira, as we are out of migration routes... 26th of April 2018 at…
Birdwatching in Madeira during March 2018
The first two weeks of March were very stormy with heavy rain, strong winds from western quadrant and rough sea. Not safe nor comfortable conditions to go out birding... But birds…
February 2018 bird visitors to Madeira
February is a transition month, while some passerines start displaying, like Spectacled warbler, other birds are still in their winter schedule. In Madeira February started cooler…
Little Egret
Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
January 2018 birding observations
Happy New Year for all birders around the world!!! It seems clear that climate is changing and although in some parts of the globe temperatures are really low, in others, like…
Madeira Birdwatching in December 2017
December started very wet in Madeira which is not so good (and in some places not safe!) to go out birdwatching... Anyway, let's see what Santa will bring us in terms of vagrant…
Birding in Madeira, November 2017
End of October was very warm and with light winds which was almost better than summer! But in November, the month before Christmas, temperatures already dropped a little bit and…
Birdwatching news for Madeira, October 2017
Another migration month! October started with summer weather, with warm winds from the eastern quadrant though not strong enough to blow many different species out of their course…
Birds visiting Madeira in September 2017
September is a good month for migration and so in Madeira archipelago we sometimes get some interesting vagrant species... More, with all these storms on the other side of the…
A big pelagic for the Western Palearctic Big Year team
What a Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition!!!! There was no better way to end 2017 Wind Birds' pelagic expeditions! We had them all, the expected and the non expected seabird…
Birdwatching in Madeira in August 2017
In August starts the migration, specially for seabirds! And we already watched Great shearwater and some Skuas around, so lets see what else this summer month blows to Madeira…
Great seabirds' list on 1st to 3rd of August pelagic!
It seems that seabirds migration already started though White-faced storm petrel was not an early migrant this year as we watched it dancing on the chum slick! On the eve of the…
Pelagic birds like windy conditions - 25th to 27th July pelagic expedition
The wind on the East side of Madeira was quite strong, between 20 and 25 knots with stronger gusts which made a lot of planes unable to land in Madeira and consequently 1 of the…
12-14th July 2017 pelagic birds' expedition - rough...but a full plate!
This Wind Birds' pelagic started with a strange first day with only common species at the chum but the consequent days were really successful. Cory's shearwater Calonectris…
Madeira - birdwatching in July 2017
July is a quiet month for vagrant birds around Madeira archipelago though sometimes we may get some surprises as some early migrants can stop by... 31st of July 2017 at Machico -…
A quiet but successful Madeira pelagic expedition, 26th-28th June 2017
This pelagic was marked by light wind and a quiet activity at the chumming area but we ended up observing all species aimed and all very well observed despite the low numbers. Of…
Seabirds & Cetaceans - great observations from 6th to 8th June 2017
Another amazing pelagic with almost all aimed species observed on the 1st day! Although the wind and sea conditions did not change much through these 3 pelagic days the species of…
Birdwatching in June 2017, Madeira archipelago
Summer starts in June so most of the bird species are already in their breeding areas which consequently makes it a quiet month for vagrant birds around Madeira. Anyhow sometimes…
Madeira deep sea pelagic - 24th to 26th of May 2017
Strange weather conditions during these 3 days and although it took a while we manage to see a few seabirds' species. Northwesterly winds are not so common in Madeira and it made…
Special(ists) Pelagic Expedition, Madeira, May 2017
There is no better way to start the pelagics' season than exchanging experiences and observations with a group of pelagic seabirds' specialists! The renowned Brian Patteson, Kate…
Birdwatching in May around Madeira, 2017
May is that month when all seabirds are back to their breeding colonies in Madeira and it is also a good month for vagrant birds. So lets wait and watch for the pelagic and land…
Birds visiting Madeira in April 2017
April is starting with some Easterly winds which are the best to blow vagrant birds out of their migration route between Africa and Europe... So lets see what April has to offer…
Birding in Madeira, March 2017
Spring is here!!! Passerines are displaying and Common House Martin and Barn Swallow are on their way up North as they are already passing through Madeira... Now lets hope for…
Birdwatching in Madeira, February 2017
Despite the strong winds and big waves that hit Azores and the North of mainland Portugal in the first days of February, Madeira started this Carnival month with sunshine, light…
January 2017 - reports for vagrant birds in Madeira
First of all, Happy New Year for all of you! We hope you have a joyful 2017 with plenty of bird observations and great unique records! Here is the list of birds that have visited…
Visitant birds to Madeira in December 2016
December is a low season for tourism in Madeira, so it is the ideal time to take our own holidays! This is why there are no earlier bird records this month. But let's see which…
Birdwatching in Madeira, November 2016
It seems November will be a month for more interesting visitant birds to Madeira...at least judging from the first week records... 20th November 2016 at Palheiro Gardens, Funchal…
Vagrant birds in Madeira during October 2016
It seems that migration this year has been a little delayed but this is October already so we sure hope to get some interesting bird species accidentally stopping by Madeira...…
September 2016 birding observations for Madeira
September is normally a good month for vagrant birds as migration is going on... It has been a bit quiet regarding seabirds' migration, as seawatching from Porto Moniz hasn't been…
Nice ending of a successful 2016 pelagics' season!
After the previous pelagic expedition, in early August, we foreseen a greater activity of migrating seabirds for this final pelagic of 2016 though it turned out a bit quiet,…
Seabirds migration started! Great pelagic expedition, 2-4 August 2016
Another great pelagic expedition with the highlight of 2 Barolo's shearwater seen on 2 different days and positions! Skuas and Great shearwaters have been watched which means…
August 2016 - visitant birds to Madeira
August is when we start to get some vagrant birds to Madeira, not only in land but also at sea. During the second week of August wildfires hit Funchal and burnt a lot of people's…
One more successful deep sea pelagic expedition, July 2016
Another successful Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition run by Wind Birds! We've watched close all the aimed seabirds with the bonus that Great shearwaters are already passing through…
July 2016 visitant birds to Madeira
July is usually a quiet month for vagrant birds though some years some of the wintering birds extend their stay into summer... 27th July 2016 at Machico - reported by Daniel…
A record of Pterodromas on 28-30 June pelagic!!!
There was no better way to start this Pelagic Expedition than watching close 11 Zino's Petrel and 24 Fea's Petrel... What an amazing day! Indeed a record of Pterodromas as Wind…
Balearic Shearwater
Puffinus mauretanicus Lowe, 1921 · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
13th-15th June 2016 pelagic: Great seabirds and cetaceans!
Another successful Wind Birds' pelagic in the Northeast Atlantic! All aimed seabird species observed very close and 6 cetaceans' species! 13th of June 2016 - Northeast wind up to…
Petrels, Shearwaters & Storm-petrels = very successful pelagic!
Despite the low wind we certainly managed to get great close views of all the aimed species and more! 4 species of shearwaters, 4 storm-petrels and 3 petrels made our pelagic…
Birdwatching in Madeira in June 2016
Summer starts in June and although we get all Madeira seabirds around for their breeding grounds it is not such a good month for vagrant birds in land... Though there are still…
Storm-petrels pelagic, Madeira, May 2016
We guess we can call this pelagic a Storm-petrels pelagic expedition as those were the ones offering us a great show on the 2nd day! And we did observe all the species we aimed…
Great start for the Madeira Pelagics 2016!
Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca " class="img-responsive caption"/> In terms of weather and sea conditions we had a bit of everything and regarding seabird species we almost got them…
May 2016 - birdwatching sightings in Madeira
Birds act like Spring is already here but regarding temperatures and general weather it is still winter in Madeira. In April due to the snow in the first weeks and then strong…
April's 2016 visitant birds to Madeira
April started colder this year although while birdwatching one can already spot Spring behaviours in wildlife... A pair of Common Moorhen in Machico already has 4 chicks and…
17th March 2016 - Research Pelagic Trip Report
On the 17th of March 2016 Wind Birds run a pelagic day with a few participants on the 30th Annual Conference of the European Cetacean Society. We knew it was too early for Petrels…
March 2016 - Winter end and Spring start bird observations
March is that month when birds' songs and their flight displays start to fill the air... Going out for birdwatching might end up with a rare vagrant bird that was blown out of its…
February 2016 - visitant birds' observations to Madeira
After one of the warmest Januaries on the last 80 years, February started wet and cold in Madeira... Not the best weather to go out birdwatching though some interesting species…
Birds spending New Year 2016 at Madeira
Happy New Year to all Madeira Birds followers! January has started with warm weather, with temperatures up to 23ºC so lets see if we get any migrating bird species diverting their…
Madeira Birdwatching in December 2015
December has started warmer and drier than usual and although some storms are happening on the North Atlantic, in Madeira it still feels like summer and it still is quiet in terms…
Birding in Madeira in November 2015
Temperature just dropped as November started but the sun is shining! November is normally good for some vagrant ducks but Madeira is always a surprise box, we never know which…
European Stonechat
Saxicola rubicola (Linnaeus, 1766) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Vagrant Bird News for Madeira in October 2015
October tends to be a good month for vagrant birds in Madeira and it is also the month of the BirdLife Europe’s annual Euro Birdwatch, so lets see which migrating birds are blown…
Birdwatching for vagrant birds in Madeira, September 2015
September started with very light winds which does not push many birds into this piece of land in the North Atlantic... Even seabirds' migration is a bit slow... Lets see what the…
Porto Moniz Seawatching report - 1st half of September 2015
Jonathan & Elaine Lamplough, from UK, kindly sent us their seawatching observations from Porto Moniz, during the first 2 weeks of September Between the 2nd and the 9th of…
Madeira Pelagics' 2015 Grand Finale
Stercorarius pomarinus " class="img-responsive caption"/> What an ending to 2015 Zino’s Petrel Pelagic Expedition! Despite the light wind which made us postpone the last day we…
Seabirds migration pelagic expedition - 24th, 25th & 27th August 2015
Sterna paradisaea " class="img-responsive caption"/> Another Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition marked by the light wind though this time we managed to see some interesting seabird…
Pelagic birdwatching has its bad days as well... 17th to 19th August 2015
Xema sabini " class="img-responsive caption"/> It started well with good wind and 4 Fea's Petrels observed on the way to the chumming position and although we did not see Zino's…
Madeira Pelagic Trips, August 4, 5 & 6
A nice pelagic with a few seabirds species observed but we missed a well observed Zino's Petrel and it looks like White-faced Storm Petrel have already emigrated to South... 4th…
Visitant birds to Madeira in August 2015
Setophaga petechia " class="img-responsive caption"/> It seems migration started a bit earlier this year, at least for Seabirds as we already observed some Great shearwaters on…
Pelagic trip off Madeira 28th to 30th July 2015 - list fulfilled!
Stercorarius longicaudus " alt="Long tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus"/> We sure had great observations of all the aimed seabird species!
Birds visiting Madeira in July 2015
The heat wave in Europe might push some birds into the mild temperatures of Madeira... Let's watch which birds will visit this archipelago during July: 27th of July 2015 off Ponta…
A Zino's a day (on the pelagic expedition) keeps the stress away!
...And customers hurray! Another successful pelagic with not such a great number of seabirds but with great views of the aimed species! Of, course, Cory's shearwater Calonectris…
Great cetaceans' pelagic trip in Madeira, June 2015
On this pelagic the wind decided not to collaborate and so we had 2 days of very flat sea and no wind at all. These conditions are perfect for whale and dolphin watching but…
Madeira Petrels & Storm Petrels Pelagic Expedition, 16-18 June 2015
On this pelagic expedition Zino's petrel was only observed well with a definite identification on the second day but again, we saw all the aimed seabird species!! Of course,…
Madeira Pelagic Expedition marked by light wind, June 2015
Stercorarius skua " class="img-responsive caption"/> A pelagic marked by the very light wind, which is normally not good for seabirds, though we managed to watch all the aimed…
June 2015 vagrant birds' sightings in Madeira
The first days of June were marked by very strong winds from the Northeast quadrant so we might expect some interesting late migrants to visit Madeira... 27th of June 2015 at…
Seabirds observed on the Zino's Pelagic Expedition, 2nd to 4th of June 2015
Oceanodroma castro " class="img-responsive caption"/> This pelagic was marked by the irregular, choppy sea who made some of the participants seasick... But even though they have…
May 2015 Madeira Pelagic Expedition - we saw them all!
Indeed we saw them all! Although the wind conditions were not ideal we managed to watch close all the aimed species which makes this another successful Zino's Petrel Pelagic…
May 2015 - visitant birds to Madeira
May started quietly in terms of vagrant birds but on the 2nd half of the month the strong winds from the Northeast quadrant blown some interesting visitants to the island: 31st of…
First amazing Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2015
The first Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition of 2015 was a great success in terms of Pterodromas , with 10 Zino's and even one Fea's petrel - which was not expected by this time of…
April 2015 birdwatching reports for Madeira
April has started with a nice influx of passage birds (vagrant birds) in Madeira as the eastern winds blow a few migrants off their course: 26th of April 2015 at Ponta do Pargo >…
March 2015 birding report for Madeira
March means Spring and as one may consider that in Madeira it is Spring all year around, some of the resident bird species are already nesting and others displaying, so bird music…
Great White Egret
Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Madeira Birdwatching in February 2015
27th February 2015 at Lugar de Baixo Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 26th February 2015 at Machico Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Little Egret Egretta garzetta Ruddy Shelduck…
January 2015 Birdwatching reports for Madeira
First of all, Happy New Year to everyone! May your 2015 be a BIG Year! 30th January 2015 at Lugar de Baixo - observed by Peter & Jacky Truelove (UK) Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Great…
Birdwatching records for Madeira during December 2014
Larus hyperboreus " class="img-responsive caption"/>
November 2014 Birdwatching Report
27th November 2014 at Machico Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 4 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 26th November 2014 at Paul da Serra Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia At…
Monarch
Danaus plexippus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Nymphalidae · Resident in Madeira
Madeiran Grayling
Hipparchia maderensis (Bethune-Baker, 1891) · Nymphalidae · Endemic to Madeira
Madeiran Speckled Wood
Pararge xiphia (Fabricius, 1775) · Nymphalidae · Endemic to Madeira
Speckled Wood
Pararge aegeria (Linnaeus, 1758) · Nymphalidae · Resident in Madeira
False Plain Tiger
Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus, 1764) · Vagrant to Madeira
Macaronesian Red Admiral
Vanessa vulcania Godart, 1819 · Nymphalidae · Endemic to Madeira
Painted Lady
Vanessa cardui (Linnaeus, 1758) · Nymphalidae · Resident in Madeira
Red Admiral
Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758) · Nymphalidae · Resident in Madeira
Queen of Spain Fritillary
Issoria lathonia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Nymphalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lang's Short-tailed Blue
Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767) · Lycaenidae · Resident in Madeira
Geranium bronze
Cacyreus marshalli Butler, 1898 · Lycaenidae · Unconfirmed Record
Long-tailed Blue
Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767) · Lycaenidae · Resident in Madeira
Madeiran Small Copper
Lycaena phlaeas phlaeoides (Staudinger, 1901) · Lycaenidae · Endemic to Madeira
African Migrant
Catopsilia florella (Fabricius, 1775) · Pieridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Madeiran Cleopatra
Gonepteryx maderensis Felder, 1862 · Pieridae · Endemic to Madeira
Pale Clouded Yellow
Colias hyale (Linnaeus, 1758) · Pieridae · Unconfirmed Record
Clouded Yellow
Colias croceus (Geoffroy, 1785) · Pieridae · Resident in Madeira
Small White
Pieris rapae (Linnaeus, 1758) · Pieridae · Resident in Madeira
Madeiran Large White
Pieris brassicae wollastoni Butler, 1886 · Pieridae · Endemic to Madeira
Bluethroat
Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Short-toed Lark
Calandrella rufescens (Vieillot, 1820) · Alaudidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Tawny Owl
Strix aluco Linnaeus, 1758 · Strigidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Laughing Dove
Spilopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Columbidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wilson’s Snipe
Gallinago delicata (Ord, 1825) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
American Coot
Fulica americana Gmelin, 1789 · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Cape Verde Shearwater
Calonectris edwardsii (Oustalet, 1883) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mute Swan
Cygnus olor (Pallas, 1764) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Rough-legged Buzzard
Buteo lagopus (Pontoppidan, 1763) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Gyrfalcon
Falco rusticolus Linnaeus, 1758 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Madeira birdwatching - sightings report, October 2014
31st October 2014 at Porto Moniz - reported by Graham Scott (UK) Spotted sandpiper Actitis macularius 30th October 2014 at Lugar de Baixo White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris…
September 2014 birdwatching news for Madeira
September tends to be a good month for migratory birds passing by Madeira. Starting with seabird's migration where Porto Moniz is the best seawatching spot to observe them, there…
Madeira Pelagic Expedition for Seabird’s Migration - 26th to 28th August 2014
The wind was between 6 and 15 knots, during the 3 days, which allowed us to observe the different behaviour of the birds according to the sea and wind conditions. 1 Zino's Petrels…
Birdwatching in August 2014 in Madeira
In August starts the migration and so Madeira always get a few vagrants passing by on their way to the South. Though we are out of most of the birds' migration routes, we do get a…
Pelagic birdwatching expedition in Madeira - 12th to 14th August 2014
The wind did blow for this Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition ! In some places a bit too much as we could not go to one of the positions where we get more Storm petrels... Anyway,…
Madeira Pelagic Birding - 5th-7th August 2014
This Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition was named as "One of Each" with the nickname of "Half Noa's Ark" as, despite the good wind we had on the first 2 days we only got 1 bird of…
Madeira Pelagic Trip - 29th to 31st July 2014
This Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition was marked by light winds which are not the best conditions for seawatching. It makes the seabird's activity very slow and does not spread…
July 2014 vagrant bird species while birding in Madeira
July is not a very popular month for vagrant bird species though there are still a few found around the archipelago of Madeira. These are the birds seen while birding on Wind…
Madeira deep sea pelagic Expedition - June, 24th to 26th
A pelagic expedition with light westerly wind (not the predominant direction) that only allowed us a very brief view of a Zino's petrel on the first day and which was only…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - 17th to 19th June 2014
Another pelagic went by and though not so many seabird species were seen as on the previous pelagic by end of May 2014, there were good numbers and high quality sightings of…
June 2014 birdwatching news for Madeira
June is the first summer month though some late migrating bird species might still be around or visit Madeira. Lets see what Madeira gets: 21st June 2014 Ponta do Pargo Peregrine…
May 2014 Zino's Pelagic Expedition Report
2014 Madeira pelagic expeditions started with a long list of seabirds seen! 17 species of marine birds and 3 species of cetaceans were observed during the 3 days of Wind Birds'…
May reports for vagrant birds in Madeira
May is always a good month for vagrant birds in Madeira as a migration season. The 10th of May, the World Migratory Bird Day, surprised us with a Western Reef Heron which was the…
April's 2014 birding reports for Madeira
On the very first days of April the wind blowed strongly from west quadrant and rain fell heavily... As this is a migration month, lets see which vagrant species were blown off…
Zino's Petrels are back to Madeira for 2014 breeding season!
On the 4th of April 2014 Wind Birds started running their Zino’s Night Expedition to hear and sometimes see the silhouettes of this rare endemic seabird. On this first night tour…
March 2014 birding records for Madeira
March is here and Spring is arriving to Madeira! This is a good season to start watching the first land birds blown off course from their migration between Africa and Europe. 31st…
Spotted Crake
Porzana porzana (Linnaeus, 1766) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Bibliographic References
AGUIAR, A. M. F. & OLE KARSHOLT 2008. Lepidoptera. In: Borges, P.A.V., C. Abreu, A.M.F. Aguiar, P. Carvalho, R. Jardim, I. Melo, P. Oliveira, C. Sérgio, A.R.M. Serrano & P. Vieira…
Madeira Laurel Forest : Laurissilva
The Laurel forest, a unique subtropical humid forest, dates back to the Tertiary Period, when it occupied vast areas of southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin. Advancing…
February 2014 birding records for Madeira
This month Wind Birds is celebrating 10 years old and so birds and birdwatchers are all invited to come to Madeira and enjoy our nature and good weather! 26th February 2014 at…
Snow Bunting
Plectrophenax nivalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Calcariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Reed Bunting
Emberiza schoeniclus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Emberizidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Corn Bunting
Emberiza calandra Linnaeus, 1758 · Emberizidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mangrove Warbler
Setophaga petechia (Linnaeus, 1766) · Parulidae · Vagrant to Madeira
American Redstart
Setophaga ruticilla (Linnaeus, 1758) · Parulidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Serin
Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red Crossbill
Loxia curvirostra Linnaeus, 1758 · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Parrot Crossbill
Loxia pytyopsittacus von Borkhausen, 1793 · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Hawfinch
Coccothraustes coccothraustes (Linnaeus, 1758) · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Brambling
Fringilla montifringilla Linnaeus, 1758 · Fringillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-throated Pipit
Anthus cervinus (Pallas, 1811) · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Tree Pipit
Anthus trivialis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Meadow Pipit
Anthus pratensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Tawny Pipit
Anthus campestris (Linnaeus, 1758) · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pied Wagtail
Motacilla alba yarrellii Gould, 1837 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Citrine Wagtail
Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Dark-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava thunbergi Billberg, 1828 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ashy-headed Wagtail
Motacilla flava cinereocapilla Savi, 1831 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Iberian Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava iberiae Hartert, 1921 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Yellow Wagtail
Motacilla flava flava Linnaeus, 1758 · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Yellow-crowned Wagtail
Motacilla flava flavissima (Blyth, 1834) · Motacillidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Dunnock
Prunella modularis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Prunellidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-winged Red Bishop
Euplectes hordeaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ploceidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Yellow-crowned Bishop
Euplectes afer (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Ploceidae · Vagrant to Madeira
House Sparrow
Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Passeridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-breasted Flycatcher
Ficedula parva (Bechstein, 1792) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Pied Flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleuca (Pallas, 1764) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Blue Rock Thrush
Monticola solitarius (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Common Rock Thrush
Monticola saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Desert Wheatear
Oenanthe deserti (Temminck, 1825) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Greenland Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe leucorhoa (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Isabelline Wheatear
Oenanthe isabellina (Temminck, 1829) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
African Stonechat
Saxicola torquatus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Whinchat
Saxicola rubetra (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black Redstart
Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, SG, 1774) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin
Erythropygia galactotes (Temminck, 1820) · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchos Brehm, CL, 1831 · Muscicapidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mistle Thrush
Turdus viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758 · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos Brehm, CL, 1831 · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Redwing
Turdus iliacus Linnaeus, 1758 · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Fieldfare
Turdus pilaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-throated Thrush
Turdus ruficollis Pallas, 1776 · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ring Ouzel
Turdus torquatus alpestris (Brehm, CL, 1831) · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wood Thrush
Hylocichla mustelina (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Turdidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mandarin Duck
Aix galericulata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Breeding in Madeira
Greater Blue-eared Starling
Lamprotornis chalybaeus Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1828 · Sturnidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Spotless Starling
Sturnus unicolor Temminck, 1820 · Sturnidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Starling
Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Sturnidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Rosy Starling
Pastor roseus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Sturnidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Myna
Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Sturnidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Wren
Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) · Troglodytidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sardinian Warbler
Sylvia melanocephala (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Subalpine Warbler
Sylvia cantillans (Pallas, 1764) · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Whitethroat
Sylvia communis Latham, 1787 · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Orphean Warbler
Sylvia hortensis (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Whitethroat
Sylvia curruca (Linnaeus, 1758) · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Garden Warbler
Sylvia borin (Boddaert, 1783) · Sylviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Zitting Cisticola
Cisticola juncidis (Rafinesque, 1810) · Cisticolidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Grasshopper Warbler
Locustella naevia (Boddaert, 1783) · Locustellidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Icterine Warbler
Hippolais icterina (Vieillot, 1817) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Melodious Warbler
Hippolais polyglotta (Vieillot, 1817) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler
Iduna pallida (Hemprich & Ehrenberg, 1833) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Marsh Warbler
Acrocephalus palustris (Bechstein, 1798) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sedge Warbler
Acrocephalus schoenobaenus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Reed Warbler
Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Acrocephalidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Two-barred Warbler
Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus Swinhoe, 1861 · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Yellow-browed Warbler
Phylloscopus inornatus (Blyth, 1842) · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein, 1792) · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Bonelli's Warbler
Phylloscopus bonelli (Vieillot, 1819) · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Iberian Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus ibericus Ticehurst, 1937 · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Chiffchaff
Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot, 1817) · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Phylloscopidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-rumped Swallow
Cecropis daurica (Laxmann, 1769) · Hirundinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common House Martin
Delichon urbicum (Linnaeus, 1758) · Hirundinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Crag Martin
Ptyonoprogne rupestris (Scopoli, 1769) · Hirundinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Barn Swallow
Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758 · Hirundinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sand Martin
Riparia riparia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Hirundinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Skylark
Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 · Alaudidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Woodlark
Lullula arborea (Linnaeus, 1758) · Alaudidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Greater Short-toed Lark
Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler, 1814) · Alaudidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Calandra Lark
Melanocorypha calandra (Linnaeus, 1766) · Alaudidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Raven
Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758 · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Brown-necked Raven
Corvus ruficollis Lesson, 1831 · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Hooded Crow
Corvus cornix cornix Linnaeus, 1758 · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Carrion Crow
Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758 · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Rook
Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758 · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Jackdaw
Coloeus monedula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Corvidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Golden Oriole
Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Oriolidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Woodchat Shrike
Lanius senator Linnaeus, 1758 · Laniidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-backed Shrike
Lanius collurio Linnaeus, 1758 · Laniidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquilla Linnaeus, 1758 · Picidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Bee-eater
Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758 · Meropidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Blue-cheeked Bee-eater
Merops persicus Pallas, 1773 · Meropidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Alcedinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Roller
Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758 · Coraciidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Swift
Apus affinis (Gray, JE, 1830) · Apodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Swift
Apus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Apodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Alpine Swift
Tachymarptis melba (Linnaeus, 1758) · Apodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Nightjar
Caprimulgus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758 · Caprimulgidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-necked Nightjar
Caprimulgus ruficollis Temminck, 1820 · Caprimulgidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Short-eared Owl
Asio flammeus (Pontoppidan, 1763) · Strigidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Long-eared Owl
Asio otus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Strigidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Scops Owl
Otus scops (Linnaeus, 1758) · Strigidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Cuckoo
Cuculus canorus Linnaeus, 1758 · Cuculidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Spotted Cuckoo
Clamator glandarius (Linnaeus, 1758) · Cuculidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Rose-ringed Parakeet
Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) · Psittacidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Woodpigeon
Columba palumbus palumbus Linnaeus, 1758 · Columbidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Alcidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Auk
Alle alle (Linnaeus, 1758) · Alcidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Long-tailed Jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus Vieillot, 1819 · Stercorariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Parasitic Jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Stercorariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pomarine Skua
Stercorarius pomarinus (Temminck, 1815) · Stercorariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Skua
Stercorarius skua (Brünnich, 1764) · Stercorariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
South Polar Skua
Stercorarius maccormicki Saunders, H, 1893 · Stercorariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black Tern
Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus, 1758) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybrida (Pallas, 1811) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Arctic Tern
Sterna paradisaea Pontoppidan, 1763 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Tern
Sternula albifrons (Pallas, 1764) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sandwich Tern
Thalasseus sandvicensis (Latham, 1787) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Caspian Tern
Hydroprogne caspia (Pallas, 1770) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Gull-billed Tern
Gelochelidon nilotica (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Herring Gull
Larus argentatus Pontoppidan, 1763 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Iceland Gull
Larus glaucoides Meyer, B, 1822 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Glaucous Gull
Larus hyperboreus Gunnerus, 1767 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Black-backed Gull
Larus marinus Linnaeus, 1758 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ring-billed Gull
Larus delawarensis Ord, 1815 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mew Gull
Larus canus Linnaeus, 1758 · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pallas' Gull
Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus (Pallas, 1773) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mediterranean Gull
Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Temminck, 1820) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Franklin's Gull
Leucophaeus pipixcan (Wagler, 1831) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Laughing Gull
Leucophaeus atricilla (Linnaeus, 1758) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Gull
Hydrocoloeus minutus (Pallas, 1776) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-headed Gull
Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Bonaparte's Gull
Chroicocephalus philadelphia (Ord, 1815) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sabine's Gull
Xema sabini (Sabine, 1819) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-legged Kittiwake
Rissa tridactyla (Linnaeus, 1758) · Laridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Collared Pratincole
Glareola pratincola (Linnaeus, 1766) · Glareolidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Cream-coloured Courser
Cursorius cursor (Latham, 1787) · Glareolidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red Phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-necked Phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wilson's Phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor (Vieillot, 1819) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ruff
Philomachus pugnax (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Tryngites subruficollis (Vieillot, 1819) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Baltic Dunlin
Calidris alpina schinzii (Brehm, CL & Schilling, 1822) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Dunlin
Calidris alpina alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Purple Sandpiper
Calidris maritima (Brünnich, 1764) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea (Pontoppidan, 1763) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper
Calidris acuminata (Horsfield, 1821) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pectoral Sandpiper
Calidris melanotos (Vieillot, 1819) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
White-rumped Sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis (Vieillot, 1819) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Stint
Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Sandpiper
Calidris mauri (Cabanis, 1857) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Calidris pusilla (Linnaeus, 1766) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sanderling
Calidris alba (Pallas, 1764) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red Knot
Calidris canutus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Spotted Sandpiper
Actitis macularius (Linnaeus, 1766) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wood Sandpiper
Tringa glareola Linnaeus, 1758 · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Solitary Sandpiper
Tringa solitaria Wilson, A, 1813 · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus Linnaeus, 1758 · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Greenshank
Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein, 1803) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Redshank
Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Spotted Redshank
Tringa erythropus (Pallas, 1764) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Upland Sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda (Bechstein, 1812) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Curlew
Numenius arquata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus hudsonicus Latham, 1790 · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus phaeopus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-tailed Godwit
Limosa limosa (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Snipe
Gallinago gallinago (Linnaeus, 1758) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Snipe
Gallinago media (Latham, 1787) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Jack Snipe
Lymnocryptes minimus (Brünnich, 1764) · Scolopacidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Dotterel
Charadrius morinellus Linnaeus, 1758 · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Ringed Plover
Charadrius dubius curonicus Gmelin, JF, 1789 · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Killdeer
Charadrius vociferus Linnaeus, 1758 · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Ringed Plover
Charadrius hiaticula Linnaeus, 1758 · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarola (Linnaeus, 1758) · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
American Golden Plover
Pluvialis dominica (Statius Müller, 1776) · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pacific Golden Plover
Pluvialis fulva (Gmelin, JF, 1789) · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria (Linnaeus, 1758) · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Lapwing
Vanellus vanellus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Charadriidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pied Avocet
Recurvirostra avosetta Linnaeus, 1758 · Recurvirostridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-winged Stilt
Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Recurvirostridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Oystercatcher
Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758 · Haematopodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
African Oystercatcher
Haematopus moquini Bonaparte, 1856 · Haematopodidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Burhinidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Crane
Grus grus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Gruidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Morhen
Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850 · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Purple Gallinule
Porphyrio martinicus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Allen's Gallinule
Porphyrio alleni Thomson, 1842 · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Purple Swamphen
Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Sora
Porzana carolina (Linnaeus, 1758) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Baillon's Crake
Porzana pusilla (Pallas, 1776) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Crake
Porzana parva (Scopoli, 1769) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Corn Crake
Crex crex (Linnaeus, 1758) · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758 · Rallidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Bustard
Tetrax tetrax (Linnaeus, 1758) · Otididae · Vagrant to Madeira
Barbary Falcon
Falco pelegrinoides Temminck, 1829 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus Tunstall, 1771 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Hobby
Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Merlin
Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eleonora's Falcon
Falco eleonorae Géné, 1839 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-footed Falcon
Falco vespertinus Linnaeus, 1766 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Lesser Kestrel
Falco naumanni Fleischer, JG, 1818 · Falconidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Booted Eagle
Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, JF, 1788) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Bonelli's Eagle
Aquila fasciata Vieillot, 1822 · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Long-legged Buzzard
Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar, 1829) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Montagu's Harrier
Circus pygargus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Hen Harrier
Circus cyaneus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Marsh Harrier
Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black Kite
Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red Kite
Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Honey Buzzard
Pernis apivorus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Osprey
Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Pandionidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo (Linnaeus, 1758) · Phalacrocoracidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Shag
Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761) · Phalacrocoracidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Brown Booby
Sula leucogaster (Boddaert, 1783) · Sulidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Gannet
Morus bassanus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Sulidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Magnificent Frigatebird
Fregata magnificens Mathews, 1914 · Fregatidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Western Reef Heron
Egretta gularis (Bosc, 1792) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Purple Heron
Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766 · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Western Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides (Scopoli, 1769) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Green Heron
Butorides virescens (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-crowned Night Heron
Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Bittern
Ixobrychus minutus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Bittern
Botaurus stellaris (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ardeidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 · Thereskiornithidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Thereskiornithidae · Vagrant to Madeira
White Stork
Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ciconiidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black Stork
Ciconia nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) · Ciconiidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Red-billed Tropicbird
Phaethon aethereus Linnaeus, 1758 · Phaethontidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-necked Grebe
Podiceps nigricollis Brehm, CL, 1831 · Podicipedidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Horned Grebe
Podiceps auritus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Podicipedidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Little Grebe
Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) · Podicipedidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Scopoli's Shearwater
Calonectris diomedea (Scopoli, 1769) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Soft-plumaged Petrel
Pterodroma mollis (Gould, 1844) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Northern Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialis (Linnaeus, 1761) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Northern Loon
Gavia immer (Brünnich, 1764) · Gaviidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-throated Loon
Gavia arctica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Gaviidae · Vagrant to Madeira (unconfirmed)
Red-breasted Merganser
Mergus serrator Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Merganser
Mergus merganser Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Goldeneye
Bucephala clangula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Long-tailed Duck
Clangula hyemalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Scoter
Melanitta nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Surf Scoter
Melanitta perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Greater Scaup
Aythya marila (Linnaeus, 1761) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Tufted Duck
Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ring-necked Duck
Aythya collaris (Donovan, 1809) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Marbled Duck
Marmaronetta angustirostris (Ménétries, 1832) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Green-winged Teal
Anas carolinensis Gmelin, JF, 1789 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Teal
Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Garganey
Anas querquedula Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Pintail
Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Northern Shoveler
Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Blue-winged Teal
Anas discors Linnaeus, 1766 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
American Wigeon
Anas americana Gmelin, JF, 1789 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Wigeon
Anas penelope Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Gadwall
Anas strepera Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Common Shelduck
Tadorna tadorna (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Brant Goose
Branta bernicla (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Greater White-fronted Goose
Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Grey-lag Goose
Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Pink-footed Goose
Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon, 1834 · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Taiga Bean Goose
Anser fabalis (Latham, 1787) · Anatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Eurasian Collared Dove
Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) · Columbidae · Breeding in Madeira
European Turtle Dove
Streptopelia turtur (Linnaeus, 1758) · Columbidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Anatidae · Breeding in Madeira
Muscovy Duck
Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Anatidae · Breeding in Madeira
Sooty Shearwater
Puffinus griseus (Gmelin, 1789) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Great Shearwater
Puffinus gravis (O'Reilly, 1818) · Procellariidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Black-bellied Storm Petrel
Fregetta tropica (Gould, 1844) · Hydrobatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Leach's Storm-petrel
Oceanodroma leucorhoa (Vieillot, 1818) · Hydrobatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Swinhoe's Storm-petrel
Oceanodroma monorhis (Swinhoe, 1867) · Hydrobatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
European Storm Petrel
Hydrobates pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Hydrobatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
Wilson's Storm-petrel
Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl, 1820) · Hydrobatidae · Vagrant to Madeira
January 2014 birding records for Madeira
Happy New Year!!! First we wish you a successful 2014 with many new species on your life list and great birdwatching experiences. January still brings some vagrant birds to…
December 2013 birdwatching records for Madeira
In December there are still some vagrant birds that decide to spend Christmas or New Year's in Madeira and with the storms that have been moving in the North Atlantic there might…
Zino's Petrel
Pterodroma madeira Mathews, 1934 · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
November 2013 birdwatching reports for Madeira
November is always a great time for Nearctic (North America) vagrant birds. Waders and Ducks are the easy ones to find, smaller passerines simply disappear in our Laurel Forest.…
Wilson's Snipe - first record for Madeira archipelago!
On the 19th and on the 21st of October 2013 a Snipe was observed in Machico river and was misidentified as a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago . Fortunately Hugo took some photos…
Yellow-legged Gull
Larus michahellis Naumann, 1840 · Laridae · Breeding in Madeira
October 2013 birding news for Madeira
The autumn has started but so far the winds have been light this month. Lets see what October brings to Madeira in terms of bird species... 23rd October at Lugar de Baixo Common…
White-faced Storm Petrel
Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca (Webb, Berth. & Mouq. Tandon, 1841) · Hydrobatidae · Breeding in Madeira
September 2013 birdwatching news for Madeira
September is being a good month for North American birds, so far... 28th September in Caniçal 3 Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 27th September in Chão Ribeira 1…
Madeira Pelagic Expedition for Petrels - August 26th, 27th & 28th
Deep Sea Pelagic Expedition - August 9th, 10th & 12th
August 2013 vagrant birds for Madeira
August has been hot and there are already some bird species visiting Madeira, as: 30th of August at Machico harbour - recorded by Andy Paterson (ESP) 1 Gyrfalcon Falco rusticolus…
Madeira Pelagic Expedition - 30th July to 2nd August 2013
July birdwatching news for Madeira
July was a quiet month in terms of vagrant birds but here are the highlights: 30th July 2013 at Santo da Serra Golf Course Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva 21st July 2013 at…
16th, 17th & 18th July 2013 - a marine mammals pelagic!
Indeed, this pelagic was not so good for seabirds but was amazing for marine mammals! We observed more species of cetaceans than birds and we even watched the rare Mediterranean…
Pterodromas pelagic trip - 25th, 26th & 27th June 2013
Another successful pelagic with observation of all species aimed! The first day was not a Pterodroma day as the chumming position chosen was for Storm-petrels but the other 2 days…
Vagrant bird species observed in June 2013
3rd June 2013 off Calheta 1 Red-billed Tropic Bird Phaethon aethereus 2nd June 2013 at Lugar de Baixo 1 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis 1 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
2nd record of Long-tailed Duck to Madeira archipelago
Zino's Petrel Pelagic 2013 - May 28th, 29th & 30th
The 2013 Zino's Petrels Pelagic Expeditions have started and the most desired bird - Zino's Petrel - was well observed, at a close distance, on the 1st day! 28th May…
Mark Coller's seawatching report from 6th to 13th May 2013
Below is a seawatching report between the 6th and the 13th of May 2013 sent us by Mark Coller (UK). His base was Eden Mar Hotel in Lido area, near Ponta da Cruz, Funchal. 13th May…
Madeira birdwatching news for May 2013
May is here and by the end of the month starts the Zino's Petrels Pelagic Expeditions ! Meantime Bulwer's petrel are back to Madeira and can be observed on the Bird, dolphin &…
April 2013 birding news for Madeira
April started very quiet in what regards to vagrant birds... The wind has been light in contrast with March but we are still waiting for some strong easterly winds to blow some…
Frank Zino's bird report of Porto Santo on 13th April 2013
We here thank to Frank Zino for sending us his trip report about the bird species observed in Porto Santo island on the 13th of April 2013. Tanque: 1 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 3…
March 2013 birding news for Madeira
On the first week of March Madeira was under a stormy weather with very strong winds blowing from the western quarter, so after the storm it is time to look for vagrant birds that…
Mediterranean Monk Seal Monachus monachus
In Madeira Island reports of Mediterranean Monk Seals Monachus monachus go back to the 15th century, when the Portuguese navigators arrived at the island for the first time. The…
Madeira Butterflies
Madeira, as an island, has a distinct habitat from other mainland continents and the butterflies that survived to a long distance migration or were transported somehow sometimes…
Madeira Birdwatching news for February 2013
February started with some strong winds from the East quadrant which normally brings some different vagrant birds to Madeira. So lets see which birds landed in Madeira for the…
Birdwatching in Madeira
Madeira Archipelago offers good conditions to birdwatchers, not only in terms of breeding birds but also vagrant bird species. Though there are only 47 breeding species to these…
Madeira Bats
When Madeira Island was discovered the only mammals that exist here were bats and monk seals. All other mammals found nowadays on this island were introduced, such as rats, mice,…
Cetaceans in Madeira - dolphins and whales
Tursiops truncatus " alt="Common Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus"/> The location of the Archipelago of Madeira in the North Atlantic ocean is ideal for watching some…
January 2013 birdwatching news for Madeira
Happy Birding New Year! The new year started with great weather, sunny days with light wind and 19ºC of average temperature. This would attract any visitor for a winter break but…
December 2012 bird news for Madeira
December is always a good month for vagrant birds in Madeira and the first day of birdwatching around the island was somewhat productive... 30th December 2012 on a Bird, dolphin &…
Jérôme Fournier and Andrea Panizza Bird Trip report
Jérôme and Andrea from France have kindly sent their bird observations while on a family holiday in Madeira, from November 24th to December 1st. 1 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 1…
November 2012 birdwatching news for Madeira
November has started very wet and with strong winds increasing the amount of sightings for vagrant birds... Madeira this month is having some interesting vagrant birds... 28th…
Cinammon or Blue-winged Teal : 1st or 2nd Record for Madeira
1st record of Cinammon Teal or 2nd record of Blue-winged Teal? - let us know your thoughts on the comment's box below! Today, on the 19th of October 2012 at Faial river mouth at…
3rd record of Common Scoter for Madeira
On morning of the 15th of October 2012 Andrea & Harald Grabenhofer from Austria observed and identified an immature Common Scoter Melanitta nigra in Calheta marina, Madeira. They…
October birdwatching news for Madeira
31st October 2012 at Caniçal 1 Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 30th October 2012 at Faial - reported by Heikki Vasamies, Finland 2 Mallards Anas platyrhynchos 1 Wigeon Anas…
September bird news for Madeira
Just as September is ending the species of vagrant birds visiting Madeira are getting more interesting... So far we had the uncommon records of 2 Buff-breasted sandpipers at Paul…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - August 28, 29, 30
The last Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2012 gave the highest number of species seen this year on a Wind Birds' pelagic trips as this was migration time and so several…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - August 22, 23, 24
Seabirds migration has started! We can say that by the species we already got during this Wind Birds Zino's Petrel Madeira Pelagic Expedition! 24th of August 2012 At the back of…
August 2012 bird news for Madeira
End of August is always a good time of the year to start to find surprising birds in Madeira... So far we already got 4 Eleonora's Falcons but the migrating season has just…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - August 10, 11, 13
Again, a fantastic Madeira Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition, by Wind Birds , went by with the aimed species well observed and with an amazing encounter with Bryde's whale! 13th of…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - August 6, 7, 8
This was the pelagic trip with less wind so far this year but Wind Birds team managed to find the aimed birds! Only White-faced Storm Petrel was missed but in compensation we got…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - August 1, 2, 3
The first Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition of August 2012 already showed some vagrant birds as Wilson's storm petrel and Sooty shearwater but the later in the month the better it…
July 2012 birdwatching news for Madeira
21st July 2012 at Faial river mouth Kingfisher Alcedo atthis - observed by Thierry Decouttere (TD) from France and also observed on the 26th by Thomas Kuppel from Germany 20th…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - July 23, 24, 25
Another Pelagic Expedition in Madeira run with good quality observations though not such big numbers of species seen... 25th July 1 Pterodroma sp. on the way to the chum 1 Arctic…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - July 10, 11, 12
A great pelagic trip where good species of pelagic birds were seen though the White-faced petrel did not visited us this time... Well, that is birdwatching! But the 7 different…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - June 12, 13, 14
This Madeira Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition, by Wind Birds was very rewarding though a bit tiring as strong wind is what the seabirds love though it makes the trip a bit hard…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - June 4, 5, 6
One more memorable Madeira Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition, by Wind Birds , went by with the aimed species well observed and with extraordinary moments performed by Gervai's…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - May 28, 29, 30
Another successful pelagic expedition has finished with all targeted species of seabirds observed with the highlights being the amazing encounters with sea mammals, such as…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2012 - May 22, 23, 24
Following the success of the last years the 2012 pelagic trips season started. May 25 2 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea Bulwer's petrel…
May 2012 birdwatching news for Madeira
Inland birdwatching in Madeira, during May 2012, produced the following vagrant bird observations: 30th May Cabo Girão Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 27th May Lugar de Baixo…
March 2012 observations in Madeira
3 first records during March for Madeira: 1st confirmed record of Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius on the 10th by Petr Podzemny from Czech Republic. On the 14th 1st record of…
February 2012 bird observations
This month, more exactly on the 11th February 2012 it made 5 years since the Green-wingged teal was first recorded in Ribeira da Janela and this american bird is still in the same…
1st record of American Coot for Madeira
January 2012 bird observations in Madeira
January has almost been a summer month in Madeira this year and we believe that will be one of the reasons for some of the vagrant birds to stay around for a while. As it has not…
December 2011 bird observations in Madeira
On the last month of 2011 Madeira received several vagrant birds from which a big group of Glossy Ibis, a rare vagrant to this archipelago and the numbers seen are not common at…
November 2011 bird records in Madeira
November was good for migrating birds to stop by Madeira Island. Some European species and an American one made our birdwatching month with the 1st confirmed record of Hen Harrier…
October 2011 bird records in Madeira
The Madeira bird news of October include some rare vagrants and some more common while the Yellow-crowned Night Heron, on the 2nd of October 2011, was still around Funchal marina…
September observations in Madeira & Porto Santo Islands
September is normally a good month for vagrant birds and this year, 2011, was not an exception. From American to European vagrants Madeira was visited mainly by sandpipers, though…
Zino's Petrel & Migration deep sea pelagic trip
Although the wind this time did not blow much on our Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition , we did get several vagrant seabirds species on the chum and passing by. Blainville's beaked…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2011 - August 8, 9 & 10th
It seems seabirds migration has started earlier this year as during our Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition on the 8th, 9th and 10th of August several migrating birds, which we would…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2011 - August 4, 5 & 6th
One more Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition which has been a success, as all the target species were seen close by. These are the only real pelagic trips that are run in Madeira and…
Black Bellied Storm-petrel: Madeira 1st Record
Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Funchal Marina
Video by Max Berlijn of the Yellow Yellow-crowned Night Heron in Funchal Marina, August 1, 2011. Update: This birds was last seen August 22nd by Funchal Marina.
5th Zino's Petrel Pelagic 2011
Another successful pelagic trip was run by Madeira Wind Birds, despite the not so comfortable sea conditions! It started with 20 knots of wind and 3 meters waves which got better…
4th Zino's Petrel Pelagic 2011
Another great pelagic with displays of dolphins and Storm-petrels. Finishing with a bully Great Skua.
3rd Zino's Petrel Pelagic 2011: 1st record South Polar Skua
Another Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition was run on the last 3 days and the highlight of it was the 1st record for South Polar Skua Stercorarius maccormicki for Madeira! 30th of…
2nd Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 2011
The 2nd Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2011 has run successfully, with many seabirds observed at a close distance, even with rough sea!
2nd record of European Honey Buzzard for Madeira archipelago
On the 21st of May 2011 the group of Spanish birdwatchers who joined us on the first Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition of 2011 went to Porto Santo Island and on the golf course…
1st Zino's Petrels Pelagic Expedition of 2011
The first 2011 Zino's Petrels' Pelagic Expedition was another success though Fea's Petrel was not seen... Which make us wonder that this year they are arriving later…
Birding in Madeira by Graham Ekins
Sightings of Graham Ekins between May 12 and May 14, 2011.
Yellow-crowned Night Heron, April 2011
3rd year Eurasian Coots are breeding in Madeira and Porto Santo
Zino's Petrels are back to Madeira!!!
Since the 6th of April 2011 we were sure that Zino's Petrels Pterodroma madeira were back to Madeira as we heard them near their breeding colony, but we wanted to be sure that…
1st record for Yellow-crowned Wagtail
1st record for Corn Bunting in Madeira
Murdo Macdonald sent us an e-mail yesterday, reporting his sighting of a Corn Bunting Miliaria calandra in Ponta do Pargo ,on the 10th April 2011 . These were his words: "A single…
Yellow-crowned Night Heron - 1st for Madeira, 3rd for Western Palearctic
It seems that this Heron has been around Funchal marina since the beginning of February 2011 at least, though the people who observed were curious but not real birdwatchers...…
A few observations around Funchal by Totti Toiskallio
Hello Madeira birders, I was staying in Funchal from 7th February to 13th February for a non-birding holiday with my wife. Although this was a "family vacation", I had my…
Migrants passing by Madeira Island on the 12th March 2006
Yesterday at sunset on Lagoa (Lagoon) do Lugar de Baixo there were: 1 Common Sandpiper 1 Ringed Plover 1 Redshank 3 Cattle Egrets 3 Little Egrets As usual there were 2 Moorhens, 1…
3rd August 2005 - Night Expedition
HG Karlsson & all (Sweeden) and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) After a long drive from Porto Moniz we arrived at Pico do Areeiro. The wind was less than the day before but…
The long-staying Green-winged teal at Lugar de Baixo has died
Mr. Silva picking the body of the green-winged teal Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis On the 15th February 2011 the long-staying Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis at Lugar de…
Porto Santo - January 2011 observations
The 18th of December 2010 Tim Farr reported a Goosander at Tanque pond, in Porto Santo. This first record for Madeira archipelago was confirmed by Catarina, Hugo, M. Biscoito and…
Birds spending Christmas in Madeira Island
Lapwings Vanellus vanellus Green-winged teal with 2 females teal sp. Christmas in Madeira is always popular with tourists and with migrant birds as well. So this is the latest…
Scopoli Shearwater fly around Madeira Island
Hugo and Catarina, from Madeira Wind Birds were present at the GIAM (Iberian Group fro Seabirds) congress that took place in Santurtzi, Biscaya, Spain on the 30th and 31st of…
Ponta do Pargo still get some birds
Madeira Wind Birds changed the full-day birdwatching tour itinerary due to the devastation made in Ponta do Pargo for the construction of a golf course. This way we did not have…
Gadwalls and Reed Bunting in Madeira
Short news for two interesting records for Madeira on October 26, 2010: Lugar de Baixo at 9am a juvenile Gadwall Anas strepera was seen. Later at 7pm a drake Gadwall was seen at…
Birdwatching Festival in Machico river
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla Machico river , in Madeira Island, is helding a festival of migrating birds with some very rare visitors to Madeira... Have a look at what…
Ringing trip to Selvagens Islands
On the 21st September 2010 Catarina & Hugo embarked on the Portuguese navy ship " NRP Cacine" together with Frank Zino for a ringing session of Cory's shearwaters in Selvagem…
Arctic skuas and Pacific Golden Plover along Madeira coast
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus pale adult summer Today, the 16th September 2010 on a land birdwatching tour the following vagrant birds were observed: 2 Arctic Skuas…
Another first record for Madeira - Pacific Golden Plover
Another first record for Madeira - Pacific Golden Plover Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva The end of 2010 Summer is being very…
2nd record for Solitary Sandpiper in Madeira
Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria 11 days after the 1st record of a Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria for Madeira Island it has been observed again on another location than…
Migration pelagic 30th & 31st August and 1st & 3rd September 2010
Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis Pectoral and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers Wilson Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Red Knot Calidris canutus…
Solitary Sandpiper at Lugar de Baixo
Solitary Sandpiper at Lugar de Baixo pond, Madeira Island. It was first seen in the morning of the 2nd September 2010 but at 3:20 pm it was not seen though it might be on the…
Sharp-tailed & Pectoral Sandpipers in Lugar de Baixo
The Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata observed yesterday, the 27th August 2010 in Lugar de Baixo is still at this pond and now he has a friend, a Pectoral Sandpiper…
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper in Madeira - 1st record
Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata Today, on the 27th of August 2010, a group from DOF travel with Erik Mølgaard (DEN) has spotted and identified a Sharp-tailed sandpiper…
Porto Moniz Seawatching 2010
Observations by Michel de Lange (NED), Ben Wielstra, Erik Kleyheeg
Another great pelagic trip in Madeira seas - August 2010
Fea's petrel Pterodroma feae Fea's petrel & White-faced Storm-petrel Pterodroma feae & Pelagodroma marina Fea's petrel, White-faced Storm-petrel & Cory's shearwater Despite the…
Brown Booby seen twice on pelagic trips off Madeira
Brown booby Sula leucogaster Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii Long-tailed skua Stercorarius longicaudus Grey Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius Beaked whale Another trip report of a…
Another successful pelagic expedition
Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae Zino's Petrel Petrodroma madeira European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 9 June 2010 - wind NNW 17 knots, waves 3 mt Fea's petrels (more than 30) 1…
Swinhoe's Storm Petrel off Madeira
For the first time a Swinhoe's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma monorhis was properly documented at sea in Portugal waters. These sighting occurred during the 2nd day, of the 3rd…
3rd Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - trip report
Here are the bird records of the 3rd commercial Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition which took place from on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of June 2010. Again, it was a success and it is now…
Despite habitat loss Coots breed in Lugar de Baixo for the 2nd year!
Once again Nature was stronger and overcame the loss of habitat in Lugar de Baixo pond in Ponta do Sol, Madeira. Today we could observe 4 chicks of Coot Fulica atra being fed by 2…
2nd Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - trip report
On our second commercial pelagic trip to observe Zino's petrel and several other petrels, in what is called the ultimate pelagics in the Western Palearctic, these are the seabird…
Mark Coller's special bird records in Madeira
"I have put together a list of the more interesting birds that i saw on my holiday: Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea borealis Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii 14th May 2010 PM…
The Ultimate Western Palearctic Pelagic Expedition: Madeira, May 2010 by Hadoram Shirihai
Hadoram and Hugo on their quest for petrels After some days of hard work, not only at sea but also at desk, we are finally publishing the report of the latest quest for Petrels in…
1st Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition - trip report
Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira Sabine's gull Xema sabini Grey phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius On the 14th, 15th and 16th May 2010 Maeira Wind birds run its 1st commercial Zino's…
Madeira special vagrants
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) 9th May 2010 at sea on the eastern tip - on a bird, dolphin and whale watching trip with Madeira Wind Birds 1 Great Skua Stercorarius skua -…
The Ultimate Western Palearctic Pelagic Expedition: Madeira, May 2010
The Ultimate WP Pelagic Expedition: Madeira, May 2010 3-13 May, 2010 With the first video of Zino's Petrel at sea Expedition report by Hadoram Shirihai (Tubenoses Project /…
Zino's Petrel unseen video footage to be released on May 9, 2010
Zino's Petrel unseen video footage to be released on May 9, 2010
Purple Sandpiper in Madeira - less than 5 records
Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) Thursday 29th April at Seixal - Chão da Ribeira Trocaz Pigeon: 5 Common Buzzard: 1 Grey Wagtail: 2…
April 9th - Red-rumped Swallow and European Bee-eater
On April 9th several accidental vagrants were seen at Caniçal, Madeira : 3 European Bee-eater At least 30 Barn Swallow, one of the Barn Swallows was possibly a Hirundo rustica…
16th March - Peregrine falcon at Porto Moniz
On a full-day birdwatching on the 16th of March 2010 we saw all the endemic species of Madeira, such as Berthelot's Pipit, Madeira Chaffinch, Spectacle Warbler, Trocaz Pigeon,…
Birdwatching in Madeira on the 20th February 2010
Now that Madeira has been cleaned from the mud, despite the families who lost their beloved and homes, who we respect and care for, we are publishing a cartoon, sent by John…
Birds & Dolphins watching trip - 10th March 2010
'Oceanodroma' has started to take people out to the sea to watch birds, whales and dolphins in eastern Madeira . On the 10th of March 2010 on a morning sea trip around Ponta de…
The vagrant's season has started
1 Hudsonian together with 2 Eurasian Whimbrels Though weather has not been proper for birdwatching, here are the highlights for the starting of the vagrant birds season: 1st of…
Sightings on Madeira holiday 15-22nd February 2010 by Allen Pocock
Green-wing Teal at Lugar de Baixo American Wigeon at Lugar de Baixo Madeira Chaffinch Madeira Wind Birds thanks Allen Pocock for his e-mail with sightings and interesting comments…
Sad news for Madeira Birdwatching
Lugar de Baixo pond in Ponta do Sol Birdwatching spot at Ponta do Sol Unfortunately the heavy rains and floods that Madeira held last Saturday, the 20th February 2010 not only…
Cory's Shearwaters are back to Madeira for 2010!
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea Today, the 12th of February 2010 was the first day we spotted Cory's Shearwaters at sea for this year! So we can now say that Cory's are…
Early February 2010 bird news
Though Spring hasn't arrived yet Madeira Wind Birds has spotted some swallows already in Madeira! On the 9th of February 2010 in Caniçal : 2 Barn Swallows 22 Grey Herons - all…
Bird observations at Funchal bay
On the 24th January 2010 at Funchal bay the following birds were recorded: 1 Sandwich Tern 1 Mediterranean Gull More than 20 Black-headed Gulls 3 Little Egrets In Machico there…
Full-day birdwatching observations
Yesterday, the 22nd January 2010 the following special bird records were made: At Lugar de Baixo 4 American Wigeons 1 Green-wing Teal At Ponta do Pargo 1 Stonechat Much sadness as…
Great Northern Loon again in Madeira
A Great Northern Loon was spotted yesterday, 14th of January 2010 by Catarina & Hugo from Madeira Wind Birds in Caniçal , as shown on the video below. Another bird (or maybe the…
First birdwatching tour in Madeira in 2010
On the 2nd of January 2010 Catarina & Hugo from Madeira Wind Birds guided a full-day birdwatching tour for Jane & James (from Scotland) and here are the special observations:…
MEGA bird for Madeira - Dark-eyed Junco - 1st record
On the 20th December 2009 along the Lido promenade in Funchal Catarina & Hugo, from Madeira Wind Birds recorded what is called a LBJ, i.e. a Little Brown Job which turned out to…
Vagrant birds in Madeira - December 2009
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Mediterranean Larus melanocephalus American Wigeon Anas americana Vagrant birds are still visiting Madeira Island and here are the last updates to the…
American ducks in Madeira Island
American Wigeons Anas americana Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis Wood Duck Aix sponsa On the 1st of November 2009 3 American species of ducks were recorded in Madeira Island:…
Wood Duck - another first record for Madeira by Wind Birds
Wood Duck Aix sponsa Female Wood Duck Hugo Romano, as tour leader of Madeira Wind Birds, together with birdwatchers/customers on a full-day birdwatching tour observed the first…
Eurasian Woodcock
Scolopax rusticola Linnaeus, 1758 · Scolopacidae · Breeding in Madeira
European Robin
Erithacus rubecula rubecula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Muscicapidae · Breeding in Madeira
Red-legged Partridge
Alectoris rufa (Linnaeus, 1758) · Phasianidae · Breeding in Madeira
Pallid Swift
Apus pallidus brehmorum Hartert, 1901 · Apodidae · Breeding in Madeira
Kentish Plover
Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758 · Charadriidae · Breeding in Madeira
Eurasian Hoopoe
Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758 · Upupidae · Breeding in Madeira
Eurasian Coot
Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 · Rallidae · Breeding in Madeira
Eurasian Siskin
Carduelis spinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus Linnaeus, 1766 · Sternidae · Breeding in Madeira
Porto Santo trip report by Madeira Wind Birds - October 2009
Hugo and Catarina from Madeira Wind Birds decided to run away from last week's stormy weather in Madeira, which made them cancel many tours, and went to Porto Santo island for…
Tired dotterels in Madeira
Dotterels have been recorded in Madeira in the last week though by their behavior they seemed very tired: On the 19th September 2009 1 Dotterel Charadrius morinellus was seen by…
Wintering birds already in Madeira
These are records of Madeira Wind Birds tours: On the 18th September 2009 in Ponta do Pargo 10+ Northern Wheaters 1 possible Desert Wheater 2 Whinchats 3 Whimbrels 1 Grey Heron On…
Barbary Falcon in Porto Santo Island - 3rd record for Madeira
Lützen Portengen has kindly sent his bird records of the days he spent at Porto Santo Island: "Possible juvenile Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides I observed on 31-08 at the golf…
Porto Moniz Seawatching 2009
Observations by Michel de Lange (NED) Last Update: September 7, 2009 Bird 31-8 1-9 2-9 3-9 4-9 5-9 6-9 7-9 Cory's Shearwater 2399 3482 2935 3194 2977 3466 1699 1477 Great…
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) - 1st record for Madeira
Max Berlijn (NED) is one of those lucky birdwatchers who also kindly send his sightings to Madeira Wind Birds. Here are his records of an overnight trip to Desertas Islands : On…
Butterflies news for Madeira
Tony Mainwood (Scotland) has kindly sent his special records of butterflies for Madeira archipelago: "I thought you might be interested in these photos of a Lang's Short-tailed…
Porto Santo latest sightings - August 2009
Aaron Ofner from Austria sent his interesting bird records of a day in Porto Santo Island: Very interesting was a visit to Porto Santo on Aug. 23rd At Tanque Pond , where friend…
Desertas sea trip sightings
On Thursday, the 27th of August 2009 Max Berlijn (NED) and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) went on a trip to Desertas and these were their sightings which Max kindly…
Bird records off Porto Moniz on the 24th August 2009 by Max Berlijn
Max Berlijn was seawatching on the 24th August 2009 between 17.30 and 19.40 at Porto Moniz and kindly sent his sightings: Great Shearwater - 147 all to the west, some very close…
Eleonora's Falcon - 3rd record for Madeira
On the 14th of August 2009 Vincent van der Spek (NED) observed an Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae at Ribeira da Janela and on the 16th of August it was observed again by Hugo…
Turnstones, Coots and Black-headed gulls already returning to Madeira
Madeira common visitants are already returning to its favorite wintering destination. Here are the latest records: 13th August 2009 at Lugar de Baixo : 2 Turnstones 1 Black-headed…
The best-ever pelagic in the Western Palearctic by Hadoram Shirihai 2009
Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira , off Madeira, April 2009 (photo Hadoram Shirihai © The Tubenose project ). The first-ever unequivocal and photographically documented at-sea…
Red-billed Tropicbird in Madeira
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus seen in Madeira, 5 miles offshore South of Funchal on the 3rd of August 2009 by Frank Zino. Later on the 7th seen 7 miles offshore South…
The first-ever unequivocal and photographically documented at-sea records of the Zino's Petrel
THE FIRST-EVER UNEQUIVOCAL AND PHOTOGRAPHICALLY DOCUMENTED AT-SEA RECORDS OF THE ZINO'S PETREL The report of The Zino’s Petrel at sea expedition II - the best-ever pelagic in the…
Summer visitants in Madeira
29th July 2009 at Caniçal 1 Curlew 20th July 2009 at Ponta do Pargo 1 Peregrine Falcon 1 Long-legged Buzzard 15 Hammer-head sharks seen from the lighthouse 18th July 2009 at…
Zino's Petrel Sea Expedition - The best Western Palearctic Expedition!
After two successful expeditions with Hadoram Shirihai to find and photograph Zino's Petrel at sea Madeira Wind Birds will start to operate its Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition in…
Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition
Starting in April 2010! As Hadoram Shirihai has written in his article in the June 2009 issue of Birding World, this sea expedition is "the best-ever pelagic trips in the Western…
Sightings on a birdwatching full-day tour in Madeira
On the 26th of May 2009 , on a birdwatching tour with Madeira Wind Birds, the following visitant species were seen: Ponta do Pargo Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Grey Heron Ardea…
First Record of Breeding Coots in Madeira
In Lugar de Baixo, on the 17th of May 2009 at 5:10 pm Hugo and Catarina observed and photographed a pair of Coots Fulica atra feeding 4 recently hatched young, bright red, bold…
2nd record of Wilson's Phalarope to Madeira
On the 15th of May 2009 a Wilson Phalarope Phalaropus tricolor was observed by Gil Caboz on Paúl da Serra , on a water reservoir that feeds Calheta power station. This is the…
April's vagrants to Madeira
We have been quiet with bird news for a while as we have passed several days at sea with Hadoram Shirihai trying to photograph Zino's Petrels... But for this matter you will have…
Andrew Moon birdwatching trip report
Here is a trip report kindly sent by Andrew Moon: 30th March 2009 at Funchal area Grey Heron: 2 Cory’s Shearwater: 100+ Macaronesian Shearwater: 2 Manx Shearwater: 6 Turnstone: 1…
9 days at sea around Madeira Island with Hadoram Shirihai
Another sea expedition with Hadoram Shirihai to photograph Zino's Petrel... Sorry but for now we will only publish the vagrant birds we have seen but soon we will have another…
Birds for Easter in Madeira
Sightings kindly sent by Willi Stani (WS) from Austria and by Nick Littlewood (NL) from UK: On the 24th of March 2009 at Pico do Areeiro by WS approx. 30 Fieldfare Turdus pilaris…
Birdwatching March news for Madeira
13th March 2009 at Barreirinha, Funchal - Observed by Gil Caboz 1 Great Northern Diver Gavia immer 17th March 2009 - on a full-day birdwatching tour Ponta do Pargo 1 Barn Swallow…
Vagrant bird reports for Madeira
7th March 2009 Lugar de Baixo Green-wing Teal Anas carolinensis Greenshank Tringa nebularia Caniçal Common Gull Larus canus Airport gardens 3 Pied Wagtails Motacilla alba yarellii…
Spanish Imperial Eagle - male shot in Guadiana Valley
Sad news: The male from the only breeding pair of Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti in Portugal in 2008 was found dead with shotgun pellets in Guadiana Valley, in southern…
Madeira Carnival and February 2009 sightings
Madeira Carnival with several interesting vagrant birds: 9th to 16th February 2009 at Funchal harbor Dan Greenwood (UK) sent us an e-mail with his interesting observations from…
Cory's Shearwaters are already in Madeira sea
Cory's sheawaters are already back to Madeira! They were seen by the first time this year on the 14th of February 2009 whilst Hugo and Catarina were seawatching from Caniçal.…
More visitant birds for Madeira Carnival
Several species of vagrant birds to Madeira decided to spend Valentine's day (though most of them were alone) and probably will also stay for Carnival in this Island: 14th…
Great Northern Loon observed in Madeira
On the 29th January 2009 at Lido , just in front of the Marine Biology Center a Great Northern Loon Gavia immer was observed and photographed by one of the biologist working at…
Larks in Madeira
On a half-day birdwatching tour on the 11th of February 2009 4 species of larks were seen on a flock in Caniçal . These are the interesting sightings from that Madeira Wind Birds…
Vagrants in Funchal Harbor
1st February 2009 at Funchal harbor (northeast) - observed by Richard & Hayley Nettleton. 1 Cormorant - juvenile 8th February 2009 at Funchal harbor - observed by Hugo & Catarina…
Mini boom of Iceland and Glaucus Gulls in Portugal
In mainland Portugal birdwatchers are excited and talking about a mini boom of Larus glaucoides and Larus hyperboreus though this boom is about 7 to 8 records of these species on…
Vagrant birds in Madeira
Winter has been cold and very wet in Madeira, even though still some nice vagrant birds have been recorded in this Island. Gordon Kirk has kindly sent his most interesting…
Lisbon & Algarve birdwatching trip
Hugo & Catarina, owners and guides of Madeira Wind Birds went on a self-guided birdwatching trip to mainland Portugal in the third week of January 2009 and here are the highlights…
More vagrant birds to Madeira
More vagrant sightings during Madeira Wind Birds tours: 10th January 2009 Machico 1 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata - flying to west 1 Sanderling Calidris alba 4 Dunlins Calidris…
Teals in Madeira Island
3rd January 2009 - another nice full-day birdwatching spent in Madeira Island with Madeira Wind Birds guides! A good starting for 2009 as we observed a total of 28 species from…
Henrik Böhmer & Sigrid Ilsoe birdwatching trip report
Henrik Böhmer & Sigrid Ilsoe, from Denmark have kindly sent us their trip report of a week in Madeira in December 2008. We have selected the information and published only the…
Gulls in Funchal
On the 21st of December 2008 in Funchal harbor Catarina from Madeira Wind Birds has observed: 2 Mediterranean Gulls Larus melanocephalus Around 40 Black-headed Gulls Larus…
Madeira birdwacthing trip report by John Carter (UK)
We thank the collaboration of John Carter from UK who kindly sent us these interesting observations: Mediterranean gull - Maximum count of 7 first-winter birds near the harbour at…
Ducks season in Lugar de Baixo
On the 10th of December 2008 at Lugar de Baixo there were: 1 Green-wingged Teal Anas carolinensis - 2nd record for Madeira, with the first record still present at Ribeira da…
American Wigeon in Madeira
On the 4th of November 2008 at Lugar de Baixo pond Madeira Wind Birds and its customers have observed the bird on the photos. After a detailed observation everyone decided it is…
Osprey in Madeira
Another rarity seen by Madeira Wind Birds and its customers, during a full-day birdwatching - an Osprey Pandion haliaetus ! Observed on the 30th of October 2008 in Seixal , on the…
Tom McCanna trip report and experience with a Gyr Falcon in Madeira
We would like to thank to Tom McCanna (UK)who kindly called Madeira Wind Birds to acknowledge about the Gyr Falcon and kindly sent us his little story about his experience with…
Gyr Falcon in Madeira - an escapee from somewhere
On Sunday, the 26th of October 2008 an Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus was observed in Funchal coast, just near Santiago Fortress. Thanks to Tom McCanna who called to alert Madeira…
Magnificent Frigatebird - 1st record for Madeira Islands
Observed by Steve Porter and Roddie Mavor Steve Porter has kindly sent us his fantastic sighting of a Frigatebird (Magnificent) seen from the Porto Santo ferry at about 45 minutes…
Blue-winged Teal - 1st record for Madeira
Other interesting species have been recorded by Madeira Wind Birds during the last week. From an unusual group of Artic Terns to a 1st record for a Blue-winged Teal, this was a…
Janne & Hanna Aalto (FIN) Madeira trip report - September 2008
As you know, we weren't really lucky in Madeira as the wind and occasional rains did birding difficult. Southern wind pushed the seabirds far to the sea and probably stopped…
More vagrant news in Madeira
Some birdwatchers have been seeing some interesting species in Madeira: 14th September 2008 Great Skua - seen by Janne Aalto (FIN) 15th September 2008 Porto Moniz - Paul Rendel…
Hadoram Shirihai report of Madeira Photo Expedition for Zino's Petrel at sea
As promised some time ago, we are finally publishing Hadoram Shirihai report about his April 2008 trip to Madeira with the aim to photograph the 'enigmatic' Zino's Petrel…
Some sightings of bird migration
Here are some interesting bird sightings in Madeira during this migrating season: 7th September 2008 - Records of Sven Karlsson (SWE) and Manfred Schleuning (GER) Seawatching from…
Madeira petrel photo expedition - the desire & challenge to experience the enigmatic Zino's Petrel at sea, by Hadoram Shirihai
MADEIRA PETREL PHOTO EXPEDITION The desire and challenge to experience the enigmatic Zino’s Petrel at sea by Hadoram Shirihai A report of April 2008 Expedition Major part (at sea)…
Another surprise season starting...
Migration season is starting and for Madeira Islands that is always a surprising season as we never know what we are going to get... For now there is already two good records from…
Expert birdwatchers decided it is a Montagu's harrier
Lee Evans has sent us another opinion and we will end up this discussion with the decision that the controversial bird of prey is a Montagu's Harrier. Here is Lee's contribution:…
Montagu's or Pallid Harrier?
We received more pictures kindly sent by Volker Hesse from Germany who was on Madeira between the 22nd and 29th of July 2008. In Volker's opinion: "By the pictures Hen Harrier can…
July 2008 bird observations
8th July 2008 Caniçal Pallid Harrier - this is still a debatable identification as some birdwatchers say it is a Montagu's Harrier and other say it is a Hen Harrier Common Swift…
Interesting migrants in Madeira
Though it is not the right season for migrant birds, Madeira wildlife is still getting some interesting visitants, as follow: Friday, 27th of June 2008 Ponta do Pargo 2 Alpine…
Whales & dolphins observed in Madeira south coast
Bottlenose dolphin These are the cetaceans species seen between May 27th and June 24th on Madeira Wind Birds sea trips: Dolphins Bottlenose dolphins - seen on 4 different trips…
Again, a Peregrine Falcon in Madeira
On Saturday, the 21st of June 2008 it was a very warm day and on a Madeira Wind Birds full-day birdwatching despite some of the endemics usually seen on this nature tour there was…
2 Red-footed Falcons in Madeira
2 Males Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus were observed last Saturday, the 14th of June 2008 in Ponta do Pargo. As for other interesting birds, Fea's/Desertas Petrels Pterodroma…
New! - Regular reports of whales and dolphins sightings
Sightings of whales and dolphins on Madeira Wind Birds sea trips will be posted regularly starting from today: 10th May 2008 Morning trip - Bottlenose dolphins Afternoon trip -…
Madeira trip report by Peter Ransome (UK)
Peter Ransome from UK kindly provided Madeira Wind Birds with his special birdwatching records while his was in Madeira from the 23rd to the 30th of April 2008: "I had a great…
Porto Santo trip report by Riccardo Del Togno (ITA)
A trip report from Porto Santo, from last week of April 2008, was kindly sent to Madeira Wind Birds by Riccardo Del Togno from Italy: "I was on holiday with my wife and my little…
More vagrant bird news in Madeira Island
Two more days of birdwatching and some more species of vagrant birds recorded... Thursday, 1st May 2008 Pico do Areeiro >12 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum 23 Barn Swallow…
Full days (literally) through Madeira Nature!
Is this a thunbergi ssp? Two literally full-days around Madeira Nature gave us some more records of vagrant birds, plus new record of species seen in just one day in Madeira! Here…
Erik & Marianne Mølgaard Madeira trip report
Reports of this boom of migrant birds are arriving to Madeira Wind Birds. Here are the interesting vagrant species seen by Erik & Marianne Mølgaard (Denmark): On April 26th In…
Vagrant birds boom in Madeira
Eastern winds and heat brought several vagrants to Madeira Island. During last few days (from the 25th to the 28th of April) very warm temperatures and strong winds from North…
New waders visiting Madeira Island
Find differences between Greenshank and Marsh Sandpiper On April 15th , in Lugar de Baixo pond several waders were seen by Madeira Wind Birds: Black-winged Stilt Himantopus…
Long-legged Buzzard enjoying Madeira Nature
On the 3rd of April 2008 in Paul da Serra there was a Long-legged Buzzard Buteo rufinus enjoying Madeira nature together with a Common Buzzard. This is an exceptional vagrant to…
Greater Blue-eared Glossy-Starling - 1st record for Madeira
On the 18th of March 2008 in Caniçal, Madeira Wind Birds guides (Catarina and Hugo) and their customers have seen a blue/green bird with bright yellow eyes... We could not…
Vagrant birds for Easter 2008 in Madeira
Several vagrant birds were seen in Madeira Island by Madeira Wind Birds on these last few days. Here are our special observations: Thursday, 13th March 2008 Funchal Habour 1…
The story of Matilde - a Madeiran-Storm Petrel
This is 'Matilde' a Madeiran-Storm Petrel chick which was found in the City Hall square in Porto Santo Island on the 29th of February 2008 by Manolo. Manolo is passionate by…
Wintering Roseate Terns in Funchal
In early December Madeira Wind Birds reported a couple of adult Roseate Terns in Funchal harbour which have also been seen the year before, by the same month. Then, for a while,…
Tufted duck - 2nd record for Madeira
On the 21st and on the 22nd of February 2008 a female Tufted duck Aythya fuligula was seen in Fanal by Madeira Wind Birds and its customers. This is the second record for Madeira…
Swallows and Martins in Madeira
Swallows and Martins were this week's visitants to Madeira nature! Here are these birds sightings: 13th February 2008 Ponta do Pargo 7 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica 15th February…
Vic & Nicola - Half-day birdwatching tour
Wednesday, 10th October 2007 "Maderia Wind Birds have much to offer British bird watchers, for you have a number of species which either cannot be seen from britain or which are…
Birdwatching latest news for Madeira
February is still at the beginning and it is being marked by the strong winds blowing from Southeast. These winds not only bring warm temperatures from North Africa but also blow…
Birdwatching in Madeira on January 2008
January has been a windy month, specially for East and Southeast winds. Here are the interesting species observed during January by local and visitant birdwatchers to Madeira:…
Birds visiting Madeira for New Years
By the way... HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR EVERYONE! Madeira is certainly known for its New Years celebrations and even birds are attracted to this Island to celebrate the coming year! Here…
More birds arriving for Christmas in Madeira
'A Festa' as Madeira people call to Christmas and New Years festivities is attracting many visitors to Madeira Nature... This sunday, the 9th of December 2007, a Sandwich tern has…
Last week visitors to Madeira Nature
Last week bird records for Madeira include a pair of Roseate Terns which have already arrived to spend their Winter in Madeira Nature as on the last couple of years... Thursday,…
2nd record vagrant to Madeira seen on a full-day birdwatching
Madeira is still under rough weather conditions, specially strong winds, which for birdwatching can get us some surprises and very good observations... Here is the list for 24th…
More waders plus a very special warbler to Madeira
It seems that the east winds have spread waders all around Madeira but it also brought a rare visitant warbler... Just have a look: 15th November 2007 Lagoa Lugar Baixo Snipe…
Bird news for Funchal coast and city
Some more bird news...This time from Funchal harbour and surroundings. Here is what was observed during a sea trip along Funchal coast and a short walking city tour with Madeira…
Eastern winds are bringing some visitants to Madeira
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula still on summer plumage Little Stint Calidris minuta Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica Wigeon Anas…
Narcissist Grey Wagtail - things we find in Madeira Nature!
During Madeira Wind Birds tours we are always subject to some Nature surprises... Here is a narcissist grey wagtail which after checking its hairdressed and general image on this…
More bird news about Madeira
Though we were supposed to be already in Autumn, temperatures and general weather in Madeira are still from Summer season, maybe that is why some vagrant birds like to stop here…
Save Nature, Save the Earth!
Nature is beautiful, specially if you really look at it and pay attention to details... Can you imagine what life would be without these beauties? It is all up to us! Take action!…
Black Stork flying over Madeira
On the 10th of October 2007, around 4 pm Catarina has observed a Black Stork Ciconia nigra flying over Lugar de Baixo. Unfortunately the photographic camera was too far from the…
Mike Allen - Full-day Bird and Nature watching
Saturday, 22nd September 2007 "Just got back from our Madeira holiday and wanted to say how much we enjoyed the birdwatching day on Saturday. The Trocaz pigeon on road was a real…
Euro Birdwatch weekend 2007 in Madeira
As the 5th of October is a bank holiday in Portugal this year the Euro Birdwatch Weekend was a long weekend, at least for Madeira Wind Birds. So observing carefully, as always,…
Waders visiting Madeira
Autumn is the best season to find waders in Madeira. Here are the observations made on the last days: 29 Set 2007 Lugar de Baixo 1 Dunlin 1 Sanderling Seixal 1 Common Sandpiper 1…
Wheaters enjoying Madeira Nature
On the 19th of September 2007 around 30 (Northen) Wheaters where observed and on the next day there were 2 wandering around Lugar de Baixo Pond. On the 22nd of September there…
Observations on a Fauna & Flora Tour
On September 17th during a Fauna & Flora tour, after watching Trocaz Pigeons, Madeira Firecrests and Chaffinches on the Laurel Forest, the following migrant waders were seen on…
More birdwatching news from Porto Santo
Philip Jones went for birdwatching in Porto Santo on Sunday, the 9th of September 2007 , and observed: On Porto Santo beach: 8 Sanderlings On Porto Santo Golf Course: 1 Greenshank…
Petrels day at Madeira
What a seawatching day on Madeira sea!!! On a Madeira Wind Birds trip to Desertas today, the 13th of September 2007, was a surprising day in terms of petrels. Hundreds of Zino's…
Dunlin (alpina subspecies) at Seixal
On the 9th of September 2007 during a full-day birdwatching tour through madeira nature with Madeira Wind Birds, one Dunlin of the subspecies alpina was observed in Ribeira da…
Porto Santo birdwatching
Willow Warbler Glossy Ibis Black-tailed Godwit Wood Sandpiper, Sanderlings and Ruff Hugo and Catarina from Madeira Wind Birds went for a short break in Porto Santo and observed…
One more migration season just started
During our full-day birdwatching tour on the 27th of August 2007, while seawatching in Porto Moniz for half an hour, we have observed a few Cory's Sheartwers, 10 Manx Shearwaters,…
Lang's Short-tailed Blue (Leptotes pirithous) - First record for Madeira
Lang's Short-tailed Blue Leptotes pirithous was seen in Madeira on the 9th of May 2007 in Parque de Santa Catarina and another one in Jardim de São Francisco on the 11th of May,…
Madeira Nature still surprising...
On the 2nd of Agust 2007, during a full-day nature tour on West Madeira with Madeira Wind Birds guides, Hugo and Catarina, Michael Gibbons and Graham Palmer (UK birdwatchers)…
Queen of Spain Fritillary seen in Madeira Nature
A rare migrant butterfly was seen by Madeira Wind Birds leaders, Catarina and Hugo, on Paul da Serra. Queen of Spain Fritillary Issoria lathonia was a dubious record until now.…
Week Holiday with 4 Madeira Wind Birds nature tours
Madeira Trip Report by Paul Gaffan (UK) Monday June 11th "Madeira Wind Birds had arranged a trip to As Ilhas Desertas for us onboard the motor yacht “Gaviao”. So after another…
Pat & Paul Gaffan - week holiday with Madeira Wind Birds tours and arrangements
From the 9th to the 16th of June 2007 (...) "We arranged all our requirements with a very fine ground agent, Madeira Wind Birds . Nothing is too much trouble for these young…
Gwen Harris - Half-day Nature tour
On Friday, June 22, 2007 "Thank you to Hugo Romano for the personal half-day nature tour. We went into the Laurel Forest, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage and had a marvelous walk…
Full-day Madeira Nature - 29th June 2007
Some very interesting species observed in Madeira during a full-day nature tour with Madeira Wind Birds, on the 29th of June 2007 were: In Ponta do Pargo: A pair of Red-footed…
Cory's Shearwater
Calonectris borealis (Cory, 1881) · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
Madeira seawatching season is open
Now that almost all seabirds which breed in Madeira have come back and as most of the passing cetaceans are seen in Madeira waters between April and October, we can consider that…
24th May 2007 - Full-day in Madeira Nature
On Ponta do Pargo there were a pair of Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus , a Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus and a Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus . These were the…
23rd May 2007 - Half-day birdwatching
At Santo da Serra, flying above Madeira's Golf Course, there was a Black Kite Milvus migrans . It was heading to the eastern part of the Island. Once in Caniçal the Black Kite was…
Bonaparte's Gull in Funchal harbor
Since middle February one Bonaparte's Gull Larus philadelphia has been seen in Funchal harbor. Madeira Wind Birds team (Hugo & Catarina) had spot it several times though it was…
Another unusual vagrant in Madeira
Hugo Romano and Catarina Fagundes, both from Madeira Wind Birds During another tour through the best of Madeira Nature, an unusual vagrant was observed and photographed by Madeira…
Alastair and Lynne Cameron - Full-day Madeira Nature tour
Saturday, 10th March 2007 "A very big thank you to Hugo and Norbeto for a wonderful day on Saturday. There were several firsts for us, including the firecrest, rock sparrow,…
16th March 2007 - Another full-day in Madeira Nature
Mrs and Mr Songhurst, Mrs and Mr Roumana (England) and Hugo Romano (Madeira Wind Birds) This month of March 2007 has been very interesting in terms of migrant birds observed…
Full Day Nature Tour in Madeira on the 10th of March 2007
Mrs & Mr Slater (England); Mrs & Mr Cameron (Scotland), Hugo Romano and Norberto Fernandes (Madeira Wind Birds) What a wonderful day to tour around Madeira Nature! Despite…
Green-winged Teal - 1st record for Madeira
On the 11th of February Hugo Romano and Catarina Fagundes have photographed a Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis thinking it was a Common Teal Anas crecca , in Ribeira da Janela,…
The bees of Madeira (Hymenoptera: Apoidea)
Copyright of all bees photos belong to Prof. Peter Wirtz Madeira Nature is very rich in what respects to insects. From the almost 3000 known species there are many Madeira and…
Sora is still in Madeira
The American vagrant ( Porzana carolina )that was seen in Lugar de Baixo last December has prolonged it stay in Madeira and is still enjoying the warm winter climate between the…
Roseate Tern
Sterna dougallii Montagu, 1813 · Sternidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Waxbill
Estrilda astrild (Linnaeus, 1758) · Estrildidae · Breeding in Madeira
Bulwer's Petrel
Bulweria bulwerii (Jardine & Selby, 1828) · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
4th December 2006 at Lugar de Baixo pond
A very rare vagrant from North America has stopped in Lugar de Baixo pond to rest and feed. This is the first record for Portugal of a Sora ( Porzana carolina ). It was seen by…
Anthea Reynolds (UK) - Full-day Nature tour
On the 11th of November 2006 "Just a note to say thank you for a good day out last week. We had a very interesting day, and learnt a lot about the island and its wildlife . I will…
Madeira, Canary Islands and Azores Underwater Guide
If you are interested in knowing more about the species that you can find underwater, when scuba diving in Madeira, Azores or Canary Islands archipelagos, you should really have…
November 3rd 2006– a busy day at Lugar de Baixo Pond migration department
What a busy day at Lugar the Baixo Pond on the 3rd of November. Many migrating birds paasing by to rest and feed. They were: 2 Red-knobbed Coots ( Fulica cristata ) - record not…
Birdwatching and Seawatching Report, October 2006
table#oreport i {font-size: 80%} Relevant observations during our birdwatching and seawatching trips in August 2006. Birds Class Aves Cetaceans Order Cetacea Spectacled Warbler…
Fish that can be found in Madeira Archipelago undersea
Copyright of all photos belongs to Dr. Peter Wirtz Eleven species of sea fish are endemic to Macaronesia, this means they can only be found in the Exclusive Economic Zone of…
Birdwatching and Seawatching Report, September 2006
table#oreport i {font-size: 80%} Relevant observations during our birdwatching and seawatching trips in August 2006. Birds Class Aves Cetaceans Order Cetacea Fea's Petrel…
Dragonflies in Madeira Islands
There are more than 5 thousand dragonflies’ species around the world though in Madeira Archipelago one can only find 6, where one - Island Darter Sympetrum nigrifemur - is endemic…
24th September 2006 - Spotted Sandpiper at Lugar de Baixo
Occasionally Spotted sandpipers are observed in Madeira, usually brought by the western winds that cross the Atlantic. This is a juvenile/winter plumage Actitis macularia ,…
8th September 2006 - Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Lugar de Baixo
On the 8th of September 2006 there was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper ( Tryngites subruficollis ) feeding at Lugar de Baixo pond in Madeira Island. This is the 1st record for this…
27th of August 2006 - Red Knot at Lugar de Baixo
On the 27th of August 2006 there was an adult, summer plumage Red Knot ( Calidris canutus ) resting at Lugar de Baixo pond, in Madeira Island. This species is a vagrant in…
25th till the 27th of August 2006 - Pectoral Sandpiper at São Vicente River
From the 23rd till the 27th of August 2006 there was an adult, summer plumage, Pectoral Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos ) resting at São Vicente River, in Madeira Island. This…
Birdwatching and Seawatching Report, August 2006
table#oreport i {font-size: 80%} Relevant observations during our birdwatching and seawatching trips in August 2006. Birds Class Aves Cetaceans Order Cetacea Zino's Petrel…
A birding day in East Anglia, August 2006
Madeira Wind Birds was present at the British Birdwatching Fair 2006, from the 18th to the 20th of August, in Rutland Water Nature Reserve. On the 16th of August John Walker was…
Jan Goossens (Belgium) - Night Expedition
On the 25th of August 2006 "Dear Catarina, This little mail, just to thank you and your husband (I apologize, but I forgot his name) for the wonderful night expedition to the…
Trip Report of a Madeira visit between 13.07 and 27.07. 2006 by W. Koschel
Starting point always was a summer cottage in Ledo, near Calheta. 14.07. Ledo: 1 Canary, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Plain Swift, 1 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel 15.07. Paul da Serra: 4 Berthelot`s…
Birdwatching and Seawatching Report, July 2006
table#oreport i {font-size: 80%} Relevant observations during our birdwatching and seawatching trips in July 2006. Birds Class Aves Cetaceans Order Cetacea Zino's Petrel…
27th & 28th of May 2006 - Squacco Heron visiting Lugar de Baixo pond
Last weekend, the 27th and 28th of May there was an adult, summer plumage Squacco Heron ( Ardeola ralloides ) resting at Lugar de Baixo pond, in Madeira Island. This species is a…
11th May 2006 - Half-day birdwatching
Clara & Milton Mann (USA) and Madeira Wind Birds Santo da Serra - 2 Greenfinches, many Black Birds, 2 males and 1 female Madeira Chaffinches, 2 Robins, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Madeira…
Jon & Gill Epstein (UK) - Full-day birdwatching
On the 27th of April 2006 "Just to say what a good day we had with Lourenço last Thursday. We had a very good introduction to both the birds and vegetation of Madeira. Please tell…
2nd March 2006 - Fauna & Flora Tour
Joanna Heald, Charles Crossland (UK) and Madeira Wind Birds Ribeiro Frio - 1 Grey Heron, at least 4 Trocaz Pigeons (Columba trocaz) , many Chaffinches, 2 Robins and 2 Firecrests…
1st March 2006 - Half-day Birdwatching
John & Ann Prestage, John & Maryan Ransone (UK) and Madeira Wind Birds Caniçal - many Plain Swifts, 1 Kestrel, some Yellow-legged Gulls, 3 Berthelot's Pipits and 2 Turtle Doves…
Philippe Nolf & Christiane Wollaert (Belgium) - Half-day birdwatchingPhilippe Nolf & Christiane Wollaert (Belgium) - Half-day birdwatching
"22 février 2006 : l’est de Madère En cet après-midi, nous avons eu l’occasion d’observer quelques espèces (ou sous-espèces) typiquement madériennes : roitelet de Madère, pipit de…
26th February - another lucky birdwatching day
SPEA Group and Madeira Wind Birds Ribeiro Frio - Some Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz , several Chaffinches, at least 3 Firecrests, 2 Robins, some Goldfinches flying and 2 Grey…
25th February - Birdwatching Gull Record
SPEA Group and Madeira Wind Birds Funchal Harbour - 2 Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla) , 1 Ringed-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) , some Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus)…
24 February - Half-day birdwatching afternoon
Ronald & Mary Street (UK) and Madeira Wind Birds Santo da Serra - several Black Birds, 2 Firecrests, 5 Chaffinches (2 females and 3 males), 1 Robin and 1 Blackcap Caniçal - 2…
24th February - Half-day birdwatching morning
Trefor & Marjerie Davies (UK) and Madeira Wind Birds Santo da Serra - at least 5 Firecrests, 3 Robins, some Chaffinch, some Black Birds and heard a few Blackcaps Machico - 2…
22th February - Half-day Birdwatching
Philippe Nolf & Christiane Wollaert (Belgium) and Madeira Wind Birds Santo da Serra - at least 4 Madeira Firecrests (Regulus madeirensis) , some Chaffinches (males and 1 female),…
Christopher Knibbs - Half-day birdwatching and a laughing gull observation
"Hello Hugo & Katarina, Just a short note to say thanks for the trip on Friday - I had a good afternoon and particularly enjoyed the flock of Plain Swift . On Saturday morning I…
17th February 2006 - Half-day Birdwatching
Christopher Knibbs (UK/France) & Madeira Wind Birds Ponta do Pargo - 4 Lapwings, 2 Golden Plovers, some Kestrels, 2 Buzzards (Buteo buteo buteo) , some Madeira Berthelot's Pipits…
Useful Links to Madeira or other Destinations
MADEIRA INFO Madeira Birdwatching Tours & Trips Madeira Islands Travel Information INTERNATIONAL INFO Birds & Birdwatching - keep track of your sightings! Les oiseaux de Pierre…
5th February 2006 - Half-day Birdwatching
Sarah & Mick Smart (UK), Tânia Pestana, Hugo Romano and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) Ponta do Sol - 2 Common Sandpiper, more than 10 Turnstones, 1 Yellow-legged Gull,…
John Walker & Janice Davies - Full-day birdwatching
On the 4th of January 2006 "Hi, thanks for a good day out - we enjoyed ourselves, even though we didn't see many species - such is life!"
4th January 2006 - Full-day
John Walker & Janice Davies (UK), Catarina Fagundes and Roberto Ramos (Madeira Wind Birds) Unfortunately it was not the best day to go birdwatching, as the weather conditions were…
Mark and Christine Burgess - Fauna & Flora tour
On the 29th of December 2005 "Many thanks for a fascinating and hugely enjoyable day - and you can quote us!"
29th December 2005 - Fauna & Flora Tour
Berthelot's Pipit Mark & Christine Burgess (UK), Catarina Fagundes and Roberto Ramos (Madeira Wind Birds) Pico do Areeiro - some melting snow, much cold and some fog - no birds at…
24th November 2005 - Half day birdwatching
Madeira television team (RTP Madeira) and Catarina (Madeira Wind Birds) Machico - 1 Little Egret, 6 Turnstones, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Rock Dove, 1 Muscovy Duck, many Waxbills, 1…
Common Moorhen
Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Rallidae · Breeding in Madeira
Manx shearwater
Puffinus puffinus puffinus (Brünnich, 1764) · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
Rock Dove
Columba livia Gmelin, 1789 · Columbidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Quail
Coturnix coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758) · Phasianidae · Breeding in Madeira
28th October 2005 - Fauna & Flora tour
Russ & Gail Kruetzman (USA), Catarina Fagundes and Roberto Ramos (Madeira Wind Birds) São Vicente - some Grey Wagtails, some Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Little Egret, some Rock Doves…
25th October 2005 - Full-day birdwatching
Ronald & Sheila Lee (England), Catarina Fagundes and Roberto Ramos (Madeira Wind Birds) Paúl da Serra - Heard: many Firecrests, many Chaffinches, some Goldfinches and 2 Blackcaps…
20th October 2005 - Recognition tour
Madeira Wind Birds team Machico - 1 Grey Heron flying, 1 Little Egret, many Waxbills, 1 Grey Wagtail, some Turnstones, some Yellow-legged Gulls and 3 Buzzards Caniçal - 2 Cattle…
11th October 2005 - Spoonbill in Funchal
A juvenile of a spoonbill was seen near Funchal's port by Madeira Wind Birds team
Madeiran Storm Petrel
Oceanodroma castro (Harcourt, 1851) · Hydrobatidae · Breeding in Madeira
Barolo’s Shearwater
Puffinus baroli (Bonaparte, 1857) · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
Eurasian Sparrowhawk
Accipiter nisus granti (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Breeding in Madeira
Plain Swift
Apus unicolor Jardine, 1830 · Apodidae · Breeding in Madeira
Fea's Petrel
Pterodroma feae/deserta (Salvadori, 1899) · Procellariidae · Breeding in Madeira
4th October 2005 - Half-day in Porto Santo
Peter & Judith Powell (Ireland) Catarina Fagundes, Hugo Romano e Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) 2 Spoonbills ,3 Grey Herons, 1 Spotted Crake , 7 Sanderlings juveniles, 1…
Trip Report - Porto Santo Island
Rabo Bank group (Holland), Catarina Fagundes, Hugo Romano and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) 27th September - 4 Grey Herons, 1 adult male Mallard, heard some Red-legged…
Sea Mammals checklist to Madeira waters
Here you may print the Checklist of Sea Mammals that you can find on the waters of Madeira Archipelago.
Butterflies and Dragonflies checklist of Madeira Islands
Here you may print the Checklist of Butterflies and Drangonflies that you can find on the islands of Madeira Archipelago.
25th September 2005 - Half Day Birdwatching
Mr & Mrs Crowm (England); Catarina Fagundes and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) Machico - 4 Turnstones, 5 Little Egrets, 3 Grey Wagtails, 4 Waxbils flying and 1 canary Caniçal…
Common Tern
Sterna hirundo Linnaeus, 1758 · Sternidae · Breeding in Madeira
Western Barn Owl
Tyto alba schmitzi Hartert, 1900 · Tytonidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Linnet
Carduelis cannabina guentheri Wolters, 1953 · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Grey Wagtail
Motacilla cinerea schmitzi Tschusi, 1900 · Motacillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Philippe and Eli Van Audenhove trip report
From the 3rd to the 11th of September 2005 Saturday 03/09 Machico river mouth: Common waxbill: 30+ Sunday 04/09 Seawatch Porto Moniz from the Hotel balcony: Bulwer's petrel: 1…
6th September 2005 - Half-day Birdwatching
Peter & Rosemary Smith (UK), Catarina Fagundes and Emanuel Oliveira (Madeira Wind Birds) Caniçal - some Berthelot's Pipits, 2 Plain Swifts, some Yellow-legged Gulls, many…
3rd September 2005
Hugo Romano, Tânia Pestana and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) Funchal - 1 Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), Greenshank (Tringa nebularia) and several Yellow-legged…
Guest Book
Did you go on a tour with Madeira Wind Birds? Please write us what you think of it! Or send us your trip report of the observations you made in Madeira.
19th August 2005
Lars Antonsson, Hakan Sandin, Marie & Hakan Olsson, Yngve & Solveig Elfving, Stina Gronberg, Anita Ericson and Klaus Olsen (Sweden) Tânia Pestana and Sónia Jesus (Madeira Wind…
5th August 2005 - Night Expedition
Alex Bevan, Hugh Harrop, Julian Hunt and Phillip Bristow (Wales) and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) After three days of strong wind we finally got a very calm night, with…
2nd August 2005 - Night Expedition
Per Anders Bertilsson and Stefan Cherrug (Sweden), Hugo Romano, Sónia Jesus and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) The night was dark, no clouds up there, plenty of stars, it…
27th July 2005- Night Expedition
Helena & Christopher Craig, Ayesha Ahmed-Mendoza (England), Jorgen Ljungquist (Sweden), Hugo Romano and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) After two days rainning the weather…
14th July 2005 - Night Expedition
Susan & Brian Jagger and Glen Faria (Canada), Hugo Romano, Catarina Fagundes and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) An amazing night, with half moon, light wind, a sea of clouds…
12th July 2005
Chris Batty (England), Hugo Romano, Tânia Pestana and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) What a night! At Pico do Areeiro we were above a fluffy sea of clouds and under…
2nd July 2005 - Night Expedition
Niels Bemrendt (Denmark), Hugo Romano, Tânia Pestana and Catarina Fagundes (Madeira Wind Birds) The night at Pico do Areeiro was clear as we were above the clouds but it was…
A Birdwatchers Honeymoon Trip Report
1st July - Full Day Susan & Rob Nagtegaal (Holland), Catarina Fagundes and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) Paul da Serra - 2 Goldfinches, 1 female Blackcap, some Berthelot's…
24th June 2005 - Night Expedition
Mats Johannesson (Sweeden), Catarina Fagundes, Tânia Pestana and Hugo Romano (Madeira Wind Birds) It was a dark night, with no moon, no wind and no clouds above us. At about 10:45…
15th June 2005 - Night Expedition
Harriet & Wim Kolber (Holland), John Diley (England), Ingemar Rosberg (Sweeden), Catarina Fagundes, Tânia Pestana & Hugo Romano (Madeira Wind Birds) On the way up to Pico do…
14th June 2005 - Full-day Birdwatching
Wim & Harriet Kolber (Netherlands), Catarina Fagundes and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) Seixal - 3 Long-toed Pigeon flying, 2 Firecrests, many Grey Wagtail, many Blackbirds,…
26th May 2005
Claire & Shirley (England) and Sónia Jesus (Madeira Wind Birds) Ponta São Lourenço - a flock of Madeiran Rock Sparrows, 1 Kestrel, 6 Berthelot's Pipit, 1 Buzzard with 2 chicks,…
European Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis parva Tschusi, 1901 · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
European Greenfinch
Carduelis chloris (Linnaeus, 1758) · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Buzzard
Buteo buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758) · Accipitridae · Breeding in Madeira
Canarian Kestrel
Falco tinnunculus canariensis (Koenig, 1890) · Falconidae · Breeding in Madeira
Madeiran Chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs maderensis Sharpe, 1888 · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Spanish Sparrow
Passer hispaniolensis (Temminck, 1820) · Passeridae · Breeding in Madeira
Rock Sparrow
Petronia petronia petronia (Linnaeus, 1766) · Passeridae · Breeding in Madeira
Spectacled Warbler
Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis (Wahlberg, 1854) · Sylviidae · Breeding in Madeira
Common Blackbird
Turdus merula cabrerae Hartert, 1901 · Turdidae · Breeding in Madeira
Eurasian Blackcap
Sylvia atricapilla heineken (Jardine, 1830) · Sylviidae · Breeding in Madeira
Berthelot’s Pipit
Anthus berthelotii Bolle, 1862 · Motacillidae · Breeding in Madeira
Madeira Firecrest
Regulus madeirensis Harcourt, 1851 · Regulidae · Breeding in Madeira
Trocaz Pigeon
Columba trocaz Heineken, 1829 · Columbidae · Breeding in Madeira
5th May - Night Expedition
Dick (England), Catarina Fagundes and Tânia Pestana (Madeira Wind Birds) Pico do Areeiro - From 10h30 pm to 11h30 we heard many, many calls of Zino´s Petrel, one sound not common…
16th & 19th April 2005
Berthelot's Pipit (Anthus berthelotti madeirensis) Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus ferocissima) Everlasting (Helichrysum devium) Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum) Little Egret…
13th April 2005 - Special Trip Report
Catarina Fagundes and Hugo Romano (Madeira Wind Birds) At 13h40 a Whimbrel (Numenius phaepus) was seen flying along the sea shore in Avenida do Mar, Funchal. It was easily…
Atlantic Canary
Serinus canaria (Linnaeus, 1758) · Fringillidae · Breeding in Madeira
7th April - Night Expedition
Walter Veale and David Monroe (Northen Ireland), Catarina Fagundes and André Freitas (Madeira Wind Birds) Pico do Areeiro - From 10h30 pm to 0h we heard various calls of Zino´s…
5th April 2005
John & Sue Smart (England), Catarina Fagundes and Mara Cardoso (Madeira Wind Birds) Santo da Serra - 10 Greenfinches, 4 Chafinches, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Robin, 6 Goldfinches, some…
19th March 2005
Catarina Fagundes & Hugo Romano (Madeira Wind Birds) Funchal - 3 Little Egret flying from East to West, 2 Grey Wagtail, some Yellow-legged Gulls flying above, 4 black-headed…
18th March 2005
Anthony & Frances Merdith (England) and Sónia Jesus (Madeira Wind Birds) Ponta de São Lourenço: 6 Berthelot´s Pipit, a flock (about 15) of Linnets Santo da Serra: 3 Firecrest, 2…
17th March 2005
Udo Titz, Karin Avanzini (Austria) and Sónia Jesus (Madeira Wind Birds) Seixal: 15 Long-toed Pigeon flying, 3 Canarian Kestrel Fanal: 1 Long-toed Pigeon Porto Moniz: 2 Cory's…
25th & 26th February 2005
Andrew Ward (England) Sónia Jesus (Madeira Wind Birds) 25th Ponta São Lourenço - 2 Kestrels, 8 Berthelot's pipit, 2 Buzzards and dozens Yellow-ledge Gulls Santo da Serra - 1…
16th February 2005
Christian Graslund and Cª (Sweden), Sónia Jesus, Valéria Baptista (Madeira Wind Birds) Santo da Serra - 3 Firecrest, 1 Robin, 1 Blackcap, 1 Blackbird, 1 Goldfinch, 1 Greenfinch…
Madeira Island Flora
Canary Laurel Apollonias barbujana Bay Laurel Laurus novocanariensis Isoplexis Isoplexis sceptrum Black Parsley Melanoselinum decipiens Broom Heather Erica scoparia Going through…
Porto Santo Flora
Wild Olive Tree Olea maderensis Smooth Spear-Leaved Spurge Euphorbia piscatoria The vegetation of Porto Santo is marked by xerophytic features, as can be seen in some of the…
Desertas Flora
Ice Plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum Blood-eyed Chrysanthemum Argyranthemum haematomma In 1992, the Desertas were classified as a Biogenetic Reserve by the European Council, in…
Selvagens Flora
Schizogyne sericea Lobularia canariensis The vegetation on the Selvagens is of great scientific importance, as there are about 7 species exclusive to this sub-archipelago. These…
Madeira History and geography
The archipelago of Madeira of volcanic origin is composed by the inhabited islands of Madeira and Porto Santo and by two groups of uninhabited islands: the Desertas and the…
About Desertas and Porto Santo
The Ilhas Desertas are located 11 miles southeast of Madeira and are made up of 3 arid, uninhabited islands: Ilhéu Chão, Deserta Grande and Bugio. The colonies of seabirds…
About Selvagens
Baía das Cagarras, Selvagem Grande Selvagem Pequena Selvagem Grande Cory's Shearwater with Selvagem Pequena on the background The Selvagens are a group of uninhabitable islands…
7th January 2005
Catarina Fagundes, Hugo Romano, Helder Mendes, Roberto Ornelas (Madeira) Lugar de Baixo - 1 Moorhen, 27 Coot, 6 Turnstones, 1 Yellow-legged gull, 1 Buzzard On the way to Paúl - 1…
I International Congress "Birds of the Atlantic"
Madeira Wind Birds sponsored the I International Congress Birds of the Atlantic which occurred between 29th October and 1st November in São Vicente village, in Madeira Island.…
Madeira Wind Birds won "Entrepreneurs of the Future"
The winners of "Entrepreneurs of the Future" say it is important to believe Some of the winners projects aim to serve some of the regional market areas where there are gaps. To…
12th November 2004
John and Pauline Moore's (England) & João Nunes (Madeira) Seixal - 15 Trocaz Pigeon,1Skylark Ponta do Pargo - 1 Little Egret, 3 Kestrel, 21 Skylark, 1Barn Swallow, 6 Berthelot's…
6th November 2004
Jan Sandberg, HG Karlsson(Sweden) & João Nunes (Madeira) Lugar de Baixo Pond -1 Cattle Egret, 42 Coot, 12 Moorhen, 9 Turnstones, 2 Dunlin,1 Starling Ponta do Pargo - 4 Starling on…
15th and 16th October 2004
Cristina Gonçalves, Eugénia Gonçalves, Isabel Fagundes & João Nunes (Madeira) 15 October - Lugar de Baixo Pond: 2 Cattle Egret, 6 Spoonbill, 1 Litlle Egret, 1 Oystercatcher, 1…
2nd October 2004
João Nunes (Madeira), Jaako Asplund (Finland) Rabaçal: 10 Berthelot's Pipit, many Firecrest, many Chaffinch, 4 Long-toed Pigeon , 1 Linnet, 7 Plain Swift, 1 Grey Wagtail, 3 Common…
18th September 2004
João Nunes (Madeira), Martin Dekker (Dutch) During the walk to Risco (Rabaçal): many Firecrest, many Chaffinch, 10 Long-toed Pigeon (many flying and good views of 4) On the road…