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 at Lugar de Baixo
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

24th of April 2026 at Santa Cruz
8 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
3 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum

23rd of April 2026 at Caniçal
6 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
2 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica

At Santo da Serra reservoir
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus

At Santa Cruz
20 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica

20th of April 2026 at Caniçal
7 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

19th of April 2026 at Machico - reported by Michel (NED)
Dunlin Calidris alpina
2 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
2 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

At São Vicente
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Funchal - observed by Paul (UK)
6 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum

18th of April 2026 at Caniçal
Black Kite Milvus migrans
8 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

17th of April 2026 at Ribeira Brava - recorded by Petri (FIN)
Black Kite Milvus migrans

At Cabo Girão
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus - juvenile

16th of April 2026 off Machico
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea
6 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

15th of April 2026 at Ponta de São Lourenço
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

Off Porto Moniz - seawatched by Michel (NED)
17 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus - flying North

14th of April 2026 off Porto Moniz - sightings by Michel (NED)
2 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus - heading North

13th of April 2026 at Funchal harbour - observed by Seán (IRE)
Mew Gull Larus canus

10th of April 2026 at Santa Catarina Park - reported by Paul (UK)
Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus

1st of April 2026 at Ponta de São Lourenço
12 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

At Santa Cruz, by the airport
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
3 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica