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 to blow some vagrant birds to Madeira.

31st of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - recorded by Peter
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

29th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
5 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
3 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

At São Vicente
3 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

26th of March 2019 at Calhau de São Jorge - photographed by Peter
Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris

25th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo
ca. 30 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Caniçal
4 Sanderling Calidris alba
5 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
3 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

24th of March 2019 at Fajã da Ovelha - Birdwatching records by Dave (UK)
30 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
10 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
8 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

At Ponta do Pargo
2 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
3 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
4 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

23rd of March 2019 at Small reservoir at Achada do Bardo - seen by Dave (UK)
3 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus

At Ponta do Pargo
2 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris
4 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
2 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

At Fajã da Ovelha
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus - adult flying northwards

22nd of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - reported by Dave (UK)
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
3 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At Fajã da Ovelha
25 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

20th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - observations by Dave (UK)
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
3 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
5 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
4 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

19th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - by Dave (UK)
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
2 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
30 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

At Fajã da Ovelha
Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus

18th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - observed and photographed by Dave (UK)
Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba
40 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
2 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
2 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
8 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

At São Vicente
Common Redshank Tringa totanus

At Porto Moniz
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

17th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - birdwatched by Dave (UK)
2 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
8 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
10 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

16th of March 2019 at Fajã da Ovelha - reported by Dave (UK)
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
3 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum

15th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - observations by Dave (UK)
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus - an adult flying northwards
5 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common House Martin Delichon urbicum

14th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - by Dave (UK)
3 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Sand Martin Riparia riparia

at Porto Moniz
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

13th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - sightings by Dave (UK)
Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo
4 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
5 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
3 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

At Calheta
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos

12th of March 2019 at Fajã da Ovelha - observed by Dave (UK)
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus - adult bird flying off the coast

11th of March 2019 at Calheta - reported by Dave (UK)
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

10th of March 2019 at Calhau São Jorge - photographed by Quentin (FRA)
Ring-necked duck Aythya collaris

6th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Ribeira Brava
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
3 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus