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 lucky enough to land on Madeira. Temperatures are still higher than normal winters and rain has been scarce.

25th of March 2020 at Funchal harbour - observed by Dominique
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

23rd of March 2020 at Caniçal
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

15th of March 2020 at Porto Santo Golf course - photographed by Frank (POR)
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
2 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Common Redshank Tringa totanus

14th of March 2020 at Ponta do Pargo - observed by Michel (NED)
2 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator
5 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis

Off Porto Moniz
42 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus 3 flying West and 39 flying Eastwards

10th of March 2020 at Ponta do Pargo
Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens - less than 5 records for Madeira on the last 50 years!
Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris - less than 5 records for Madeira on the last 50 years!
2 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
2 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe
Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

At Ribeira Brava
9 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
2 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

4th of March 2020 at Ponta do Pargo
2 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator

At São Vicente
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

At Ribeira Brava
3 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
5 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Little Egret Egretta garzetta

2nd of March 2020 at Faial
3 Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Pink-footed goose Anser brachyrhynchus

At Machico
Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina
6 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres