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 traffic. Let's see what March will bring to Madeira in terms of vagrant bird species:
29th of March 2026 at Machico
Citrine wagtail Motacilla citreola - 2nd record for Madeira! The 1st was observed in Lugar de Baixo, September 2011.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
7 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
3 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
5 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
27th of March 2026 at Santo da Serra Reservoir
European Herring Gull Larus argentatus
At Caniçal
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
3 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
26th of March 2026 at Camacha
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
15th of March 2026 at Funchal harbour - sightings by Michel (NED)
4 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
At Machico
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
2 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
14th of March 2026 at Lugar de Baixo - observed by Michel (NED)
Northern Pintail Anas acuta - (male)
At São Vicente
Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
12th of March 2026 at Ponta São Lourenço - reported by Gwynfryn (UK)
4 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Off Porto Moniz - seawatched by Michel (NED)
10 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus>
11th of March 2026 at Caniçal
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
by the airport, Santa Cruz
5 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
8th & 9th of March 2026 at Santo da Serra Reservoir observations by Gwynfryn (UK)
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
6th of March 2026 by the airport, Santa Cruz
10 Barn swallow Hirundo rustica
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
off Porto Moniz - reported by Michel (NED)
10 Northern Gannet Morus bassanus
1st of March 2026 at Santa Catarina Park
Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
At Machico
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
3 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
10 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres