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 Coots Fulica atra - one adult with two young

Dam below Pico Concelho
2 Ruddy Shellduck Tadorna ferruginea - a pair
1 Moorhen

Upper dam below Pico Branco
2 Mandarin Duck Aix galericulata - a pair
1 Moorhen

Dam below Golf course
1 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
1 Moorhen
3 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos - 1 pair + single female

Golf course
7 Mallard on driving range
4 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis
3 Coots
2 Mandarin Ducks - a pair
5-6 Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto

Walk up Pico Branco
5 Buzzards Buteo buteo
3 Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canarienesis
6 pairs of Red-legged partridges Alectoris rufa
3 Blackcaps Sylvia atricapilla - males singing madly up in trees on top
4 Atlantic Canaries Serinus canaria flying and singing
1 “raptor” chasing a Collared Dove way below

"No small birds on the way up. Not even a Berthelot’s, but I suppose there was too much thick grass.
The flora is beginning to get dry, but there are still plenty of flowers. Lots of Clouded Yellows butterflies and only one Red Admiral butterfly."