It was an unusual pelagic trip in terms of both the number of birds and the species we observed. Interestingly, we even missed the Yellow-legged Gull in the chum on two out of the three days. Typically, at this time of year, Madeiran Storm Petrel is the most challenging to spot, but this expedition proved to be different. Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were the entertaining birds during the three afternoons.
17th July 2025 - 1st chumming spot: N wind up to 17knots. 2nd chumming spot: NNW wind between 5 and 7 knots. NE waves up to 1 meter
8 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta - while chumming at the 1st spot
5 Pterodroma sp. - all on the way up
3 Common tern Sterna hirundo - 1 on the way up
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus - on the way up, flying far
Possible Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira - by the size it looked P. madeira but it was too quick and wrong timming as we were renewing the chum
Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira - Only at 20:50 but finally we had a great observation!
16th July 2025 - NE wind between 8 and 11 knots, which later increased to 15 knots in the evening. ENE waves up to 1 meter
Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta - 1 on the way up
3 Pterodroma sp. - on the way up
4 Madeiran Storm petrel Oceanodroma castro
Atlantic Spotted dolphins Stenella frontalis
15th July 2025 - Easterly wind wind between 4 and 6 knots and ENE swell up to 2 meters
Pterodroma sp. - on the way up
Madeiran Storm petrel Oceanodroma castro
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
European Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Blue shark Prionace glauca
Baleonoptera sp. - 2 on the way back