Madeira, birdwatching in October 2018

October started as a summer month in Madeira with high temperatures. Migration is on the go though on the continent strong easterly winds were felt and these can push some birds into the Atlantic so let's see which species will be lucky enough to find Madeira archipelago as a landing spot.

31st of October 2018 at Camacha
7 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

At Santo da Serra
3 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

28th of October 2018 at Ribeira Brava - recorded by Miguel (POR)
8 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
2 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

25th of October 2018 off Machico
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis
Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

At Caniçal
2 Sanderling Calidris alba
8 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

18th of October 2018 at Machico
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
3 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
12 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Santa Cruz - observed and photographed by Claudia (POR)
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris - female - this is an exceptional vagrant bird to Madeira, with less than 5 records on the last 50 years!

17th of October 2018 at Porto Moniz
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

At Ponta do Pargo
3 Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

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

11th of October 2018 at Ribeira Brava - reported by Alastair Henderson (UK)
Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla

10th of October 2018 at Porto Moniz
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo

At Ponta do Pargo
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

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

8th of October 2018 at Ponta do Pargo
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At Porto Moniz
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At São Vicente
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Ribeira Brava
3 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
5 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

7th of October 2018 off Machico
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus - juvenile

6th of October 2018 at Caniçal - reported by Janice (Scotland)
7 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

5th of October 2018 at Santa Cruz
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

4th of October 2018 at Caniçal
Northern wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe oenanthe

At Machico
2 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
7 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Santa Cruz
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea