During these 3 consecutive afternoon we had more Zino's Petrels than Desertas Petrels and more White-faced storm petrels than any other storm petrel. Thousands of Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii and a few hundred Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis were observed during the 3 days.

29th June 2024 - 13 knots of Northeast wind and 1 meter waves from same direction
6 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta - 4 on the way up, 2 of them sitting
9 Pterodroma sp. - 6 on the way up
2 Common tern Sterna hirundo
At least 10 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus
Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus

Portuguese man-o-war Physalia physalis
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins Stenella frontalis

We sure hope so!! This was a very rough pelagic expedition but with most Madeira breeding seabird species well observed! We even postponed 1 day to get smoother conditions but we finally we got back the White-faced storm petrel that feeds in the chum slick for a good while! We have not seen that behaviour for more than 5 years!

25th June 2024 - Northern wind between 7 and 9 knots. NNE waves up to 1 meter.
3 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
White-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca
2 Madeiran Storm Petrel Oceanodroma castro

Loggerhead turtle Caretta caretta

The west and northwest winds on the first days changed the dynamic of seabirds though we got some views of the petrels... But on the 3rd day with the usual Northeast wind we've got all the breeding tubenose species in the Madeira archipelago! What a pelagic day!

19th June 2024 - NE wind between 8 and 11 knots. Northern swell up to 1 meter and waves from NE up to 1.5 meters
5 Pterodroma sp. - on the way up, too far to ID
Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
Common tern Sterna hirundo
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
2 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
White-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca
Madeiran Storm Petrel Oceanodroma castro
Barolo’s shearwater Puffinus baroli - on the way back

An amazing set of 3 afternoon pelagic trips varying a lot with position and ocean conditions! As usual, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were present everyday, though the Cory's had a nice display on the 1st day as we passed the tip of the island while on the 2nd evening there were hundreds (if not thousands) of Bulwer's around the chum slick. European Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus were also observed everyday; though these are (supposedly) only passing through Madeira during their migration...

12th June 2024 - 10 knots of Northern wind and 2 meter waves from NE
9 Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus - 3 on the way up
14 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
9 European Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus - 7 at the same time
3 Common tern Sterna hirundo
8 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
3 Pterodroma sp. - did not get a good view to ID them
3 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis

Atlantic Spotted dolphins Stenella frontalis

Perfect wind and sea conditions on this Zino's Petrel pelagic Expedition allowed us to have very good views of the petrels breeding in Madeira and a good list of storm-petrels! As normal, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were a constant, everyday.

1st June 2024 - 8 to 10 knots of NNW wind and NE waves up to 1.7 meters
2 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
2 Common tern Sterna hirundo
Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa
3 European Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus - 2 at the same time
Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus
4 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
1 possible Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira - came together with the 2nd Zino’s but quickly flew away from the chum slick

June should be a summer month though there is still some late migratory birds being blown off their course into Madeira islands. Let see what June 2024 will bring us...

30th of June 2024 at Caniçal
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
2 Grey Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Sanderling Calidris alba
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

28th of June 2024 at Caniçal
2 Grey Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Sanderling Calidris alba
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

24th of June 2024 at Ribeira Brava - observed by Barry (UK)
Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica