This Madeira Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition, by Wind Birds was very rewarding though a bit tiring as strong wind is what the seabirds love though it makes the trip a bit hard for us...

One more memorable Madeira Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition, by Wind Birds, went by with the aimed species well observed and with extraordinary moments performed by Gervai's Beaked whales and by 37 Madeiran Storm-petrel on the chum!

Another successful pelagic expedition has finished with all targeted species of seabirds observed with the highlights being the amazing encounters with sea mammals, such as Mediterranean Monk Seal close to Quinta do Lorde marina, in Caniçal and Gervais' beaked whales who came to visit us at the chumming position.

Following the success of the last years the 2012 pelagic trips season started.

May 25
2 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae
White-faced Storm Petrel Pelagodroma marina
Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Inland birdwatching in Madeira, during May 2012, produced the following vagrant bird observations:

30th May
Cabo Girão
Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba

27th May
Lugar de Baixo
Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus - observed between the 10th and the 27th May

26th May
Faial
6 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus - this species has been recorded in Madeira since December 2011

3 first records during March for Madeira:
1st confirmed record of Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius on the 10th by Petr Podzemny from Czech Republic.
On the 14th 1st record of Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens on Ponta do Pargo by Hugo Romano



On the 17th Bluethroat Luscinia svecica - 1st record for Madeira! by Reg Tookey