April 2013 birding news for Madeira

April started very quiet in what regards to vagrant birds... The wind has been light in contrast with March but we are still waiting for some strong easterly winds to blow some migrating birds into this island. Though we are watching again the breeding birds that already returned to Madeira after their migratory season, such as Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira, Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea borealis, Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus, Common Tern Sterna hirundo and Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii!

As for vagrant bird species observed this month, these are:

30th of April 2013 at Lugar Baixo
1 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
1 Shoveler Anas clypeata

26th of April 2013 at Caniçal - reported by Asgeir Larsen (NOR)
2 Peregrin Falcons Falco peregrinus - a pair, male and female.

24th of April 2013 at Lugar Baixo
1 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus
1 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides
1 Shoveler Anas clypeata
2 Cattle Egrets Bubulcus ibis

Ponta do Pargo
2 Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica
4 Common House Martins Delichon urbicum

23 April 2013 at Ponta São Lourenço
> 15 Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica
1 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum
2 Red-rumped swallows Cecropis daurica
4 Sand Martins Riparia riparia

at Estreito da Calheta - watched by Asgeir Larsen
2 Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur

21st of April 2013 at Caniçal - observed by Asgeir Larsen
Black Kite Milvus migrans

at Ponta São Lourenço
2 Red-rumped Swallows Cecropis daurica
120 Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica
23 House martins Delichon urbicum
1 Sand Martin Riparia riparia

19th of April 2013 at Ponta da Pargo - seen by Asgeir Larsen
1 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris

13th of April 2013 at Poiso - reported by Christiaan Giljam (NED)
Black Kite Milvus migrans

11th of April 2013 at Caniçal
2 Common House Martins Delichon urbicum

10th of April 2013 in São Vicente
2 Whimbrels Numenius phaeopus

Lugar de Baixo
1 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
1 Shoveler Anas clypeata
1 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis