Purple Sandpiper in Madeira - less than 5 records

On the Friday, the 30th of April 2010, on a bird, dolphin and whale watching trip with Madeira Wind Birds, on "Oceanodroma" boat, around the eastern tip of Madeira, the following special observations were recorded:
1 Purple Sandpiper - Bird seen in Caniçal harbor - there is less than 5 records in Madeira and the last one was more than 20 years ago
1 Dunlin
Spotted dolphins - a big school and very playful

Stijn Cooleman has sent us his trip report of Madeira which also include the purple sandpiper as he was on the boat trip with Madeira Wind Birds:
"During previous week, I observed about 30 bird species on Madeira. The highlights were of course the island endemics. Hereby, you can find an overview of my significant observations:

Sunday 25th April at Funchal bay (between harbour and Lazareto)
Manx Shearwater: 10+
Little Shearwater: 1 probably Zino’s Petrel: 1 probably because Fea’s Petrels are only present from mid May Cory’s Shearwater: 100+
Little Egret: 7
Common Kestrel: 1
Ruddy Turnstone: 4
Roseate Tern: 2
Common Tern: 1
Black-headed Gull: 1
Yellow-legged Gull: 50+
Grey Wagtail: 1
Atlantic Canary: 15

Monday 26th April at Ponta de São Lourenço
Berthelot’s Pipit: 20
Rock Sparrow: 5
Plain Swifts: 5
Yellow-legged Gull: 10+
Common Tern: 2+
Common Kestrel: 1
Grey Heron: 1

Tuesday 27th April atFunchal bay
Sandwich Tern: 1

Wednesday 28th April at Balcões
Madeira Firecrest: 2
Blackcap: 1 male
Chaffinch: 5+

Ribeiro Frio (along road ER-103)
Common Buzzard: 1

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