Though Spring hasn't arrived yet Madeira Wind Birds has spotted some swallows already in Madeira!

On the 9th of February 2010 in Caniçal:
2 Barn Swallows
22 Grey Herons - all around the fish farm at sea - We have never seen such a great group of this species in Madeira!

On the 10th of February 2010 in Lugar de Baixo:
1 Green-wing Teal
4 Wigeons

In Ribeira da Janela
1 Green-wing Teal
1 Teal

On the 24th January 2010 at Funchal bay the following birds were recorded:
1 Sandwich Tern
1 Mediterranean Gull
More than 20 Black-headed Gulls
3 Little Egrets

In Machico there was
1 Little Egret
1 Common Sandpiper

Yesterday, the 22nd January 2010 the following special bird records were made:

At Lugar de Baixo
4 American Wigeons
1 Green-wing Teal

At Ponta do Pargo
1 Stonechat
Much sadness as this amazing IBA is being totally destructed for the construction of a golf course

At Ribeira da Janela
1 Wood Duck - female
1 Green-wing Teal
1 Common Teal
1 Little Egret

A Great Northern Loon was spotted yesterday, 14th of January 2010 by Catarina & Hugo from Madeira Wind Birds in Caniçal, as shown on the video below. Another bird (or maybe the same one?!) of the same species, Gavia immer, was observed last year, several times around Funchal bay between the 29th of January 2009 to the 13th of March 2009.

On the 2nd of January 2010 Catarina & Hugo from Madeira Wind Birds guided a full-day birdwatching tour for Jane & James (from Scotland) and here are the special observations:

Seixal
1 Osprey - probably the same observed on the 17th December 2009

Ribeira da Janela
1 female Wood Duck - the 1st record for Madeira still present since the 27th of October 2009
1 Green-wing teal - the long staying 1st record, still present since 11th February 2007
1 Common Teal