Cory's sheawaters are already back to Madeira! They were seen by the first time this year on the 14th of February 2009 whilst Hugo and Catarina were seawatching from Caniçal. There should also be Manx Shearwaters as this is the time of year when they return...

By this time of year on Madeira waters it is possible to observe Cory's Shearwaters, Manx and Macaroneasian Shearwaters and Madeira (Grant's)-storm Petrels.

On a half-day birdwatching tour on the 11th of February 2009 4 species of larks were seen on a flock in Caniçal. These are the interesting sightings from that Madeira Wind Birds tour:

In mainland Portugal birdwatchers are excited and talking about a mini boom of Larus glaucoides and Larus hyperboreus though this boom is about 7 to 8 records of these species on the coast of Portugal, from Figueira da Foz to Algarve, being 4 (3 adults and 1 first winter) the maximum number of Glaucus Gull individuals observed on the 31st of January 2009 in Peniche. All other records are about 1 single bird.

Winter has been cold and very wet in Madeira, even though still some nice vagrant birds have been recorded in this Island. Gordon Kirk has kindly sent his most interesting observations during his week in Madeira: