We would like to thank to Tom McCanna (UK)who kindly called Madeira Wind Birds to acknowledge about the Gyr Falcon and kindly sent us his little story about his experience with this species in Madeira and his trip report:

GYRFALCON

On Sunday, the 26th of October 2008 an Gyr Falcon Falco rusticolus was observed in Funchal coast, just near Santiago Fortress. Thanks to Tom McCanna who called to alert Madeira Wind Birds, Catarina & Hugo were able to observe this bird of prey too. This bird had black jesses on both legs and it seemed also two silver thin rings. It is certainly an escapee bird from a Falconry though most probably not from Madeira as there is no knowledge of any falconry in Madeira.

Observed by Steve Porter and Roddie Mavor

Steve Porter has kindly sent us his fantastic sighting of a Frigatebird (Magnificent) seen from the Porto Santo ferry at about 45 minutes (about 15 miles Southwest) away from Porto Santo, on the 8th of October 2008. From the birdwatcher's 5 minutes observation they say bird was either an immature or female as it showed some white in plumage.

Here is Steve's report for special birds during his holiday in Madeira Islands:

As you know, we weren't really lucky in Madeira as the wind and occasional rains did birding difficult. Southern wind pushed the seabirds far to the sea and probably stopped migration pretty badly... But some records:

9th to 10th of September - Desertas trip:
Funchal harbour:
2 Kentish Plovers

On the sea:
hunderds of Cory's
50 Manx Shearwater
30 Bulwer's Petrels
15 Desertas Petrels