By mid-August we were expecting some more seabird species passing by on their migration but we still got a Long-tailed Jaeger and a few Arctic tern. As per usual, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were watched all three afternoons.
21st August 2025 - NE wind between 12 and 14 knots and 1.5 to 2 meters swell from same direction
7 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta - 1 on the way up
4 Pterodroma sp. - 2 on the way up
15 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus flying south
Long-tailed Jaeger Stercorarius longicaudus
Atlantic spotted dolphin
20th August 2025 - 8 knots of NE wind and 1.5 meter swell from same direction
Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
4 Wilson’s storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus
3 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
White-faced storm petrel Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca
>20 (presumed) whimbrels on the way back
August, despite being a summer month, sometimes brings interesting bird species to Madeira as some birds begin their migration. We were excited that a White-rumped Sandpiper was spotted by the last day of July, and we're looking forward to seeing what new arrivals the winds might bring our way this month.
24th of August 2025 at Caniçal
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus
23rd of August 2025 at Caniçal
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
20th of August 2025 at Machico - photographed by Max (GER)
Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
It was an unusual pelagic trip in terms of both the number of birds and the species we observed. Interestingly, we even missed the Yellow-legged Gull in the chum on two out of the three days. Typically, at this time of year, Madeiran Storm Petrel is the most challenging to spot, but this expedition proved to be different. Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii were the entertaining birds during the three afternoons.
17th July 2025 - 1st chumming spot: N wind up to 17knots. 2nd chumming spot: NNW wind between 5 and 7 knots. NE waves up to 1 meter
8 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta - while chumming at the 1st spot
5 Pterodroma sp. - all on the way up
3 Common tern Sterna hirundo - 1 on the way up
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus - on the way up, flying far
Possible Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira - by the size it looked P. madeira but it was too quick and wrong timming as we were renewing the chum
Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira - Only at 20:50 but finally we had a great observation!
July began with strong winds on the east side of Madeira, causing many flight cancellations and diversions. This unfortunately led to shortened or canceled holidays for some visitors, while others trying to depart Madeira were stranded for a few extra days.
Given these strong northern winds, we're curious to see if any unusual birds have been pushed to our Atlantic island. We'll keep you updated on any interesting sightings:
31st of July 2025 at Machico river - reported by Jörg (GER)
White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis - less than 5 records on the last 50 years!
12th of July 2025 at Machico
2 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
7th of July 2025 off Porto Moniz - reported by Michel (NED)
Great Skua Stercorarius skua - flying southwards
6th of July 2025 at Machico
Black Kite Milvus migrans
1st of July 2025 at Porto Moniz - observed by Michel (NED)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Three days of offshore birding with predominantly medium to strong N–NE winds which are favorable for Pterodroma observations but quite hard on us, humans. Overall, a productive series of pelagic trips with the key species well observed. Steady passage of Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii everyday. Despite good coverage, hoped-for views of White-faced Storm-petrel or Barolo shearwater did not materialize.
27th June 2025 – N wind 8–10 knots, NE swell 1.5 m, N waves 0.8 m
4 Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta – 1 on the way out, others around the chum slick
15 Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus – 3 outbound, 4 simultaneously at chum, 3 on the return trip
8 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
3 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira – 1 individual feeding at the chum slick
3 Common tern Sterna hirundo
Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus
Pterodroma sp. – not confidently identified
This time was a bit too calm for seabirds which should have been good for cetaceans but those decided to go on holidays somewhere else! The first 2 days were really 'too' calm while on the 3rd day we got some good wind but not enough to attract the Madeiran storm petrel or the now rare White-faced Storm petrel... Anyway, it was a relaxing trip with very good views of Pterodromas and our usual ocean companions: Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii.
21st June 2025 - WSW wind between 4 and 7 knots then shifting to NE wind up to 11 knots. Westerly swell 1.5 meters and then 0.5 meter wind waves from NE
Pomarine or Arctic Skua pursuing a Pterodroma sp.
2 Lesser Black-backed gull Larus fuscus
5 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis
2 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
Scopoli's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Desertas/Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
2 European Storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus
Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus - a brief view by some of the participants
Common tern Sterna hirundo
3 Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus puffinus - all on the way back