March is the start of Spring and we can already watch some of the native birds displaying! It is also the start of migration northwards, so lets see if we get some eastern winds to blow some vagrant birds to Madeira.

31st of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo - recorded by Peter
Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus

29th of March 2019 at Ponta do Pargo
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus
Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis
5 Sand Martin Riparia riparia
3 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

At São Vicente
3 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

Despite the very cold weather in Europe, Madeira is still above 15ºC as the easterly winds bring some of the warmth of the North of Africa. Lets see which species will follow these winds from North Africa to Madeira archipelago:

28th of February 2019 at Ponta do Pargo
2 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum

At São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
3 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

At Ribeira Brava
3 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

26th of February 2019 at Machico
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
7 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Caniçal
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

21st of February 2019 at São Vicente
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
3 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba

Happy New Year to all of you who read our Madeira birding news! This year started with light southerly winds which usually do not blow any migratory birds into Madeira but we'll keep looking for them!

25th of January 2018 at São Vicente
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Ribeira Brava
7 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

23rd of January 2018 at Porto Santo - reported by Robert (GER)
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

19th of January 2018 at Porto Santo - photographed by Robert (GER)
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris - 2 cy bird at Tanque Reservoir
Great Northern Loon Gavia immer - by the beach

December started with strong easterly winds and very warm temperatures, beating the records of the last 50 years. Lets see if these inviting temperatures and the winds pushed some any interesting birds into the Madeira archipelago.

30th of December 2018 at Caniçal
2 Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus - flying off the coast
Great Skua Stercorarius skua - off the coast
21 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea - at the fish farm
46 Little Egret Egretta garzetta - close to the fish farm
2 Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
2 Sanderling Calidris alba
11 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

27th of December 2018 at Ribeira Brava
2 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
3 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus - flying westwards, off the coast

At Ponta do Pargo
Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

At São Vicente
3 White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

It's November and air and sea temperatures are still above 20ºC... Perfect conditions for the migrating birds to stop by and rest for a few days before continuing their journey! So let's see which bird species will visit Madeira during this month:

19th of November 2018at Machico - observed by Dave (UK)
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
10 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Ribeira Brava - by Michel de Lange (NED)
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo - flying east

18th of November 2018at Porto Moniz - seawatching by Michel de Lange (NED)
216 Great Shearwater Puffinus gravis

17th of November 2018at Porto Moniz - by Michel de Lange (NED)
3 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo
2 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

October started as a summer month in Madeira with high temperatures. Migration is on the go though on the continent strong easterly winds were felt and these can push some birds into the Atlantic so let's see which species will be lucky enough to find Madeira archipelago as a landing spot.

31st of October 2018 at Camacha
7 Eurasian Teal Anas crecca
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

At Santo da Serra
3 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula

28th of October 2018 at Ribeira Brava - recorded by Miguel (POR)
8 Eurasian Coot Fulica atra
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
2 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

18th of October 2018 at Machico
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
3 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
12 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Santa Cruz - observed and photographed by Claudia (POR)
Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris - female - this is an exceptional vagrant bird to Madeira, with less than 5 records on the last 50 years!