September tends to be a good month for migratory birds passing by Madeira. Starting with seabird's migration where Porto Moniz is the best seawatching spot to observe them, there should also be some vagrant birds stoping by.

29th September 2014 at Lugar de Baixo
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

At São Vicente
Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

24th September 2014 at São Vicente
Sanderling Calidris alba
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

The wind was between 6 and 15 knots, during the 3 days, which allowed us to observe the different behaviour of the birds according to the sea and wind conditions. 1 Zino's Petrels was clearly observed and a few migrating seabirds were seen. Of course Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii were the constant species everyday. So, in total we saw 11 species of seabirds (Madeiran storm-petrel does not count), 4 species of cetaceans and 1 shark:

In August starts the migration and so Madeira always get a few vagrants passing by on their way to the South. Though we are out of most of the birds' migration routes, we do get a few interesting species:

30th August 2014 at Lugar de Baixo
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
Dunlin Calidris alpina
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
3 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Ponta do Pargo
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops

The wind did blow for this Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition! In some places a bit too much as we could not go to one of the positions where we get more Storm petrels... Anyway, the show of 2 Zino's petrel on the chum slick on the last day was amazing! Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis were, again, the most observed seabirds everyday.

14th August 2014

This Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition was named as "One of Each" with the nickname of "Half Noa's Ark" as, despite the good wind we had on the first 2 days we only got 1 bird of each species, except of course for Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis which were all around and for Fea's petrels who were seen at least twice. But these birds were well observed close to the boat.

7th August 2014

This Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition was marked by light winds which are not the best conditions for seawatching. It makes the seabird's activity very slow and does not spread the chum smell much. Still we managed to see both Pterodromas while a lot of Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii and some Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis where entertaining the birdwatchers both during the ride and while drifting, everyday.