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.

July is not a very popular month for vagrant bird species though there are still a few found around the archipelago of Madeira. These are the birds seen while birding on Wind Birds tours:

28th July 2014 at Machico
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
2 Dunlin Calidris alpina
Great Skua Stercorarius skua
Northern Gannet Morus bassanus

Caniçal
2 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
2 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

A pelagic expedition with light westerly wind (not the predominant direction) that only allowed us a very brief view of a Zino's petrel on the first day and which was only identifiable by photos... So not really a good sighting of a Pterodroma madeira but in compensation there was a good number of Fea's Petrels and great views of 4 species of Storm Petrels. Of course, Cory's shearwater Calonectris borealis and Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii are well observed everyday.

Another pelagic went by and though not so many seabird species were seen as on the previous pelagic by end of May 2014, there were good numbers and high quality sightings of Zino's Petrels and Fea's Petrels and also a good number of cetacean species!

June is the first summer month though some late migrating bird species might still be around or visit Madeira. Lets see what Madeira gets:

21st June 2014
Ponta do Pargo
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

19th June 2014
Machico
Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
Western Osprey Pandion haliaetus