Another successful pelagic with observation of all species aimed! The first day was not a Pterodroma day as the chumming position chosen was for Storm-petrels but the other 2 days we saw many Zino's and Fea's petrels.

Bulwer's and Zino's Petrel

27th June 2013​
Cory's shearwaters Calonectris diomedea and Bulwer's petrels Bulweria bulwerii are a constant in these pelagic trips, both on the way as on the chum.

On the way to the chumming position
1 Fea's/Deserta petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
Bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus

At chum
7 Fea's/Deserta petrel Pterodroma feae/deserta
2 Zino's Petrels Pterodroma madeira
2 Pterodroma sp. - too far to ID
1 Wilson storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus
4 Manx shearwaters Puffinus puffinus
4 Yellow-legged gulls Larus michahellis
2 Lesser Black-backed gulls Larus fuscus

On the way back to the marina
3 Pterodroma sp. - too quick and dark to ID them

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Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira

3rd June 2013 off Calheta
1 Red-billed Tropic Bird Phaethon aethereus

2nd June 2013 at Lugar de Baixo
1 Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis
1 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

The 2013 Zino's Petrels Pelagic Expeditions have started and the most desired bird - Zino's Petrel - was well observed, at a close distance, on the 1st day!

28th May 2013 - despite the rain, cold and choppy sea, the following seabird species were observed:
Cory's shearwarters Calonectris diomedea
2 Pterodromas sp. on the way to the chum
Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
3 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira on the chum
1 Great Skua Stercorarius skua
A few Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus

1 Blue shark Prionace glauca
Atlantic Spotted Dolphins Stenella frontalis

Below is a seawatching report between the 6th and the 13th of May 2013 sent us by Mark Coller (UK). His base was Eden Mar Hotel in Lido area, near Ponta da Cruz, Funchal.

13th May from hotel balcony between 7:00 and 7:45 am
372 Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea
2 Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus

May is here and by the end of the month starts the Zino's Petrels Pelagic Expeditions! Meantime Bulwer's petrel are back to Madeira and can be observed on the Bird, dolphin & whale watching trips.