One more memorable Madeira Zino's Petrel pelagic expedition, by Wind Birds, went by with the aimed species well observed and with extraordinary moments performed by Gervai's Beaked whales and by 37 Madeiran Storm-petrel on the chum!

Another successful pelagic expedition has finished with all targeted species of seabirds observed with the highlights being the amazing encounters with sea mammals, such as Mediterranean Monk Seal close to Quinta do Lorde marina, in Caniçal and Gervais' beaked whales who came to visit us at the chumming position.

Following the success of the last years the 2012 pelagic trips season started.

May 25
2 Zino's Petrel Pterodroma madeira
Cory's shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Bulwer's petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Fea's Petrel Pterodroma feae
White-faced Storm Petrel Pelagodroma marina
Leach's Storm Petrel Oceanodroma leucorhoa

This month, more exactly on the 11th February 2012 it made 5 years since the Green-wingged teal was first recorded in Ribeira da Janela and this american bird is still in the same place, together with Muscovy ducks and a few Mallards... Other interesting observations of this month are as followed:

January has almost been a summer month in Madeira this year and we believe that will be one of the reasons for some of the vagrant birds to stay around for a while. As it has not been raining the rivers are still with not much water and so the bottom and the vegetation in the river beds are still providing a good food source for our visitant waders. During January these were the most interesting bird records in Madeira:

Last week of January at Paul da Serra - observed by Elin Taranger (NOR)
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides