Birding Madeira island, June 2018

​At the beginning of June 2018, we decided to go for a week of family vacations on the island of Madeira, with a day in Porto Santo. This would be my first visit to the islands. Although bird watching was not the main objective, whenever there was an opportunity, I kept my binoculars up. I was particularly interested in seeing Trocaz pigeon and Madeira firecrest. I also had the opportunity to do a four-hour pelagic trip off Funchal,  with Birds & Company. The pelagic trip proved to be a success, and is, undoubtedly, an excellent addition to the itinerary for any birder that visits Madeira. Species like the White-faced storm petrel and two putative Bugio petrel made the boat trip unforgettable. Sadly I did not have the chance to see the elusive Zino´s petrel (Pterodroma madeira).
 
This article is intended to be an annotated checklist of bird species observed during my trip to Madeira and Porto Santo islands.

View from Pico do Arieiro, the breeding ground of Zino´s petrel

1. Petrel (Pterodroma sp.);
Probably Bugio petrel (P. deserta), two inds. were observed during the pelagic trip (June 5th). Unfortunately I could not get any photos.

2. Bulwer´s petrel (Bulweria bulweri)
About seventy inds. observed during the pelagic trip, some very close to Funchal. More birds observed during the ferry crossing to Porto Santo.

Bulwer´s petrel with Funchal on the backgorund

3. Cory´s shearwater (Calonecris diomedea)
Fairly abundant during the pelagic trip.

Cory´s shearwater

4. Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)
Ten inds. observed during pelagic trip.

5. White-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina)
One ind. came to "chum" during the pelagic trip.

6. European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)
One ind. came to "chum" during the pelagic trip.

7. Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
One ind. at the river mouth of Câmara de Lobos.

8. Eurasian Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus granti)
One ind. at São Vicente river valley.

9. Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)
Two inds. observed at Ponta do Pargo.

10. Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus canariensis)
One ind. observed at Ponta do Pargo.

Common Kestrel

11. Atlantic Yellow-legged Gull (Larus michahellis atlantis)
Several inds. at beaches and ports.

12. Common tern (Sterna hirundo)
Several inds. near  Funchal and Caniçal.

13. Roseate tern (Sterna dougalli)
 Three to four inds. inside Funchal´s harbour.

Roseate tern, adult and juvenile

Roseate tern, juvenile

Wing pattern of adult Roseate tern

14. Trocaz pigeon (Columba trocaz)
Several inds. seen at Miradouro dos Balcões (Ribeiro Frio) and on the slopes near Porto Moniz.

Trocaz pigeon

View from miradouro dos Balcões. Habitat for Trocaz pigeon

15. Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaoto)
Several inds. seen in Porto Santo island.

16. Plain swift (Apus unicolor)
Seen at different locations around the island, it was particular abundant around Caniço.

17. Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)
One ind. seen near Caniço.

18. Berthelot´s pipit (Anthus berthelotii)
Several inds. at Ponta de São Lourenço and Ponta do Pargo.

Berthelot´s pipit

Berthelot's pipit

Ponta de São Lourenço, the habitat for Berthelot´s pipit

19. Grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea schmitzi)
Several inds. seen at diferent locations around the island.

20. European robin (Erithacus rubecula)
One ind. seen at Funchal.

21. Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula cabrerae)
Several inds. seen in the gardens of Funchal.

22. Eurasian blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla heineken)
Several inds. seen and heard around the island.

23. Spectacle warbler (Sylvia conspicillata bella)
One male singing at Ponta do Pargo and another one at Eira do Serrado.

Spectacle warbler

24. Madeira firecrest (Regullus madeirensis)
Several inds. seen and heard in Funchal and Ribeiro Frio.

25. Spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis)
Several inds seen in Porto Santo island.

26. Atlantic canary (Serinus canaria)
Several inds. seen around the island.

27. European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis parva)
Two inds. at Ponta do Pargo.

​28. Madeiran chaffinch ( Fringilla coelebs madeirensis)
Several inds. around the island. Very approachable at Miradouro dos Balcões.

Madeiran chaffinch

Ribeiro Frio valley

Birding with 13kg on my back makes it much more fun!