Birding Madeira
7th – 21st October 2002
By Andy Warren

Introduction 
The Madeiran archipelago consists of the main island Madeira, Porto Santo, the almost inaccessible Desertas and the remote Selvagens. Together these form part of Macronesia, along with the Azores and the Canaries.
	In October 2002 my family and I spent a fortnight on Madeira, the first week in the village of Amparo, near Ponta do Pargo on the western end of the island, and the second in the old town of Funchal. For the first week we had a rental car, whilst for the second we made use of public transport or walked.
	The weather was generally very pleasant throughout the fortnight, being cloudy and bright with plenty of sunshine and little wind. We had light rainfall on the day of arrival, but then no more precipitation until the afternoon of the 15th. On the 19th we had torrential rain for most of the day, backed by very strong westerly wind. It was still blowing quite strongly the next day, but the rain had gone and it was very sunny.
	Low cloud often covered the tops, only clearing properly on two days, the 12th and 14th.
 
Itinery 
07/10 Arrive Funchal and drive to Amparo along south coast. Short visit to Ponta do Pargo until dusk. Seawatch 18.05-19.25. 
08/10 Walk lavada Ribeiro de Janela then seawatching from Porto Moniz. Seawatch 16.15-18.15.
09/10 Ponta do Pargo in the morning, drive to Prazeres and walk down to Pául do Mar, then back to Ponta do Pargo again in the late afternoon.
10/10 Ponta do Pargo early morning, drive to Boaventura and walk lavada number 27a (Ref: Underwood – Sunflower Guides, Landscape Series), then on to São Jorge and seawatching from cliffs near the mouth of the river 16.50-17.50.
11/10 Return walk from Amparo to Ponta do Pargo. Afternoon seawatching from Porto Moniz 16.00-18.00, with dusk visit to Ponta do Pargo.
12/10 Walk lavadas at Pául da Serra and Rabaçal.
13/10 Return walk from Ponta do Pargo to Cabo along lavada number 34. Late afternoon visit to Ponta do Pargo.
14/10 Drive from Amparo to Funchal via Prazeres, Pául da Serra, São Vicente, São Jorge and Ribeiro Frio. 
15/10 Funchal. 
16/10 Ferry to Porto Santo, walk around the island and return to Funchal. 
17/10 Funchal and Monte Palace Gardens. 
18/10 Return walk from Funchal to Ponta da Cruz. 
19/10 Bus trip to São Lourenco then taxi back to Funchal. 
20/10 Funchal at first light then walk along lavada Corral dos Ribeiros to Eires.

Daily diary 
07/10 Shortly after arrival we collected the rental car and set off along the motorway above Funchal towards the western end of the island. Beyond Funchal the road becomes very winding and it took longer than expected, but the scenery was fabulous. Birds along the way included many Plain Swifts, a few Buzzards and Kestrels and lots of Yellow-legged Gulls. At Amparo we found our comfortable bungalow accommodation and then I nipped down to the point at Ponta do Pargo for a quick look around and a late afternoon seawatch. A few Cory’s Shearwaters drifted past, but they were rather distant, so I concentrated my attention on the pair of Berthelot’s Pipits, 20 Canaries and 4 Greenfinches around the headland. I was also sure I’d briefly heard a Red-legged Partridge but couldn’t locate it. 
Back at the bungalow a superb Hummingbird Hawk-moth flitted about the flowerbeds.
08/10 From our bedroom window next morning, a mixed flock of Blackbirds and Blackcaps foraged among the trees on the nearby hills, whilst a Sparrowhawk briefly tussled with a Kestrel. After breakfast we drove to Porto Moniz and the start of the lavada Ribeiro de Janela. This is a delightful walk deep into the heart of the island, with the laurel forests cloaking the towering mountainsides. Although it was rather dull and misty, this only added to the mystical atmosphere.
	At first birds were few and far between, but then we came across several flocks of Chaffinches, Firecrests and Blackcaps, as well as several Grey Wagtails and the odd Robin. The area is excellent for Long-toed Pigeons, and we saw 10 in total, with 4 together at one point. However, views were generally quite brief and sometimes distant. There were also several species of butterflies, including Clouded Yellow, Long-tailed Blue and Madeiran Speckled Wood.
	We returned to Porto Moniz and I seawatched for two hours from the public car park just above the tidal swimming pools. Many Cory’s headed west, along with 21 Little Shearwaters, some quite close in. Common, Arctic and Roseate Terns and 3 Turnstones added to the list. A magnificent Monarch butterfly was an unexpected find. 
09/10 A mid-morning visit to the point produced a Northern Wheatear, at least 25 Greenfinches and a flock of over 20 Rock Sparrows. On the drive back into the village we came across a recently tilled field. Feeding on it was a mixed flock of finches, made up of about c30 Goldfinches, 60 Linnets and 60 Canaries.
	We then drove over to Prazeres and took the perilous path down to Pául do Mar. If you attempt this walk, make sure it is dry underfoot, as the stone path is VERY steep and slippery. On our way down a pair of Long-toed Pigeons flew up the valley whilst several Buzzards and Kestrels sailed overhead. Madeiran Wall Lizards basked in the sunshine and about 35 Rock Doves zipped around the cliffs. We had lunch in Pául do Mar and as we looked out of the windows a Short-eared Owl flew in off the sea! 
	We took a taxi back up to Prazeres and then returned to Amparo. I popped down to the point finding a Grey Heron, 4 Northern Wheatears, a Common Starling and now over 25 Rock Sparrows.
10/10 A customary morning check on the point produced nothing new. The Rock Sparrow flock had dwindled to just 6 and there were only 4 Greenfinches present, the rest having flown inland. Today we decided to walk a lavada on the northern side, driving to Boaventura and hiking along number 27a. Highlights were 4 Long-toed Pigeons and a Pallid Swift.
	We then continued along the coast to São Jorge. On the river were a Grey Heron, a Little Egret and a pair of Mallard. I walked westwards a little way and spent an hour seawatching, noting about 150 Cory’s and 3 Little Shearwaters west. As we headed back home, a single Long-toed Pigeon flew over the town.
As we drove through Amparo after dark, a Brown Rat ran across the road with an apple in its mouth.
11/10 Our morning walk from Amparo to Ponta do Pargo took us along a lovely little lavada above the village. We then dropped down to the point, had lunch at the mirador and returned along the back lanes. A flock of Plain Swifts racing along the cliff tops at the mirador contained a single Common Swift, whilst earlier I had seen a Pallid Swift at the lighthouse. There was no sign of any Rock Sparrows, but at least 5 Berthelot’s Pipits were flitting about. There had been a new influx of Greenfinches, there being 16 birds at the point, along with Goldfinches, Linnets and Canaries. A White Wagtail bobbed on the lawns of the mirador café and in the bramble hedgebanks of the surrounding fields we found at least 6 Spectacled Warblers, the adult males stunning in the sunshine.
	Butterflies too were out and about, including c15 Painted Ladies, c20 Clouded Yellows, 2 Long-tailed Blues, a Cleopatra and 3 Monarchs. I expected the latter to be trans-Atlantic migrants, and indeed the first monarchs to Madeira were. However, I discovered that the initial migrants were able to find the caterpillar foodplants and now Monarchs breed in small numbers across the island.
	In the afternoon I drove over to Porto Moniz for an afternoon seawatch. In two hours I counted only 75 Cory’s Shearwaters, but had 16 Little and a Sooty Shearwater, surprisingly perhaps the first record for Madeira. Near the village of Santa on the way back, a Long-toed Pigeon flew across the road, whilst at Ponta do Pargo just before dusk, a Northern Wheatear and 40 Rock Sparrows were present.
	At Amparo a small bat appeared, and in the twilight a Common Sandpiper called from the valley below.
12/10 A bright cloudless sky prompted a visit to the tops. Until now they had been veiled in low cloud, but this had cleared, leaving the peaks pristine in the morning sunshine. We drove onto Pául da Serra via Prazeres and walked along a mountain lavada. Plain Swifts were everywhere and I estimated at least 1600, along with 6+ Buzzards and 5+ Kestrels. In a small stream we came across many Perez’s Frogs and in the surrounding grassland Rabbits were common. 
	After an enjoyable walk and picnic lunch, we decided to try the lavadas at Rabaçal. First though, we drove across the plateau, finding a raptor perched on a fence post. I suspected it was a ringtail Hen Harrier, and when it suddenly flew off its identity was confirmed. It appeared to be a first winter female judging by size and plumage and could be the first record for the main island. Only now as I write these notes, do I realise that it could just as easily have been a North American Marsh Hawk – if only I’d checked!
	At Rabaçal we ended up walking sections of all three main lavadas which connect with the site. On one we had a Long-toed Pigeon and on another a flock of at least 50 Firecrests.
13/10 Today we thought we would try a walk from Ponta do Pargo to Cabo and back – number 34 in the Sunflower guide. This follows an old road to Cabo and then a lavada on the return, the latter winding its way through extensive Eucalyptus stands. All the commoner birds were seen, including at least 10 Grey Wagtails in total, whilst a pair of Long-toed Pigeons were feeding in laurels in a garden about half way along the route to Cabo. This and my other records shows that Long-toed Pigeons are not restricted to the high laurel forests of the interior as might be implied in the literature.
	Very little was seen on the return journey, except butterflies. An afternoon visit to the point in brilliant sunshine revealed another Northern Wheatear and 18 Rock Sparrows, whilst a seawatch from the lighthouse produced only 4 Yellow-legged Gulls and a few Common Terns. However, a mixed school of 40+ Bottle-nosed and at least 5 Common Dolphins hunting for fish about a kilometre offshore more than compensated for the dearth of seabirds.
	As it was such a lovely evening we decided to have dinner at the mirador café. As the sun slowly sank below the horizon, a covey of 7 or 8 Red-legged Partridges suddenly shot past, confirming my audio record on the first day. Having not found any partridges until now, despite extensive searching, I was seriously beginning to doubt my hearing!
14/10 Half way through the holiday and time to switch bases. Fortunately the fine weather had continued through the night and it was a gloriously sunny morning. We drove over the tops onto Pául da Serra, via a flock of about 100 Yellow-legged Gulls, down into São Vicente and then along the north coast to São Jorge. From here back over the tops via Ribeiro Frio to Funchal. By this time the clouds had reappeared and the summit was bathed in swirling mists. 
	We stopped for a comfort break in the open pine forests near Mont do Pereiro, finding a small flock of Siskins in the process. There were at least four handsome males, the other birds moving around too much to be sexed and aged accurately.
	In Funchal we eventually located our accommodation, a pleasant self-catering apartment in an historic Quinta overlooking the old town. Although rather distant from the harbour, through the telescope I was able to identify the gulls easily enough.
15/10 With the promise of rain, we spent the morning and early afternoon wandering around Funchal. In the harbour a flock of 150 Yellow-legged Gulls included 3 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, whilst the group of 15 or so Common Terns included an adult Roseate Tern in winter plumage. A Little Egret roosted out on one of the fishing boats, 3 Sanderlings scurried along the outer harbour wall and about 20 Turnstones foraged along the only bit of shoreline.
	Whilst sheltering under a tree from light rain up in the park gardens overlooking the harbour, I was surprised to find an adult winter Ring-billed Gull sitting on one of the enormous street lamps close by. There had been a report of one back in the summer, so I assumed this was the same bird hanging around.
	The rain set in for the afternoon, so we retired to our apartment and relaxed.
16/10 The previous day I had purchased a ticket for Porto Santo, so early next morning I strolled down to meet the ferry. It was still dark and at 07.15 as I walked through the old town a Barn Owl called twice from an area of derelict buildings.
	The ferry departed promptly and we were soon out at sea, the weather closing in a little and reducing visibility to about 500 metres. Cory’s Shearwaters were the first to appear, gliding effortlessly past the boat, then a Balearic Shearwater and then the first of 13 (presumed) Fea’s Petrels. Some came close to the ferry, giving excellent views as they cartwheeled against the wind. A distant Bulwer’s Petrel was the only one of the whole trip (we were too late in the season) whilst 2 Madeiran Petrels and 3 Great Skuas were noted shortly before closing in on Porto Santo. Cetaceans included a pod of about 30 dolphins a few minutes out of Funchal and 25 Short-finned Pilot Whales. 
	Arriving in Porto Santo the weather cleared and it became a hot sunny day. I walked around the harbour until I was clear of the buildings and fences and then climbed straight up into the hills. From here over to Tanque pond near the airport then along the airport perimeter and up past the wind turbines. A short walk over to the second pond on the island and then a hike up to the far end and the final pond. Unfortunately this was virtually dry and the disappointment was all the more heartfelt with the long tiring walk back to the harbour. I reckon on 21 km covered.
	Despite the dearth of birds at pond three, I did see some good birds. Spanish Sparrows and Rock Sparrows were common, as were Canaries. I recorded totals of 24 Hoopoes, c75 Berthelot’s Pipits, 50 Plain Swifts, c15 Kestrels, 10 Buzzards, 5 Blackcaps and 3 Spectacled Warblers. Migrants included 5 Wheatears and a Willow Warbler.
	At Tanque pond there were 6 waders of 6 species, including a Greenshank, a Common Snipe, a Dunlin, a juvenile Little Stint, a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper and a superb juvenile White-rumped Sandpiper, the latter photographed at quite close range. A Little Egret, 3 Coot, a pair of Moorhens with one chick and a female Pintail added to the excitement at this small pool.
	The second pond held a single Moorhen with nothing on the third, although two Whimbrels flew over me on the walk back. Perez’s Frogs were common at Tanque and a vole of some kind shot across my path.
	The return ferry crossing was not so interesting, although 8 presumed Fea’s Petrels were noted, along with hundreds of distant Cory’s Shearwaters near the Desertas Islands.
17/10 After yesterday’s exploits, I spent the day with my family on a visit to the Monte Palace Gardens. We took the new cable car to the top and had lunch overlooking the city. The weather was gorgeous and the gardens delightful. Commoner species were in good numbers and the two bird feeders had attracted 4 Greenfinches. A tame female Ringed Teal graced the ornamental ponds, and I assumed it was put there along with two Mute Swans.
	We returned via a traditional sledge ride, expensive but worth the experience.
18/10 Another day in Funchal, with an early afternoon stroll out to Ponta da Cruz. The harbour yielded over 800 Yellow-legged Gulls and the same Roseate Tern with the Commons. At the point a 45 minute seawatch revealed very little, just 20 Cory’s Shearwaters, 10 Common Terns and another Roseate. An immature female Sparrowhawk circled over the road on our walk back into Funchal, only the second of the trip since the first, brief sighting at Amparo. Coincidentally another immature female appeared over our Quinta later in the day and then amazingly an immature male was spotted circling over Boa Vista – three in one day!
19/10 Apparently no holiday to Madeira is complete without a visit to São Lourenco, so today we took a bus out to the headland. At first it was a nice sunny morning, but as we drew near the weather took a serious turn for the worse and ten minutes into our walk it became very windy with torrential rain. We had to turn back, seeing only a few Berthelot’s Pipits, 2 Rock Sparrows, c10 Canaries and tantalisingly at least 3 Wheatears. Unfortunately we had just missed the returning bus and now had a two hour wait for the next one! Luckily a local man took pity on us and gave us a lift into Caniçal where we took shelter in a café bar.
	I braved the storm just once to check the sea, finding 5 Sandwich Terns fishing close inshore. Rather than wait for the bus we took a taxi back to Funchal, the rain lashing down all the way. It only eased towards dusk, when I spotted the Ring-billed Gull flying around the harbour.
20/10 Our last full day, so I made the most of it by walking down to the end of the outer harbour wall for an early morning seawatch. After the westerly storm of the previous day I had high hopes, but these were soon dashed when I counted only 150 Cory’s Shearwaters, c350 Yellow-legged Gulls and the same 10 Common Terns. However, the adult Roseate Tern had been joined by an immature and I had 1-2 Pomarine Skuas distantly offshore.
	The best bird I’d seen earlier – an immature Black-crowned Night-heron flying around the promenade trees in the centre of the town! I failed to locate it perched up and looking back, I now wonder if it too was of the North American race.
	Later in the morning we took a bus up to the lavada Corral dos Ribeiros and walked east to Eires. It was another wonderfully sunny day and we were soon baking under the sparsely clouded sky. A Long-toed Pigeon was unexpected, as was a Coot on a small drinking water reservoir, whilst flocks of Firecrests, Blackcaps and Blackbirds were quite common. Grey Wagtails were found all along the lavada and the gardens were full of Canaries. The views were stunning and it was a fitting end to the holiday.
	Next morning we packed, met our taxi and drove to the airport for the return flight home. I looked for birds from the viewing balcony, but it faced the runway and apart from several distant Buzzards and Plain Swifts I saw nothing else.
	I thoroughly commend Madeira to you, although by choice I would only spend a week here. However, this was a family holiday rather than a birding trip, so perhaps I didn’t do so badly after all! 

Systematic List
Fea’s Petrel Pterodroma feae
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 13, Porto Santo to Funchal ferry 8

Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweri bulweri
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 1 seen briefly

Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
07/10 Ponta do Pargo 18.05-19.25, c20
08/10 Porto Moniz 16.15-18.15, 100s passing west with some east 
10/10 São Jorge 16.50-17.50, c150 west with c20 east 
11/10 Porto Moniz 16.00-18.00, c75 west 
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry c75, Porto Santo to Funchal ferry 100s 
18/10 Ponta da Cruz 14.30-15.15, c20 
20/10 Funchal harbour sea wall 08.15-09.45, c150

Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus
11/10 Porto Moniz 16.00-18.00, 1 west 

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus 
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 1

Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis
8/10 Porto Moniz 16.15-18.15, 21 west of which 14 were in the first hour 
10/10 São Jorge 16.50-17.50, 3 west 
11/10 Porto Moniz 16.00-18.00, 16 west

Madeiran Storm Petrel Oceanodroma castro
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 2, both close to Porto Santo

Black-crowned Night-heron Nycticorax nycticorax 
20/10 Funchal an immature flying around the promenade in the centre of the town

Little Egret Egretta garzetta
10/10 São Jorge 1 
15/10 Funchal harbour 1 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond 1 
20/10 Funchal harbour 3

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 
10/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 
10/10 São Jorge 1 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 
16/10 Porto Santo 1 
20/10 Funchal harbour 2

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 
10/10 São Jorge a pair on the river where it forms a pond at the sea shore

Pintail Anas acuta
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond a female

Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus 
12/10 Pául da Serra an immature female on the tops 

Eurasian Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti 
08/10 Amparo 1 
18/10 Funchal 3 immatures (two females and a male)

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo harterti
Common in all localities, with 6+ at Pául da Serra on 12th and c10 on Porto Santo on 16th 

Eurasian Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis
Common throughout

Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 
07/10 Ponta do Pargo heard, but no further sign despite extensive coverage of the area until… 
13/10 Ponta do Pargo a small covey of 7 or 8 flew past the mirador at 19.30

Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond a pair with one full grown youngster, and 1 on middle pond

Coot Fulica atra 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond 3 
20/10 Corral dos Ribeiros lavada 1 on a small reservoir nearby

Sanderling Calidris alba 
15/10 Funchal harbour 3 
16/10 Porto Santo harbour 4

Little Stint Calidris minuta 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond an immature

White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fusicollis 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond an immature showing very well

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond an immature 

Dunlin Calidris alpina
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond an immature 

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond 1

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 
16/10 Porto Santo 2

Greenshank Tringa nebularia 
16/10 Porto Santo Tanque pond 1

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 
11/10 Amparo 1 calling at dusk 
20/10 Funchal harbour 1

Turnstone Arenaria interpres 
08/10 Porto Moniz 3 
15/10 Funchal harbour c20 
16/10 Funchal harbour 3 
18/10 Funchal harbour 7 
20/10 Funchal harbour c10

Great Skua Stercorarius skua 
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 3

Pomarine Skua Stercorarius pomarinus 
20/10 Funchal harbour sea wall 1 possibly 2 adults rather distantly 

Skua sp. Stercorarius sp. 
16/10 Funchal to Porto Santo ferry 1 seen very briefly was either an adult Artic or Long-tailed

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus 
20/10 Funchal harbour 1

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis 
15/10 Funchal harbour an adult winter roosting on a street light 
19/10 Funchal harbour the adult winter flying around with gulls in the harbour 

Lesser black-backed Gull Larus fuscus graellsii 
15/10 Funchal harbour 3 adults 
16/10 Porto Santo harbour 1 adult

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis atlantis 
Very common around the coast, especially Funchal harbour and Pául da Serra

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis 
19/10 Caniçal 5 birds in the harbour

Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli 
08/10 Porto Moniz 1 
15/10 Funchal harbour 1 adult winter 
18/10 Ponta da Cruz 1 
18/10 Funchal harbour 1 adult winter 
20/10 Funchal harbour 1 adult winter and 1 first winter

Common Tern Sterna hirundo 
08/10 Porto Moniz 2-4 
09/10 Pául do Mar 1 
10/10 São Jorge 4 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 4 ‘commic’ following a small boat 
11/10 Porto Moniz 4-7 
13/10 Ponta do Pargo 5-7 
15/10 Funchal harbour 15+ mainly first winter birds 
18/10 Ponta da Cruz c5 
18/10 Funchal harbour c10 
20/10 Funchal harbour c10

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea 
08/10 Porto Moniz 1

Rock Dove Columba livia 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 5+ 
09/10 Pául do Mar 35+ 
10/10 São Jorge 5 

Long-toed Pigeon Columba trocaz 
08/10 Lavada Ribeiro de Janela 10, including 4 together 
09/10 Pául do Mar 2 up the valley towards Prazeres 
10/10 Boaventura 4 
10/10 São Jorge 1 over the town 
11/10 Near Santa (Porto Moniz) 1 over the road 
12/10 Rabaçal 1 
13/10 Lavada Ponta do Pargo to Cabo 2 
20/10 Corral dos Ribeiros lavada 1

Barn Owl Tyto alba 
16/10 Funchal 1 calling in an area of derelict houses and gardens in the Old Town at 07.15hrs

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus 
09/10 Pául do Mar 1 in off the sea 

Plain Swift Apus unicolor 
Common almost everywhere, especially 12/10 Pául da Serra when 1600+ counted 

Common Swift Apus apus 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 in with c50 Plain Swifts

Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 
10/10 Boaventura 1 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 in with c50 Plain Swifts 

Hoopoe Upupa epops 
16/10 Porto Santo a total of 24

Berthelot’s Pipit Anthus bertolotii 
Ponta do Pargo up to 5 all week 
12/10 Pául da Serra 15+ 
16/10 Porto Santo a total of at least 75 
19/10 São Lourenco c10

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea schmitzi 
Common throughout

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 1

Robin Erithacus rubecula 
Recorded throughout, but very shy and retiring

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon 
12/10 Rabaçal 1 above the valley 
13/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 
15/10 Funchal harbour 1 on the beach in the centre of the town 
16/10 Porto Santo 5 
19/10 São Lourenco 3 (2 males and 1 female)

Blackbird Turdus merula cabreae 
Common throughout, often in small flocks

Spectacled Warbler Sylvia conspicillata bella 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 6 in the uncultivated field margins near the village 
16/10 Porto Santo 3

Blackcap Sylvia atricappila obscura 
Common throughout, often in small flocks with Blackbirds

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 
16/10 Porto Santo 1

Firecrest Regulus ignicappilus maderensis 
Common in all Laurel woodlands, with flocks of up to 30-40 birds

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 1 immature

Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 
16/10 Porto Santo very common, with several large flocks of 100+

Rock Sparrow Petronia petronia maderensis 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 20+ in the morning, c25 in the afternoon 
10/10 Ponta do Pargo 6 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo none in the morning but 40+ in the afternoon 
13/10 Ponta do Pargo 18 in the afternoon 
16/10 Porto Santo a total of c150 
19/10 São Lourenco 2 near the end of the road

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs maderensis 
Common in all Laurel forests and small pockets of native woodland

Canary Serinus canaria canaria 
Very common throughout, e.g. 60+ in a single flock at Ponta do Pargo on 09/10 with 100s on Porto Santo on 16/10 

Greenfinch Carduelis chloris 
07/10 Ponta do Pargo 4 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo 25+ briefly on the headland with most flying inland 
10/10 Ponta do Pargo 4 
10/10 Achadas da Cruz 1 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo 16 
11/10 Amparo 4 
13/10 Cabo 1 
17/10 Monte Palace Gardens Funchal 4 at bird feeder 
According to Moore et al (1997) this is supposed to be a vagrant to the archipelago. Judging by all my sightings it appears to have increased in frequency over recent years and now seems to be an uncommon winter visitor.

Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis parva 
09/10 Ponta do Pargo c30 
11/10 Ponta do Pargo c15 
13/10 Cabo 2 
15/10 Funchal 3 
16/10 Porto Santo c10 
20/10 Corral dos Ribeiros lavada c10

Siskin Carduelis spinus 
14/10 Mont do Pereiro 7 (4+ males) in pine trees just north of road junction 203 and 215

Linnet Carduelis cannabina nana 
Up to 60 around Ponta do Pargo and 1 at Cabo on 13/10 were the only places Linnets noted

* * * * *
Andy Warren 
Withy Way, Charingworth, Chipping Campden, Glos, GL55 6NU