Madeira, 10th–17th April 2005

My wife and I had a very enjoyable week on Madeira. We travelled with Explore, spending our time walking the levadas, taking in the spectacular scenery, doing some birding  and generally relaxing. We stayed in Funchal, Santana, Porto Moniz and Ribeira Brava, and had a day trip to Porto Santo.

Cory’s Shearwater – 100’s in evening on 12th from Porto Moniz, and from Ribeira Brava on 13th. Hundred also seen from Porto Santo ferry on 16th, especially around Sao Lourenco headland on outward trip and near Porto Santo on return.

Manx Shearwater – 10+ from Porto Moniz on 12th

Little Shearwater – 5, from Porto Santo ferry, 2 near Porto Santo and 3 at dusk near airport on return.

Little Egret – one past Ribeira Brava on 13th

Grey Heron – one flying up valley near airport on 17th

Kestrel
Common around island, including a pair in large tree behind Hotel Colombo in Funchal

Buzzard
Common around island, including 3 at Ribeira Brava

Quail – several heard on Sao Lourenco peninsula and several more on Porto Santo

Moorhen – one on river at Fiaial 

Whimbrel – 25 circled bay three times, and 2 over calling on 11th Sao Lourenco. On 16th ,one on Porto Santo and 2 from ferry back from the island.

Turnstone – 8 Porto Moniz on 12th, 10 at harbour, Ribreira Brava

Sanderling – 2 on beach, Porto Santo

Yellow-legged Gull - Common, especially Funchal harbour

Common Tern – 3 over the Sao Lourenco on 11th, 3 Porto Moniz on12th, 2(one carrying a fish) Ribreira Brava on 14th, 6 Funchal harbour and 2 Porto Santo on 16th  

Trocaz Pigeon – 3 from viewpoint at Cabanas on the coast, one near Encumeada

Cuckoo – one flying low up the valley and into the mist, near Encumeada on 14th 

Hoopoe – heard on Sao Lourenco, and seen on Porto Santo

Plain Swift - 2, Funchal on 11th, 10, Cabo Girao and 10 at Ribeira Brava on 14th, 2 on Porto Santo on 16th

Grey Wagtail – common

Berthelot’s Pipit – common along Sao Lourenco peninsula, also seen ar Cristo Rei and on Porto Santo

Swallow – 2 on 11th Sao Lourenco, 4 arrived at dusk at Ribeira Brava on 13th

Blackbird – common

Spectacled Warbler – one seen on Porto Santo

Blackcap – common

Madeiran Firecrest – common, right up to near the peak at Arieiro

Robin – common

Rock Sparrow – 10 around refuge, 3km from carpark, Sao Lourenco

Spanish Sparrow – common on Porto Santo

Chaffinch - common

Canary – common

Goldfinch – 10 on Sao Lourenco, 2 Boca da Corrida

Linnet – 6 on Sao Lourenco

Common Dolphin – 4 sightings of upto 5 dolphins from ferry

Lots of Madeira Wall Lizards
Clouded Yellow and Speckled Wood butterflies