Madeira – Endemics & Seabirds
Thursday 9th to Monday 13th July 2009
AA9015
Long-famed
as a winter retreat for the British, the Portuguese island of Madeira is
an ideal destination for a short and leisurely summer birding break.
With two endemics – the recently split Madeira Firecrest and the
conservation dependent Trocaz Pigeon and several other restricted-range
species, Madeira is full of interest. A night-time walk to a mountain
ridge in search of Zino’s Petrel is both exciting and certainly
different to most European birding tours. The highlight, though, is
likely to be a day at sea, weather permitting, as our itinerary
incorporates a pelagic trip to the Desertas Islands.Day 1: A direct flight London for Madeira followed by a short transfer to our hotel in Funchal. Time permitting there will be an introductory birding session, possibly involving some seawatching from a clifftop viewing point.
Day 2: Depending on weather conditions, the day will be devoted to seabird watching while we sail from Funchal harbour to the Desertas Islands. Lunch will be taken on board while we are at anchor in a bay on Deserta Grande. We should be able to make a brief landing on the island before sailing back to Funchal in the afternoon. During the voyage, Fea’s and Bulwer’s Petrels and Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters are the most likely seabirds to be encountered and there is a very good chance of seeing cetaceans, perhaps Atlantic Spotted Dolphins or even a Bryde’s Whale.
Days 3 & 4: Most of the island
will be visited with a view to seeing Madeira’s endemic and
range-restricted species e.g. Trocaz Pigeon, Madeira Firecrest, Plain
Swift, Berthelot’s Pipit and Atlantic Canary. Other interesting
passerines include the distinctive Madeira races of Spectacled Warbler
and Common Chaffinch and we could well see both Spanish and Rock
Sparrows. Late one evening it is planned to walk the central mountain
ridge where, in the cover of darkness, Zino’s Petrels, one of the
world’s rarest seabirds, return to their nests. Glimpses of the birds in
the darkness are possible and there is an even better chance of
hearing their eerie, wailing calls.
Day 5: There may be time for some morning birding before taking our return flight to Stansted.