- Short Break 2009

MADEIRA - A Seabirds and Endemics Special!
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Saturday 18th July - Wednesday 22nd July 2009
Saturday 25th July - Wednesday 29th July 2009

The Portuguese island of Madeira lies some 600km off the coast of Morocco and it is a truly stunning location to visit. Although low in its number of indigenous bird species, it certainly makes up for it in the quality species that can be found here. Our tour shall focus on a number of range-restricted seabirds with two separate pelagics that will give us our best chance of Bulwer’s and Fea’s Petrels, Little Shearwater and with luck Madeiran Storm Petrel. Then of course there are the endemics, with Trocaz Pigeon, Madeiran Firecrest and the critically endangered and very difficult to see Zino's Petrel, all on the list of targets. This is a fairly relaxed tour focusing on seabirds and the three endemics as well as taking in the fantastic climate and scenery.

Our Tour Itinerary

Day 1
After our flight into Funchal, we shall transfer to our hotel and once settled in, have dinner. At around 9pm we will set off on a unique experience of trekking on one of the highest peaks on Madeira, under starlight! For about 40 minutes our journey shall be by vehicle but after reaching the end of the road on Pico do Areeiro we will take a 25 minute walk by torchlight into the mountains. When we get close to the Zino’s Petrel’s breeding area we shall turn off our headlights and stay quiet enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and shooting stars until, hopefully, the first call of our target species is heard. We hope to experience the amazing sounds of this species and if the weather conditions are in our favour, we have a chance to see some silhouettes of this highly threatened seabird. At around midnight we shall head back to the comfort of the hotel and enjoy a good night’s sleep.

Day 2
Starting at around 9 am we will visit the west of Madeira. Our first stop will be on a pond next to the sea where a number of vagrants have appeared over the years. We shall then proceed to the westernmost tip of Madeira, where we shall search for Rock Sparrow, Spectacled Warblers and Berthelot’s Pipit and maybe some early migrants as well. Our picnic lunch will be at Porto Moniz, one of the most scenic parts of the island with its natural swimming pools formed by crest-like lava flows that rise from the sea bed. After lunch we can try a little sea-watching where we may pick up Cory’s Shearwater and perhaps get our first glimpse of a Bulwer’s Petrel or Little Shearwater. We shall then head to a valley surrounded by spectacular laurel forest and high mountains where we shall begin our search for the next two endemics, Trocaz Pigeon and Madeiran Firecrest, as well as the local race of Chaffinch (maderensis). Our last stop will be at a river mouth in North of Madeira to check for migrants. After a good rest and a well-earned dinner at the hotel we will spend the evening doing some land-based seawatching on the east side of Funchal bay. Here we may find Madeiran Storm Petrel, Bulwer’s Petrel and Manx Shearwater and all to the amazing sound of hundreds of Cory’s Shearwaters returning to their breeding sites.


Day 3
AAfter breakfast, we shall ensure that we are ready on Funchal Marina for our 9.30 am sailing to the Desertas Islands. The sailing trip to Deserta Grande Island will take about 3 hours which will give us plenty of time for seawatching. Key species that we shall be looking for are Bulwer’s Petrel, Cory’s Shearwater, Fea’s/Zino’s Petrel and Madeiran Storm Petrels, and who knows, there is always the chance of a surprise seabird too! As we travel towards Deserta Grande we will try some chumming to attract the seabirds for a closer view. Cetaceans and Turtles are also a real possibility with Short-finned Pilot and Sperm Whales, Common and Bottle-nosed Dolphins and Logger-head Turtles being the most likely species. On Deserta Grande, where the boat anchors, we may go on shore for a short walk around the warden’s house of the Natural Park of Madeira where we can appreciate the endemic flora as well as Canaries and Berthelot’s pipits that can be found here. Lunch is served onboard and after a short break it is time to face the open sea again and go back to Funchal whilst looking for any missing species and taking in the spectacular views of the Madeira coastline.

Day 4
Today we shall visit the north side of the Island and we will walk along a levada (Madeira water channel), through the Laurel Forest to get more views of Trocaz Pigeon, Madeiran Firecrest, and maderensis Chaffinch and to experience the sheer beauty of the laurel forest. This walk will take about one and a half hours each way. After the walk we shall stop for lunch just before heading to Central Madeira, to the Ecological Park of Funchal to look for passerines, Plain Swift and maybe some migrants as well. Target species for the afternoon will be Canary, Spectacled Warbler, Serin, Berthelot’s Pipit as well as obtaining better views and photographic opportunities for species and some relaxation time! After dinner at our hotel, we shall return to Funchal marina where our second boat trip will commence departing at 8pm. On this sea trip we will have a great opportunity to watch both Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters gathering on the sea as we head out to Cabo Girão. Again we shall be chumming as we head out towards this headland and may get more opportunities to see Bulwer’s and Zino’s / Fea’s Petrels and maybe some Madeiran Storm-petrels.

Day 5
Our final day shall see us exploring the easternmost point in Madeira, accessible by vehicle. Here we will be able to admire a different landscape from the rest of the Island together with endemic flora which is also the habitat of Berthelot’s Pipit, Rock Sparrow, Canary and Spectacled Warbler. There is also a chance of Spanish Sparrow around the village. A farewell lunch with typical fish delicacies will follow this morning’s tour. If there is still time we will visit the river mouth close to the city to try to find some Waxbills and migrant waders whilst also keeping an eye skyward for Plain Swifts before we transfer to the airport and return home.


Leaders: Chris Townend and Local Leader

Photo credits: Madeira Wind Birds