MADEIRA ALBUM
We have just completed our first trip to Madeira. This lovely island gave up its treasures for our group, and we saw all the target species. Zino's Petrels, Fea's Petrels, Madeiran Storm-petrels, Bulwer's Petrels and Barolo Shearwaters were the seabird highlights. A Barbary Falcon was only the 4th record for Madeira, and a long staying Yellow-crowned Night Heron was a 3rd for the Old World. Luis Diaz, skipper of the Ventura do Mar, kindly sent us the following photographs taken on our tour.
Short-finned Pilot Whale - we saw a pod of about 30
Manx Shearwater was seen in small numbers
Desertas Petrel nests only on Bugio
A beautiful portrait of a Cory's Shearwater
Bulwer's Petrel
Barolo Shearwater is one of the hardest seabirds to get a good look at. We were particularly fortunate to see this one close to the boat.
Paul also took a few photographs. Here are his better efforts.
Madeira Firecrest
The Sao Lourenco Peninsula
Berthelot's Pipit
Risco Waterfall
The Pride of Madeira
Trocaz Pigeon
Flowers lining a levada
Deserta Grande
Common Waxbill
Madeiran race of Chaffinch. Male (above) and a female
We were really lucky to spot this Mediterranean Monk Seal during a catamaran trip off Funchal. This species is one of the rarest sea mammals in the world, with just 32 in Madeira, and a few hundred in the Mediterranean and off Mauretania. Thanks to
Pico de Arieiro, the breeding site of the last remaining Zino's Petrels
Here are the photographs from our recce in June 2010
These endemic Trocaz Pigeons were at Risca waterfall too.
Here a Plain Swift flies over a steep valley.
Madeira Geraniums carpet the sides of the levadas in June.
Madeiran Chaffinches are rather tame! They look very different to our Chaffinches, as you can see below.
The Sao Lourenco Peninsula is very different to the lush laurel forests. Its spectacular geology provides great photo opportunities.
Several birds occur here such as Berthelot's Pipit and Rock Sparrow
Our overnight visit to the Desertas Islands was the highlight of the trip. Here's our yacht, the Ventura do Mar, moored in a small bay on Deserta Grande.
We have a wet landing on the beach, so bring your sandals or wetshoes!
The Ventura do Mar
Barbeque on the beach...
Bulwer's Petrels nest in crevices in piles of boulders and stone walls.
Just after dusk Bulwer's Petrels, Cory's Shearwaters and Madeiran Storm-petrels come ashore, their calls filling the night air. The Bulwer's in particular are very clumsy, crashing into boulders before shuffling to their nests.
The evening visit to the only Zino's Petrel colony in the world is an experience not to be missed. Pico de Arieiro is a beautiful location and a visit would be worthwhile for the sunset alone.
The path to the Zino's colony....
Here are Phil's pictures from his visit to Madeira. He also went to sea on the Ventura do Mar.
Cory's Shearwater is the most numerous seabird in the seas around Madeira, and they come ashore to breed on Deserta Grande.
Bulwer's Petrels come ashore on Deserta Grande to breed. They are one of the highlights of our overnight visit.
Madeiran Storm-petrel can occasionally be seen from the boat, but failing that, they arrive on Deserta Grande after dark and can be seen in torch light.
More Bulwer's at sea...
and more Cory's...
Desertas Petrel used to be regarded as a race of Fea's Petrel. Before that, both were lumped with the Soft-plumaged Petrel of the Southern Ocean. They only nest on the island of Bugio in the Desertas archipelago, and just 200 pairs exist.
