Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia) - occasional bird in Madeira

During migration seasons (September to November and March to May) it is common to find some diferent bird species in Madeira. This year Madeira has been visited by some American species mainly due to the wind and weather conditions that sometimes blow one or some individuals out of their migration route.

Most of the birds that migrate and make a stop in Madeira to feed and rest are seabirds, gulls or waders, like the ones on the photos.

Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) - first record for this species in Madeira

Zino’s Petrels have arrived to Madeira Island and it is already possible to hear them at night at their breeding place – Pico do Areeiro. Zinos Petrels are endemic seabirds that were though extinct until 1969. They have been the most threaten seabird in the world but fortunately they are not so endangered nowadays.

The Natural Park of Madeira has been conserving Zino’s Petrel habitat from predators and now there is about 80 breeding couples and estimations says there must be over 400 birds in total, which is not so bad but is it still a very small population.

Photo by Tânia Pestana

For seawatching lovers their season has started already, as by this time of year one can already stare at the sea for ours and amuse himself with all seabirds that breed in Madeira Island.

The best places in Madeira Island for seawatching are Porto Moniz on the north of the island and Ponta da Cruz in Funchal. Though, if you would like to go on a night expedition to hear and see Zino's Petrel, join Madeira Wind Birds.

Cory’s Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea borealis), the migrating seabirds with very funny calls when coming onshore by end of day to nest, are back in Madeira Island.

These travelling bird species breed in Madeira and Desertas Islands but their biggest colony in the Atlantic is on Selvagens Islands, the most distant islands of Madeira Archipelago.

Yesterday was already possible to hear the calls of these pelagic birds while they were coming onshore, after a day at sea, to clean their nests in cavities dug on the rocky cliffs.

Photo by: Hugo Romano

One of Madeira breeding seabirds has returned from its migration. Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus puffinus) that is in Madeira from February until August. Also is the first seabird returning to Madeira as others usually arrive later in March.

In Madeira Island, Manx Shearwater nests in Santa Luzia valley, in the protect reserve of Funchal Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico do Funchal) up seven hundred meters high.

This bird is 30-38 cm long, with a 76-89 cm wingspan. They are extraordinarily long-lived, at least 55 years old.

Carduelis cannabina guentheri (Wolters 1953) is a linnet indigenous sub-specie from Madeira Archipelago. It presents a great sexual dimorphism. The males' chest is red-colored which turns their identification easier than in the females.

It occurs in open areas with low vegetation (grasses and bushes), in agricultural areas, gardens and humanized areas of Madeira and Porto Santo Islands. Its population has 2500-10000 individuals with no threatenings against its growth.

The locally called Pintarroxo rarely forms mono-specific bands. They are usually mixed with Canaries and Finches.