Madeira Day 4

Ventura do Mar; Desertas Islands trip

32.646104, -16.910663 ~ 32.512719, -16.509508

The plan for the last two days of the trip was to travel out to the Desertas Islands off the south-eastern corner of Madeira. The tour was organised by Ventura do Mar; consisting of a boat trip out to islands early afternoon, followed by a night on the island, and then a return boat journey the following day.

The boat journey produced excellent views of both Cory’s Shearwater and Bulwer’s Petrel. Both species could be seen flying at very close quarters alongside us. The birds we were really hunting for were Pterodroma petrels, and we had great success with at least eight individuals. Most individuals were distant, but those close enough to be identified were all Desertas Petrels, the less endangered species which breeds on Bugio, the most southern island of the Desertas Islands archipelago.

In addition to the tubenoses on display, we also had a cracking adult Roseate Tern sat on the pier within the harbour in Funchal. The personal highlight from the crossing was an incredible Atlantic Flying Fish, which flew out from alongside the boat, and proceeded to glide for some ten metres before dropping back into the water. It happened too quickly for photos, but it was amazing to witness!

-Roseate Tern

-Desertas Petrel

-Bulwer's Petrel

Once we arrived on Deserta Grande, the largest Island in the Archipelago and our home for the night, we were greeted by incredible views of Berthelot’s Pipit. Birds were running around our feet and almost taking food from our hands. We also had really good views of Atlantic Canary, with large flocks zipping around the area of our camp. The Madeiran Wall Lizards on the Island were even tamer than those on the mainland, regularly taking food from our hands, and any food left unattended was quickly set upon by them. We also had two island rarities; Collared Dove and Common Whitethroat, the latter being quite rare species for Madeira as a whole. As well as birding the island, during the afternoon we went for a swim, getting to see some of the amazing fish species.

-Berthelots Pipit

-Atlantic Canary

-Atlantic Rock Crab

-Madeiran Wall Lizard

-Common Whitethroat

The main reason for visiting the island was to enjoy the seabird colony there. Everywhere we walked there were burrows of Cory’s Shearwater and Bulwer’s Petrel and once night fell, the island came alive with birds everywhere. We regularly found Bulwer’s Petrels sat on the floor near their nests, whilst still more flew around our heads. The other species breeding on the island is Madeiran Storm Petrel, which we failed to see but frequently heard coming into their nests. We finally put our heads down at around midnight, sleeping on mattresses out in the open whilst the seabird extravaganza continued around us.

Species List:

Ventura do Mar; Desertas Islands trip: Cory’s Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel, Desertas Petrel, Madeiran Storm Petrel, Roseate Tern, Common Tern, Yellow-legged Gull, Collard Dove, Berthelot’s Pipit, Common Whitethroat, Atlantic Canary, Madeiran Wall Lizard,