January 2012 bird observations in Madeira

January has almost been a summer month in Madeira this year and we believe that will be one of the reasons for some of the vagrant birds to stay around for a while. As it has not been raining the rivers are still with not much water and so the bottom and the vegetation in the river beds are still providing a good food source for our visitant waders. During January these were the most interesting bird records in Madeira:

Last week of January at Paul da Serra - observed by Elin Taranger (NOR)
Barbary Falcon Falco pelegrinoides

25th January 2012 in São Vicente
1 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
4 White Wagtails Motacilla alba

At Ponta do Pargo
Several Larks sp.

At Lugar de Baixo
American Coot Fulica americana

23th January 2012 in Ponta do Pargo - observed by John Collins (GER)
1 Great Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius - less than 5 records on the last 50 years

13th January 2012 in Pico do Areeiro
5 Snow Buntings Plectrophenax nivalis

12th January 2012 at Machico
10 Little EgretsEgretta garzetta
1 Dunlin Calidris alpina
1 Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
1 Teal Anas crecca - the female that has been seen since November 2011

Caniçal
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus - presumably the same individual that was first seen on the 14th of November 2011
Larks Alaudidae were heard but not seen
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica - the first of the year!

Faial
At least 4 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus
1 Greenshank Tringa nebularia
2 Common Sandpipers Actitis hypoleucos
2 White Wagtails Motacilla alba