Birding in Madeira, November 2017

End of October was very warm and with light winds which was almost better than summer! But in November, the month before Christmas, temperatures already dropped a little bit and rain is finally showing itself. Despite the weather events on the Atlantic on the last couple of months, so far no real rarities have shown up in Madeira archipelago, so lets keep birding around in search for some interesting vagrant birds.

30th of November 2017 at Calheta - watched by Peter Hellenthal (GER)
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus

29th of November 2017 at Ponta do Pargo - observation by Michel de Lange (NED)
European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola

At Funchal harbour - reported by Peter Hellenthal (GER)
2 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
2 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba

25th of November 2017 at Caniço - by Peter Hellenthal (GER)
Barn swallow Hirundo rustica

At Funchal harbour
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus
> 15 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

21st of November 2017 at Ponta de São Lourenço - observed and photographed by Peter Hellenthal (GER)
Short-toed Eagle Circaetus gallicus - this is the 1st record for Madeira archipelago! Photos are coming soon!
> 10 Little Egret Egretta garzetta
6 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

20th of November 2017 at Ribeiro Frio - sighting by Peter Hellenthal (GER)
5 Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

18th of November 2017 at Garachico - observations by Anders Boström (SWE)
Yellow-browed warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
2 Common Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita

15th of November 2017 at Porto Moniz
3 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

At São Vicente
2 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Ponta São Lourenço - watched by Jari Helstola (FIN)
Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris

At Funchal harbour - observed by Jari Helstola (FIN)
Little Egret Egretta garzetta

13th of November 2017 at Ponta do Pargo
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
At least 17 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis

At Porto Moniz
2 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros

At São Vicente
2 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba
Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

At Ribeira Brava
Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea
6 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

12th of November 2017 at Camara de Lobos - sighting by Jari Helstola (FIN)
13 Sandwich Tern Thalasseus sandvicensis

11th of November 2017 at Funchal Harbour - reported by Jari Helstola (FIN)
3 Mediterranean Gull Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
5 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

4th of November 2017 at São Vicente - observations by Miguel Andrade (POR)
3 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus

3rd of November 2017 at Machico
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
10 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Caniçal - sighting by Peter Dwyer (UK)
2 Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

1st of November 2017 at São Vicente
2 Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
2 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba

At Ponta do Pargo
28 Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea

At Ribeira Brava
5 Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres

At Funchal harbour - reported by Miguel Andrade (POR)
2 White wagtail Motacilla alba alba