On April 9th several accidental vagrants were seen at Caniçal, Madeira:
3 European Bee-eater
At least 30 Barn Swallow, one of the Barn Swallows was possibly a Hirundo rustica transitiva subspecies.
5 House Martins
At least 4 Red-rumped Swallow
1Sand Martin.
The Great Northern Loon reported in January is still present.
3rd and 4th of April 2010
Petri Hottola, from Finland, has kindly sent his trip report:
April 3rd at Fajã da Nagueira
Sparrowhawk - 1 adult female
Trocaz Pigeons - were apparently hunted at Faja da Nogueira, 200-300 meters before the dam, in the morning of 3rd April. I heard four shotgun shots, one right on a spot where a Trocaz Pigeon had just landed. The hunter was hiding down in the ravine, by the stream, next to some small pastures/gardens.
In Caniçal
Red-rumped Swallow - 4 in a mixed flock of Barn Swallows and a single Sand Martin
April 4th at Porto Moniz
Red Knot - 1 winter plumaged
Seawatching from Porto Moniz
Morning (from 8.45 to 11.00)
Calonectris diomedea (Cory's shearwaters) - 892 flying E (99% E)
Puffinus puffinus (Manx shearwaters) - 6 flying E
Puffinus assimilis/baroli (Little /Macaronesian shearwater) - 2 flying E
Afternoon 17.15-18.45
Calonectris diomedea (Cory's shearwaters) - 464 flying E/W (no clear direction)
Puffinus puffinus (Manx shearwaters) - 2 flying E
Puffinus assimilis/baroli (Little /Macaronesian shearwater) - 1 flying E "
At Lugar de Baixo
Green-winged Teal - 1 drake still present at Lugar de Baixo, which is undergoing restoration work
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