PORTUGAL MADEIRA 6–13 July 2009 Leaders: Catarina Fagundes and Vaughan Ashby

The stunningly scenic Portuguese island of Madeira lies some 600km off the coast of Morocco. A good number of range-restricted seabirds and landbirds are found here, including the endemic Zino's Petrel, Trocaz Pigeon and Madeiran Firecrest. In common with most isolated islands, Madeira has rather few indigenous bird species, so the tour will be low on variety but very high on quality.

Day 1 Flight from London to Funchal and transfer to our four-star hotel near the beach at Machico, which will be our base for the entire tour. After dinner we will head for Pico do Areeiro. In the dark, it will take about half an hour to trek in mountainous terrain to a spot close to the breeding area of Zino’s Petrel. This very special bird was thought to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1969. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of Fea's Petrel, but now has full species status, with an estimated 80 breeding pairs and a total population of only 400 individuals. We will sit quietly to listen for the calls of Zino’s Petrels. If weather conditions are favourable, we should be able to observe the silhouettes of some of the birds.

Day 2 This morning we will visit Madeira's capital, Funchal, where there will be Plain Swifts overhead, and board a boat at the marina. Heading west, about three miles from land, we are likely to encounter Cory’s Shearwaters, Bulwer’s Petrels, Yellow-legged Gulls and Common Terns, while Roseate Tern is a possibility. We shall also look for whales, dolphins and turtles. At Cabo Girao, the highest cliff in Europe at 1903 feet above sea level, we will turn landwards, stopping to admire the magnificent scenery and, for those who wish, to swim in the crystalline water. As the boat weaves its way along the southern coastline back to Funchal, we will be able to enjoy awesome views of this beautiful island. The afternoon will be spent at various localities in the east of the island. We should find Madeiran Firecrest and the local race of Common Chaffinch, maderensis, in the forests and, at an arid site which commands views of both the north and south coasts, we will look for Canary, Rock Petronia and the local race of Berthelot's Pipit.

Day 3 Most of today will be dedicated to forest habitat and will include two fairly short walks, one beside a water channel through Laurel forest and the other in an ecological park; both end in viewpoints. Trocaz Pigeon is the main target species and we will have another opportunity to see Madeiran Firecrest and maderensis Common Chaffinch. A drive to the island’s third-highest peak will, if the weather allows, give us views of the central massif. In the evening we will visit the easternmost point of Funchal Bay for seabirds, some of which we shall hear and see as they come ashore to their breeding sites. Cory’s Shearwaters will dominate the proceedings, but we may also observe Bulwer’s Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrels. Plain Swifts will be present and, hopefully, the local Barn Owl will put in an appearance.

Day 4 A cruise to the Desertas Islands, the legendary lair of pirates, will give us the chance to look for more seabirds, including Cory’s and Little Shearwaters, Bulwer’s and Fea’s or Zino’s Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrel. We may also encounter whales and dolphins. The islands themselves are a designated Biodiversity Reserve for seabirds and Monk Seals. We will go ashore on Deserta Grande for a guided tour and, if conditions allow, those who wish to may swim in the waters of the reserve. During the return trip we can again search for seabirds and the crew will provide us with information on the history, geology, fauna and flora of the Desertas Islands.

Day 5 Today we will tour the west side of Madeira, stopping at various places, including in Laurel forest in a high valley for Trocaz Pigeon and Madeiran Firecrest, and at the island’s most westerly point for Berthelot’s Pipit, Rock Petronia and Spectacled Warbler. In the evening we will cruise west along the coast from Funchal, aiming to see Manx Shearwaters gathering before they fly to their breeding area in the deep valley of Ribeira de Santa Luzia. This trip will allow us another opportunity to look for Cory’s Shearwater, Bulwer’s and Fea’s or Zino’s Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrel.

Day 6 At the easternmost part of the island we will undertake a long walk in the Natural Park of Madeira. The area holds the island’s largest colony of Yellow-legged Gulls as well as Red-legged Partridges, Common Quails, Plain Swifts and Berthelot’s Pipits. There will be another chance to have a swim. In the evening, at a site in northeast Madeira which holds Yellow-legged Gull, Common Tern and Canary, we will settle down for a seawatch. In addition to seeing and hearing Cory’s Shearwaters, we shall be on the lookout for Little Shearwater, Bulwer’s and Fea’s or Zino’s Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrel.

Day 7 If, as we would hope, all of the desired species have been seen by this stage of the tour, our plan for the day will be to go birding at several as-yet-unvisited localities in the northeast of Madeira. In the event that there is a noteworthy and accessible species which we have not seen so far, we will be flexible and concentrate our efforts at sites where it is known to occur.

Day 8 Transfer to the airport and fly back to London, where the tour ends.

General Information The climate is generally warm and sunny, but it can be cloudy with drizzle in the mountains, so a sun hat is important together with some warm clothing for the mountains and boat journeys. There are no special health requirements but please check with your doctor. The pace of the tour is generally relaxed with only a limited degree of fitness required, with the exception of the night-time mountain walk to look for Zino's Petrel which is quite strenuous.

Group Size Minimum number for tour to go ahead: 6; maximum group size: 7 with 1 leader, 14 with 2 leaders.

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