This is the ideal birding tour to observe most of the endemic bird species and subspecies of Madeira but also a lovely way to visit non-touristy areas of this lush green island in a comfortable way with very short and easy walks!
For more than 15 years we have been running Wind Birds company, and this birding full-day tour has been adjusted to make the most out of it, allying a high number of endemic bird species with dazzling landscapes and nature experiences. Even non-birdwatchers have joined us and enjoyed it!
Most of the morning is spent looking for the Madeira endemic land birds: Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz and Madeira Firecrest Regulus madeirensis. For this we go to an area surrounded by the indigenous Laurel Forest and majestic mountains. It is also possible to observe the Macaronesian subspecies of Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis and the Madeira subspecies of Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs maderensis and Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea schmitzi. If your holiday in Madeira is between May and August, there is also the chance to see Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii and Pallid Swifts Apus pallidus during this birding tour.
Lunch is in Santana, a good location to observe Atlantic Canary Serinus canaria and the best chance for the elusive Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti and Linnet Carduelis cannabina guentheri, so after a three course meal we will walk around the restaurant gardens to look for these species.
The afternoon itinerary is decided according to the weather though either of the chosen places are good to birdwatch for Berthelot's pipit Anthus berthelotii, Spectacled warbler Sylvia conspicillata orbitalis, Plain Swift Apus unicolor, and Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa. These shrubland habitats are also important bird areas to find some migrant birds such as Grey Heron, Swallows, House Martins, Larks, Northern Wheatear...
There will also be a stop to look for any vagrant waders or ducks. Almost sure we will be welcomed by Common Moorhens Gallinula chloropus, Eurasian Coot Fulica atra, Muscovy ducks, Yellow-legged gulls Larus michahellis and Ruddy Turnstones Arenaria interpres. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find a rarity for Madeira, such as American birds: Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria, White-rumped Sandpiper Calidris fuscicollis, Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis... some of them were found during our birdwatching tours.
