This tour is the ideal birding tour to observe most of the endemic bird species and subspecies of Madeira and 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 18 years, we have been running Wind Birds company, and this birding full-day tour is 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, we look for the Madeira endemic Trocaz Pigeon Columba trocaz close to the Laurel Forest and the Macaronesian Berthelot's pipit Anthus berthelotii on a drier habitat. It is also possible to observe the Macaronesian subspecies of Kestrel Falco tinnunculus canariensis, the always lovely to watch Spectacled Warbler, Plain Swift Apus unicolor and, if we are lucky, the very elusive Rock Sparrows.
Lunch is in Santana, an excellent location to observe Atlantic Canary Serinus canaria and the best chance for the elusive Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus granti and Linnet Carduelis cannabina guentheri. After a three-course meal, we will walk around the restaurant gardens to look for these species.
The afternoon, admiring the Madeira Firecrest Regulus madeirensis, 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 Pallid Swifts Apus pallidus during this birding tour.
There will also be a walk along a river to look for any vagrant waders or ducks. Almost sure Common Moorhens Gallinula chloropus will welcome us, Eurasian Coot Fulica atra, Muscovy ducks, Yellow-legged gulls Larus michahellis, Common Waxbills Estrilda astrild 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 Calidris fuscicollis, Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis... Some of them are found during our birdwatching tours.
