Madeira 26-31 August 2012

• This trip to Madeira was the last one in a row of several birding trips in 2012 in an attempt to clean up my list of European birds as much as possible. My target birds on this trip were Great Shearwater, Madeiran Barn Owl as a potential split and the already split Desertas Petrel...E.J. Alblas reports

Madeira 18th-25th June a report in .pdf format (huge 14Mb) from John Cantelo

Madeira, Porto Moniz Aug-Sept 2009 Report in .pdf format - Michel de Lange

Madeira January 22nd to February 5th 2007

• We were meant to go on a boat trip to the Desertas today. Arriving slightly early at the marina, I scanned through a group of 18 Black-headed Gulls on the beach. Amongst them was a 1st winter Bonaparte’s Gull, which was something of a surprise!..Nick Crouch reports.

Madeira 13th - 20th December 2004

• Madeira is not really a good birdwatching destination and this brief pre-Christmas break was arranged at the last minute for some winter sun and a complete change of scenery rather than to chase the island's endemic species and "numerous seabirds"..David Mason reports

Madeira and Porto Santo 16 to 29 September 2003

• September 27: (3:30 a.m.), sounds in the salon. I am a little frightened ! We usualy sleep with open windows. Perhaps a robber ? I get up. and found . a Bulwer's Petrel !!....Georges Olioso reports

Madeira 23 August – 6 September 2002

• This was my second trip to Madeira (see the report from 2000). My main goal for the birding on this trip was the seawatching from Porto Moniz. The reason for this was the memory of the 'big day' on 7 September 2000. The seawatching from the shore of Porto Moniz was excellent as expected!..all this and expert ID tips from Niklas Holmström

Birds on Madeira and Porto Santo 29 Aug-5 Sept 2002

• During 5.5 hours of seawatching we counted a Fea's Petrel, 135 Bulwer's Petrels, 558 Cory's Shearwaters, a Sooty Shearwater, a Balearic Shearwater, 74 Little/Manx Shearwaters and three Arctic Skuas. Also 12 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were seen. We agree with several recent trip reports that Porto Moniz is probably by far the best seawatching site on Madeira...Peter L. Meininger reports.

Madeira August 2001

• Managed to get on to a full day boat trip to Ilhas Desertas, on the same boat as yesterday, 'The Ventura Do Mar', with no regular tourists on board, so despite rough seas, she sailed. Rewarded with 7 Fea's Petrels and a probable Madeiran Storm Petrel...Steve Smith and Dot Machin report.

Madeira September 2000

• The best and most consistent seawatching spot is Ponta da Cruz, the most southerly point of the island, or at Lido. Here a westward movement in the morning and an eastward movement in the evening should be visible representing birds traveling to and from the Desertas....Niklas Holmström reports.

Madeira September 1999

• Of all the common local seabirds Fea's Petrel appears to be the one with the most marked tendency to stay clear of land. At Porto Moniz several birds gave satisfactory views but the majority were distant. Fortunately they are quite distinctive with their dark underwings contrasting sharply with their white bodies. They also appear strangely short tailed from above as the grey upper tail is difficult to see at a distance...Keith Regan reports
  

Flight Identification of European Seabirds Anders Blomdahl, Bertil Breife, Niklas Holmström: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk This book is set to become the dedicated sea-watchers bible. Flight photography is very difficult, especially for seabirds and yet this volume contains over 650 generally superb shots, each carefully annotated to pick out the key identification features. Just about every seabird that has ever occurred in European waters has been included. (making this book equally valuable to birders on the East coast of America.) The authors are experts in their field and they have included a wealth of new information.

Seabirds Peter Harrison , with foreword by Roger Tory Peterson: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk This revised edition of Harrison's guide to seabirds of the world, with full colour paintings of 1600 birds covering 312 species, has been updated to include recent research. The illustrations usually show several views of a species and each bird has been given an individual account.

Collins Bird Guide Lars Svensson et al: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk Described by some as the best field guide in the world, and 15 years in the making. Has it been Worth the Wait?...Yes definately! If you buy just 1 book a year then make sure that its this one. Stunning drawings by the worlds finest bird illustrators..and it shows..check out the plates on tern, Skuas, and the Ducks...not forgetting the Finches and Crossbills.

Recommended travel books for Madeira:

The Mini Rough Guide to Madeira Matthew Hancock: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk The Rough Guide to Madeira is the ultimate pocket handbook to this beautiful semi-tropical island. Lively accounts of every attraction on Madeira and its neighbour Porto Santo are included, from the capital, Funchal, to unspoilt fishing villages and mountain escapes. Insider's reviews of the best accommodation, cafe's and restaurants feature alongside detailed information on walks along the levadas, mountain trails and coastal paths.

AA Essential Madeira
Christopher Catling: Buy from Amazon.co.uk

• Detailed lists recommend the best places to eat and drink; where to shop; children's attractions; local activities and nightlife. All this, plus suggested walks and drives, colour photographs throughout, clear maps and practical travel advice.