going to madeira jan?be any good?? (1 Viewer)

[malgringo]

after trying to decide where to go in jan finnaly ended up with madeira not sure if made right choice but was gf preffrence so wasnt going to argue wasnt going to be total birding wherever we went so just glad of hol really.will it be any good this time of year?? been told mostly be gulls etc around harbours coastline etc,staying nr to funchal and judging by the roads dont think be hiring car so will be limeted to around funchal.any advice be great cheers

 

[cheshirebirder]

after trying to decide where to go in jan finnaly ended up with madeira not sure if made right choice but was gf preffrence so wasnt going to argue wasnt going to be total birding wherever we went so just glad of hol really.will it be any good this time of year?? been told mostly be gulls etc around harbours coastline etc,staying nr to funchal and judging by the roads dont think be hiring car so will be limeted to around funchal.any advice be great cheers

Went there at Easter a few years ago. The two endemics , long-tailed pigeon and the recently split madeiran firecrest ( kinglet ) are resident so you should see them. If you walk any of the levadas you will easily find the firecrests. The pigeons can be seen at Balcoes . You're looking down from high up here over the laurel forest and the birds fly across occasionally. The only problem is misty conditions which can make it difficult so you may need to visit more than once. Other birds include canary and berthelot's pipit. Not sure if plain swift would be there in Jan. though. also assume seabirds not around either.

 

[walwyn]

When we went to Madeira for a general holiday in 1992 one of the things that a local tour guide said was that there wasn't much in the way of birds on the Island as it was off the migration routes. Don't know how accurate that was though.

 

[Steve Lister]

You can get around easily on buses - frequent service along all the main roads. And driving is not too bad unless you are a very nervus driver; most of the roads are Ok and there is not much traffic.

There is a website just on birding Madeira that is worth checking for recent sightings and for a feel of what to expect in January. There are quite often wintering Ring-billed Gulls, mainly at the harbour. and if the ferry is running you should have a day on Porto Santo.

Have a good trip.

Steve

 

[Steve Lister]

Have just looked it up - http:/madeira-seawatching.net

2 Laughing Gulls at Funchal last month.

Steve

 

[Allen S. Moore]

When we went to Madeira for a general holiday in 1992 one of the things that a local tour guide said was that there wasn't much in the way of birds on the Island as it was off the migration routes. Don't know how accurate that was though.

Quality, not quantity, that's the bird life of Madeira!