Maderia for the New Year

Well without sounding to full of myself ,it was territory previously visited but a week away from
the wet winter was not to be sneezed at.
So we flew in to Funchal on Saturday 28th December our hotel was Porto Bay and we had a quiet
day ,the following morning we was off for a drive first to Ponta da Pargo.

Next up Porto Moniz where a singing Canary was giving it some welly as we got out of the car.

Spectacular views here along the coast, we had lunch at Sao Vincente then made our way
back to Funchal.

The next day I was on a half day tour with Maderian Winds a ecological birding group
I had been out with Katarina and Hugo before,we headed for  Machico where a single
Little Egret graced the harbour mouth.

In the river mouth  below a good number of Turnstones , a single Dunlin and Grey
Wagtails.

Upstream the water was a little deeper and a Ruddy Shelduck was amongst the Muscovy's.
which was quite a surprise.

Our next stop was Canical here in the harbour was a number of Yellow legged gulls and

a Herring gull of the nominate race.

 

Another Little Egret obliged here on the rocks giving much closer views .

Before leaving a few Spanish Sparrows obliged then it was onwards to Ponto do

Rosto this headland produced a number of Berthelots pipits  ,four red legged partridges in flight but

only the call of Rock Sparrow.

Finally Santa de Serra and its local park produced  the superb Maderian Firecrest along with chaffinch ,greenfinch goldfinch and blackbird.