Surely, the ultimate in North Atlantic pelagic trips, we will spend our time searching for the most wanted species amongst Western Palearctic birders during our time on board. We have a license to land on these remote islands to watch the superb seabird colonies that include White-faced Petrel, Madeiran Storm Petrel, Fea’s Petrel Little Shearwater and vast numbers of Cory’s Shearwaters and Bulwer’s Petrels as they come in to their nesting caves – an awesome spectacle the sight and sounds of which will stay with you forever. We can also expect to see Roseate and Common Terns, Atlantic Yellow-legged Gull, Manx and possibly Sooty Shearwater and our boat has also recorded Red-billed Tropicbird and Sooty Tern.
While at sea, we can also expect a variety of cetaceans and marine life including Spotted and Bottle-nosed Dolphins, Flying Fish, Loggerhead Turtle and whales that have on previous tours included Sei, Sperm, Pilot and Fin, though these are sporadic in their occurrence and cannot be guaranteed. On land, we have the chance to see some of the Western Palearctics least known land birds. Among the highlights of the land-based birds is a visit to the one of the few known Zino’s Petrel colonies in the world at the truly spectacular and atmospheric Pico de Arierio. Berthelot’s Pipit, Canary, the endemic Trocaz Pigeon, Spectacled Warbler, Madeiran Firecrest and Plain Swift can also be expected. Spectacular sunsets and leisurely birding spent aboard the fabulous Ventura do Mar make this tour is a must for seabird enthusiasts. You can expect to see 50 – 60 species.

 

Day Two: We board the Ventura do Mar at Funchal Harbour and set sail for The Selvagens; a journey 0f 165 kilometres. As we leave harbour, we check for gulls and terns, including atlantis race of Yellow-legged Gull and a chance of Roseate Tern and Common Terns. We depart Funchal by 11.00 and sail all day and night to Selvagem Pequena. Overnight on board Ventura do Mar.

Day Three: We arrive at Selvagem Pequena by approximately 13:00. We disembark and explore the island, concentrating principally on Cory’s Shearwaters, Bulwer’s Petrels and White-faced Petrel nests before we return to the boat to sleep. Overnight on board Ventura do Mar.

Day Four: We depart Selvagem Pequena by 14.00 and sail to Selvagem Grande. We will chum en route to try and attract more seabirds close to the boat. We should arrive by 17.00. We disembark and spend time watching the seabird colonies, while enjoying a barbecue with the wardens at the field station, giving an opportunity for learning more about the eco systems of the islands. Overnight on board Ventura do Mar.

Day Five: We spend the whole day on the island visiting areas with Cory’s and Little Shearwaters, Bulwer’s and Madeiran Storm Petrel nests. We depart at approximately 21.00 and sail all night. Overnight on board Ventura do Mar.

Day Six: At sea. We return to Funchal at approximately 14.00 and once we have disembarked, we return to the hotel for some free time and perhaps some birding nearby to look for Palm Swift and the local races of Kestrel, Blackbird Robin and Firecrest, while the Botanical Garden in Funchal has a small population of Monarch Butterflies. We will depart for the mountains at night for a visit to the Zino’s Petrel colony – an unforgettable experience! It is very difficult to see the birds well unless the moon is bright; silhouettes are the normal view, but you will hear the eerie calls echoing around the mountains and feel the swish of the wings as they pass close overhead. We return to Funchal at approximately 01.00. Overnight Hotel Residencial.

Day Seven: Leaving the sea behind for a day, we set out for our experience of birding the atmospheric laurel forest. Our morning targets are the endemic Trocaz Pigeon, Madeiran Firecrest and Madeiran Chaffinch, but we should also see Blackbird, Blackcap, Common Kestrel, Common Buzzard and . Other forest specialities include the Madeiran races of Robin and Sparrowhawk. Then we head for the high plateau and explore the extinct volcano Pico de Areirio, Madeira’s highest point. Here we will look for Berthelot’s Pipit and Linnet. This is also an excellent place to observe Plain and Pallid Swifts at close quarters. Overnight Hotel Residencial.

Day Eight: Today, we take a scheduled ferry trip to Porto Santo. At 11km by 6km, Porto Santo is much drier than Madeira, even though it is just 40 kilometres away. It is more like a desert island with a peaked summit and miles golden sandy beach; Porto Santo is a favourite holiday destination for Maderians. Its main attribute for tourists is the nine km long sandy beach, but development has started to impact on the habitats, so we will work our way towards the lesser developed areas on foot – we will walk four or five miles; perhaps a bit more today. Land birds of open habitats are more easily seen on Porto Santo. Red-legged Partridge, Quail, Kentish Plover, Hoopoe and Spectacled Warbler are possible and impressive numbers of Rock Sparrow and Spanish Sparrow breed in holes in sandy cliffs on the north of the island. A good range of migrants and numerous rarities have been found on Porto Santo, particularly at Tanque pond, though we are rather early for migrants during our visit. Rarities such as Semi-palmated Plover, Pectoral Sandpiper and White-rumped Sandpiper have occurred. The ferry crossing often produces seabirds such as Cory's Shearwater and Bulwer's and Fea's/Zino's Petrels. Madeiran Storm Petrel breeds on islets to the south of the island and may sometimes be seen on the return journey. We have a good chance of seeing whales or dolphins, as well as Flying Fish and Loggerhead Turtles. We return at approximately 21.30. Overnight Hotel Residencial.

Day Nine: Taking our overnight bags, we board the Ventura do Mar to head for the Desertas Islands. After a leisurely cruise east along the coast of Madeira, we will cross the channel between Madeira and the Desertas Islands [hopefully under sail for some of the time]. This area of shallow sea is famed for its seabirds and cetaceans. Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, Short-finned Pilot Whale, False Killer Whale, Fin Whale and other cetaceans are possible. It is one of the best places on Earth for Fea’s Petrel. Bulwer’s Petrel also feeds here. On arrival, we will pass by Bugio, home to 150 pairs of Fea’s Petrel, before mooring off Desertas Grande, the largest of the three islands. Desertas Grande is a wonderful place to observe and photograph Canary and Berthelot’s Pipit at close quarters. There are unique plants and an endemic race of Madeiran Wall Lizard. The island is also home to a small but expanding colony of the critically endangered Monk Seal. Most importantly for our visit, the whole of Desertas Grande is a seabird colony. Not that you would notice in the day when the birds are underground or out at sea. It’s at night that the island comes alive with screaming Cory’s Shearwaters, barking Bulwer’s Petrels and twittering Madeiran Storm Petrels — another truly unforgettable experience. Overnight on board Ventura do Mar.

Day Ten: After spending the morning on Desertas Grande, we head back to Madeira. We will take things slowly and enjoy the cruise, taking in the seabirds and other marine life as we go. We arrive back in Funchal in the afternoon. Overnight Hotel Residencial.

Day Eleven: Following breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the onward flight home.