Madeira Press Kit - Associação de Promoção da Madeira

Main Main routes routes in in Porto orto Santo
Santo
Porto Porto Santo Santo West
West
This area covers the west and north sides of Pico Ana Ferreira and Pico das Flores,
including the west coast of Porto Santo. There are several roads to explore the area and
they are clearly marked on maps.
Along this area, birds include Spectacled Warbler and Hoopoe, uncommon birds in the
archipelago. Canaries, Plain Swifts and Berthelot's Pipits abound here.
In winter, this is an area with an unusual and significant population of Common Starling,
Sky Lark and Whimbrel.
There are some small islands close to the main island of Porto Santo (Ilhéu de Cima, Ilhéu
de Baixo, Ilhéu de Ferro) all classified as IBA, however, they cannot be visited without
permission from the local authorities and the Natural Park.
Sea Sea Watching Watching - Pelagic Pelagic Tours
Tours
Many sea-watching companies operate from the Marina (Funchal). Most popular routes
include the marine reserve of Garajau, Cabo Girão, and the Desertas Islands. These routes
are probably the best ones for seawatching. SPEA Madeira organises regular trips to the
Desertas, and also collaborates with tour operators organising bird-watching trips around
Madeira. The “Lobo Marinho II” covers the route Funchal-Porto Santo-Funchal, every day,
offering very good views of the archipelago and seabirds from the upper deck.
When When to to ggo
g
Birdwatchers usually come to Madeira looking for rare seabirds, and the endemic species
and subspecies of landbirds. Most of them are resident so it’s possible to find them almost
every year.
The best season for seabirds watching is from late April to October.
Other Other Information
Information
Information
• Foreign Birdwatching Reports and Information Service, 6 Skipton Crescent, Berkeley
Pendesham, Worcester, WR4 0LG. Tel: 01905 454541.