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AZORES
& MADEIRAJune 10-20, 2012
Seabirds and specialties of the Portuguese Atlantic
with Dominic Mitchell
Trip
Cost & Travel
Planning>
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Form>
This exclusive new tour offers a wonderful insight into the birdlife of northern Macaronesia, the island region of the north-east Atlantic famed for its numerous endemic and near-endemic bird species. We will target all those readily accessible in the northern archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, including enigmatic seabirds such as the globally threatened Zino’s Petrel and newly split Desertas Petrel, the recently described Monteiro’s Storm-petrel, and endemic land birds as diverse as Trocaz Pigeon, Madeira Kinglet and the endangered Azores Bullfinch. The tour culminates with a sailing trip out to the Desertas, a small, seabird-rich archipelago to the south-east of Madeira to look for Bulwer’s and Desertas Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrels as well as a variety of cetaceans. An overnight stay on Deserta Grande will offer the chance to experience the mass arrival of seabirds to the island.
Join
us for a birding
adventure to explore
the unique avian
life of the Portuguese
Atlantic!
A
three-day
extension
to mainland Portugal
June 20-23 is also
possible.
See
below for more
information>
Day 1
The tour begins on Terceira, Azores. As time permits we may see our first Azorean specialties, like the regionally endemic Atlantic Canary and local subspecies of Common Buzzard and Yellow-legged Gull (the latter better known as Azores Gull). Night Terceira.
Day
2
After
an early breakfast we’ll
check the shorebird hot-spot
of Cabo da Praia, where
among
commoner species there
is always the possibility
of an out-of-range vagrant.
Kentish
Plover (now split from
Snowy Plover) breeds here,
Cory’s
Shearwaters pass offshore,
Atlantic Canary and
Common
Waxbill occur around
the
scrubby and reedy edges
of the pools, and Common
Quail can often be heard
singing in the area.
We’ll
also check another local
wetland
for additional species,
and then take a short
afternoon
flight to the small island
of Graciosa. Seabirds
breed
in numbers here, and
we’ll
spend the remainder of
the
day seawatching as Cory’s
Shearwaters stream past
back to their colonies,
perhaps accompanied
by other seabirds, with
a chance of the endemic
Monteiro’s
Storm-petrel. Night
Graciosa.
Day
3
This
morning we’ll
explore this beautiful
island in more detail,
and should see Atlantic
Canary
and the endemic subspecies
of Gray Wagtail, Blackcap
and particularly Common
Chaffinch, which is strikingly
different to its mainland
European
counterparts and a potential
split. Common Quail, much
more easily heard than
seen, is also likely,
and there
is a chance of Red-legged
Partridge. Weather permitting,
we will head out in the
afternoon
to deep waters to look
for seabirds. Cory’s
Shearwaters are locally
abundant
– about
25 per cent of the world
population breeds in the Azores – and
we also have a chance
of the much rarer Barolo
Shearwater (now split from
Little). Our main target,
however,
will be the rare Monteiro’s
Storm-petrel, close to one
of only two known
breeding
sites for this recently
described species. Night
Graciosa.
Day
4
After
breakfast
we’ll
have
another
chance
to
bird
on
land
and
catch
up
on
anything
still
missing
on
the
list.
Although
Common
Buzzards
of
the
endemic
form rothschildi
are
the
only
breeding
raptor
in
the
Azores,
in
late
spring
2011
Graciosa
also
produced
vagrant
Rough-legged
Buzzard
and
Black
Kite,
so
we
will
check
all
birds
of
prey
carefully.
Back
on
the
coast,
we’ll
scan
for
Roseate
Terns
as
they
visit
one
of
their
offshore
colonies.
We’ll
then
have
another
chance
for
pelagic
species
in
the
afternoon,
taking
a
boat
out
to
focus
on
Monteiro’s
Storm-petrel
if
it
has
previously
eluded
us,
but
also
keeping
an
eye
out
for
scarce
species
such
as
Wilson’s
Storm-petrel,
Great
Skua
or
possible
vagrant
seabirds.
Night
Graciosa.
Day
5
Our
last morning on the islands
offers the chance either
to look for more storm-petrels
or shearwaters (perhaps
including Manx and Sooty
as well as Cory’s
and Barolo), or to visit Praia
Islet if we haven’t
already done so. Landing is not
always possible, but we should
get closer views of the Roseate
Terns which nest here among the
Commons. There is an outside chance
of Sooty Tern, one or two birds
sometimes frequenting this islet
in summer. We’ll
then say goodbye to Graciosa and
fly to the main island in the
Azores archipelago, São
Miguel. Night Ponta Delgada.
Day
6
Our
target today is the endemic Azores
Bullfinch, whose entire world
range is restricted to the eastern
hills and valleys of São
Miguel. Although it can be hard
to find, we have a fair chance
in areas where native laurel scrub
is becoming re-established. The
same area is also home to unique
island forms of species such as
European Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap,
Goldcrest, Common Chaffinch and
others. As we work our way back
to the capital, we’ll
call in at some hot sulphur springs
and check volcanic lakes and coastal
harbors for any other species
of interest. Night Ponta Delgada.
Day
7
This
morning we fly south-east to the
beautiful island of Madeira, our
base for the next four nights.
Madeira has the world’s
largest remaining stands of laurel
cloud forest, as well as some
habitats not found in the Azores,
thereby providing refuge for a
different range of birds. Its
marine avifauna is also unique,
and we may opt to head straight
out to sea on a high-speed RIB
(rigid inflatable vessel) in search
of the mythical Zino’s
Petrel. This rare endemic is now
encountered regularly offshore,
and during the search we’ll
also hope to get our first looks
at Bulwer’s
Petrel and Madeiran Storm-petrel
as we chum in these highly productive
though often choppy seas. Back
on land in the evening, we should
see our first Plain Swifts screaming
overhead as we return to the hotel.
Night Funchal.
Day
8
After
an early breakfast, we’ll
head inland to the laurel forests
and hope to find the endemic – and
often elusive – Trocaz
Pigeon. Madeira’s
other endemic land bird, the diminutive
Madeira Kinglet (or Madeira Firecrest)
should give itself up rather more
easily, and we’ll
look out for entirely black-headed
examples of the heineken subspecies
of Blackcap, maderensis Common
Chaffinches (subtly different
to those in the Azores) and perhaps
Eurasian Sparrowhawk. In the afternoon
we return to sea, either to search
again for Zino’s
Petrel if it still eludes us,
or to attract dainty storm-petrels – hopefully
including Madeiran, Wilson’s
and White-faced – to
the throng of seabirds attending
our chum slick.
MACARONESIAN
ENDEMIC SPECIES &
SUBSPECIES
|
AZORES
Endemic species: Monteiro’s Storm-petrel Azores Bullfinch Endemic subspecies: Common Buzzard, Common Quail, Azores Gull, Woodpigeon, Gray Wagtail, Blackbird, Blackcap, Goldcrest (azoricus & inermis), Common Starling, Common Chaffinch Other
specialties:
Sooty Tern, Roseate Tern |
MADEIRA
Endemic
species: Endemic
subspecies:
|
Other
Barolo Shearwater, Madeiran Storm-petrel, Plain Swift, Berthelot's Pipit (madeirensis & berthelotii), Spectacled Warbler, Atlantic Canary |
ALL
PHOTOS
© Dominic
Mitchell
(www.birdingetc.com)
Top:
Azores Bullfinch
Left:
Cory's
Shearwater
Atlantic
Canary
Bertholet's
Pipit
Kentish
Plover
Madeira
Kinglet
Madeiran
Common Chaffinch
ALL
PHOTOS
© Dominic
Mitchell
(www.birdingetc.com)
An optional evening excursion offers the chance of a unique on-land encounter with Zino’s Petrel, which perhaps numbers no more than 85 pairs and breeds only in the mountainous interior of the island. Using an experienced guide, we will be permitted to visit the area and, hopefully, hear birds returning to their burrows in the darkness (and perhaps even glimpsing their silhouettes in the moonlight) – a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Night Funchal.
Day
9
This
morning is our last chance to
see Madeira’s
land bird specialties, including
the regionally endemic Berthelot’s
Pipit and other interesting species
such as Spanish Sparrow and Rock
Sparrow. Plain Swifts and Atlantic
Canaries should be much in evidence
and we may find the regionally
endemic subspecies of Spectacled
Warbler, as well as Eurasian Kestrel,
Common Quail and Linnet. At sea
again in the afternoon there should
be further close-up views of petrels,
storm-petrels and shearwaters,
perhaps including Barolo and other
scarcities, and we’ll
target any pelagic species still
needed before returning to base.
Night Funchal.
Day
10
The
last full day of the
tour sees us sailing out
to the Desertas, a small,
seabird-rich archipelago
to the south-east of
Madeira.
Traveling in a comfortable
yacht, there will be
ample time for more seabirding
during the crossing,
with Bulwer’s
and perhaps Desertas
Petrels and Madeiran Storm-petrels
in among the ubiquitous
Cory’s
Shearwaters. Cetaceans
can also be seen, sometimes
bow-riding right next
to us, with Common,
Atlantic Spotted and
Bottlenose
Dolphins all possible,
and perhaps Bryde’s
Whale. After a short
visit to Deserta Grande,
where Berthelot’s
Pipits and Atlantic
Canaries are often
viewable at close
range, we’ll
sail a short distance
to chum off Bugio
in late afternoon,
as Desertas
Petrels and thousands
of Cory’s
Shearwaters, Bulwer’s
Petrels and other
seabirds begin returning
to their colonies.
Back at our camp
on Deserta Grande,
as darkness falls
the mass arrival
of
seabirds and their
bizarre calls which
fill the air will
make a truly unforgettable
experience.
Some of them, including
Bulwer’s
Petrels and Madeiran
Storm-petrels,
may have burrows
just
a few meters from
where
we’ll
sleep. Night Deserta
Grande.
Day
11
After
an amazing night among seabirds,
we’ll
have breakfast on Deserta Grande
and then set sail for Funchal.
Any target seabirds still missing
from the trip list will be keenly
looked for on the return journey,
and it’ll
be our last chance to enjoy the
likes of Fea’s
and Bulwer’s
Petrels and Barolo Shearwater
before reaching Funchal. After
lunch and a final check of the
harbor area, where flocks of Yellow-legged
Gulls can hold the occasional
Lesser Black-backed, Ring-billed
or other vagrant larid, even in
summer, we will transfer to Funchal
airport, where the main tour concludes.
Note: This tour involves frequent trips at sea and conditions may be rough, so precautions must be taken against seasickness. Most walks are not physically taxing, but the optional excursion on Day 8 involves a steep climb in precipitous terrain after dark.
LEADER: Dominic Mitchell
London-based
Dominic Mitchell is the
founder and managing editor
of Birdwatch, Europe’s
biggest-selling monthly
magazine for keen birders.
He has written numerous
articles on birds and a
number of checklists and
books, including Where
to Watch Birds in the London
Area and the Photographic
Handbook of the Rare Birds
of Britain and Europe. A
keen photographer and also
one of the top listers in
the Western Palearctic,
he has a particular interest
in the region’s
underwatched hot-spots,
travelling to countries
as diverse as Armenia, Georgia,
Syria, Russia, Mauritania,
the Cape Verde Islands and – arguably
his favourite destination – the
Azores. He has also birded
in all seven continents
over 40 years, but when
back home indulges a literally
unhealthy interest in gulls,
spending too much time on
a rubbish tip in east London
studying larids (a pastime
which rewarded him with
Britain’s
first Slaty-backed Gull
among 13 gull species).
| AZORES & MADEIRA Registration
Form>> June 10-20, 2012 Portugal extension June 20-23, 2012. Click here for details> Seabirds and specialties of the Portuguese Atlantic with Dominic Mitchell TOUR PRICE: $3750.00 per person from Terceira, Azores. Note: This tour begins in Terceira, Azores and ends in Funchal, Madeira. Tour price is based on exchange rates in July 2011 and for double occupancy and a minimum of 8 clients. If there are less than 8 clients, a small group supplement may be charged. Single
supplement: $325.00
per
person.
Subject
to
availability. Note on inter-island flights: The domestic flights are subject to limited availability and may increase in price until they are booked and paid for. These flights will be booked once the tour is deemed viable with 8 clients. Any increases will be charged to the client. Flight tickets, once issued, are usually subject to 100% cancellations charges.
Final payment is due by February 10, 2012 and must be paid by check. Cancellations and Refunds: Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $300.00 per person will be made only if Sunrise Birding, LLC is notified in writing of intent to cancel on or before February 10, 2012. No refunds will be made after February 10, 2012. All cancellations must be made in writing. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features. Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any eventuality is strongly recommended. Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.
Questions? Contact Gina Nichol at gina@sunrisebirding.com Phone: 203.453.6724 |
Portugal
Extension
June
20-23, 2012
Those
participating
in
the
extension
will
fly
late
afternoon
on
Day
11
from
Funchal
to
Lisbon
in
mainland
Portugal,
and
transfer
to
a
hotel
close
to
the
airport.
Over
the
next
three
days
a
very
different
range
of
species
will
be
on
offer
in
new
habitats,
beginning
with
the
Tagus
estuary,
an
extraordinarily
rich
area.
The
estuary
boasts
a
wonderful
array
of
birds,
including
Greater
Flamingo,
Glossy
Ibis,
Squacco
and
Purple
Herons,
Purple
Swamp-hen,
Black-shouldered
Kite,
Little
Bustard,
Azure-winged
Magpie,
Spotless
Starling,
Hoopoe,
European
Bee-eater,
Red-necked
Nightjar,
and
an
interesting
range
of
ducks,
waders,
gulls
and
terns,
among
many
others.
After
visiting
this
protected
wetland,
a
one
and
a
half
hour
drive
takes
us
to
the
beautiful
Alentejo
region;
here,
we
shall
visit
rolling
plains,
rocky
outcrops
and
hills
associated
with
the
Guadiana
valley,
noted
for
species
like
Great
Bustard,
Black-bellied
Sandgrouse,
Montagu's
Harrier,
Lesser
Kestrel,
European
Roller,
Calandra
Lark,
Black-eared
Wheatear,
Spanish
Imperial,
Golden
and
Bonelli's
Eagles,
Black,
Egyptian
and
Griffon
Vultures,
Black
Stork,
Eurasian
Eagle
Owl,
Crag
Martin,
Red-rumped
Swallow,
Blue
Rock
Thrush,
Rock
Bunting
and
White-rumped
Swift.
On
the
afternoon
of
Day
14
we
will
return
to
Lisbon
airport,
where
the
tour
extension
ends.
TOUR PRICE: $1195.00 per person from Funchal, Madeira. Note: This tour begins in Funchal, Madeira and ends in Lisbon, Portugal. Tour price is based on current exchange rates and priced for double occupancy and a minimum of 2 clients.
Single
supplement: $100
per person.
Subject to availability.
Deposit: $500.00
per person
Included
in cost: Flight
from Funchal
to Lisbon,
accommodation
in twin rooms
(bed & breakfast),
ground transportation,
guiding
services
and
drop-off
at the airport
at an appropriate
time on
the afternoon
of the third
day.
Not included: Meals other than breakfast, (allow $15-30/day), passport/visa fees, luggage charges, insurance, drinks, laundry, tips to hotel staff, guides, and items of a personal nature.
| RESERVATIONS: To reserve your place on this tour, complete the Registration & Release Form and mail it with your deposit of $500.00 per person to Sunrise Birding, LLC. Instructions are on the form. Reservations are held with a deposit on a first-come, first-served basis. >Download & print the Registration Form. |
Final payment is due by February 10, 2012 and must be paid by check.
Cancellations and Refunds: Refunds, less a cancellation fee of $300.00 per person will be made only if Sunrise Birding, LLC is notified in writing of intent to cancel on or before February 10, 2012. No refunds will be made after February 10, 2012. All cancellations must be made in writing. There are no refunds for unused meals, accommodations, or other trip features.
Insurance: The purchase of trip cancellation insurance to cover any eventuality is strongly recommended. Sunrise Birding, LLC can not accept liability for airline cancellations or delays or penalties incurred by the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets or other expenses incurred by tour participants in preparing for this tour.