Birding Madeira without Car? (1 Viewer)

[rylirk]

Hi all, am thinking about going to Madeira at some point in the next few months to try and pick up Madeira Firecrest and Trocaz Pigeon. I was just wondering how possible it is to bird the island without a car (I cannot drive)? Are there any local bird guides on the island I could make use of?

 

[PYRTLE]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.madeirawindbirds.com/en/tours/madeira_full_day_birdwatching.html&ved=2ahUKEwiymvmK-Yj0AhUKilwKHUXoAJcQFnoECAMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0zTBAn9AjGxZVLG2yFFKJR

 

[John Cantelo]

Hi all, am thinking about going to Madeira at some point in the next few months to try and pick up Madeira Firecrest and Trocaz Pigeon. I was just wondering how possible it is to bird the island without a car (I cannot drive)? Are there any local bird guides on the island I could make use of?

As far as endemic/near endemics are concerned most can be seen in Funchal and nearby via public transport (inc. cable car). I had Canary & Plain Swift without difficulty in the centre of Funchal (plus Cory's Shearwater offshore). I'd also recommend taking a boat from Funchal to the Desertas (I had Cory's Shearwater, Bulwer's Petrel and Zino/Desertas-type Petrel). I had Madeira Firecrest in the gardens accessed by the cable car plus a Trocaz Pigeon en route (although Blandy's Garden for them). Berthelot's Pipit might be tricker but if you can get a bus/coach Ponta de São Lourenço then they're easy to see around the car park.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

Hi all, am thinking about going to Madeira at some point in the next few months to try and pick up Madeira Firecrest and Trocaz Pigeon. I was just wondering how possible it is to bird the island without a car (I cannot drive)? Are there any local bird guides on the island I could make use of?

When I went I didn't hire a car and was able to get into the laurel forests by bus and see Trocaz Pigeon. The firecrest isn't that difficult in the gardens around Funchal.

Hugo Romano does boat trips for seabirds (Madeira Wind Birds), I don't know if he does other guiding.

 

[PYRTLE]

Hugo Romano does boat trips for seabirds (Madeira Wind Birds), I don't know if he does other guiding.

See the link, offering a day's birding for passerines.

 

[Stephen Dunstan]

See the link, offering a day's birding for passerines.

Sorry Pat, it wasn't obvious what your link was.

 

[PYRTLE]

Yes, it is a bit long winded, no pun intended, too lazy to correct it but I will. I think 80 euros per day is fine as it includes transport costs. Cheers

 

[Xenospiza]

Best spot for Trocaz Pigeon is undoubtedly here: Trocaz Pigeon - Columba trocaz
(I saw them well elsewhere though, but this is at the edge of Funchal).

 

[John Cantelo]

Best spot for Trocaz Pigeon is undoubtedly here: Trocaz Pigeon - Columba trocaz
(I saw them well elsewhere though, but this is at the edge of Funchal).

Thanks for correcting me. I think Blandy's garden is an old name for the site.

 

[Xenospiza]

Thanks for correcting me. I think Blandy's garden is an old name for the site.

Consider it supporting rather than correcting!

 

[albatross02]

Hi all, am thinking about going to Madeira at some point in the next few months to try and pick up Madeira Firecrest and Trocaz Pigeon. I was just wondering how possible it is to bird the island without a car (I cannot drive)? Are there any local bird guides on the island I could make use of?

Sea Birdwatching is possible from terrace of hotel Euro Porto Moniz.
I was also in Cottage Ocean View by AnaLodges. There are many birds around and a levada nearby.
For this area you can use taxi.

https://www.alltrails.com/de/trail/portugal/madeira--2/levada-do-central-da-ribeira-da-janela

Taxi you need in every case, because levada hike is excellent.