Madeira Days Two and Three

A hectic couple of days mainly doing family stuff but also been sneaking in a bit of birding and mothing. Yesterday we did the Aquarium at Porto Moniz and then the beach in the afternoon and today we headed over to Monte Palace Gardens via the famous Funchal Cable Car. 

All the WP ticks under the belt now- Trocaz Pigeon, Madeiran Chaffinch and Madeiran Firecrest. The great thing about Madeira is that these species can be easily seen from the top tourist spots such as the Monte Palace Gardens so makes for perfect family trip. I don't need Zino's Petrel as saw an extralimital one on the Azores in 2012 which is fortunate as would have been a push with a young family doing a proper pelagic.

A few moths in the trap included my first Striped Hawkmoth and also nice to get a Silver-spotted Veneer, Euchromius ocella (considering the recent influx in the UK). Also Scarce Bordered Straw and a few others yet to identify.

Male Madeiran Chaffinch (above and below) 

Madeiran Firecrest

'Madeiran' Yellow-legged Gull (2nd cycle above and first cycle below). 

Madeiran Wall Lizard 

Striped Hawkmoth 

Silver-spotted Veneer

Cable car over Funchal to the Monte Palace Gardens