Monday 12 February 2024

Madeira Day One

Our first day on family holiday on Madeira mainly involved us getting settled in our cottage for the week. We arrived late last night so overnighted at a hotel in Funchal before driving to our cottage in the west of the island today. Spent the afternoon doing the shopping for self catering and doing a little bit of local exploring. 

Managed to do a little bit of birding from the garden and already had Trocaz Pigeon and a few local specialities.

I've got the LED moth trap out in our garden so will see if anything flying tonight.  


Canarian Kestrel, F.t.canariensis, according to local birding sources the Kestrels here are canariensis. There is a small group of 6-7 birds outside our cottage that are quite active doing display flights and calling. Haven't got much information out here on the local Kestrels but they do appear smaller and all seem to have 'female-type' plumage
View from our Funchal Hotel this morning. Immediately striking was the density of exotic plants.
Our cottage for the week at Calhau Grande near Calheta
Fingers crossed for the moth trap tonight. Had Monarch flying around today and also a couple of Clouded Yellows. Also plenty of Madeiran Wall Lizards on the road up to the cottage. 

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