Rubén Barone
 ·  6 August 2023  22:01

Hi.

Spectacular photo. Congratulations! Did you see many Bulwer's Petrels between Madeira and the Desertas? Normally there are good numbers of them, especially in summer. 

Best regards. 

Eduard Sangster
 ·  7 August 2023  19:57

Hi Ruben, we went one day north of Madeira (where we saw 1 Zino's) en two days south of Madeira. The last day we counted 338 Bulwers (and 109 Kuhls, 2 Desertas Petrels and 1 Wilson's Storm-Petrel). We did not see any Madeira Storm-Petrels or White-faced Storm-Petrel. Catarina  (Wind Birds Pelagics) said the last 4 years White-faced is becoming rare. Now 10% chance in stead of 80% chance in previous years. The colony at the Selvagen is not shrinken, so probably there is enough food directly around the Salvagen (the breeding grounds of the White-faced). So maybe that is good news, but not for birders ;)

Rubén Barone
 ·  7 August 2023  21:27, gewijzigd 7 August 2023  21:36

Thanks for the details, Eduard. Quite interesting to know that at the moment White-faced Storm-petrels are not so common around Madeira like in the recent past. In the Canaries it's easier to see the species close to Lanzarote and in Banco de la Concepción area, because, as you surely know, our colonies (quite small compared with those of the Selvagens) are situated in the islets to the North of Lanzarote (Montaña Clara and Alegranza). In any case, sometimes there are chances to find this petrel in waters around the western islands. On the other hand, I remember seeing good numbers of Bulwer's Petrels going from Madeira to the Desertas several times, usually with the company Ventura do Mar, which it seems doesn't work anymore in the area, or I'm wrong?

Best regards from the Canaries. 

P.D.: Did you see any Barolo or Macaronesian Shearwater? The situation of this species in the entire Macaronesia is not good. In the Canaries, it has been classified as Critically Endangered in the latest issue of the Red Data Book of the Birds of Spain (SEO/BirdLife, 2021). 

Eduard Sangster
 ·  9 August 2023  10:44

I thought Ventura do Mar was not operating anymore too, but the website is up and running (again?). I see tours to the Desertas so that looks all fine.  

We did not had any Barolo Shearwaters, but they were not expected.

Rubén Barone
 ·  9 August 2023  12:10

Hi again.

Thanks for your new response, Eduard.

Some time ago I heard something about important changes in the company. It seems Luís Dias is not working anymore with Ventura do Mar.

Best regards. 

Diedert Koppenol
 ·  9 August 2023  13:31

Venturo do Mar is still operating and in 2020 we went with them to the Desertas Islands for a day trip onboard a larger sailing vessel. Great trip and highly recommended, it can even be combined with a stay on the islands.
However, they only do dedicated pelagic trips in RIBS as a one-day thing. If I recall correctly, their trips don't go out as far as WB and are not as long. The captain also told us that they don't chum. So, the obvious winner is MWB.

Rubén Barone
 ·  9 August 2023  13:45

Thanks for the response, Diedert.

I had good experiences with Ventura do Mar during several trips to Desertas in different years. On the other hand, Luís Dias (the former CEO of the company) is a friend, even if I don't have news from him for about 7-8 years. Ventura was a good birding company, but it's true that now the main reference in Madeira is MWB.

Best regards from the Canaries.