São Miguel: Marine Birdwatching Expedition in Azores

Price overview

• Birdwatching expedition São Miguel (3 hours) - Oct - Mar - per person (age 14+) 49.-€
• Birdwatching expedition São Miguel (3 hours) - Oct - Mar - per child (age 4-13) 37.-€
• Birdwatching expedition São Miguel (3 hours) - Apr - Sep - per person (age 14+) 58.-€
• Birdwatching expedition São Miguel (3 hours) - Apr - Sep - per child (age 4-13) 41.-€

Booking option: Marine birdwatching expedition in São Miguel

Meeting point for the marine birding expedition is the yacht harbour of Vila Franca do Campo. Here passengers receive a short briefing on safety on board and initial information about the bird species we can observe at sea and along the coast. First, the boat goes along the coast to observe the well-known shore colonies, shorebirds and life on the volcanic island of Vila Franca do Campo, and then we go out to sea to observe seabirds and the behaviour of wild animals. Our seekers inland help locate our friends and give instructions via VHF radio where the boat will initially head at high speed. As the boat approaches the birds carefully and unnoticed, the guide will keep the passengers informed of all that is happening.

Many birds find the Azores an oasis to breed and raise chicks, or as a refuge while travelling - seabirds can be seen all year round, with the arrival of migrants peaking in spring and the rare American vagrants in autumn. The largest known colonies of Cory's shearwaters and roseate terns are here. Commonly sighted species are Barolo's Shearwater, Common Tern and Yellowlegged Gull, occasional Bulwer's Storm-Petrel, Grant's and Monteiro's Storm-Petrels, unexpected surprises are Bridled and Sooty Terns. Non-breeding Great Shearwaters and Leach's Storm-Petrels can be seen regularly, as well as Manx Shearwaters, Sooty Grebes and vagrant Glaucous, Pomarine and Skuas, possibly Little Egrets and Turnstones, Whimbrels and surprising rarities.

Overview

• Duration: ~ 3 hours
• Hours: 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
• Days: daily
• Months: possible all-year
• Language: English is the official language, but our team is multinational and will do its best to accommodate your preferred language (this is not guaranteed).
• Pick-up not included
• Starting points: Vila Franca do Campo

Included

• Zodiac RIB Boat (12-28 pax)
• Skipper, insurance, boat ride
• Opticron 8x42 Binoculars, knowledgeable wildlife guide

Detailed description

Birdwatching in the Azores island of São Miguel

With just over 400 different species of birds, there is plenty going on in the airspace of the Azores and quite a few to watch. The archipelago is a popular birdwatching destination and the largest island, São Miguel, is no exception. Depending on the season, visitors can see endemic birds here, as well as birds in transit. Many birds find the Azores an oasis to breed and raise their chicks, or as a refuge while travelling. Seabirds can be seen all year round, peaking in spring with the arrival of migratory birds and in autumn with the rare American vagrants.

Birdwatching on São Miguel is a real adventure - and not only for people who are birdwatchers by nature. With biologists and naturalists, you can get closer to shorebirds and seabirds on this half-day excursion, all from the boat. Immerse yourself in the wildlife of the Atlantic. The observation boats leave from the marina of Vila Franca do Campo every morning. You will be provided with a life jacket and high-quality binoculars with which you can observe the birdlife even at a greater distance.

Barolo shearwaters, common terns and yellowlegged gulls are relatively common in the Azores, with occasional sightings of Bulwer's storm petrel, Grant's and Monteiro's storm petrels. In addition to familiar colonies, there are always surprise guests that you can identify together with the wildlife guides on board on this bird watching tour in the Azores.