Hotspots

Fajã do Calhau, São Miguel

Photo: Augusto Faustino

São Miguel

Azores Bullfinch Pyrrhula (pyrrhula) murina is easiest to see in May to September along the mountain road from Nordeste to Povoação, near Miradouro da Serra da Tronqueira. The birds feed along this road and adjacent openings on seeds of herbaceous plants, especially P. capitatum (which forms a small carpet of pink flowers). In September to November, it is possible although more difficult, to see juveniles near Salto do Cavalo (above Furnas), and beyond Miradouro da Ponta da Madrugada, on the coast road from Nordeste to Povoação.

For close views of Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea  and also Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis, a good place is Fajã do Calhau where Island Canary Serinus canaria is also common. At night the cacophony of sound made by shearwaters returning to the cliff is unforgettable. This location is on the east side of São Miguel close to Faial da Terra, 1 to 2 km east of Povoação on an unpaved road which runs close to the sea. This is also relatively close to the Azores Bullfinch site.

Terceira

The best site for north American vagrants in the islands is thought to be the disused coastal quarry just south of the harbour at Praia da Vitoria (known locally as Cabo da Praia) on Terceira Island.

Azores seawatching has a list of sites for each island and should be consulted for further details.