Almodôvar Birding Center and Observatory

Take part in researching the rarest pelagic birds

In October, we will focus on targeting the highly treseros Trindade and Bermuda Petrels that have been recorded and tracked near Flores Island, Azores. These waters, located in the North Atlantic, are a crucial midpoint for the dispersal expansions of these wide-ranging pelagic birds, with a remarkable seven species of Pterodroma gadflies that could potentially visit, some of which have already been documented. Nonetheless, there is also a recently described but extinct species of gadfly from the Azores, Pterodroma zinorum, which we hope has not actually reached that end! This unique combination of species makes this region truly special, unlike any other ocean or region in the world:

Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana
Bermuda Petrel Pterodroma cahow
Black-capped Petrel Pterodroma hasitata
Black-faced Petrels Pterodroma sp.
Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira
Cape Verde Petrel Pterodroma feae
Desertas Petrel Pterodroma deserta

Why Flores?

It is located in the middle of the Atlantic between the NW Atlantic's upper four species of gadfly petrels and the NE Atlantic's bottom three species. Almost all of these species have already been recorded here in the Azores. Based on Hadoram's accumulated data (including tracked petrels), for his upcoming monograph on Gadflies of the World, most of these species are at least already recorded visiting and some are regularly feeding in these waters.

Why mid-October?

Bermuda, Trindade Petrels, Zino`s as well as Desertas Petrel, and possibly Black-faced Petrels, are known to use the mid-Atlantic off Flores for feeding during this time. This time of the year, both Flores and Corvo Islands in Azores are the key point in the WP for receiving the migratory vagrants from N America!

Why with Hadoram and Carlos?

Hadoram is the only person to have studied all of the world's species of Pterodroma gadflies, both in the ocean, on breeding islands, and with vast museum collections. His upcoming book monograph on these petrels will be submitted for publication this year.

Carlos is a professional in various outdoor, including extreme, marine activities. With 30 years of experience as a skipper, dive master, and top photographer around Flores Island and worldwide, he is well-equipped to guide visitors.