We might be going on holiday to Madeira again this year, and this time I've been looking for a guide to birds and butterflies that can be found on the island so I have some idea of what to keep an eye out for. I've came up with ONE bird guide that covers the area - A Field Guide to the Birds of the Atlantic Islands: Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde (Helm Field Guides) - has anyone used this guide or guides by the same company and were they good?
Haven't found anything at all for butterflies and even Google fails at finding really useful websites!
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Why don't you try the Butterfly Conservation Groups Kat Tai, maybe they have European links with similar organisations who can recommend something. Hopefully you can get something in English too.
Hi KatTai
I have a very informative 'bird/Wildlife' Forum that may give you a good answer.
If you do not mind that I post the question you have asked here, and I am sure that your will be given a great supply of Butterfy books/information
If you want me to do this please answer this post, or add a comment to my profile.
I will copy and paste what you have said here, and see what reaction is got.
Love for your to get the best of your holiday any time
Regards
Kathy and Dave
KatTai said: We might be going on holiday to Madeira again this year, and this time I've been looking for a guide to birds and butterflies that can be found on the island so I have some idea of what to keep an eye out for. I've came up with ONE bird guide that covers the area - A Field Guide to the Birds of the Atlantic Islands: Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde (Helm Field Guides) - has anyone used this guide or guides by the same company and were they good? Haven't found anything at all for butterflies and even Google fails at finding really useful websites!
That would be very helpful Kathy & Dave, thank you!
I'd rather have a more specific guide than a general European guide, I have a European bird guide and Madeira doesn't even appear on their maps! It wasn't useful at all when it came to species in Maderia as it seemed to concentrate on the mainland.
Ooh! Madeira! Always wanted to go there...!
Being a bit closer to Africa than Europe, I'd imagine that a European guide would be misleading?
Anyway here's a few that might help?
http://www.madeirabirds.com/madeira_butterflies
http://tjwalking-madeira.com/buttflys.htm
http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/website/content/view/184/30/
Look forward to heairng all about it! (And seeing lots of pics of course!!)
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
MarJus - yup, you're right Maderia has a lot moore in common with Africa than Europe and that does mean the majority of European guides are of little use.
Thank you for the links, that is one of the few sites I've found that is a bit useful but still doesn't come with a lot of detail.
I'll post some of my photos from last year later :-)
Hi,
the guide you mention - Clarke/ Disley - is designed for the area and will serve you well.
S
For advice about Birding, Identification,field guides, binoculars, scopes, tripods, etc - put 'Birding Tips' into the search box
No worries there, anytime! {smile}
I will post the question tonight and see what reaction I get.
I will take note of what you have said here about specific guides too.
hi KatTai
The answer I got for the birds of Madeira was the "Collins Pocket Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East". That book includes the locally breeding species and subspecies. The attached link shows the book, and the cost - not very cheap.
Tony Clarke's "Birds of the Atlantic Islands" published by Helm Field Guides. That includes the status of birds in Madeira and the other island groups (Canaries, Azores and Cape Verde).Not sure if there is a specific guide to butterflies in Madeira, even as part of a more general natural history guide. Most of the species that I encountered were covered by a European butterfly guide, although I think that the speckled woods that I saw in the laural forest at Ribeiro Frio is an endemic species.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Britain-Europe-Africa-Middle-Collins/dp/0002198940
"Collins Pocket Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe with North Africa and the Middle East"
Hope that this answer has helped you and given you further ideas {to go along with other peoples answers}
Thank you seymouraves and Kathy and Dave! I think I'll go for the Helm guide as my other half loves Madeira so it will probably end up being well-used! Just need to find something for the butterflies and other insects now!
Anytime with the help.
If I get any more answers I will let you know.