Selvagens archipelago lies about 160 nautical miles South of Madeira island. It is a constituted by 2 main islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena and a few islets. These are barren islands, with steep cliffs, and host important seabird colonies. There are very large colonies of Cory’s Shearwater and White-faced Storm Petrel (the species is actually the most numerous one in Selvagem Pequena), and in smaller numbers of Little Shearwater, Bulwer’s Petrel and Band-rumped Storm Petrel. Berthelot’s Pipit also occurs. Due to it’s proximity to the African coast, this can be a good place to look for migrants and rare vagrants to Europe, both of seabirds and land birds. The archipelago is a Natural Reserve and visitation is restricted. Trips can be arranged with private boat or tour operators, and have to be properly authorised by Madeira Natural Parks service. |
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Hotspots
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