The Azores
Birds, whales, flowers and geology
Tuesday 15 - Tuesday 22 September 2009 (8 days)
Join us on a thrilling combined bird- and whale-watching holiday in the Azores - one of Europe's best-kept secrets! Straddling the mid-Atlantic ridge around 950 miles west of Lisbon, the visit promises spectacular scenery, masses of seabirds, excellent whale-watching possibilities, the possibility of American vagrants, and the chance to seek out the endemic and mysterious Azores Bullfinch.
© Simon Stirrup/Nature Portfolio
Great Shearwater
The Azores, Europe's westernmost point, form an archipelago of nine emerald-green islands nearly a thousand miles out into the Atlantic. Sometimes described as the tips of the lost continent of Atlantis, these isles have spectacular volcanic scenery, with vast blue-green crater lakes, impressive black lava seacliffs, and, towering above them all, the highest mountain in Portugal, Pico Volcano. The volcanic activity continues - there are active geysers and hot mineral pools - and you can walk on land that rose from the sea just 50 years ago! The countryside also has a gentler side, of green fields, distinctive hydrangea hedgerows and forests.
Mass tourism has bypassed these 'jewels' in the Atlantic, so the proud local people are still genuinely friendly and welcoming to visitors.
The archipelago is possibly the best location for cetaceans in Europe. Sperm Whales, Bottlenose, Common, Risso's and Spotted Dolphin are regularly seen. Other possible species include Beaked Whales, Striped Dolphin and, very occasionally, a Baleen Whale such as Fin Whale. September is probably the best time to see both a variety of species and good numbers of these giants of the deep.
September in the Azores can also be an amazing time for birdlife both on land and at sea. The seabirds are attracted to the same fish shoals as the cetaceans. The islands' isolated mid-Atlantic position means that they regularly attract vagrants from across the Atlantic, and the chance of finding one of these always adds spice to the birdwatching here.
During the tour we will visit three of the islands and, as well as looking for birds, we will have a chance to watch whales and dolphins both from the land and from boat trips. The great bird, whale and dolphin watching to be had in the Azores, coupled with the beautiful landscapes and friendly local people makes this a real autumn treat, whatever your interests.
Price: £ 1,995
Single supp.: £ 265
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The prices are per person and include scheduled direct return flights London-Azores, internal flights, airport taxes, ground and boat transportation as outlined above, accommodation on a full-board basis, admissions, local taxes, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.
The prices exclude, travel insurance, drinks, and other personal expenses.
Leader: Andy Jones
Days 1 - 2
We take a scheduled direct flight from London to Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel, before transferring to our hotel in Furnas.
We should arrive in time to get our bearings, stroll around the impressive nearby hot springs and visit the adjacent arboretum with its own geothermally heated pool. There will be an introductory talk in the evening.
Next day we travel to the north-eastern part of São Miguel. There amidst some spectacular forest scenery we will start our search for the 'Pri›lo' or Azores Bullfinch, endemic to this island. On our return if there is time, we will visit other hot spring areas for a reminder of the recent volcanism that created these islands.
Two nights Sao Miguel
Days 3 - 5
We fly from Sao Miguel to the island of Pico, our base for the next three nights. The island gets its name from the 2,300m volcanic peak at its centre. We see evidence of the island's dramatic geological past, and visit lava caves and other formations on our way to our hotel on Pico's south coast. We stay amidst impressive scenery right on the cliff-top with excellent chances of seeing cetaceans offshore, Cory's Shearwaters breed on the nearby cliffs and the endemic, day flying species of Noctule Bat may also be encountered here.
Over the next two days we plan to take two whale-watching trips using large, rigid hulled inflatable boats, weather permitting. There is a high chance of seeing Sperm Whales as well as a variety of dolphins and perhaps turtles. We should also get good views of Cory's and Great Shearwaters, with a chance of Bulwer's Petrel and Little Shearwater amongst others.
During our stay we'll also visit the village of Lajes where there is an excellent whale museum, and the chance of encountering waders along the shore. We'll also visit one of the vigias, old whale lookouts from the time that whales were hunted in the Azorean seas and use our skills (and modern optics!) to see if we can find Sperm Whales from land in the way the old whalers did.
Three nights Pico
Day 6
We take the short ferry crossing from Pico to our next island of Faial. We'll be looking out for Cory's Shearwaters on the way and the journey often produces a selection of dolphins, too. We travel to Caldeira, an enormous crater in the centre of Faial, for a short walk, birdwatching and botanising around its rim. Later we visit Capelhinos, the site of the Azores' most recent volcanic eruption on land. Here we have an opportunity to learn about the way these mid-oceanic islands form, and the life that starts to colonise them. There is some good seawatching in the area, and also the chance of seeing a few of the Roseate Terns that may still be on their breeding grounds nearby.
Overnight Faial
Day 7
We return to Sao Miguel in the morning and in the afternoon visit the dramatic crater of Sete Cidades to soak up the scenery and look out for the Azores subspecies of Common Buzzard. We'll also look for more of the Azores' plant specialities including the endemic tree heathers. We'll return to Ponta Delgada and spend our final night there.
Overnight Sao Miguel
Day 8
We can spend some time in the morning exploring Ponta Delgada or, if the winds have been favourable, perhaps we'll search for vagrants near the harbour and coast before travelling to the airport to catch our return flight to London.
Accommodation will be in small hotels with all rooms en suite. We'll visit cafés and local bakeries for snack lunches or picnics.
Walking: Easy. Short walks, some over rough ground, particularly in volcanic areas.
Transport: We plan to take whale-watching boat trips on two days of our tour, off the island of Pico. We use rigid hulled inflatable boats with 'sit-astride' seating. Boat trips are up to 3 hours in duration and only take place if the weather is good; most cetaceans are encountered within five miles of the island. Sea-crossings between Pico and Faial by inter-island ferry. Ground transportation will be by local taxis and minibus.
Numbers: Max. 14 clients