All about the natural beauty and riches of Madeira. From Laurissilva forest, ocean creatures, to cloud milking
History of Madeira Botanical Garden – Funchal Madeira Island is a spectacular and smallish island famed for its balmy climate and for its wonderful and renowned gardens. We already presented the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (here) in an earlier post. This time we will talk about the Madeira Botanical Garden. The Madeira Botanical Garden (Jardim …
The rainforest destination you’ve been missing out on: Madeira a fertile island off the northwest coast of Africa Cloud Milking Cloud milking, scientifically known as occult precipitation or cloud water is precipitation that cannot be measured with a standard rain gauge. It is, for example, the condensation of mist and fog on foliage. The vegetation …
Curral das Freiras Nuns’ Valley The mountainous interior of Madeira Island is home to Curral das Freiras – Nun’s Valley, a parish belonging to the municipality of Camara de Lobos. It is geographically isolated from other localities by natural cliff, peak and formations. Curral das Freiras was initially only reached with great difficulty. Therefore only …
Madeira Bird – Cory’s shearwater For those of you who have been to Madeira, it is likely that you have heard this strange noise at dusk: Cory’s Shearwater call recorded by Cedric Mroczko No, this bird is not cracking up over your 8PM terrace jokes, exchanged with your friends over a glass of poncha. Similarly, …
Zino’s Petrel Zino’s Petrel (or Pterodroma Madeira) is an endemic seabird of Madeira. Furthermore, Zino’s Petrel is Europe’s most endangered seabird species with only 75 to 80 pairs alive today. It only breeds on Madeira island and nests above 1600m on extremely steep ridges in the central mountain range of the island, thus between Pico …
Whales While many visitors prefer to witness sea mammals in their natural habitat, this Whale Museum describes Madeira’s whaling history. Interestingly, whales contribute to Madeira’s economy. However, the relationship changed. First, Madeirans killed whales to earn a living (luckily not as a sport) and now they protect them. Doing so, Madeirans developed a new business; …
Rocha do Navio Rocha do Navio means “Ship Rock” and it is one of four major natural reserves on Madeira. The Nature Reserve called Rocha do Navio is in the parish of Santana on the Madeira’s north coast. It got its name – Ship Rock – for two reasons. First, a Dutch ship sunk in …
Monk Seal – Sea Mammals Madeira is famous for its cetacean watching possibilities. Several companies organize trips to view them up close. However, Madeira waters are also home to another species of sea mammals, namely the Monk Seal (Monachus monachus). Unfortunately, this species is in critical danger of extinction. With less than 600 individuals throughout …
Plants on Madeira Endemic plants are special because they are found in only one location on the planet, and nowhere else. In this case, the plants listed here are endemic to the Madeira Archipelago. Next are the following five endemic plants you most probably will encounter during your trips and walks around Madeira. In addition, …
Plants on Madeira Madeira is an island of many contrasts, many climates and of many plants and flowers. The fertility of Madeira’s flower-filled parks and gardens is in stark contrast to the aridity of Madeira volcanic peaks or western tip Ponta São Lourenço. Now then, here are the first five endemic plants you most …
