15.06.2024 – Islands that Burn

Currently there is an elephant out on the Atlantic. On every tour, it is unavoidable to notice the redness of the cloud cover, the ash in the water, the obscured hazy views if one looks towards Funchal. Since yesterday (Wednesday the 14th), a fire has been burning in the forest around Serra de Agua. On the night it began, I had taken a trip to watch/listen to Zinos petrels (Pterodroma madeira) on Pico Ruvio, the very peak of Madeira. Watching the fires from there reminded me exactly of watching the beginnings of volcanoes sputtering in Iceland (my home for the last two summers). So both these islands burn. My feelings on watching them burn are very different, however. One burns from within; one burns from outside. One from pure natural power, one from stupidity and vandalism. Yet to watch houses be evacuated for a volcano or a forest fire is to be reminded of our place in the world, our impact, our hubris, and our vulnerability to raw natural forces, which we so often forget in the modern day… Just as we forget, its not all about us. We are all part of this living system. So while today I reflect my personal emotions, my sadness, and my anger at these fires within my lived experience in the coming days, I will instead attempt to reflect the impact upon others, including all dolphins, turtles, and shearwaters seen on today’s tours.

By Peter Worth

Sightings of the Day

Stenella

09:30h Atlantic spotted dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins, Loggerhead sea turtles,

14:00h Loggerhead sea turtle, Risso’s dolphins

17:00h Risso’s dolphins, Rough-toothed dolphins

Ribeira Brava

09:30h Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

17:00h Rissos Dolphins, Atlantic Spotted Dolphins