MADAGASCAR Either for rarity value, excellent views or simply a group favourite.

Transcription

1 MADAGASCAR th Sept 26 th Oct 2015 HIGHLIGHTS Either for rarity value, excellent views or simply a group favourite. Long-tailed Ground Roller Pitta-like Ground Roller Short-legged Ground Roller Scaly Ground Roller Common Sunbird-Asity Schlegel s Asity Souimanga Sunbird Red-tailed Tropicbird Madagascar Harrier Collared Nightjar Red-fronted Coua Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher Leaders: Sickle-billed Steve Vanga Bird, Gina Nicho Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher Littoral Rock Thrush Madagascar Pratincole Banded Kestrel Crested Ibis Velvet Asity Blue Vanga Henst s Goshawk Cuckoo-Roller Giant Coua Appert s Tetraka Brown Mesite Sub-desert Mesite White-breasted Mesite Crossley s Babbler Cryptic Warbler Giant Coua Appert s Tetraka Madagascar Sandgrouse Humblot s Heron Van Dam s Vanga Helmet Vanga Bernier s Vanga Indri Fossa Hubbard s Sportive Lemur Coquerel s Sifaka Verreaux s Sifaka Ring-tailed Lemur Golden Bamboo Lemur Red-ruffed Lemur Milne Edward s Sifaka Diademed Sifaka Greater Dwarf Lemur Mongoose Lemur Parson s Cameleon Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko Giraffe Weevil! SUMMARY: Madagascar is a place like no other and despite the sadness relating to the destruction of habitat and many unique species, this is a must visit destination, especially as nature tourism is one way to show that preserving what is left really matters. As ever logistics never run smoothly in Madagascar but lucklily we had the very best of ground operators working for us and this meant that when the inevitable curse of cancelled flights or other transport problems occurred our team sorted it as expertly and swiftly as possible, enabling us to not miss anything. By the end of what was a truly fantastic trip, all the endemic birds species that were possible during this tour were seen and most of them really well by all the group, I have to make a special mention about the amazing quality and lengthy performance of Bernier s Vanga and to the fine nesting Helmet Vanga we got in the Masoala extension. Also, last BUT NOT LEAST AT ALL, besides the many fine lemurs, chameleons, and other interesting creatures we enjoyed, I have to admit that the encounter we had with a couple of Fossa was simply mesmerizing! Diego Calderon Tour Guide 1

2 Main Tour: Arrive Tana 28 th Sept Late afternoon everyone arrived, happy and with bags, in Tana Antananarivo, old French name was Tananarive) coming in different flights from Nairobi and Mauritius. Being transferred to our Orchid Hotel the first Squacco and Black Herons were spotted in rice paddies and at the hotel restaurant veranda the first load of birds named Madagascar something White Eye, Bulbul, Red Fody, Wagtail) were noted as the first lifers for most of the group. We had dinner and went for a badly needed rest after flying for 12, or 24! hours and before a long long drive the next day thanks to a last minute cancellation from Air Madagascar.!! Tana Ankarafantsika 29 th Sept Before!an!early!breakfast!at!our!hotel!in!Tana,!the!restaurant!veranda!offered!some!more!Madagascar!Red! Foddies,!Madagascar!Bulbuls!and!some!Madagascar!White!Eyes.!We!left!6:00!am!and!started!driving!NW!for! the!whole!day.!pee!and!lunch!stops!were!very!productive!and!delivered!madagascar!beefeater,!namaqua! Dove,!Souimanga!and!Madagascar!Green!Sunbirds,!Madagascar!Cisticola,!Squacco!Heron,!YellowFbilled! Kites,!Purple!Heron,!Madagascar!Kestrel,!and!some!RedF billed!teals.!special!efforts!we!made!scanning!along!the! degraded!pastures!for!madagascar!harrier!until!jim!and! Mamy!spotted!it!at!the!same!time;!the!bird!was!joined! by!another!two!individuals!and!even!though!distant,!we! had!good!views!of!this!easyftofmiss!endemic.!our!stop! at!the!betsiboka!river!bridge!offered!us!a!nice!show!of! Madagascar!Pratincoles!and!more!sunbirds,!plus!definite! views!of!the!madagascar!larks!that!had!been!flying!in! front!of!the!car!for!the!whole!morning.!a!later!afternoon! stop!near!ankarafantsika!in!some!wetland!areas!gave!us! WhiteFfaced!Whistling!Duck,!African!Pygmy!Geese!and! our!first!madagascar!coucal.!we!made!it!to!the! Ampijoroa!Lodge!in!Ankarafantsika!National!Park!just! after!sunset!and!torotoroka!scops!owls!were!calling! around!our!bungalows.!after!dinner,!some!of!us!went! for!a!night!walk!getting!madagascar!nightjar!and!plenty!of!goldenfbrown!mouse!lemurs.!we!found!our!first! chameleon!of!the!trip!also,!a!big!outstalet s.!! Ankarafantsika 30 th Sept A!very!early!breakfast!guaranteed!us!good!birding!here!on!the!dry!forests!of!this!national!park.!We!started! with!the!muchfwanted!sicklefbilled!vangas!joined!by!several! Chabert s!vangas!in!the!parking!lot.!we!then!drove!less!than!5! minutes!to!start!our!cocktail!of!good!new!birds!including! Common!Jery,!Madagascar!Hoopoe,!Madagascar!Green! Pigeon,!Blue!Vanga!and!loads!of!LongFbilled!Tetraka!AKA! Bulbul!or!Berniera).!WhiteFbreasted!Mesite!proved!difficult! and!only!some!of!us!had!a!quick!glimpse!of!a!running! individual!crossing!the!trail;!likewise,!coquerel s!coua! responded!to!tape!but!never!allowed!us!to!see.!we!then! continued!on!the!trail!getting!into!schlegel s!asity!territory!and! eventually!secured!amazing!views!of!one!insanely!good!looking! male.!madagascar!buttonquails!showed!up!nicely!also!in!this! area!and!on!the!return!walk!to!the!bus!we!made!justice!with! the!whitefbreasted!mesites!that!came!amazingly!close!to!the! group!and!also!with!the!coquerel s!coua!that!showed!up! perfectly!well!then.!thanks!to!the!amazing!ears!of!our!park!local!guide!jacky,!we!could!enjoy!another!! 2

3 beautiful!couple!of!schlegel s!before!leaving.!we!came!to!the!lodge,!and! after!a!quick!rest!we!were!exploring!one!of!the!park!trails;!it!was!already! 10:00!am!and!it!was!hot!and!very!quiet.!Anyways,!some!playback!helped! to!deliver!one!by!one!our!targets,!namely!rufous!vanga,!redfcapped! and!crested!couas.!van!dam s!vanga!never!responded!so!today!we!left! the!forest!without!it.!a!nice!bonus!was!a!stakedfout!dayfroosting! Torotoroka!Scops!Owl!just!before!lunch.!Also!before!lunch,!Peter!came! to!introduce!chaos!and!delay!our!meals,!as!a!troop!of!coquerel s!sifaka! was!just!hanging!out!in!front!of!his!bungalow.!in!the!afternoon!we!went! on!a!boat!trip!into!the!ravelobe!lac!the$ Crocodiles$Lake,$where$these$ creatures$are$considered$sacred$and$every$year$zebus$are$sacrificed$to$ the$crocodiles$by$the$sakalava$people$on$a$special$traditional$event)! where!we!indeed!got!to!see!a!nile!crocodile!and!our!main!target:!the! mighty!madagascar!fish!eagle.!a!night!walk!near!the!lodge!gave!us!again! the!madagascar!nightjar!and!additionally!mongoose!lemur!and!a!skinny! elongated!nice!looking!fatftailed!dwarf!lemur.!! Ankarafantsika Mahajanga 01 st Oct As!our!only!missing!target!was!the!Van!Dam s!vanga,!early!after!breakfast!we!headed!towards!the!same! area!we!did!yesterday!in!the!vast!trail!system!of!the!park!near!the!lodge.!just!after!starting!we!got!an!early! treat!when!after!a!bit!of!playback!a!madagascarlessercuckooposednicelyforthescopesandoffered greatviewsinacoupleofperchesthankstomamyourlocalguidethatfounditveryquickly.crested andcoquerel scouasaboundedaswellascommonnewtoniasandlong?billedtetrakas.wefounda femalemadagascarparadiseflycatcherbuildinganest andseveralchabert svangaswerealsoaround.mid morningwegotinthedistanceacoupleofvandam s VangascallingsoIplayedabitandwechargedtowards theexactspotthankstothenicealmostgrid?liketrail system),playedagainabitandwehadthisamazing massive?billedgoodlookinghugevandam svanga maleperchedjust3metersawayfromourbinscalling backtousforsome10seconds.happybuteagerfor moreandbetterviews,werovedothertrailsandfound anothercouplethatofferedgreatviews.returningto thelodgeafrances ssparrowhawkposednicelyinthe scopeforeveryoneaswellasthemostobligingcuckoo? Rollerever,andwealsogottostudyaHog?nosedSnake thatwaswarmingupinthetrail.wetookasmalltripto acloselocal villagefor Madagascar Jacanaanduponreturningjustbeforelunchtimewehad Grey?headedLovebirdsallaroundthebungalowsoffering spectacularscopeviews.ontheafternoondriveto MahajangaoldFrenchnameMajunga)wedidseveral stopsenjoyingsomegoodieslikekittlitz sploverinrice paddiesandhottentottealsinthelacaburumalandi.we gottoourfami?resorthotelinmahajangaattheendofthe afternoonandsettledinfordinnerandrest. Mahajanga 02 nd Oct Afteracivilized7:30ambreakfastwedrovethroughthebusytownofMahajangatoboardourspeed boatforatripinthebetsibokariverdelta westartedrightawaywithanicecoupleofbernier steals andaddeddozensofdimorphicegretsaswellasseveraleurasianwhimbrelsandcurlews.avery welcomedmadagascarharrier?hawkflewabovethemangrovesallowingforgreatviews.one MadagascarSacredIbisshowedveryniceonamudflatandlaterweaddedsome4moreindividualsat 3

4 least.curlewandtereksandpiperswereallovertheplace,aswellasafewgreatersandplovers.we lookedeverywherebutcouldnotconnectwithanycrabploversunfortunately.returnedtolandfora deliciousseafoodlunch atthebeachandback forashortrestonour hotel.laterinthe afternoonwewentto seeiftheairportpond wasnotdryandwas kindenoughto entertainuswithsome birdsaround;thepond wasquitewetactually, andithadbirds,many!, amongthecrowdsof peopleworkingontheir plantationsallaround thepond.thiswaskind ofanagriculturaloasis wherepeoplethathave migratedfromthecentralplateauhighlandscontinuetheirtraditionoffarmersandagroandtakecare oftheirrice,onions,garlic,andsomelocalspicesplantedaroundthelake;alsosomefolksgettoearn somefishhere.wefoundniceandmuchcloserafricanpygmygeeseandalsoafricanblackswifts abovethewaters.wewerealmostgonewhentomgotalonelyduckhidinginthevegetationinthe middleofthepondinthescope;hereweallwereelatedwithniceviewsofthenot?so?commonwhite? backedduckbeforereturningtoourhotel! Mahajanga Tana 03 rd Oct Havingthismorningto killsometime aroundmahajangabecauseofouryesterday sflight cancellationbyairmadagascar,weheadedagaintotheairportpondonly20minutesfromourhotel. WehadagoodstartwithamazinglyshinningSouimangaSunbirdinthesoftsunriselight,thendozens ofmadagascarnamedspecies,namelybushlark,red Fodynored?plumagedmalesyetanyways),Cisticola, andmannikinoralsoknownasmunia.aftersome birdingthebushesandopenareaswethengottothe pond,foundagainthewhite?backedduck,the MadagascarJacanasandtheSquaccosandBlack Herons.MadagascarBeeEatersandAfricanPalm Swiftsentertainedusalotplayingintheair,andjust beforestartingtoreturntohotelforlatebreakfast,i quicklyglimpsedamalesakalavaweaver;despite muchscanningthearea,wecouldnotfinditagainfor thegroupsoeveryonewillhavetowaituntiltomorrow forthisonewhenwegettoberenty.intheafternoonweflewtotanaandspentthenightrecharging batteriesrestingatourorchidhotelconvenientlylocatedlessthan5minutesfromtheairport. Tana Berenty 04 th Oct AfteraheartyearlybreakfastwewenttotheairporttocatchourfighttoTolagnaroFortDauphin)in theseoftheisland.oncesittingintheairplane,someofusgotglimpsesofacoupleofmadagascar Partridgesinthegrassjustnexttotheairstrip.Uponlandingin FortDauphinwewerewelcomedbytheexcellentlocalguide Benoitwhowasgoingtobeinchargeofusforthenexttwodays. The4,5hour sdriveonaquite uneven rode?aswesarcastically describedit?didn tproducemanybirdsbesideshamerkopthat wasnewforthetripandabigflockofgrey?headedlovebirds.we alsogotgreatviewsofthebeautifulspinyforest=xerophytic) habitatloadedwithspecialplantslikepachypodium,several 4

5 speciesfromthefamilydidieraceae,,adansoniabaobabs,etc,andstoppedforourfirstwartyorspiky? backed)chameleon.rightintheparkinglotofthelodge allthegroupcaughtupwithmeonthesakalava Weaversthathadabigcolonythere;wethenenjoyed lunchsurroundedbyverreaux ssifakas walking? jumpingonthegroundandring?tailedlemurscoming tobegforfoodattherestauranttables.wewentforan afternoonwalkfindingacoupleofourmaintargetsin theformofacoupleofgiantcouasandaroosting White?browedOwl.AnicebonuswasalovelyHook? billedvangathatrespondedtotapeandperformed beautifullyandaneye?levelperchedfemalemadagascar Sparrowhawk.White?footedSportiveLemurandRed? frontedbrownlemuralsoofferedniceviews,asdidthe tinyreddish?greymouselemursonournightwalk. Berenty 05 th Oct Firstlighttodayfoundus10minutesdriveawayfromthelodgeinaflatreddustyplainlookingfor MadagascarSandgrousewhichViviennefoundveryquicklysowecouldenjoygreatprolongedscope viewsofacouple.wecamebacktothelodgefor breakfastandwentforoursecondroundwiththe MadagascarCuckoo?Hawkhavingyesterdaymade playbackevery20minutesallovertheplaceas Berentyisprobablythebestplacetofindthis secretiveraptor.weinsteadfoundsickled?billed andwhite?headedvangas,loadsofmadagascar ParadiseFlycatchers,GiantCouasandWhite? browedowlsagain,andevenabarnowl.france s Sparrowhawkshowedupnicelyseveraltimes. ReturningtothelodgehavingnotseentheCuckoo? Hawk,wewererewardedwithasingleMadagascar FlyingFoxweflushedinvoluntaryfromitsperch andwewerealleagertoseethisendemicbatthe firstmegachiropteraformeactually!)andlaterwe passedbyaroostingcolonyofthesebeastsbefore headingtothelodgeforarestandlunchinthe noonheat.midafternoonwewentonanotherstroll forthemadagascarcuckoo?hawkwithoutmuch luck anyways,weenjoyedgreatviewsandphoto opportunitiesofmadagascarsparrowhawk,giantcouas,verreaux ssifakas, real not?beggingring? tailedlemursinthewildfarfromtherestaurant,andred?frontedbrownlemurs.anightwalk producedagainthewhite?footedsportivelemursandthereddish?greymouselemursaswellasa domesticcatthatgotusexcitedforsomeminuteschasingitthinkingitwaspossiblyanintroduced SmallIndianCivet. Berenty 06 th Oct WedidourlastearlymorningtryfortheMadagascarCuckoo?Hawkwithoutsuccessbutgotgreat viewsandphotoopportunitiesformorecrestedcouas,yellow?billed Kites,NamaquaDove,MadagascarKestrel,MadagascarTurtleDove, andcresteddrongosamongmanyothercommonbirdsinthelodge gardens.thenwedrovetofortdauphinwherewewereabletospend halfanhourscanningtheindianoceanspottingseveralhumpback WhalesinthedistanceaswellassomeMadagascarCape)Gulls.We thenspentourafternoonflyingtotanaviamorondavaenormous Baobabtreesseenfromtheairplane!)andgotinforawell?deserved restnightattheorchidhotelafteranarduous,butveryrewarding, visittotheberentyreserve. 5

6 Berenty Tulear 07 th Oct Again,thankstoacancellationandreschedulingbyAirMadagascarwewereflyingtoToliaraold FrenchnameTulear)thismorninginsteadofyesterdayafternoonmakingustoloosesomeprecious earlymorningbirdingtimeinlatable anyways,afteran earlybreakfastwewenttotheairportandflewtotoliara wherewelandedandimmediatelyweremetbyourguides MoussaandhiswifeBelleandheadedtowardsthespiny forestoflatabletabletopformationabovethecitytolook foracoupleofnot?so?easytargets:red?shoulderedvanga andverreaux scoua.itwashotandwindyandeventually wegotanewbirdforthetripnamelystripe?throatedjery) itlookedlikeweweregoingtoleaveherewithoutanyofthe targetsinthebag.thered?shoulderedvangacalledafew timesfarawaybutwewereunabletolocateit.things startedtowarmup bird2wise,i,mean,because,temperature, was,already,high,enough,since,we,got,here,midmorning!? whenmoussaandbellesightedarunningcouaandmadeit climbhigheronabushsowecouldhavegreateye?levelviews.thenweheardthefardistantcallsagain ofthevangaandchargedtowardsthearea butnoreply,onlysilence.whensuddenly,thevanga startedtocallagainverycloseandtherewewere,point?blank?viewsofthisrareandlocalizedendemic, bothmaleandfemale,reallyobliging!highspirits,wewereleavingtowardsthebuswhenmoussa pointedatagreen?cappedcouaoralsonamedbrown?capped thisisthesubspeciesolivaceiceps,of Red?cappedCouathatforsomemeritsfullspeciesstatus)thatwemissedbecauseIdistractedthe grouptowardsacoupleofsuperbverreaux scouasthatwerejustthereonourleftverycloseand cooperatingforqualityviews.withthetwomaintargetsforthisareacheckedinlessthanacoupleof hours,wegratefullyleftandwenttocheck?inatourhotelandforlunchandrest;someofuslovedthe swimmingpoolhereatthehotelvictory,andi reallyenjoyedseeingindetailtheaepyornis, ElephantBird seggstheyhadindisplaylike, with,everything,else,happening,in,islands,,the, extinction,of,these,malagasy,endemic,birds,, along,with,other,long2gone,island,giants,like, tortoises,,lizards,,and,other,flightless,birds,such, as,the,dodo,,has,,in,relative,terms,,led,to,a, greater,megafaunal,downsizing,with,serious, implications,for,seed,dispersal,and,how, habitats,look,like,today),than,the,extinction,of, even,the,largest,gomphotheres,and,giant, ground,sloths,in,the,neotropics).midafternoon gotusagaininanothersectionoflatable spinyforesthavingbetterviewsofthe SubdesertBrushWarblerandthenplayingabittoseeourBrownGreen)?cappedCouathatwefinally scored.acoupleoflafresnaye svangasrespondedtomytapeandaftersomebushwackingwewere enjoyinganamazingmaleinthescopewiththewarmishsoftlightofthesunsetonit quiteamagical waytofinishagreatdaycoupledwithasakalavaweaversnestingcolonyhangingfromasmallbaobab againstthesunsetandlocalspassingbyintheirzebuchariots. Tulear Nosy Ve Anakao 08 th Oct Itwasfuntobetransferredusingzebuchariotsfromportto ourspeedboattovisittheislandofnosyve;fromtheboat westudiedourfirstternsandfromsomecommonones,tom pickedupacoupleofnicesaunders.wedisembarkedinthis amazingcrystalclearwaterswhitesandyislandwherewe foundred?tailedtropicbirdsgaloreallovertheplaceasthey haveanestingcolony.crabploversweren taroundsoaftera completewalkaroundtheisland,andenjoyingseveralother commonwaderslikeruddyturnstones,wemovedforlunch 6

7 toanakao.ourmaintargetthere,the LittoralRockThrush,wasevenshowingup behindtheownerofthehotelwhileshe waswelcomingusandgivingussome informationabouttheplace.weenjoyeda deliciouslunchandwentforarest.laterin theafternoonwewentforawalkfinding morelittoralrockthrushes,madagascar Bee?eaters,MadagascarCisticolas, MadagascarBushLarks,andavery entertainingcoveyofbuttonquailsonthe waybacktoourhotel,safarivezo. Nosy Ve Ifaty 09 th Oct GotsuperearlybreakfastandvisitedNosyVeagaintohaveanothertryfortheCrabPloversbutnoluck again,sowekeptgoingtotoliara,passedbyhotelvictorytopickupourbigbagsandcontinuednorth towardsifaty.alongtheway,westoppedformadagascar Plover,andaftersomeconfusionandextrahikingfor differentbirdstrackeddownbydifferentlocalguideswe allcouldenjoygreatcloseviewsofthisendemic.gotto ournicebeachhotelbambooinifatyoutskirts,gota greatlunchandwentforarestbeforehittingthespiny forestintheafternoon.midafternoongotusinbaobabs paradise!;theseamazinghugeancienttreeswere everywhereinthislocationweweregoingtobirdforthe afternoonandtomorrowmorning.wewentwithfreddy and Relax,acoupleofMoussa ssonsthatweregoingto beourlocalguidestoday,alsolala,ourseconddriver, joinedustogiveahandfortheground?rollers.first targetwasaveryniceandobligingcoupleofthamnornis AKASubdesertTetraka,orThamnornisWarbler)that respondedrightawaytomytape;afterthis,our superbteamoflocalguides+drivergotalong? tailedground?roller surrounded andthebird camenicelyjustinfrontofthegroupfor prolonged,point?blank,qualityviews whatan amazingexperience!,weallthoughtitwasgoing tobeharderwork.delighted,wekeptmoving betweenthegiantbaobabsandalafresnaye s Vangarepliedtomytapeandcamejustabove ourheadssoviviennecouldcatchupwithoneof thebirdsshemissedsomedaysago. Relax camerunning,notveryrelaxedindeed!,andsaid hehadlocatedabandedkestrelsittingonanest, sowechargedtowardstheareaandenjoyedthis superbbirdforawhile.archbold snewtonia showedupalsobeautifully,whilethesubdesert Mesiteswerenotlocatedtoday.Afteragreatday inthespinyforest,greymouselemursand MadagascarNightjarsentertainedsomeofus beforedinnerinthehotelgrounds. Ifaty Tulear 10 th Oct Earlymorningwejustgotcoffeeandteaandwenttothespinyforestagain.Ourlocalguidescheckeda nestofsubdesertmesitebutnobirdsweretheresowehadtofindthemtherealwayinthefield.we walkedaroundsometrailswhileourguidesconstantlydisappearedinthebushloadedwithdidiera 7

8 spinyplants!),andlessthan30minuteshadpassedwhentheyshoutedforustogo;wereachedthem, andvoilà,thereitwasalovelysubdesertmesite perchedonabranchposingforusaslongaswe wantedtoenjoyscopeviews,havedecent photosandgetdetailsonthisscarceandrare species.wealsoconnectedwithanother Archbold snewtoniathatofferedgreatphoto opportunities,morechabert svangas,andgot anothergreen?cappedbrown?capped)coua. WeleftthespinyforestofIfatyverypleased andinthedrivebacktotoliaramamyspotted forusourbadlywantedhumblot sheron!!in theafternoonwevisitedmoreswampyareas andspinyforestsouthoftoliaragettingus MadagascarSwampWarblerandWhite? throatedrails,aswellasmoreverreaux s Couas. Tulear Zombitse Isalo 11 th Oct ThismorningwevisitedtheAirportPondnearToliarabeforeleavingthecityandaftersomewaders andgettingmadagascarswampwarblerforbobthatdidn tjoinusyesterdaywemovedon.wearrived atzombitsenationalparkbymidmorningandwentstraighttotheforestforourmaintargethere: Appert stetraka.gotnicemixedflockswithblue andrufousvangas,long?billedtetraka, MadagascarParadiseFlycatcher,amongother goodies.cuckoo?rollerwasseensingingfroma niceexposedperchbysomeofthegroupandwe alsoaddedanewlemurtoourtriplist:hubbard s orzombitse)sportivelemur.ourlocalguides Randria!and!Mahunjo!did!a!great!job!and!located!a! couple!of!appert s!tetrakas!for!us!that!we!thoroughly! enjoyed!for!several!minutes!while!they!were!singing! and!foraging!very!low!near!the!ground.!mission! accomplished,!we!trawled!around!a!bit!playing!back! more!madagascar!cuckoofhawk!that!was!seen!here!a! couple!of!days!ago!and!finally!ended!up!having!lunch! surrounded!by!giant!couas!beggingfforfsandwichf leftovers.!we!photographed!an!endemic!standing's!day! Gecko!and!then!we!drove!through!the!scenic!Isalo! National!Park;!we!did!a!short!stop!to!enjoy!the!most! cooperative!ever!bird!in!the!form!of!the!endemic! Benson s!rock!thrush!and!proceeded!to!check!in!at!our! posh!hotel!le!relais!de!la!reine!that!welcomed!us!with!a! charming!broadfbilled!roller.!we!then!went!to!the!pond! area!where!of!course!we!looked!for,!and!got,!our! Malagasy!Pond!Heron,!and!flushed!a!couple!of! Madagascar!Partridges!having!only!quick!nakedFeye! glimpses.!a!quick!night!trip!some!of!us!took!to!try!for! Marsh!Owl!brought!us!back!empty!to!the!hotel.!! Isalo Ranomafana 12 th Oct Early!morning!we!went!again!grasswackingtotryagainforMadagascarPartridgebutonlyMadagascar Buttonquailswereflushed;returningtoourhotelforbreakfastthevanbrokesoweenjoyedalittle longerournicelodge.mamy,andtianaintheoffice,reallyworkedhardonit,andby3:30pmwewere loadinginacoupleof4x4sandavantostartourlongdrivenetowardsranomafanaprettyamazing 8

9 andquickjobaswewereinthemiddleofnowhereinthisvastcountry oneoftheadvantagesof havingagoodlocaloperator!).fortunatelytodaywasbasicallyalongdrivingdaysowedidnotmiss anybirdingand/ortargets;inaway,wewerealsoluckytohavethevanbreakingwhilestillinournice hotelandnotontheroadhavingtowaitforhoursunderamangotree.gotquiteworn?outto Ranomafanajustbeforemidnight,buthappynothavingtomissthefulldaybirdingtomorrowinthis amazinglocalityloadedwithnewbirdsforeveryone. Ranomafana 13 th Oct WegottoRanomafanaNationalParkandrightawaywestartedcollectingtargetswithaRand s WarblerthatwassingingatthetopofabarecanopybranchandaWard sflycatcherakaward s Vanga)thatshowedupnicelyalongwithNelicourviWeaverfromtheparkrestaurant;BlueVangas werealsoposingnicelythereforeyelevelphotos.wewentontothetrailsandpitta?likeground? Rollerswereactivelycallingandwehada couplecomingtooffergreatviews;theyposed forphotosforagoodtime,andweallgot something,iespeciallylikedsusan sshots.we thengotbothspectacledandgrey?crowned Tetrakasflockingandvisitedanestof CommonSunbirdAsitywhereweonlycould getquickglimpsesofthemale.ahandsome MadagascarPygmyKingfishercouplewasalso nestingnearbysowegotdelightfulviewsof thesebirds,andwereenchantedbythetiny sizeofabrownstem?tailed)leafchameleon wegotcrossingthetrail.wegottoaridgeand thankstoabitofprospectiveplaybackiwas doing,acoupleofwhite?throatedoxylabes respondedandwegotthemshowingnicelyas wellasacoupleofpollen svanga.returning totheparkheadquartersforlunchwegotto seetheamazinggiraffeweevilinamelastome bushcrossingtheriver.afteranhourorsoof goodrest,weheadedtotheforestagain;tried moreforbrownmesitebutwecouldnot connectwiththistargettodayunfortunately. WehadthemostobligingCrossley sbabbler AKACrossley svanga)everperchedonan opendiagonalbranchsingingitsheartoutlessthantwometersawayfromus,andenjoyedscopeclose viewsofafullmaleinbreedingplumageofthemuch?wantedvelvetasity.afteradayloadedwithnew birdsandhalfofourranomafanatargetsinthebagwereturnedtoournicelyfamily?runhotelcristo forawell?earnedrest. Ranomafana 14 th Oct WestillneededtoconnectwithBrownMesitesandwiththeearly?singingRufous?headedGround? Rollers,bothbadly?wantedlifersforeveryone,so4:00amwewerealreadyhavingbreakfasttogivea goodfairchanceforthesebirdstoshowup.wewentto ahighersectionoftheparkandstartedsearchingthe trailwhenacoupleofindividualsoftheraremadagascar Yellowbrowdistractedusandofferedgreatviewsonthe sideofthetrail.wekeptgoingandared?frontedcoua madeusaddanotherstopandwegotaratherswiftone walkingacrossthetrailinfrontofus.weheardbrown Mesitesandtriedbuttheywerequitefarandevenwith 3localguidesbushwackingtotrytopushthebirds towardsusitwasnotpossibletoworkthemout.then,a Rufous?headedGround?Rollercalledandwegotthe groupinposition,playedthetape,tookaselfieofus,and 9

10 twobirdsstartedtorespond,oneoneachsideofthetrail afterjustlessthanaminutewewereall enjoyingthismagnificentbirdcallingandbowingitsheadjustintheopentrail,amazing!wethenkept goingintheridgetowardsanestoftheyellow?belliedsunbird?asitythatstephanourlocalguidehad foundsomedaysagoandindeed,afterspendingalmosthalfanhourinareallyuncomfortableposition underthenestwegotamaleindividualcomingacoupleoftimesandshowingupnicely.thismorning wealsogotgreatviewsofdarknewtoniasandquickviewsofbrownemutail.intheafternoonwewent toanopenareascoringmeller sducks,madagascarflufftailandgreyemutail,andthenheaded towardsaricepaddywherethewholeofalocalcommunityhappilyhelpedustoflushamadagascar Snipefromtheirfields.WestoppedforBrownMouseLemurenroutetoourhotel. Ranomafana 15 th Oct SotodaywasourlastchanceforBrownMesite.Wedroveearlyinthemorningtotheparkstoppingfor Red?belliedLemursandMadagascarBluePigeonsspottedbyMamyontheway,andalso photographingagainmothsintheparkinglotfirst)andgottooneofthemesitesterritories,played backabit,andlessthan5minuteshadpassedwhenstephanshoutedtheyhadseenandwerepushing thebirdstowardsus;somesuspense,someexcitation,andthen,voilà!,acoupleofbrownmesiteswere encircledbystephan,histwosonsstephanand Christian,Mamy,oneofourdrivers,andour group;enjoyedthiscoupleforsomeminutes, snappedsomeshots,andletthemmarchfree throughthewoods.next,wasalongishwalktoan areawherehenst sgoshawkhadanestandwe satdownforalmostonehourandnothing,sowe movedabitinthetrailandhearditcallingfar away;weplayeditbackandrespondedbutnever offeringviewsunfortunately.meanwhile,atrioof Black?and?whiteRuffedLemursofferedalovely preeningshowwhileamadagascarparadise Flycatcherwasbroodingeggsbehindus.Also,we gotjimandviviennetocatchupwithbluecouas here.wewentbacktohotelforlunchandhad LesserVasaParrotsallovertheplaceeatingthe TravellersPalm sfruits.quickafterlunchwe drove15minutestovisitstephan sfamilywhere we hadachameleon sfestontheirbackgarden;itwasamazing seeingthehugeparson schameleontohuntsome grasshoppers.wethenwentbackthehighersectionofthe parkwherewefoundaforestrockthrushnestingundera bridgeandallofusenjoyedthefemaleandthechicksonthe scope,whilesomeluckyonesevengottoseethemale attendingthenest.lateafternoonwewalkeddownslowly ontheroadenjoyingtheregularbulbuls,sunbirds,jerys, amongmanyothers,whenamadagascarcuckoo?hawkflew justaboveourheads,perchedonaneucalyptustreetopand offeredlessthan3secondsviewbeforeflyingmobbedbyseveralchabert svangasandsouimanga Sunbirds whatanexcitingwaytoendagreatday!! Ranomafana Andasibe 16 th Oct Todaywehadadrivingdaybutwithatargetyettonaildownbeforestartingsoweheadedtothe highersectionofthepark.wetriedneartheroadandinanopenareainsideforestbutnoresponse; anyways,cuckoo?rollerswereflyinganddisplayingaboveentertainingussojohnandchristinegot niceshots.wedecidedtogiveitatryinthenearbyforesttrailsandindeedafterafewstopsweheard backthecallsofourtargetcrypticwarblerfromthetopsoftrees;wewenttoabetterpositionand withaboutofplaybackbroughtthebirdclosetothecanopyaboveourheadsforgreatviewsbyour groupandanothercouplethatwasinthesameareawithotherlocalguides.targetbagged,westarted ourlongdrivecrossingthepicturesquecentralplateauhighlandmustard?colouredlandscapewithits 10

11 ricepaddies,andjustbeforesunsetgottoantsirabewherewespentthenightonthecristalhotel; beforedinnertime,johngotforusinhisscopetheamazingsaturnwithitsyellowrings a lifer for some. Andasibe Pirenet 17 th Oct Thismorningsomeofthecrewhadyetanother lifer before sunrise:jupiterwith4ofitsmoonsperfectlyaligned,andalso veryclosetomarsandvenus.westarteddrivingearlytodayand changedfromourvansto4x4sneartanaenjoyingagainthe contrastingviewsofthisdenselyurbanizedcitywithitsrice paddiesallover.beforelunchwedidashortstopon!the!mangoro! River!getting!Madagascar!Pratincole!and!Chabert s!vangas.!got!to! our!feon ny!ala!nice!lodge!the!sound!of!the!forest)!where!stripef throated!jery!was!singing!non!stop!all!over!the!place!and!also!heard! Madagascar!Flufftail!a!couple!of!times!during!lunch.!After!lunch!we! went!birding!on!the!road!where!daylight!roosting!stakeouts!for! Rainforest!Scops!Owl!and!Madagascar!LongFeared!or!simply! Madagascan)!Owl!delivered.!We!also!visited!the!communityF managed!trail!of!the!andasibe!local!guides!association!and!got!indri,! Collared!Nightjar!roosting,!Madagascar!Wood!Rails!and!just!before! sunsetared?breastedcouathatwehadtoilluminatewithatorch tobeabletoseewell.wewerequitetiredafteralongdaydrive, butforsomeofusthatwentout,anightwalkproducedgreater DwarfLemurs. Pirenet 18 th Oct WestartedearlyagaintodayandheadedtowardstheMantadiaNationalPark;MadagascarStarlings weresittingontheroadandamadagascarrailcrossedjustinfrontofoneofthecars.wegottothe parkandstartedwithafemalenuthatchvanga thatwasnestingandthatihadfoundbuilding threeweeksagowithmaurice,anotherexcellent localguideispentthreedaysherebeforethe grouparrived.wecontinuedmovingonthetrail whenthierryoneofourlocalguidescalledus andpointedustoamagnificentshort?legged Ground?Rollerthatwasperchedsome4meters abovethegroundinatotallyexposedbranch!we enjoyedthisbirdforalmost10minuteswhileit preened,foragedsally?gleaninginsectsfromthe surfaceofflat?under?canopybranches/leaves, andjust hangedout; mymost wantedand indeed,my favourite,ground?roller!.thenwecontinued,andindeedafter sometaping,acoupleofscalyground?rollersrespondedinthe distance;weapproachedtheareaandstartedtoworkwithone birdthatwasaroundofferingonlywalk?byorfly?byviewsinthe undergrowth.wehadtomovequitealot,followingit,tryingto pushitabitbyourlocalguidespatrice,thierryandlala,and finallygettinggreatviewsofthisnicelookingendemic.asifitwas possible,afternailingdownthe5splendidground?rollersendemic tothisisland,oneofthemostexcitingmomentsofthetripwasjust tocome:oneofourlocalguidesshouted foooossaaaa andwe swiftlywentbackintothetrailchargingtowardsthearea;got 11

12 thereandtherewasalovelyfossaphotobyjacksayers)coupleinthecanopythatgavegreatviews andevenoneindividualcametotheground,walking verticallydownathintreetrunk,thendisappearingin theundergrowthnotmorethan4metersfromus.what anamazingandfortunateexperiencetobeabletosee thisrareendemiccarnivore,thebiggestintheisland.a couple,jackandlindsay,wereformorethanonehour photographingthefossasandiamverygratefulfor theyallowedmetouseoneoftheirgreatshotsforthis tripreport.wethenvisitedthelittlepondinthepark andgotmadagascarlittlegrebes,meller sduckand MadagascarSpinetailsflyingaround,plusthepeculiar andstrikinggiantpillmillipedes.onthewayback,we stoppedformadagascarrailwithoutmuchsuccess. Wentoutagainforanightwalk,andamongthenice creatureswefound,acoupleofspeciesofbright?eyedtreefrogswereahighlight: Pirenet 19 th Oct Thismorninglookedquiteovercastbutwehadsomeworktodointhetrailsofthe Analamazaotra/AndasibeSpecialReserve westartedearlyandgotsomemadagascarcrestedibisnot farfromtheparkinglot;goodflyingviewsbuttobehonest,everyonewasdroolingformore;afamily groupofeasterngreybamboolemurswaspreeningjustwhilewelookedfortheibis.wecontinued intotheforest,seeingred?frontedcoua,and reachingaridgewhereindriwascalling;while Patricewenttolocatethelemurs,wegotaloose flockpassingbyandwecaughtupwithbetterviews ofthenuthatchvanga.patriceshoutedsowewent andenjoyedcloserviewsofindriandalsoofatroop ofdiademedsifakasjoinedbyatleastsomeother 20?25tourists.Wekeptgoingontheridge,playing backbirdsweweretargetingtohavebetterviews: specificallycommonsunbirdasity,madagascar Cuckoo?Hawkjustincase!),andBrownEmutail, butalsorufous?headedground?rolleranddark Newtoniaforsomepeoplethatmissedthemnot goingtothefieldthedaywegottheminranomafana.wegotthedarknewtoniasbeautifullyandsome quickviewsofthecommonsunbirdasityandwhilereturningtothecarstoheadforlunch,hadscope viewsofamagnificentmadagascarcrestedibisperchedontherailingofabridge!also,gotbobto catchupwithwhite?throatedrail.intheafternoon,wewentagainformadagascarrailthatonly offeredquickviews.asnightcame,returningtohotelwedidsomeflashlighttorchingalongtheroad findingusourfirstavahiorwoollylemur,oneoftheeasternvariety. Pirenet 20 th Oct Today,wehad sometimetokill sowedecidedtoheadback tothehigherridgesofanalamazaotra/andasibespecial Reserve;weweredoingaflattrailnexttotheGreenLakeand triedamadagascarflufftailthatwassingingbutnoluck,so furtheraheadinthe leechestrail,patriceourmainlocal guide,asksmeifwemightwanttotryasideridgeforaplace wherehenst sgoshawkhavenestedbefore,andofcoursei saidyes.weclimbedupthisbeautifulridgeofdensemossy cloudforestandgotto thegap whereweweresupposedto seethebirdifitcamebyafterplayback.itriedthetapeandit responded,weplayedwithitabitandevenitperchedcloseby wecouldnothaveviews.sowestartedtoexploretheridge findingwindowstolookthroughandaftermaybeonehourwe haditcomingagainandperchingonabarebranchinthecanopybutonlysomegotflying?byviews 12

13 abovethedensecanopy.ifoundabetterhigherangleandcalledthebirdanditcameperchinginthis openbranchforourbins,prettyamazingnicefinely?barredraptorwithahugetail.assomedidnotsee it,wewentlowertotrytoscopewhatapparentlylookedlikeanestnolessthan200mintheother slopeofthemountain;positionedthere,calleditagainanditcameandperchedaboveourheads preeningandgivingusashowjustaboveourheads,andeyeleveltotheothersthatwereonmy originalbetterspot.meanwhile,onthatbetterspot,agreatmixedflockforagedaroundgivingcracking viewsofred?tailed,nutach,andbluevangas,commonnewtonia,nelicourviweavers,long?billed Tetrakas,andthebestunbeatableviewsofamaleCommonSunbirdAsityafteracoupleoftimeshaving onlyquickglimpses.veryhappy,wecamebacktothelodge,photographingthehugemadagascarday Geckointheway,hadlunchwithNutachVangainthetreesjustinfront)andthenastrongraincame. Anyways,laterafternoon,someofuswenttotryforMadagascarFlufftailbuttherainwasstillstrong andwehadnoluck;wehadabizarremossyleaf?tailedgeckoasreward! Pirenet Tana 21 st Oct Todaystartedveryrainy,soweweredecidedtogototryformoreviewsoftheRail wegottothe VakunaHotelandLemurIslandParkarea,triedthetapeinthe openwindow spotandthey respondedfurtheronthemiddleoftheswamp.soagain,me,thetour?leader,wentheron?likewading intotheswamptoplacethespeakerinthemiddleofanopengapandsatinthewetgrassestoplayback therails;aftersome10minutes,ilookedbackseeingthumbsupandsmilesfromhappyclientsasthey sawseveralmadagascarrailscomingintotheopen,calling,preening,etc thosecheerfulfaces,andan Indrihand?embroideredt?shirtgiventomebyourlocalguides,werethebestbirthdaygifts!!? GreaterVasaParrotsdisplayedforthe groupalso,andwegotgrandviewsof MadagascarFlufftailintheopen beforereturningforbreakfast.along theway,someofusstoppedwhen CommonBrownLemurswithbabies werecrossingtheroad;crested Drongos,MadagascarBulbuls,and BlueCouaswerealsoaround.We drovetotana,hadthebestlunchof thetrip,andwenttohavefunatthe AlarobiaLakeintheTsarasaotraPark inthemiddleofthebusycapital.we gotloadsofred?billedteals,black andsquaccoherons,andcattleegrets thatwerejoinedbyafewindividuals ofthenot?so?commonmalagasypondherons,meller sducks,andhottentotteals,plustheeye? catchingmadagascarmalachitekingfishers.wethengottoourhotel,hadalastdinnerwiththewhole groupandsaidgoodbyetothepeopleleavingafterthemaintripwasended.wemadethe birdofthe trip votethisnightandthisishighlightedatthebeginningofthisreportabove. Masoala Extension: Tana Maroantsetra 22 nd Oct VERYearlyElaine,Christine,Peter,Bob,MamyandIgottotheairportand checkedin.justafterboardingoursmalltwinotteraircraft,wegotagain viewsofthemadagascarpartridgesintheairstripgrassesandtarmac. LandedforashortstopoverrefuellinginTomasinaoldFrenchname Tamatave)afteronehourflying,andthendid1.5hoursmoreto Maroantsetra,whereweweretransferredtotheniceMasoalaResortnotfar fromtheairport.someofusenjoyedswimmingintheseaandinthepool andintheafternoonwentonaboattripwherewegotsomeoldknown friendslikemadagascarmalachitekingfisher,severalheronsandegrets, loadsofeurasiancurlewsandsomeeurasianwhimbrelsandourveryfirst 13

14 reallyredplumagedmadagascarredfodiesonthistripnotformeasisawthemamonthagowhilea shortstopoverinmauritiuswhereiscoredmyfirsteverpaleotropicallifebirds!). Maroantsetra Masoala Peninsula 23 rd Oct Ona1,5hoursboattripweweretransferredfromMaroantsetratotheArolLodgeontheMasoala Peninsula;alongthewaywepassedbytheNosyMangabeReserve/Islandwherehugenumbersof CattleEgretsroostalongwithsomeDimorphicandPurpleEgretsandBlackHeronsThisisaplace wherebackinthe60 saye?ayeswerereleasedasaconservationmeasureandapparentlythebest placeifyouwanttotrytoseeoneoftheserarecreatures).alargegroupofgang?fishingtunagotus somecommonandlessercrestedternsfrenzycatchingsomesmallerfish,alsoacoupleofdolphins Indo?PacificBottlenose maybe?)jumpedandswam alongtheboatforashort instant.wegottothearol Lodge,oursuperband simpleaccommodationin thisparadiseareaofthe MasoalaPeninsulawherethe TropicalRainForestcomes allthewaydowntheslopes ofthemountaintomeetthe crystalcleargreenindian Oceanwaters.Weenjoyed swimmingintheocean,andi evenventuredalltheway outtoarockyoutcropwhere MadagascarPratincoleswere nesting.afterlunchwedida bitofatrekuphillinthe forestbehindourlodge whereourgreatlocalguidejosephhadfoundacoupleofhelmetvangasbuildinganestawhileago. Surely,afteronehourwewereallenjoyingthisamazingbirdsittingonanest,eyelevelandnotfar fromthetrail.weallhadviewsfromallpossibleangles,tookphotosandvideosandleftveryhappy havingseenthemaintargetoftheextensiononourfirsteasybirdingafternoon. Masoala 24 th Oct TodaywewenttoanareawheretheenigmaticDuskyTetrakaispossible,andalsototryforourvery lastpossiblevangainthecountry:bernier salso,oneofthetrickiesttofindandseewell!).weleft earlyandtooktheboattoavoidwalkingacoupleofkilometresinthebeach;common,greatercrested andlessercrestedternswereseeninrocksjustoutsideourlodgelessthan200metersfromthe beach.westartedtowalkourtrailthatcrossed throughriparianmangrovewhite?sand,more stunted,andveryhumid,forestandstoppedonce inawhiletoplaybackbothspeciestonoavail.we gottoabiggap,whereafamilywasworkingona ricepaddy,whichofferedgreatopportunitiesto scanforthevangasshowingupintheopenbut couldnotfindany.here,wehadgreatviewsofa coupleofmadagascarstarlings,bluevangas, MadagascarRedFody,MadagascarHarrier?Hawk, andnelicourviweaversamongothers.wedecided togointoanothertrailinsideforestagainbut besidesabigflockwithloadsofmadagascar Bulbuls,someLong?billedTetrakasandsomeother Vangaspeciestherewasnoneofourtargets.Returningtotheopengap,wehadashortnapthatweall didenjoy,andonlysomedecidedtogoagainintoforestbutinadifferentdirectionthistimeand bushwackingastherewasnotrail.wedidreachanareawithhighdensityofpandanus palms where 14

15 ourguidejosephhadseenthebernier svangabeforeandnomorethan2minutesinthespothe locatedonefemaleforagingintheseplants.weenjoyedcloseandpersonaltimewithafemalebernier s Vangawhileitwasforaginginthe palmleaveschasinginsects,evenfree divingwhentheytriedtoescape, hidingalot,andremindingus somewhatoftheneotropical woodcreepers,andspeciallyofpoint? tailedpalmcreeperbehaviour normallypeopleonlygetquickviews ofthisspeciesastheyseeitinforest edgeoropengapsafterplaybackbut wedidhaveanexceptionalencounter thatofferedqualityprolongedviews. Wereturnedtriumphanttothelodge foralatelunchandsomeswimmingin theoceanandrest.anightwalkdid notproducemuch,althoughanhourlaterifoundaneasternavahiwoollylemur)adultwithababy onlytenmetersawayfrommybungalowwhileeveryonewasalreadysleeping.rainforestscopsowls wereeverywherecallingallnightlong. Masoala 25 th Oct EveryonewasveryhappyafterourlastVangaspeciesyesterdayandeagerforadayofrestandrelax, sotodayonlyelaineandiwentforsomebirding;wedecidedtoreturntothesameareawedid yesterdaytotryagainandfocusonduskytetraka.offwewent,andwheningoodhabitatplayedboth DuskyandSpectacledTetrakas.Alongtheway,wecheckedanotheropengapareaandhadamaleof Bernier svangainfullview,forsome2minutesafteritrespondedandcametothetape,andofcourse, IhadleftthescopeinthetrailsoIonlygotcrappypoint&shootsnapshots.Intheforesttrails,wehad severalencounterswith tetrakas,includingabig flockwithseveral Spectacled s,afewlong? billed s,andwhatwethink wasdusky!there squitea lotofconfusionaboutthis enigmaticspecies,thatfor sureisoftenmisidentified, sometimessimplystrung, andforsure,itisinneedofa seriousidassessment involvingcomparisonof specimens,voicerecordings, andmolecularanalyses.we gotseveralspectacled Tetraka,thatindeed,in MasoalalookdarkerandmorecontrastedthantheregularonesyouseeinAndasibewhereIgotgood photos),mantadia,andranomafana.butwealsogotonebirdfromacouple,andanotheronewithina hugeflockofspectacledandlong?billed,thathadnoticeablyshorterstouterbills,smallerbody/tail size,wasdarkeringeneralmakingevenmoreobviousthecontrastbetweentheyellowthroatandthe restofthebody,hadathinnereye?ring,andshowedonlyasmallyellowishpatchandnotamoresolid loreallineconnectingtheeye?ringandthebill,anddidnothaveanyflashesofyellowintheflanksor theupper/under?tailcoverts;additionally,thesedifferentbirdsnormallykeptforaginglower,very nearorjustonthegroundandunfortunately,nevervocalized.wehadqualitytimesome30+minutes) withthebigflockandwereabletomakecomparisonsbetweenallofthemalmostsidetoside of courseineedtoresearchmoreonthis,andiamfinishingwritingthistripreportinmyflightbackto ColombiaandtomorrowIflytoGuyanatostartanothertrip,sonotmuchchanceofgettingtocheck 15

16 moreliteratureandcontactingexperts,buthavinghadchancestocompare,qualityviews,andeven beingconservative,elaineandidothinkwemighthaveseentherareduskytetrakainmasoala. Masoala 26 th Oct ThismorningwereturnedtoMaroantsetratofindoutthatAirMadagascardidnothaveaflightforus; sowespentthedayrelaxingandcatchingupontheinternetatthecocobeachlodgehopingforaflight backtotanaforthenextdaysowecouldstillbeontimeforourinternationaldepartures. Masoala 27 th, 28 th, 29 th Oct Someleftontimetocatchupwiththeirinternationalflights,butthankstoAirMadagascarsomeofus didn t Ievenhadtimeforanewlemur specieshairy?eareddwarflemur)one nightiwenttotryforaye?aye.finally,after mycrewlefttheislandonebyone,orin smallgroups,iwasthelastonetoabandon theboat;facedthesituationtobestranded ontheislandfordaysduetomyvisa restrictionsasacolombiannotbeingableto freelyflybackonanewrouteviauk,europe orevensomeafricancountries.butfinally hereiam,finishingwritingthisconcisetrip reportandacoupleofhoursfromlandingin Bogotá. Aye?ayefeedinghole Thiswasafantastictripwith190speciesofbirdsrecordedincludingalltheendemicspossibleonour itineraryonlybigmisswascrabplover),25speciesofamazinglyeye?catching andcute!?lemurs, severalendemicplantsincludingthecolossalbaobabs,andloadsofotherbeastsincludingincredible chameleons,geckos,insects,frogs,etc.whatanamazingmonthtouringmadagascarwiththenicest crewofzootheraglobalbirdingclientsandbacked?upandhelpedbygreatlocaloperatorsmamyin thefieldandtianaintheofficefixinganything!)andveryknowledgeablesuperblocalguidesjacky!and! Clermond!in!Ankarafantsika,!Benoit!in!Berenty,!Moussa!and!Belle!in!La!Table!and!Ifaty,!and!Freddy,! Relax,! and! Berlín!also!in!Ifaty,!Randria!and!Mahunjo!in!Zombitse,!Stephan!and!his!sons!Stephan!and!Christian!in! Ranomafana,!Patrice,!his!son!Thierry,!and!Lala!in!Andasibe!and!Manatadia,!Joseph!in!Masoala,!and!of!course! Mamy!all!over!the!place!and!Maurice!my!professor!in!Andasibe/Mantadia) THANKSeveryoneand alreadylookingforwardtocomingagain! DiegoCalderon VelvetAsityGiraffeWeevilCollaredNightjar 16

17 BIRDLIST FOR MADAGASCAR 2015 A = Number of species recorded on tour E = Endemic S = Number of days Seen H=Number of days Heard es = Endemic Subspecies A! SPECIES SCIENTIFIC NAME S H 1 Madagascar!Little!Grebe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Tachybaptus,pelzelnii, 1 2 Red?tailedTropicbird Phaethon,rubricauda, 2 3 AfricanDarter Anhinga,rufa,vulsini, 2 4 LittleBitternes Ixobrychus,minutus,, 1 5 Black?crownedNightHeron Nycticorax,nycticorax, 9 6 SquaccoHeron Ardeola,ralloides,, 9 7 MadagascarPondHeron Ardeola,idea, 3 8 WesternCattleEgret Bubulcus,ibis, 15 9 Green?backedHeron Butorides,striatus,, BlackEgretBlackHeron) Egretta,ardesiaca, DimorphicEgret Egretta,dimorpha, GreatEgret Casmerodius,albus, PurpleHerones Ardea,purpurea,madagascariensis, GreyHeron Ardea,cinerea,firasa, 7 15 Humblot s!heron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Ardea,humbloti, 1 16 Hamerkop Scopus,umbretta,, 4 17 Madagascar!White!Ibis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Threskiornis,bernieri,, 1 18 GlossyIbis Plegadis,falcinellus, 4 19 MadagascarCrestedIbis Lophotibis,cristata, White?facedWhistlingDuck Dendrocygna,viduata, 9 21 CombDuck Sarkidiornis,melanotus, 1 22 AfricanPygmyGoose Nettapus,auritus, 2 23 Meller s!duck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Anas,melleri, 3 24 Madagascar!Teal!Bernier s)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Anas,bernieri, 1 25 Red?billedTeal Anas,erythrorhyncha,, 9 26 HottentotTeal Anas,hottentota, 2 27 Madagascar!CuckooAHawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Aviceda,madagascariensis, 1 1? 28 Yellow?billedKite Milvus,aegyptius,, Madagascar!Fish!Eagle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Haliaeetus,vociferoides, 1 30 Madagascar!HarrierAHawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Polyboroides,radiatus, 4 31 MadagascarHarrier Circus,,macrosceles, 1 32 Henst s!goshawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Accipiter,henstii, Madagascar!Sparrowhawk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Accipiter,madagascariensis, Frances ssparrowhawk Accipiter,francesii, 5 35 Madagascar!Buzzard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Buteo,,brachypterus, MadagascarKestrel Falco,newtoni, Banded!Kestrel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Falco,zoniventris, 1 38 PeregrineFalcon Falco,peregrinus, 1 39 Madagascar!Partridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Margaroperdix,madagascarensis, 4 40 HelmetedGuineafowl Numida,meleagris, 2 41 White?backedDuck Thalassornis,leuconotos, 2 42 WhiteAbreasted!Mesite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Mesitornis,variegata, Brown!Mesite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Mesitornis,unicolor, Subdesert!Mesite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Mesitornis,benschi, 1 45 Madagascar!Buttonquail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Turnix,nigricollis, 5 46 Madagascar!Flufftail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Sarothrura,insularis, Madagascar!Wood!Rail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Canirallus,kioloides, Madagascar!Rail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Rallus,madagascariensis, White?throatedRail Dryolimnas,cuvieri,

18 50 Allen sgallinule Porphyrula,alleni, 1 51 CommonMoorhen Gallinula,chloropus, 7 52 Madagascar!Jacana!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Actophilornis,albinucha, 3 53 Black?wingedStilt Himantopus,himantopus, 4 54 MadagascarPratincole Glareola,ocularis, 5 55 RingedPlover Charadrius,hiaticula,, 2 56 Kittlitz splover Charadrius,pecuarius, 5 57 Madagascar!Plover!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Charadrius,thoracicus, 1 58 Three?bandedPloveres Charadrius,tricollaris, 3 59 White?frontedPlover Charadrius,marginatus,, 4 60 GreaterSandPlover Charadrius,leschenaultii,, 4 61 GreyPlover Pluvialis,squatarola,, 5 62 Madagascar!Snipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Gallinago,macrodactyla, 1 63 Bar?tailedGodwit Limosa,lapponica, 1 64 EurasianWhimbrel Numenius,phaeopus, 5 65 EurasianCurlew Numenius,arquata,, 5 66 MarshSandpiper Tringa,stagnatilis, 1 67 CommonGreenshank Tringa,nebularia, 4 68 WoodSandpiper Tringa,glareola, 1 69 TerekSandpiper Tringa,cinereus, 2 70 CommonSandpiper Actitis,hypoleucos, 4 71 RuddyTurnstone Arenaria,interpres, 3 72 Sanderling Calidris,alba, 3 73 CurlewSandpiper Calidris,ferruginea, 4 74 CapeGull Larus,vetula, 1 75 GreaterCrestedTern Sterna,bergii,, 2 76 LesserCrestedTern Sterna,bengalensis, 3 77 RoseateTern Sterna,dougallii,, 1? 78 CommonTern Sterna,hirundo,, 4 79 Saunders Tern Sterna,saundersi, 1 80 Madagascar!Sandgrouse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Pterocles,personatus, 1 81 RockDove/FeralPigeon Columba,livia, MadagascarTurtleDove Streptopelia,picturata, NamaquaDovees Oena,capensis,aliena, MadagascarGreenPigeon Treron,australis,, Madagascar!Blue!Pigeon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Alectroenas,madagascariensis, 6 86 GreaterVasaParrot Coracopsis,vasa,, 3 87 LesserVasaParrot Coracopsis,nigra, GreyAheaded!Lovebird!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Agapornis,canus, 7 89 MadagascarLesserCuckoo Cuculus,rochii, Giant!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,gigas, 3 91 Coquerel s!coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Coua,coquereli, Running!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,cursor, RedAbreasted!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,serriana, RedAfronted!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,ruficeps, RedAcapped!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,ruficeps, 2 96 BrownAcapped!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,olivaceiceps, 2 97 Crested!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,cristata, 8 98 Verreaux s!coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Coua,verreauxi, 2 99 Blue!Coua!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Coua,caerulea, MadagascarCoucal Centropus,toulou, BarnOwl Tyto,alba,affinis, RainforestScopsOwl Otus,rutilus, Torotoroka!Scops!Owl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Otus,madagascariensis,

19 104 WhiteAbrowed!Owl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Ninox,superciliaris, Madagascar!LongAeared!Owl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Asio,madagascariensis, Collared!Nightjar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Caprimulgus,enarratus, MadagascarNightjar Caprimulgus,madagascariensis, MadagascarSpinetail Zoonavena,grandidieri,, AfricanPalmSwiftes Cypsiurus,parvus, AfricanBlackSwiftes Apus,barbatus,balstoni, MadagascarMalachiteKingfisher Corythornis,vintsioides,, Madagascar!Pygmy!Kingfisher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Ispidina,madagascariensis, MadagascarBee?eater Merops,superciliosus, Broad?billedRoller Eurystomus,glaucurus,, ShortAlegged!GroundAroller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Brachypteracias,leptosomus, Scaly!GroundAroller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Brachypteracias,squamigera, PittaAlike!GroundAroller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Atelornis,pittoides, RufousAheaded!GroundAroller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Atelornis,crossleyi, LongAtailed!GroundAroller!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Uratelornis,chimaera, Cuckoo?Roller Leptosomus,discolor, Madagascar!Hoopoe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Upupa,marginata, Velvet!Asity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Philepitta,castanea, Schlegel s!asity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Philepitta,schlegeli, Common!SunbirdAAsity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Neodrepanis,coruscans, YellowAbellied!SunbirdAAsity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Neodrepanis,hypoxantha, Madagascar!Bush!Lark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Mirafra,hova, MascareneMartin Phedina,borbonica,, Brown?throatedSandMartines Riparia,paludicola,cowani, Madagascar!Wagtail!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Motacilla,flaviventris, AshyCuckoo?shrike Coracina,cinerea, MadagascarBulbul Hypsipetes,madagascariensis, LongAbilled!Greenbul!/!Tetraka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Phyllastrephus,madagascariensis, Spectacled!Greenbul!/!Tetraka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Phyllastrephus,zosterops, Appert s!greenbul!/!tetraka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Phyllastrephus,apperti, GreyAcrowned!Greenbul!/!Tetraka!!!!!!!E! Phyllastrephus,cinereiceps, Dusky!Greenbul!/!Tetraka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Phyllastrephus,tenebrosus, RedAtailed!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Calicalicus,madagascariensis, RedAshouldered!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Calicalicus,rufocarpalis, Rufous!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Schetba,rufa, HookAbilled!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Vanga,curvirostris, Lafresnaye s!vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Xenopirostris,xenopirostris, Pollen s!vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Xenopirostris,polleni, Van!Dam s!vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Xenopirostris,damii, SickleAbilled!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Falculea,palliata, WhiteAheaded!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Leptopterus,viridis, Chabert s!vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Leptopterus,chabert, BlueVanga Cyanolanius,madagascarinus, Bernier s!vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Oriolia,bernieri, Helmet!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Euryceros,prevostii, Nuthatch!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Hypositta,corallirostris, Tylas!Vanga!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Tylas,eduardi, Littoral!Rock!Thrush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Pseudocossyphus,imerinus, Forest!Rock!Thrush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Pseudocossyphus,sharpei, Benson s!rock!thrush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!e! Pseudocossyphus,bensoni, Madagascar!MagpieARobin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Copsychus,albospecularis, AfricanStonechates Saxicola,torquata,, WhiteAthroated!Oxylabes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!E! Oxylabes,madagascariensis, 1 19