Madagascar
 15th October – 2nd November 2004

                                           Trip Report
                       Danish Ornithological Society
Birdlife - Denmark

	
Tour Leader: Jon Erling Krabbe  
Guide: Erik Forsyth (Rockjumper Birding Tours).
Local agent: Rockjumper Birding Tours.		
Tour Participants: Jørgen & Bodil Nørgaard, Lisbeth Hansen, Niels Jakobsen, Carl Axel Henrichsen, Mogens Friis, Aage Wichmann, Peter Schousboe, Anne Birgitte Dahl-Hansen, Else Helmer, Kirsten Letman and Claus P. Horneman.	

Trip Report by Erik Forsyth, with amendments by Erling Krabbe

Introduction
The Danish Ornithological Society’s trip to Madagascar 15th October  to 2nd November 2004 was a great success. The 12 participants plus two leaders enjoyed the unique fauna of the island, including the famous lemurs, chameleons and the rich bird life represented by the endemic families as Mesites, Ground-rollers, Cuckoo-Rollers, Asities and Vangas.
Our total bird list during the trip was 188 bird species. Of these, 115 were endemic or near endemic, out of Madagascars total of 138 endmic or near-endemic species. However, of these 138 we only had the possibility of seeing 125 within our travel route, which leaves us with only 10 missed endemic birds. Definitely a fine result!
Moreover, we saw 18 out of 22 possible lemurs in the areas we visited. A good result as well.
Our travel route took us to some of the most important habitats in Madagascar – from rainforest and mountains in the east to desert spiny forest, coral rag and sea islets in the southwest, to dry riverine forest in the south and finally to dry deciduous forest, freshwater marshes and tidal mudflats at river mouths in the northwest.

We visited the famous sites of Perinet Special Reserve, Mantadia National Park, Ifaty Spiny Forest, La Table at Tulear, Nosy Vé Island off Tulear, Anakao Beach, Berenty Lemur Reserve, Fort Dauphin, Ampijoroa Forest with Lake Ravelobe, Amboromalan-dy Swamps and the Betsiboka Deltas.

Itinerary 
15th October: Early morning flight from Copenhagen via Paris to Madagascar. Arrival Antananarivo 22:15 hours. Check in and overnight stay at Hotel Plaza in Antananarivo
16th October: Morning visit to Lake Alarobia in Tana. Then Tana Zoo and Botanical Gardens, with following lunch at restaurant. Afternoon drive to Fyan Yala Hotel at Perinet Special Reserve, with stop at Mangoro River.
17th October: Full day trip to Mantadia National Park, in drizzle rain. 
18th October: Morning trip to Mantadia N.P. in sunny weather. Afternoon walk in Perinet Special Reserve. Walk after dark along road in Perinet.
19th October:  Morning walk at Maromiza Forest along mountain ridge. Early afternoon walk in Perinet to owl roost, at late afternoon trip to Ampatsinposy Marsh.
20th October: Full day birding at Perinet Special Reserve. After dark walk along road.
21st October: Early morning drive to Tana airport. Flight 10 a.m. to Tulear via Fort Dauphin. Lunch at restaurant in Tulear, and visit to Tulear Harbour. Drive north to Ifaty. Stay at Lakana Vezo beach hotel.
22nd October: Early morning trip to Ifaty spiny forest. Afternoon walk to Lakana Vezo saltpans and short visit back to spiny forest for Thamnornis Warbler.
23rd October: Morning trip to marshes between Ifaty and Tulear. Lunch at Lakana Vezo. Afternoon drive to La Mangrove Hotel south of Tulear, with stop at grass fields and waterholes for sandgrouse.
24th October: Morning boat trip to island of Nosy Vé off La Mangrove. Lunch at Nosy Vé. After lunch visit to Anakao Beach fishermen village, to behind lying dunes and to cemetery point at beach south of Anakao. Boat back to Hotel Melody Beach. Late afternoon drive from La Mangrove to La Table mountain. 
25th October: Early morning trip to La Table. Drive from Melody Beach Hotel to Tulear. Visit at Tulear Harbour. Flight to Fort Dauphin, and afternoon drive to Berenty Lemur Reserve.  Night walk in Berenty forest.
26th October: Full day birding in Berenty Reserve. Late afternoon walk in rain to Mandrare River. Night walk.
27th October: Morning birding in Berenty forest and at Mandrare River, and visit to museum and sisal factory. Afternoon drive to Fort Dauphin, visit to new Pitcher Plant site, late afternoon birding at coast, and overnight stay at hotel.
28th October: Early morning whale watching at cliff point south of Fort Dauphin. Afternoon flight to Tana, and check in at Hotel Plaza. 
29th October: Morning shopping at markets in Tana. After lunch flight to Mahajunga, with arrival 14:30 pm. Drive to Ampijoroa Forest Station, with stop at Lac Amboromalandy. Arrival Ampijoroa 18:15 pm. Night walk in forest after supper.
30th October: Full day birding , morning and afternoon trips in Ankarafantsika Special Reserve at Ampijoroa Forest Station. In forest and along Lac Ravelobe, with full house of local specialities. Late afternoon extra trip to Lac Ravelobe. Night walk in forest.
31st October: Morning trip to Amborolamandy Swamps. Lunch at Ampijoroa. After lunch drive back to Mahajunga. Check in at Zaha Motel at beach 15:00 pm. Late afternoon at beach. Overnight stay at Zaha Motel.
1st November: Morning boat trip to Betsiboka Delta off Mahajunga. Midday flight to Tana, and check in at Hotel Plaza. Farewell dinner, and bus to airport late evening. Flight to Copenhagen via Paris, after midnight.
2nd November: Arrival Copenhagen 14:45 pm.

Diary 
The Danish Ornithological Society led by Erling Krabbe arrived late on the 15/10 in Antananarivo. The next morning, after breakfast, they were keen to go birding. Unfortunately their Rockjumper guide and local guide Fano were still stranded in Fort Dauphine, as their plane was not able to land due to heavy winds and low cloud. In the mean time they spent an enjoyable morning at Lac Alarobia as well as a trip to Tzimbazaza Zoo. Highlights included a single African Open-billed Stork, Madagascar Squacco Herons, and a few Black Egrets. On the way to the rainforests in the east at Perinet, a stop at the Mangoro River yielded four Madagascar Pratincoles. Here at the bridge, guides Erik and Fano were able to catch up and meet with the group. In the late afternoon we arrived in Perinet for a five-night stay. 

Our stay at Perinet was excellent, with day trips into the forests at Mantadia NP and Maromiza, as well as a marsh at Ampatsimposy. Birding highlights were numerous with excellent sightings of Pitta-like and Rufous-headed Ground Rollers, Blue Coua, Madagascar Crested Ibis, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, Blue Pigeon, Henst’s Goshawk and Madagascar Long-eared Owl. Mammalian highlights included Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemur, Greater Dwarf Lemur, a family group of Diademed Sifaka (a great find at Maromiza Forest) and the incredible Indri. The calls of the latter mammal were with us daily in the eastern rainforests. A reptilian highlight was seeing two of the highly camouflaged Sikora Leaf-tailed Gecko’s.

Our next stop was the amazing Spiny Desert at Ifaty on the dry, hot southwest coast of Madagascar. Here we had excellent views of the ocean from our hotel rooms and enjoyed the occasional dip after a hot day in the Spiny Desert. Highlights were many and included the bizarre Sub-desert Mesite, huge Sickle-billed Vangas, Madagascar Hoopoes, the amazing Long-tailed Ground Roller seen well by all and Banded Kestrel – a lifer for everybody including the guides. Our trip to the islet of Nosy Vé off Tulear was a great adventure with excellent looks at Red-tailed Tropicbirds, twenty Crab Plovers and Littoral Rock Thrushes at Anakou. A big surprise was a White-tailed Tropicbird spotted by Claus at Nosy Ve. To end off a superb day, we found the egg-shells of the extinct Elephant Bird on a beach nearby. The largest and heaviest known bird to have existed!

Berenty Reserve in the south near Fort Dauphin was equally exciting with highlights including a pair of Madagascar Cuckoo Hawks building a nest, Torotoroka Scops Owl at its day roost, and flyby Madagascar Sandgrouse on the Mandrare River. The playful antics of Verreaux’s Sifaka and the confiding views of Ring-tailed Lemurs were certainly the mammalian highlights of Berenty, and we were able to approach amazing close to these wonderful creatures.

Our last destination of the tour was the dry deciduous forests of Ampijoroa in the northwest of the island. Birding was superb and we enjoyed excellent views of all the specialty birds of the region. One of the undisputed highlights was a remarkably close view of a pair of Schlegel’s Asity at the nest; the eye-wattles on the male bird was strikingly coloured. We also had superb encounters with a pair of White-breasted Mesites and later a Madagascar Crested Ibis which we scoped on the nest! Our last adventure took us up the Betsiboka Delta in a large speedboat, where we saw thirty-six of the rare Bernier’s Teal and three of the equally scarce Madagascar White Ibis. What a fabulous way to end an exciting and fulfilling tour! 

Annotated Checklists of Birds, Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles

Nomenclature and taxonomy follows Morris, P. & Hawkins, F. (1998) A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Madagascar, with the notable exception of a few of the recent taxonomic changes; Garbutt, N. (1999) Mammals of Madagascar, and Glaw, F. & Vences, M. (1994) A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar. Insect names were derived from various sources.

BIRDS 

Key to abbreviations:
ENDEMISM
E : an endemic species 	NE : a near-endemic species (i.e. occurring in the Malagasy region only)
BE : a breeding endemic species	    I: an introduced species
e : an endemic subspecies    ne : a near-endemic subspecies be : a breeding endemic subspecies
CONSERVATION STATUS
C : critical    En : endangered   V : vulnerable   NT : near-threatened   ? : unassessed

Little Grebe (Dabchick)			Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis
Fairly common and easily seen, with  eighty-plus individuals at the shallow, brackish roadside lake between Tulear and Ifaty 23/10, and four on Lac Amboromalandy en route to Mahjunga 31/10. 

Madagascar Little Grebe (E)		Tachybaptus pelzelnii
Two birds were seen at a tiny freshwater marsh at Mantadia NP 17/10, our only birds of the trip. A declining species.  
NOTE: Globally threatened and declining due to habitat loss, introduction of exotic fish, and competition (and possibly hybridisation) with Little Grebe.

Red-tailed Tropicbird 			Phaethon rubricauda rubricauda
Intimate encounters with these elegant birds, including sightings of at least seven birds incubating eggs or fledglings, on the island of Nosy Vé. About forty birds seen in total on and off shore the island 24/10.

White-tailed Tropicbird                                    Phaethon lepturus
Claus found an adult bird at Nosy Vé 24/10, circling high in the air and difficult to pick out on the blue sky. A lifer for all those who saw it, causeing much excitement. What a bird!

Reed (Long-tailed) Cormorant (e)		Phalacrocorax africanus pictilis
Uncommon in Madagascar, with two birds seen on the Mandrare River, at Berenty 26/10 and 27/10

African Darter (e)			Anhinga rufa vulsini
Uncommon in Madagascar, with ten birds, on Lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa 30/10 and 31/10.

Black-crowned Night-Heron 		Nycticorax nycticorax
A big breeding colony of 150 adults and immatures at nests were seen at close range at Lac Alarobia in Tana 16/10. One bird was seen at Berenty 26/10 and three were seen at lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa 30/10. 

(Common) Squacco Heron		 	Ardeola ralloides
Widespread and common in a variety of wetland habitats across the island, from rice paddies to tidal mudflats. Highest number was the estimated two hundred-plus birds roosting and breeding at Lake Alarobia 16/10, including many in magnificent nuptial plumage.

Madagascar Pond-Heron (BE) (NT)	Ardeola idae
Small numbers, seen at 3 localities across the island, with the first sightings (and the highest total - eight) from Lake Alarobia 16/10. Two seen at freshwater lake between Tulear and Ifaty, and 3 at Lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa30/10.  
NOTE: A regional endemic breeder that is near-threatened and declining due to competition with Common Squacco Heron.

Cattle Egret 				Bubulcus ibis ibis
Common throughout and recorded daily in open and semi-open habitats. Over six hundred roosting and nesting at Lake Alarobia. Large numbers also seen at Berenty, and highest number was around one thousand roosting and nesting in reedbeds at Lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa.

Green-backed (Striated) Heron (ne)	Butorides striatus rutenbergi
Small numbers at most freshwater and marine wetlands. Our two first were seen in a rice paddy at Ampatsinposy Marsh 19/10. Also seen at the Amborolamandy wetlands near Ampijoroa 31/10 (50 birds), brackish marshes between Tulear and Ifaty, the tidal mudflats in Tulear Harbour and around La Mangrove. 
NOTE: Represented in Madagascar by the race B. s. rutenbergi, which tends to be darker than its African counterpart, with a reddish neck reminiscent of the American B. s. virens (Green Heron).

Black Egret (Heron)			Egretta ardesiaca
First seen at Lake Alarobia 16/10 with twenty birds and twenty seen in Tana wetlands near the airport. We had large numbers at Lake Amboromalandy near Ampijoroa, where over sixty birds were seen, including many engaged in their “umbrella” feeding technique. 

Dimorphic (Mascarene Reef) Egret (NE)	Egretta dimorpha
Widespread and common throughout Madagascar. First seen at Lake Alarobia, Tana 16/10 with 200 birds, also Lake Amboromalandy, Betsiboka Delta, Tulear area, and around Berenty.
NOTE: The latest Clemens checklist considers this form a subspecies of Little Egret (Egretta garzetta dimorpha).
 
Great (White) Egret 			Ardea alba melanorhynchos
Small numbers at wetlands throughout, with highest totals of one hundred in Tana wetlands near airport 21/10, thirty Lake Alarobia; fifty-plus at Lac Amboromalandy and surrounding wetlands, twenty on the Betsiboka Delta and twenty+ at marshes between Tulear and Ifaty.

Purple Heron (e)				Ardea purpurea madagascariensis
Small numbers were seen in the Perinet, Mantadia and Ampijoroa, a total of 11 birds. 

Grey Heron (ne)				Ardea cinerea firasa
Single birds were seen in Perinet, Tana, wetlands near Tulear, 3 in Betsiboka Delta 1/11 and a breeding colony of 10 birds at nests was seen on the cliffs en route to Nosy Ve 24/10. A total of 18 birds.

Humblot’s (Madagascar) Heron (E) (V)	Ardea humbloti
One bird was scoped on the mudflats north of Tulear 23/10 with one other sighting of a bird (perhaps 2 birds) seen at close range at Lac Ravelobe, Ampijoroa 30/10.
NOTE: A globally threatened species, essentially restricted to Madagascar but with vagrant records elsewhere.

Hamerkop (e)	Scopus umbretta bannermanni
Single birds were seen frequenting rice paddies near Tana and near Fort Dauphin. Our 2 first birds were seen en route to Perinet 16/10. A total of 6 birds.

Bernier’s (Madagascar White) Ibis (NEe)	Threskiornis bernieri bernieri
One of the prizes of our speedboat journey up the Betsiboka Delta on 1/11, three birds were seen. Aage spotted the first bird flying over the mangroves. Two others were seen later feeding on exposed mudflats. 
NOTE: A globally threatened species restricted to largely inaccessible wetlands in western Madagascar and Aldabra Island.

Glossy Ibis 				Plegadis falcinellus falcinellus
One bird was found at Lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa 30/10.

Madagascar Crested (White-winged) Ibis (E) Lophotibis cristata cristata
Two were seen very well in the early morning, feeding along a small river in the forest, near entrance to Perinet Special Reserve 18/10.
 
Madagascar Crested (White-winged) Ibis (E) Lophotibis cristata urschi
We had excellent scope views of a brooding bird seen on the nest at Ampijoroa, 30/10.
 
African Spoonbill 			Platalea alba
One bird was seen en route to Berenty 25/10 near Fort Dauphin and another two birds were scoped at Lac Aboromalandy 31/10.

Yellow-billed Stork                                           Mycteria ibis
Eagle-eyed Claus, spotted three birds circling in the horizon at Lac Amboromalandy 31/10. A scarce bird in Madagascar.

African Open-billed Stork                               Anostomus lamelligerus
One bird was found at Lake Alarobia, Tana on the 16/10. A scarce bird in Madagascar.                                                                        

White-faced Whistling Duck 		Dendrocygna viduata
Recorded at a number of  freshwater wetlands around the island. Highest numbers were three hundred+ at Lake Alarobia in Tana 16/10, three hundred+ at Tana airport lakes 21/10, 75 at marshes between Tulear and Ifaty, and 150 at Lake Ravelobe 30/10.

Comb (Knob-billed) Duck			Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos
Eight at Lake Alarobia, two at the Mandrare River, Berenty, and one at Lake Amboromalandy.

African Pygmy Goose 			Nettapus auritus
Four birds were seen near Lac Amboromalandy on the 29/10 and twenty on the 31/10. 

Madagascar (Bernier’s) Teal (E) (En) 	Anas bernieri
The greatest prize of our trip up the Betsiboka Delta 1/11. Thirty-six birds were counted at high tide, roosting in the mangroves. The first two birds were spotted by Aage. As the tide receded, birds were seen flying out of the mangroves to feed on the exposed mudflats. 
NOTE: This globally threatened endemic, currently known only from a few inaccessible sites on the west coast of Madagascar, has rarely been recorded by bird tours. Not only were the birds observed at close quarters, roosting in the mangroves, feeding on the mud and in low flight, but they were also in unprecedented numbers: “Only significant recent counts are 60 on Masama Lake in 1970 and 61 on Bemamba Lake in 1973” Volume 1; HBW. 

Red-billed Teal (Duck)			Anas erythrorhyncha
Fifty-plus at Lake Alarobia 16/10 and seventy-five-plus around freshwater lakes around Tana 21/10.

Hottentot Teal 				Anas hottentota
Twenty-plus birds were found at freshwater marshes north of Tulear 23/10 and forty birds at Lake Amboromalandy 31/10.

Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk (Falcon) (E) 	Aviceda madagascariensis
We enjoyed excellent views of a pair at a newly built nest close to the Mandrare River at Berenty 26/10 and 27/10. Another two birds were seen in flight over Ampijoroa Forest Reserve 30/10.

Yellow-billed Kite 			Milvus aegyptius parasitus
Common and conspicuous in open habitats, particularly in the west. Small numbers at the roadside on most road journeys, very common around Berenty with over twenty seen daily.

Black Kite                                                           Milvus migrans
Several birds were seen at Berenty Reserve, with several birds attending nests.
NOTE: This species is usually lumped with Yellow-billed Kite.

Madagascar Fish Eagle (E) (C) 		Haliaeetus vociferoides
Fine scope studies of this critically endangered, endemic eagle at the edge of Lake Ravelobe, Ampijoroa 30/10 and 31/10. An adult was seen with an immature bird feeding on a large fish.  
NOTE: This is one of the world’s rarest raptors, with a total global population of no more than 60 pairs.

Madagascar Harrier-Hawk (E)	 	Polyboroides radiatus
Our first encounter with this fine species was in Mantadia NP 18/10. Two in flight at Ifaty, performing aerial display flights over the forest, with fluttering wing beats followed by steep dives. Another pair at a nest at Berenty, three in Ampijoroa forest reserve and two over the Betsiboka Delta

Madagascar Harrier (NE) (NT)		Circus macrosceles
Two birds were seen through the scope near a freshwater Lake north of Tulear 23/10.
NOTE: This species, which occurs in Madagascar and the Comoros, differs from the Reunion Harrier (Circus maillardi) in its smaller size and darker plumage, and is now considered a separate species.

Henst's Goshawk (E) (NT) 		Accipiter henstii
We had excellent views of a bird flying with prey in the early morning sun near Mantadia NP (spotted by Claus) 18/10. 
NOTE: A scarce endemic that occurs at low densities; usually detected by its far-carrying and distinctive calls.

Madagascar Sparrowhawk (E) (NT)	Accipiter madagascariensis
A pair was seen at breeding site at the Orchid Garden in Perinet 20/10. A bird on the nest was scoped in Berenty 26/10 and 27/10, and two birds were seen in Ampijoroa forest reserve 30/10.

Frances' Sparrowhawk (NEe) 		Accipiter francesii francesii
Two birds were seen at Berenty Reserve 26/10. We watched the male bird doing a display flight over the riverine forest.  

Madagascar Buzzard (E) 			Buteo brachypterus
Common and widespread, with small numbers recorded from almost all wooded sites.  Highest numbers in Perinet and Mantadia (18 birds) and Ampijoroa (5 birds)  A total of 28 birds.

Madagascar (Newton’s) Kestrel (NEe)	Falco newtoni
Very common in open and semi-open habitats throughout, especially in the dry west. Recorded almost daily, regularly at the roadside and at most birding sites. A total of 56 birds were seen during the trip.

Banded (Barred) Kestrel (E)		Falco zoniventris
Claus, Erling, Jørgen and Erik ran in deep sand, for 700m to see this lifer, found by Relata in the Spiny Desert, Ifaty 22/10 A few minutes later, everybody was enjoying scope views of this bird. Another bird was seen on the edge of Lake Ravelobe 30/10.

Eleonora's Falcon 			Falco eleonorae
A Palaearctic migrant, with the bulk of the population wintering on Madagascar. A single seen flying over the Betsiboka Deltas on 01/11.
 
Peregrine Falcon (ne) 			Falco peregrinus radama
Two birds were seen at Maromiza Forest on the 19/10. This sighting was most likely a pair. Same day, a single bird was seen at Ampatsinposy Marsh.

Helmeted Guineafowl (I) 			Numida meleagris mitrata
A small flock of 6 were seen at the Mandrare River 25/10, and another flock of 10 in the dry riverine forest at Berenty Reserve 26/10.  A feather was found in Ifaty Spiny Forest 22/10.
NOTE: This African species was probably introduced to Madagascar by early colonists.

White-breasted Mesite (E) (V) 		Mesitornis variegata
We had superb views of a pair of these beautiful birds as they crossed the trail at Ampijoroa and several birds were heard in shrill duet, 30/10

Subdesert Mesite (E) (V) 		               Monias benschi
A female was located in the Spiny Desert at Ifaty 22/10. She sat cryptically perched on a spiny Didieria branch. Our first Mesite of the trip and enjoyed by everybody.

Madagascar Buttonquail (E)		Turnix nigricollis
Fairly common and widespread, with a total of nine recorded. A male and female were enjoyed by our group, at close range, Lakano Vezo, Ifaty 22/10. Also recorded at Berenty.

Madagascar Flufftail (E)			Sarothrura insularis
After hearing many in the Perinet and Mantadia, we saw one male at Maromiza forest 19/10  at close range, where most of the group managed to obtain glimpses of the bird.
 
Madagascar Wood Rail (E) 		Canirallus kioloides kioloide
Two birds were seen briefly at Mantadia NP 18/10.

Madagascar Rail (E) 			Rallus madagascariensis
One bird was seen extremely well at Ampatsimposy Marsh 19/10.

White-throated (Cuvier’s) Rail ([N]Ee)	Dryolimnas cuvieri (cuvieri)
Two birds were seen and heard at Perinet Special Reserve. Superb views were had of a bird bathing at the Mandrare River, Berenty, 26/10 and 27/10. Also heard at Lake Ravelobe
NOTE: Some authorities consider the nominate Madagascar race of this bird as distinctive from the flightless Aldabra Island race, making this another endemic rallid to Madagascar. 

Baillon's Crake 				Porzana pusilla intermedia
A single bird was seen well at the edge of a reed-bed at a freshwater marsh north of Tulear 23/10. A few other birds were heard calling.

Purple Swamphen 	Porphyrio porphyrio madagascariensis
A bird was heard calling from dense reed-bed at a freshwater marsh north of Tulear 23/10. A scarce species in Madagascar. 

Red-knobbed Coot                                           Fulica cristata
We heard the call of this species from dense reed-beds several times at a freshwater lake north of Tulear 23/10. Erik had seen four birds here a week earlier. A scarce species in Madagascar.          

Common Moorhen (ne) 			Gallinula chloropus pyrrhoroa
Common in wetlands throughout the island. Highest numbers of twenty-five-plus at Lake Alarobia. A pair was constantly visible from our hotel at Perinet.

Madagascar Jacana (E) 			Actophilornis albinucha
Only in wetlands of the north-west, where fifteen were counted at Amboromalandy Swamps 31/10. Our first bird was seen at Lac Ravelobe 30/10.

Crab Plover				Dromas ardeola
A flock of approximately twenty of these attractive waders were scoped on a sandbar at Nose Vé 24/10. An unusual wader placed in their own family Dromadidae. This was an excellent find, as they were not found on another RBT tour, two weeks previously.

Black-winged Stilt 			Himantopus himantopus himantopus
Good numbers also seen on roadside wetlands in the Tulear/Ifaty area with a maximum number of forty seen on 23/11. Other 20 birds were seen at Lac Amboromalandy.

Madagascar Pratincole (BE)		Glareola ocularis
Four birds seen flying over the bridge on the Mangoro River en route to Perinet on 16/11. Also seen sitting at close range on rocks in the river, and doing breeding display. A very good bird to the whole group.

Common Ringed Plover 			Charadrius hiaticula tundrae
Fairly common on tidal flats in the Tulear/Ifaty area, a total of 27 birds.
 
Kittlitz's Plover 				Charadrius pecuarius pecuarius
Largest numbers recorded at brackish lakes north of Tulear en route to Ifaty with over forty birds being seen on 23/11 including several tiny chicks. Also noted on the mudflats, plains and saltpans north and south of Tulear, and in the Betsiboka Delta
 
Madagascar Plover (E) 			Charadrius thoracicus
A pair with two tiny chicks of this scarce, localised endemic were observed at close quarters at a grass-field near a small saltpan in Ifaty on 22/10.

Three-banded Plover (e)	 		Charadrius tricollaris bifrontatus
The first bird recorded was recorded  at Ampatsimposy Marsh 19/10. 3 birds seen 23/10 at marshes between Tulear and Ifaty and 6 same day at wetlands north and south of Tulear harbour.
 
White-fronted Plover 			Charadrius marginatus tenellus
Five birds on tidal flats and salt lakes around Tulear and Ifaty. Twenty birds were seen on the shoreline on our walk around Nosy Vé 24/10. 

Lesser Sand (Mongolian) Plover 		Charadrius mongolus pamirensis
Three birds were seen on the tidal mudflats approximately halfway between Tulear and Ifaty 23/10. This species is a scarce in Madagascar.

Greater Sand Plover 			Charadrius leschenaultii crassirostris
Fairly common on tidal flats between Tulear and Ifaty with over fifty birds being recorded on 21/11. 10 seen in Betsiboka Delta 01/11.

Grey (Black-bellied) Plover		Pluvialis squatarola
This species was fairly common on tidal flats around Tulear, Ifaty with further sightings at the Betsiboko Delta. A total of 143 birds.

Bar-tailed Godwit 			Limosa lapponica lapponica
Seven birds seen at Tulear Harbour 21/10. 

Whimbrel 				Numenius phaeopus phaeopus
This species was common on tidal flats around Tulear, Ifaty. Other birds were seen in the Betsiboka Delta on 01/11. A total of app. 600 birds.

Eurasian Curlew                                                Numenius arquata orientalis
One bird was found by Erik at Tulear Harbor on the 25/10.Good work, Erik.

Marsh Sandpiper 			Tringa stagnatilis
One bird brilliantly found by Jørgen at Tulear Harbour 25/10, and scoped by everybody. A scarce bird.

Common Greenshank 			Tringa nebularia
Another common wader. This species was regularly seen in the wetlands in the Tulear, Ifaty and the Mandrare River at Berenty. A total of 256 birds during the trip.

Terek Sandpiper 				Tringa cinerea
Fifty birds were seen roosting in trees at high tide on the Betsiboka Delta 01/11. 

Common Sandpiper 			Tringa hypoleucos
Small numbers in freshwater and brackish wetland habitats throughout. Highest totals: fifteen from the temporary freshwater pans between Tulear and Ifaty,  six on the Mandrare River at Berenty and 40 in Betsiboka Delta. A total of 73.

Ruddy Turnstone 			Arenaria interpres interpres
Seen daily on tidal flats around Tulear and Ifaty, with thirty-plus seen on our trip to Nose Vé 24/10. A total of 92 during the trip.

Sanderling 				Calidris alba
Fairly common on tidal flats around Tulear and Ifaty, with thirty-plus in total.

Little Stint 						Calidris minuta
Uncommon in Madagascar, with a total of ten birds seen at the Betsiboko Delta 01/11.

Red Knot                                                             Calidris canutus
A single bird was seen at Tulear Harbour 21/10. An under-recorded bird in Madagascar.

Curlew Sandpiper 			Calidris ferruginea
The common Calidrid, with a total of over two-hundred from the Tulear-Ifaty wetlands and over three hundred at mudflats in the Betsiboka Delta 01/11.

Madagascar Kelp Gull 		Larus  melisandae
The Madagascar form of Kelp Gull recently assigned full species status Larus melisandae (cc.Rockjumper Madagascar tour description). It differs by being smaller than other Kelp Gulls, and by its yellow feet.
Two birds seen by some of the group at Ifaty 23/10 and a further fifteen to twenty seen whilst sea-watching off Fort Dauphin on 27-28/10. 

Caspian Tern 				Sterna caspia caspia
Three birds were seen at Tulear Harbour 21/10 and 1 at Fort Dauphin 27/10.

Greater Crested (Swift) Tern (ne)		Sterna bergii enigma
The common Sterna seen at all coastlines visited with small numbers seen at Ifaty, Tulear, Fort Dauphin, Nosy Ve and at the Betsiboka Delta.  

Lesser Crested Tern 			Sterna bengalensis bengalensis
Thirty five were seen at Nosy Ve during our day trip there 24/10 with a further two seen at the Betsiboka Delta 01/11.

Roseate Tern (ne)				Sterna dougallii aridensis
One bird at sea during our boat trip to Nosy Vé 24/10.

Common Tern 				Sterna hirundo hirundo
At least sixty to one hundred birds were present at a tern roost at Nosy Vé 24/10. 

Sandwich Tern                                                   Sterna sandvicensis
Two birds were seen on the 27 & 28/10 from a headland at Fort Dauphin. 

Saunders' Tern 				Sterna saundersi
Up to twelve birds were seen hunting at Tulear Harbour 25/10.

Whiskered Tern 				Chlidonias hybridus sclateri
Five birds were seen migrating by at Fort Dauphin Airport 28/10 and four at Lac Amboromalandy on the 31/10.

Madagascar Sandgrouse (E) 		Pterocles personatus
Our first sighting was of two birds flying from a field near Tulear 25/10 which a few of the group missed. We were relived thereafter to see five on the Mandrare River at Berenty on 26/10.

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) (I)		Columba livia
Widespread in urban areas. 

Madagascar Turtle Dove (NEe)		Columba picturata picturata
We had good sightings of several birds atIfaty,  Berenty and 8 seen well in Ampijoroa Forest Reserve 30/10 A total of 34 during the trip.

Namaqua (Long-tailed) Dove (e)		Oena capensis aliena
Widespread and common in drier areas, with highest totals of one hundredplus in the Ifaty area, and thirty-plus between Fort Dauphin and Berenty. 

Magagascar Green Pigeon	(NEe)		Treron australis australis
Two of this northern subspecies were seen at Ampijoroa on 30/10 and 31/10.

Madagascar Green Pigeon (NEe)		Treron australis xenia
Approximately ten of this southern subspecies were seen well at the Spiny Desert at Ifaty and at Berenty.
Madagascar Blue Pigeon (E) 		Alectroenas madagascariensis
This beautiful bird is pleasantly common in eastern rainforest, with several scoped around Feon' ny Ala, in Mantadia NP and in Perinet. A total of 50 birds.

(Greater) Vasa Parrot (NEe)		Coracopsis vasa vasa
This eastern subspecies is much less common than Lesser Vasa Parrot in the rainforest biome. Five were seen in the Perinet/ Mantadia NP and Maromiza area on 17-19/10..
 
(Greater) Vasa Parrot (NEe)		Coracopsis vasa drouhardi
The western subspecies of this large parrot was seen by just one bird at the forest in Ampijoroa 30/10.

Lesser Vasa (Black) Parrot (NEe)	 	Coracopsis nigra nigra
A widespread and fairly common bird and exceedingly vocal. Recorded daily from all eastern rainforest sites, with highest totals from Mantadia NP where we recorded twenty-plus birds in a morning on 17/10. A total of 50 birds.

Lesser Vasa (Black) Parrot (NEe)	 	Coracopsis nigra libs
The drier country (Western and Southern) subspecies of Lesser Vasa Parrot was seen in small numbers at Ifaty and Berenty (4 and 2 birds) and forty-plus at Ampijoroa 30-31/10.
 
Grey-headed Lovebird (E) 		Agapornis canus canus
The nominate subspecies of this small parrot was found nesting in the campsite at Ampijoroa where approximately twenty were seen.

Grey-headed Lovebird (E) 		Agapornis canus albactanea
The southern subspecies was seen daily at Ifaty and at Berenty where fifty birds on 23/10 was the record count. A total of 155 birds.

Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo (BE)		Cuculus rochii
Very common and one of the dominant sounds in wooded and semi-wooded habitats throughout. First seen at Perinet and commonly seen/heard at all subsequent sites.

Giant Coua (E)				Coua gigas
Common at Berenty where twenty individuals watched feeding, calling and strolling about at close quarters, on 26-27/10.  An impressive bird!

Coquerel's Coua (E) 			Coua coquereli
Three birds were seen at Ampijoroa on the 30/10, completing our coua list.

Running Coua (E) 			Coua cursor
One seen on the nest in the Spiny Desert near Ifaty on 22/10.

Red-breasted Coua (E) 			Coua serriana
This very elusive species was seen well by all of the group in Perinet Special Reserve 20/10. Julian and Fano worked hard to “steer” the bird towards us.
A bird of northeastern Madagascar, that is very hard to get as far south as the Perinet/Mantadia area. 

Red-fronted Coua (E) 			Coua reynaudii
Only Peter and Julian saw this species at Mantadia NP on 17/10. Two more birds were heard in Mantadia NP.

Red-capped Coua (E) 			Coua ruficeps
One bird was seen very well at Ampijoroa 30/10, basking in the sun – sitting in the dust on the forest track with its wings spread out. What a sight!

Olive-capped (Green-capped) Coua (E) 	Coua olivaceiceps
Two seen in a tree and a few heard in the Spiny Desert near Ifaty 22-23/10.
NOTE: This southern, khaki-capped form of Red-capped Coua is considered to be a full species in Sinclair I. and Langrande O. Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands however many other authorities consider this form to be a subspecies of Red-capped Coua.

Crested Coua (E) 			Coua cristata cristata
This nominate subspecies was first recorded at Ampijoroa with five individuals being seen during our stay there 30-31/10. 

Crested Coua (E) 			Coua cristata pyropyga
This southern subspecies, with a rufous vent, was seen in the Spiny Desert at Ifaty on 22/10 (five birds) and commonly observed at Berenty during our stay there 26-27/10 (fifteen-plus birds).
 
Verreaux's Coua (E) (NT)			Coua verreauxi
Superb views of two individuals, with others heard, in coral rag scrub along the road to San Augustin on La Table on 24/10. The most localised member of this endemic sub-family.

Blue Coua (E)				Coua caerulea
Fairly common in the eastern forests, where encountered daily. A total of over twelve birds seen and many more heard at Perinet and Mantadia NP 16-19/10, the first being seen at Mantady. Strangely turaco-like and one of the world’s great “Blue Birds”!

Madagascar Coucal (NEe)			Centropus toulou toulou
Common, widespread and recorded in small numbers virtually daily during our tour. The first sighting being at the Lake Alarobia in Tana, and recorded from deciduous forest, reedbeds, secondary growth, primary rainforest to spiny desert. A total of 71 birds during the trip.

Rainforest Scops Owl (NEe) 		Otus rutilus rutilus
This recently split form of the Madagascar Scops Owl was regularly heard from bed at Feon' Ny Ala. Good views were had of one in Perinet Special Reserve on the 19/10.

Torotoroka Scops Owl (E) 		Otus madagascariensis
Two individuals of this newly described species of Scops Owl (pronounced “Toorootoorook”, an onomatopoeic name) were seen at their day roosts, one each in the gallery forest and in the Spiny Forest at Berenty on 26/10. Also one bird heard at Ampijoroa Forest Station 29/10.
NOTE: These Scops Owls have recently been split, based on morphological and vocal differences and habitat preferences. 

White-browed (Madagascar Hawk) Owl (E)	Ninox superciliaris
We enjoyed excellent looks at several birds during the day in gallery forest at Berenty 25-26/10. A total of 5-10 birds.

Madagascar Long-eared Owl (E) 		Asio madagascariensis
After prolonged efforts we saw an adult with it’s prey high up in a tree at Perinet on 18/10.

Marsh Owl                                                         Asio capensis
A single bird was flushed by Niels at Nosy Vé 24/10. A scarce species in Madagascar.

Madagascar Nightjar (NEe)  Caprimulgus madagascariensis madagascariensis
The common nightjar on Madagascar, seen and heard at most of the localities we visited. Our first sighting was at Perinet on 16/10. Our highest count was of seven birds seen at dusk on the drive from Tulear to Ifaty. We enjoyed good views of a bird sitting on eggs in the Spiny Forest, Ifaty 22/10.

Madagascar Spinetail (NEe)   		Zoonavena grandidieri grandidieri
We saw birds daily at Perinet and Mantadia during our stay 17-19/10. A total of twenty birds.
 
African Palm Swift (e) 			Cypsiurus parvus gracilis
Common in suitable palm habitat with our first sightings around Perinet Special Reserve. Seen at most localities, with highest numbers in the dry west. A total of 110 during the trip.

Alpine Swift (e) 				Tachymarptis melba willsi
Two birds were seen at Perinet Special Reserve 18/10 and two at Maromiza 19/10 with other sightings of single birds en route to Tana and at Ifaty.

Madagascar (Black) Swift (NE) 		Apus balstoni
Fairly common throughout, with first sightings of a small flock over Tana (16/10). One hundred-plus were seen on our trip to Nosy Vé.
NOTE: These Malagasy birds are usually considered a species distinct from the African Black Swift (A. barbatus), however no dedicated research has been done. There seems to be two distinct sizes of all black swifts in Madagascar, and these may represent two or more species.

Little Swift 				Apus affinis theresae?
Claus spotted our only bird of the trip in Tana 29/10 at the tourist shops close to the airport. 
NOTE: Considered a recent arrival on the island with sightings from the far north (Diego Suarez) and a few seemingly resident birds in Tana. No specimens have been collected in order to ascertain subspecific status.

Madagascar Malachite (Diademed) Kingfisher (NEe) Alcedo vintsioides vintsoides
Fairly common at freshwater and marine wetlands throughout. First recorded at Lake Alarobia on 16/10 (5 birds) and at the Tana Zoo lake (4 birds), with small numbers at roadside rice paddies and all wetland sites. A total of 32 during the trip. 

Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher (E) 		Ispidina madagascariensis
This attractive endemic was found by Mogens at a nest burrow alongside the road in Mantadia NP 18/10.

Madagascar (Olive) Bee-eater 		Merops superciliosus superciliosus
Common, widespread in semi-open areas and recorded from almost all sites. First seen at the roadside en route to Perinet 16/10. Highest number was 50 in Ifaty area 23/10. We enjoyed a small nesting colony in the river bank of Mandrare River at Berenty 26/10. A total of 164 birds during the trip.

Broad-billed Roller (be) 			Eurystomus glaucurus glaucurus
Widespread and common breeding migrant from the African mainland. First recorded at Berenty 26-27/10 (10 birds) with further sightings at Ampijoroa (13 birds). A total of 45 birds.

Short-legged Ground-Roller (E) (V)	Brachypteracias leptosomus
Unfortunately only heard at Perinet Special Reserve 20/10.

Pitta-like Ground-Roller (E) (NT)		Atelornis pittoides
After searching for ages, we had excellent looks at one calling from a perch at Mantadia NP 17/10, and later at another bird, suddenly seen at close range while we were busy watching a Wood-Rail. Moreover, one bird was seen the following day 18/10 at Mantadia NP. A total of 3 birds.

Rufous-headed Ground-Roller (E) (V) 	Atelornis crossleyi
Three heard calling at Maromiza 19/10, but in spite of hard work we did not manage to locate any. However, we eventually enjoyed very good looks at a bird calling in Perinet Special Reserve 20/10.
 
Long-tailed Ground-Roller (E) (V) 		Uratelornis chimaera
Excellent views of a bird in its breeding territory at the Spiny Desert, Ifaty 22/10. 

Madagascar Cuckoo-Roller (E)		Leptosomus discolor (discolor?)
This spectacular endemic was seen and especially heard at Perinet/Mantadia area. Two were seen each at Mantadia NP and at Perinet and also two heard and one seen at Ampijoroa 30/10. A total of 9 individuals recorded. A surprisingly large bird with   vociferously displaying males performing their aerial acrobatics.
NOTE:  some authorities such as Sinclair I. and Langrande O., consider the Comores form of this bird to be a separate species from that occurring in Madagascar.

Madagascar Hoopoe (E) 			Upupa marginalis
Our first bird was seen at Lake Alarobia in Tana 16/10. Commonly recorded at all western sites, including daily sightings at Ampijoroa, the Spiny Desert at Ifaty and Berenty. A total of  32 birds.
NOTE: This form is usually considered distinct from the African Hoopoe, based on vocal and morphological differences.

Velvet Asity (E)				Philepitta castanea
One female was observed at very close quarters at Perinet Special Reserve 20/10.
 
Schlegel's Asity (E) (NT) 			Philepitta schlegeli
A pair at their nest plus possibly another pair were seen extremely well at close quarters in eye level, including telescope views, at Ampijoroa on 30/10. One of the highlights of the trip.

Common Sunbird Asity (E) 		Neodrepanis coruscans
Heard only at Mantadia (one bird 19/10) and Perinet (one bird 20/10)

Madagascar (Hova) Lark (E) 		Mirafra hova
Very common in open habitats throughout, with highest numbers the arid areas around Tulear.

Mascarene Martin (NEbe)			Phedina borbonica borbonica
Madagascar’s commonest hirundine and a regional breeding endemic. Recorded at almost all sites, on most days, with our first record being of eighty birds on the first day. A breeding colony at the quarry of Maromiza was studied at close range 19/10.
A total of 260plus birds were registered during the trip.
 
Brown-throated (Plain Sand) Martin (e) 	Riparia paludicola cowani
This high plateau wetland hirundine was observed en route to Perinet in small numbers and over marshes in the Perinet area. Largest numbers seen were of a flock on twelve birds hawking insects around Mangoro River on 16/10 and ten+ birds at Ampatsinposy Marsh 19/10.

Madagascar Wagtail (E) 			Motacilla flaviventris
Rather common in the east and highland plateau, where seen daily in small numbers. Our highest count was of ten birds seen in the Mantadia NP. 17/10. Only observation outside Tana and Perinet area was two birds in the Betsiboka Delta 01/11.

Ashy (Madagascar) Cuckoo-shrike (NEe)  	Coracina cinerea cinerea
This eastern forest form of the cuckoo-shrike was seen at Mantadia NP on 17/10 and at Perinet on the 18/10.

Ashy (Madagascar) Cuckoo-shrike (NEe)  	Coracina cinerea pallida
The more commonly encountered western form was seen in the Spiny Desert at Ifaty on 22/10 (two birds) and at Berenty on 26-27/10 (four birds). Our last sighting was one bird at Ampijoroa on the 30/10.

Madagascar Bulbul (NEe)   		Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Common and ubiquitous, with daily sightings in a variety of wooded and semi-wooded habitats. Our first three birds were seen at Lake Alarobia in Tana on the 16/10. A total of 281 individuals were counted during the trip.

Long-billed Greenbul (Ee) 		Phyllastrephus madagascariensis madagascariensis
Widespread in eastern forests of Madagascar. However, just one bird of this form was encountered in a bird wave in Mantady NP.18/10.

Long-billed Greenbul (Ee) 		Phyllastrephus madagascariensis inceleber
This dry forest form was seen exceptionally well at Ampijoroa (two+ birds) 30/10.

Spectacled Greenbul (Ee) 			Phyllastrephus zosterops zosterops
Restricted to eastern forests, where it is the commonest of the “small greenbuls”. A total of four seen and many heard in Mantadia NP.and Perinet Special Reserve 17-20/10.
 
Grey-crowned Greenbul (E) (V) 		Phyllastrephus cinereiceps
Uncommon in eastern rainforest, mainly at altitudes above the range of Spectacled Greenbul. Three birds recorded in Mantadia NP on 18/10 in an understorey mixed species flock. 

Red-tailed Vanga (E) 			Calicalicus madagascariensis
A fairly common and regularly encountered denizen of wooded and semi-wooded habitats, particularly once its “wolf-whistle” call is recognised. This species was seen or heard daily in the Mantadia NP/Perinet area. 17-20/10, with a total of 29 birds.

Red-shouldered Vanga (E) (?) 		Calicalicus rufocarpalis
After struggling through thick vegetation for a couple of hours on two consecutive days, the whole group managed to see this species. Close studies were had of a pair of this recently described and highly localised endemic, in “coral rag” scrub along the road to San Augustin, on 24-25/10.  

Rufous Vanga (Ee) 			Schetba rufa occidentalis
A male of this western deciduous forest form was found sitting on the nest at Ampijoroa on the 30/10. 

Hook-billed Vanga (Ee)			Vanga curvirostris curvirostris
This often heard and infrequently observed species was seen at Mantadia NP on the17/10 and heard in Perinet Special Reserve 20/10. Also, one bird was seen on its nest at Ampijoroa Forest Station and two more birds heard on 30/10. 

Hook-billed Vanga (Ee)			Vanga curvirostris cetera
This southern desert race was seen in the Berenty Reserve 26/10.

Lafresnaye's Vanga (E)			Xenopirostris xenopirostris
This species first seen on a nest in the Spiny Desert at Ifaty where five birds were seen on the 22/10. A further two were seen at La Table 25/10. 

Van Dam's Vanga (E) (V)			Xenopirostris damii
A pair were found in dry woodland at Ampijoroa on the 30/10. The most localised of the vangas.

Sickle-billed Vanga (E)			Falculea palliata
One of Madagascar’s GREAT birds and wonderfully common in the dry west. Particularly conspicuous at Ampijoroa, where 10 birds seen 29-31/10. Several more were seen at the Spiny Desert near Ifaty, La Table and at Berenty.

White-headed Vanga (Ee) 			Artamella viridis viridis
The more uncommon eastern forest subspecies of this attractive vanga was  observed at Maromiza (a pair on 19/10) and in Perinet Special Reserve (one on 20/10)

White-headed Vanga (Ee) 			Artamella viridis annae
The more widespread western race was seen in small numbers at  the Spiny Desert at Ifaty (2 birds 22/10),  at Berenty (2 birds 26-27/10) and at Ampijoroa, where seven were seen.

Chabert’s Vanga (Ee) 			Leptopterus chabert chabert
The commonest vanga, occurring in habitats ranging from pristine rainforest to degraded scrub. First seen in the Mantadia NP/Perinet areas, where observed daily, this species was also observed in the Ampijoroa area. A total of 28 birds.

Chabert’s Vanga (Ee) 			Leptopterus chabert schistocercus
This southern desert race is morphologically and vocally distinct from the nominate and may represent a different species. It was observed during our excursions into the Spiny Desert at Ifaty (ten birds 22/10).

(Madagascar) Blue Vanga ([N]E)		Cyanolanius madagascarinus (madagascarinus?)
We had excellent views of four birds at Mantadia NP 17/10 and two on18/10.
NOTE: Sinclair I. and Langrande O., consider the Comores race of this species to be distinct, resulting in the Madagascar Blue Vanga being another Madagascar endemic. This stance is not widely accepted.

Nuthatch Vanga (Coral-billed Nuthatch) (E)	Hypositta corallirostris
A total of six birds were seen, some exceptionally well, at Mantadia NP on 17 and 18/10. A peculiar and localised eastern rainforest endemic.

Tylas (Vanga) (Ee)			Tylas eduardi eduardi
A total of four seen and many more heard in the Mantadia NP/Perinet area. One was seen at its nest in Perinet 18/10.
NOTE: Recent DNA evidence suggests that this “vanga” is more closely related to the cuckoo-shrikes.

Littoral Rock Thrush (E) 			Pseudocossyphus imerinus
Four birds were found in dune scrub behind Anakao on 24/10. We then ventured along the shoreline to a point 2km away and found many pieces of Elephant bird eggshell, the world’s largest known bird. A great find!

Forest Rock Thrush (E) (NT)		Pseudocossyphus sharpei
A bird was seen briefly by Julien as it flew off at the quarry in Maromiza Forest 19/10. Another bird was heard singing in the forest.

Madagascar Magpie-Robin (Ee) 		Copsychus a. albospecularis
This north-eastern black bellied form of the widespread and common Magpie-Robin, reaches its southern limit around Perinet. Three birds were seen both at Mantadia NP and Perinet during our explorations 16-18/10..

Madagascar Magpie-Robin (Ee) 		Copsychus albospecularis pica
This larger western subspecies also sports white outer tail feathers. It was frequently seen at all western locations including Ampijoroa, Tulear, Ifaty and Berenty. It is usually a particularly tame and confiding species. A total of 79 were counted.

African Stonechat (e) 			Saxicola axillaries sibilla
Common in open habitats of the eastern highlands, where several seen daily. A high total of 15 birds were seen on our walk to Maromiza on the 19/10.

White-throated Oxylabes (E) 		Oxylabes madagascariensis
Fairly common endemic of the understory of eastern rainforest, although nearly always difficult to see. First seen three birds at Mantadia NP on 18/10, and two seen in Perinet 20/10. 

Grey Emu-tail (E) 			Dromaeocercus seebohmi
We had excellent looks at two birds at Ampatsinposy marsh on the 19/10.  

Madagascar Brush Warbler (NEe) 		Nesillas typica typica
Very common in dense cover of any kind in the east, where several recorded daily. First seen at Perinet on 17/10 (ten birds). Two birds were seen and others heard at Ampijoroa 30/10.

Subdesert Brush Warbler (E) 		Nesillas lantzii
Replaces Madagascar Brush Warbler in the south-west, where common: five-plus recorded daily in Tulear-Ifaty-La Mangrove area. This species was also seen en route to Berenty.
NOTE: Formerly considered conspecific with Madagascar Brush Warbler but vocally distinct and sympatric with that species near Fort Dauphin.

Madagascar Swamp Warbler (E) 		Acrocephalus newtoni
Fairly common in wetland habitat throughout, ranging from highland marshes in the east to mangroves in the west. First seen at Lake Alarobia on 16/10 (10 birds), which was the highest number recorded. Four were seen at Ampatsimposy marsh on the 19/10. Five birds were seen in the freshwater marshes north of Tulear on the 23/10. Our last sighting was of one bird at Lake Ravelobe at Ampijoroa 30/10.

Thamnornis (Warbler) (E) 		Thamnornis chloropetoides
We enjoyed excellent looks at a bird on 22/10 in the Spiny Desert near Ifaty.

Rand's Warbler (E) (NT)			Randia pseudozosterops
Fairly common denizen of eastern rainforest, with small numbers seen/heard daily in the Mantadia NP/Perinet areas 17-21/10. Singles vocalising from typical treetop perches at Feon Ny’ Ala Hotel were our first seen birds. A total of 9 birds.

Dark Newtonia (E) 			Newtonia amphichroa
One bird was seen well at Mantadia NP on 17/10 and several others heard at Perinet and Maromiza Forest.

Common Newtonia (E) 			Newtonia brunneicauda brunneicauda
Common and widespread in wooded and semi-wooded habitat throughout. The first seen were three birds at Mantadia NP on the 17/10. 

Archbold's Newtonia (E) 			Newtonia archboldi
We enjoyed excellent close looks at one bird in the Spiny Desert near Ifaty on 22/10.

Madagascar Cisticola (NE) 		Cisticola cherinus
Common in open habitats throughout, including rice paddies and the man-altered plateau grasslands. Two in Perinet on 19/10 were the first seen. Highest number was 20 in grassland and marshes north of Tulear 23/10.

Common Jery (Ee) 			Neomixis tenella tenella
Common and ubiquitous. “Tom and Jerrys” were first seen at Lake Alarobia on 16/10 (4 birds) and recorded dailythroughout the trip, except in the eastern rainforest. This nominate subspecies occurs in the West, South and Highland Plateau.

Common Jery (Ee) 			Neomixis tenella orientalis
This eastern forest subspecies was recorded daily from the eastern rainforests. First seen en route to Mantadia NP with Perinet Special Reserve in a mixed species flock on 17/10.

Green Jery (E) 				Neomixis viridis
First seen at Mantadia NP with further sightings at the Spiny Desert, Ifaty (fifteen on the 22/10) and at our lodge grounds near Tulear. 

Stripe-throated Jery (Ee) 			Neomixis striatigula striatigula
This species scratchy call is a common background noise in the rain forests. It was heard daily in the Mantadia/Perinet area. However only one bird was seen well at Perinet on the 18/10. 

Stripe-throated Jery (Ee) 			Neomixis striatigula pallidior
This subspecies is found in the south and south west, and was recorded by one bird at Berenty on 27/10.

Cryptic Warbler (E) 			Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi
This recently described species is fairly common in higher altitude eastern forests. Superb telescope views were obtained of this bird at Mantadia NP on 18/10, sharing a calling perch with a Rand’s Warbler.

Ward's Flycatcher (E) (NT)		Pseudobias wardi
Common in the Perinet area, where a total of nine seen and many more heard between 17 & 20/10. 

Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher (NEe) 	Terpsiphone mutata mutata
Common and widespread in a variety of wooded and semi-wooded habitats. First recorded at Mantadia on 17/10 (ten birds), with subsequent sightings almost daily of both rufous and white phases. A total count of 32 birds during the trip.

Souimanga Sunbird (NEne) 		Nectarinia souimanga souimanga
By far the more common of Madagascar’s sunbird species, occurring in a variety of wooded and semi-wooded habitats. First seen at Lake Alarobia and then en route to Perinet on 16/10 and virtually daily thereafter (except in far south where the following subspecies replaces the nominate.)

Souimanga Sunbird (NEe) 		Nectarinia souimanga apolis
A common species in the Tulear-Ifaty-San Augustin and Berenty-Fort Dauphin areas.

Long-billed Green (Madagascar) Sunbird (NEe) 	Nectarinia notata notata
A very handsome, widespread, but uncommon species. We saw this sunbird in small numbers at Mantadia NP and Perinet (nine birds), near Tulear (one bird 23/10) and Ampijoroa (two birds 30/10).

Madagascar White-eye (NEne) 		Zosterops maderaspatana
Common and widespread, though scarce in the south-west. Our first sighting was at Lake Alarobia, with further sightings in the Mantadia/Perinet area and at Berenty Reserve.

Madagascar Mannikin (Munia) (E) 	Lonchura nana
Fairly common throughout. First recorded at Lake Alarobia 16/10 (43 birds). A high count of seventy five birds were seen feeding on grass seeds on the roadside at Mantadia NP 17/10 with further sightings of two each at Ifaty and at Berenty.  
 
Nelicourvi Weaver (E) 			Ploceus nelicourvi
This attractive species was first seen in Mantadia NP (three birds 17/10) with one other sighting at Perinet (one bird 18/10).

Sakalava Weaver (Ee) 			Ploceus sakalava sakalava
Thirty of this western, nominate subspecies was recorded in Ampijoroa village 30/10 and one male in Mahajunga 01/11.

Sakalava Weaver (Ee) 			Ploceus sakalava minor
Abundant in the dry south, where recorded in large numbers in the Tulear-Ifaty-San Augustin area and en route to Berenty.

Madagascar Red Fody (E) 		Foudia madagascariensis
Common, ubiquitous and good numbers recorded  daily. Seen at all sites visited. First seen at Lake Alarobia 16/10  (50 birds).

Common Myna (I) 			Acridotheres tristis tristis
Common in open habitats throughout the island

Madagascar Starling (E) 		               Hartlaubius aurata
We had seven sightings at Perinet Special Reserve 18-20/10. A pair were seen feeding daily at our lodge, Feon’ ny Ala. 

Crested Drongo (NEe) 			Dicrurus forficatus forficatus
Common and highly conspicuous in a variety of wooded habitats throughout. First seen at the roadside en route to Perinet on 16/10, and almost daily in small numbers thereafter. 

Pied Crow 				Corvus albus
Common and widespread in open habitats. Highest numbers: sixty-plus at Berenty Reserve 27/10.

MAMMALS 
	
ORDER: Chiroptera			
Family Pteropodidae (Old World Fruit Bats)	
Madagascar Flying Fox			Pteropus rufus
We enjoyed long scope studies of approximately eighty of these handsome but noisy animals at their day roost in the gallery woodland at Berenty 25-26/10.

Madagascar House Bat 			Scotophilus robustus
Four of these bats were found roosting on the side of a large tree in the campsite at Ampijoroa 31/10.
	
ORDER: Rodentia	
Family Muridae (Old World Rats and Mice)
Black Rat				Rattus rattus
One of these introduced rodents was seen at Tulear Harbour on 25/10.

ORDER: Primates	
Family Cheirogaleidae (Mouse and Dwarf Lemurs)	
Grey Mouse Lemur			Microcebus murinus
Three of these tiny lemurs were seen at their day roosts at Berenty and a further four on our night walk at Berenty on 26/10.

Brown Mouse Lemur			Microcebus rufus
Four were seen on our night walks at Perinet.

Golden-brown Mouse Lemur		Microcebus ravelobensis
We had five sightings of these attractive lemurs on our two night walks at Ampijoroa 29/10 and 30/10..
NOTE This newly described species (1998) is only known from the deciduous forests around Lac Ravelobe (hence the specific name.)

Greater Dwarf Lemur			Cheirogaleus major
Six individuals were seen in the Perinet area. On or two of these diminutive lemurs were present every night feeding off the Travellers’ Palm in front of Feon ny’ Ala.
	
Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur			Cheirogaleus medius
Three individuals encountered on the night walks at Ampijoroa.

Family Megaladapidae (Sportive Lemurs)	
Milne-Edwards's Sportive Lemur		Lepilemur edwardsi
Ten individuals where spotlighted on our night excursions and another three found on a day roost at Ampijoroa. 

White-footed Sportive Lemur		Lepilemur leucopus
Six individuals seen feeding and calling at Berenty during our night walk and a further 3 seen on day roosts the following day.

Family Lemuridae ("True" Lemurs)	
Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemur		Hapalemur griseus griseus
Three of these attractive bamboo lemurs seen at Mantadia NP on the 17/10.

Ring-tailed Lemur			Lemur catta
The quintessential Malagasy mammal. We enjoyed prolonged encounters with numerous groups of these delightful animals, the most terrestrial of the lemurs, at Berenty on 25-27/10.

Common Brown Lemur			Eulemur fulvus fulvus
We found a few groups of these Lemurs at Perinet, with a further sighting of five at Ampijoroa. 

Red-fronted Brown Lemur		Eulemur fulvus rufus
A very common and conspicuous lemur at Berenty (where introduced), and over forty seen. 

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur		Varecia variegata variegata
This, the most vocal of all lemurs, was heard bark-roaring in Mantadia on 18/10.One was seen by Claus, Lisbeth and Niels at Mantadia on the 17/10.
	
Family Indriidae (Avahis, Sifakas and Indri)	
Eastern Avahi				Avahi laniger
 Three “Woolly Lemurs” were seen as a bundle of fur huddled in dense clump of vegetation during the day, above the orchid garden at Perinet Special Reserve 20/10.

Western Avahi	 			Avahi occidentalis
Far more local and uncommon than its eastern counterpart, with a total of five recorded in Ampijoroa during our stay, two of which were at their day roost.

Diademed Sifaka				Propithecus diadema diadema
We had a superb encounter with a family group of four at Maromiza Forest on the 19/10. Widely considered to be Madagascar’s most beautiful primate, this is also the largest of the lemurs, with a number of specimens heavier than the largest Indri on record (Mittermeier et al 1994).

Verreaux's Sifaka			Propithecus verreaux verreauxi
This magnificent primate, with its soulful expressions and comical, bipedal locomotion, is undoubtedly one of the mammalian highlights of Madagascar. Common in Berenty during our stay.

Coquerel's Sifaka				Propithecus verreauxi coquereli
Common at Ampijoroa, where a group of eight were seen daily during our stay.

Indri						Indri indri
We heard Indri calling daily on our birding treks through Mantadia, Perinet, and Maromiza, but we had to wait until the last day to see these magnificent creatures. We then enjoyed watching a family group for over an hour, dragging ourselves away eventually. The territorial calls of this lemur, often considered the largest extant species (but see Diademed Sifaka, above), is one of the world’s great wildlife sounds.

Humpback Whale			Megaptera novaeangliae
Through scopes in the morning sun we enjoyed a group of 10 Humpback Whales playing, off the point at Fort Dauphin on 28/10. A magnificent sight, and a delightful surprise on the trip.		
	
Dolphin sp.
4 unidentified dolphins were seen off Fort Dauphin on 28/10.

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
	
ORDER: Anura (Amphibians)	

Family Ranidae (“True” Frogs)	
Tawny Tree Frog				Boophis luteus
Four seen in Perinet 20/10..

Green Tree Frog				Boophis viridis
The commonest tree frog at Perinet. Four seen.

Mascarene Grass Frog			Ptychadena mascareniensis
Two were identified at Mantadia NP on the 18/10.

Family Microhylidae (“Microfrogs”)	
Giant Tree Frog				Platepelis grandis
The distinctive dog like barking calls, emanating from tree-holes, belonged to advertising males of this large frog. Heard at Perinet and Mantady NP.

ORDER: Crocodylia (Crocodilians)	

Family Crocodylidae (Crocodiles)	
Nile Crocodile				Crocodylus niloticus
Common at Lac Ravelobe, Ampijoroa, where a number of large individuals are resident. We counted app. 10 individuals.

ORDER: Squamata (Scaled Reptiles)	

Family Chamaeleonidae (Chameleons)	
Greater Stump-tailed Chameleon		Brookesia superciliaris
This small chameleon was encountered in the leaf litter in the orchid garden at Perinet 18/10.

Short-horned Chameleon			Calumma brevicornis
The commonest chameleon at Perinet, with seven found on day and night walks.

Nose-horned (Unicorn) Chameleon		Calumma nasuta
The smallest representative of its genus. Two found on the night walk in Perinet.
 
Band-bellied Chameleon			Calumma gastrotaenia
One of these very attractive chameleons found on night walks in Perinet.

Parson’s Chameleon			Calumma parsonii
One of these large chameleons found at Perinet.

Rhinoceros Chameleon 			Furcifer rhinoceratus
Two of these tiny chameleons found on night walks at Perinet and at Ampijoroa.

Oustalet’s Chameleon 			Furcifer oustaleti
This huge chameleon is common in the dry north-west, where we found 3 in total around Ampijoroa. The largest individual was found in a roadside tree at Lake Amboromalandy. The largest of the world’s chameleons, this is the species with the round occipital crest.

Warty Chameleon			Furcifer verrucosus
Similar to Oustalet’s but even more prehistoric-looking, with triangular occipital crest and dinosaur-like dorsal spines.  One  of these chameleons were found in the garden of Melody Beach Hotel at Tulear, three at Berenty and a further large individual between Berenty and Fort Dauphin.

Family Iguanidae (Iguanas)	
Three-eyed Lizard			Chalarodon madagascariensis
The most common reptile around Ifaty, San Augustin and Nosy Ve. This species has a central pineal eye that can detect light but about which little is known.

Cuvier’s Iguanid				Oplurus cuvieri
This large, attractive spiny iguanid was common and conspicuous at Ampijoroa.

Double-banded Iguanid			Oplurus cyclurus This iguanid was found in good numbers at Ampijoroa.

Family Gekkonidae (Geckos)	
Sikora Leaf-tailed Gecko			Uroplatus sikorae
One of the star sightings of our stay at Perinet Special Reserve. We found two individuals – Erik even managed to spot one of them in daylight. What an extremely well camouflaged creature, when it is sitting still, “glued” to a tree trunk!

Smooth-backed Gecko			Gehyra mutilata
Common at night on the walls of buildings at Berenty Reserve.

Madagascar Day Gecko			Phelsuma madagascariensis
Several of these large brilliant green, red-spotted day geckos were seen at Ampijoroa.

Lineated Day Gecko			Phelsuma lineata
These luminescent green day gecko were common around  Mantadia and Perinet (we all had a resident family around our bungalows) and this species was also seen in Majunga.

Pale-bellied Day Gecko			Phelsuma leiogaster
This species was found at Berenty Reserve.

Family Gerrhosauridae (Plated lizards)
Four-striped Skink			Zonosaurus quadrilatus
This skink seemed common at Ampijoroa.

Family Boidae (Boas)	
Madagascar Ground Boa			 Acrantophis madagascariensis
A fine specimen of this snake was found at Mantadia NP. 17/10.

Dumerilis Boa                                                    Acrontaphis dumerili
We had excellent close looks at an incredible, two-meter individual, found by Erik at Mandrare Riverside, Berenty Reserve 26-27/10.

Notable Insects and other Invertebrates

As if this staggering diversity of life forms was not enough, we also encountered a bewildering variety of invertebrates that ranged from the bizarre Giraffe-necked Weevil Trachelophorus giraffa to delicate congregations of “Waxtail” nymphs of the Flatid Leaf Bug Phromnia rosea in Berenty and Ampijoroa, and to the immense super-homes of Golden Orb-web Spiders Nephila madagascariensis. Other notable “creepy-crawlies” included black as well as red Pill Millipedes Sphaerotherium sp., Green Leaf Grasshoppers, a Black Desert Scorpion at the Ifaty Spiny Forest, Scarabea Beetles, an array of leaf- and stick-mimic mantids, and, of course, numerous spectacular moths and butterflies - among others two pupae in huge webs of one of the worlds biggest moths, the Comet Moth (in Perinet).