SEYCHELLES TRIP. John J. Borg & Joe Sultana

Transcription

1 SEYCHELLES TRIP 30 th June 10 th July John J. Borg & Joe Sultana

2 Log 29 th June; Departure from Malta International Airport to Dubai International Airport (via Larnaka, Cyprus) 30 th June: Departure from Dubai International Airport to Mahe, Seychelles 01 st July: Bird Island th July: Praslin (with visits to La Digue 03 rd and 4 th and Cousin on 06 th ) th July: Mahe

3 30 June: Arrival in Mahe from Dubai at local time. Our luggage failed to arrive. Picked up from airport and taken to CasaDani at Bel Ombre, our lodging for the fist 3 days. After having lunch, in the afternoon we went in search of our first birds so we drove from Bel Ombre towards Victoria then to Sans Souci and the Morne Seychellois National Park, down to Port Glaud and back to Bel Ombre. The hostel owner informed us that day trips to Bird Island are available and so we booked a visit for the following day. 01 July: We took a flight from Mahe to Bird Island, a half day trip (expensive but worth every single Euro). The experience on this island is mind-blowing. Robby the guide was excellent in showing and explaining not only the countless birds but various other aspects of the local flora and fauna. In the afternoon visitors can roam the island at their free will. The Sooty Tern colony of some 1,500,000 birds is an awesome experience not to be missed by any birder (professional or otherwise) and the large numbers of Lesser and Common Noddies are no less spectacular. 02 July: Early breakfast and transfer to Praslin by catamaran. Sea was choppy but the numerous birds seen was worth every bump and hump on the waves. Wedge-tailed shearwaters and Audubon s Shearwaters were regularly seen as well as both species of Noddies, Fairy and Sooty Terns. We hired a car from the jetty and drove to Amitie Chalet, our lodging for the next 5 days. The rest of the day was driving around Praslin. 03 July: All day on Praslin. The Vallee de Mer Reserve (UNSECO Site) was visited in the afternoon. Excellent place for botanists but no birds were seen. 04 July: Went in search of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher on La Digue. Spent the whole day walking with no success. 05 July: Decided to go back in search of the flycatcher on La Digue, saw 3 pairs, a juvenile and found two nests, one still being built (the final touches) by the female and the other with the female sitting. Both males within 20 metres of the nesting site. 06 July: We went in search of three other endemics, this time on Cousin Island. After a rather rough crossing on a small boat we arrived within a hundred metres from shore when the reserve boat came out to collect us and transfer us onto the island. We saw all three endemics as well as other species. In the late afternoon we went up to the Park at the Mission remains site in search of the Seychelles Scops Owl. Two birds were seen and heard. 07 July: Wind continued blowing and all our attempts to arrange a visit to Aride were in vain, so we decided to leave Praslin earlier.

4 08 July: Went out to visit the town of Victoria and to see the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Gardens. Raining all day. Late evening we went back up to the tea mission in search of try to see again the Scops Owl. Had to call it a day due to heavy rain. 09 July: Visited the Bird Sanctuary at Roche Caiman and some mud flats in the area. The reserve was dry and completely overrun with Bull Rush (Typha). In the late afternoon we decided to drive up to the Mission remains area. Conditions were perfect but our attempt to see the Seychelles Scops owl again was aborted due to a noisy group of young locals 10 July: Last day. Went up early to the Mission remains area again in search of Scops Owl and Seychelles White-eye but alas no luck in seeing them. We then drove down to the southern part of the island. At we headed back to our lodgings to pack for our return trip.

5 Daily Sightings 30 June: Drive from Airport to Bel Ombre, via Victoria Cattle Egret 1, Fairy Tern 2, Barred Ground Dove 30+, Common Mynah 50+. From Guesthouse at Bel Ombre Seychelles Bulbul 2, White-tailed Tropicbird 4, Seychelles Kestrel 1, Barred Ground Dove 30+, Frigatebird sp. 1 (well off shore). Seychelles Fruitbat 20+ Drive from Bel Ombre to Sans Souci - Morne Seychellois National Park, down to Port Glaud and back to Bel Ombre Cattle Egret 3, Fairy Tern 2, Madagascar Turtle Dove 20+, Barred Ground Dove 80+, Seychelles Blue Pigeon c8, Ring-necked Parakeet 1, Seychelles Scops Owl 1 (heard near the Mission ruins), Seychelles Swiftlet 3, Seychelles Bulbul 6+, Seychelles Sunbird 6, Common Mynah c100, Madagascar Fody 20+. Seychelles Fruitbat 30+ Mangrove Crabs several 01 July: Mahe Airport Barred Ground Dove 15+, Fairy Tern 6+, Common Mynah 15+, Seychelles Sunbird c10. Bird Island White-tailed Tropicbird 30+ (adults and chicks of various ages), Great Frigatebird 25+, Moorhen 5 (4 adults, 1 chick), Sandplover sp. 1, Sooty Tern c.a.1.500,000 (adults on eggs), Brown Noddy c.a.800, Lesser Noddy c1,000 (breeding in trees with eggs and chicks, 1 fledged chick on ground), Fairy Tern 100+ (adults on eggs plus chicks of various ages), Madagascar Turtle Dove 4, Barred Ground Dove 100+, Seychelles Sunbird c10, Common Mynah 10+, Madagascar Fody 40+. Day Gecko common, Seychelles Skink common, Seychelles Giant Tortoise 3, Tortoise July: Transfer to Praslin by catamaran Grey Heron 2 (at Mahe Jetty), Egret sp. 4 (at Mahe Jetty), Wedge Tailed Shearwater 15-20, Audubon s Shearwater c10, Brown Noddy 10, Lesser Noddy 40+, Fairy Tern 20+, Sooty Tern 30+. Amitie Chalet Beach Sanderling 4. Praslin Small Day Gecko 2

6 Praslin all day. Great Frigate Bird 1, Seychelles Blue Pigeon 1, Barred Ground Dove 60+, Seychelles Bulbul 4, Seychelles Sunbird 50+, Common Mynah c50, Madagascar Fody 30+, Seychelles Black Parrot 6 (near Vallee de Mer). 03 July No observations in the morning Valee De Mer Nature Reserve - Praslin Green Backed Heron 1 (along shore), Seychelles Swiftlet c6, Seychelles Bulbul 15+, Seychelles Sunbird 10, Madagascar Turtledove 2, Barred Ground Dove 20+, Seychelles Blue Pigeon 1, Seychelles Fruitbats July Praslin to La Digue Wedge tailed Shearwater 3, Lesser Noddy c10. La Digue (eastern Shoreline) Lesser Frigatebird 3, White-tailed Tropicbird 4+, Grey Heron 1imm, Green Backed Heron 1, Brown Noddy 5+, Lesser Noddy 20+, Fairy Tern c10, Madagascar Turtledove c10, Barred Ground Dove 100+, Seychelles Bulbul 30+, Seychelles Sunbird 25+, Common Mynah c50, Madagascar Fody 50+. Seychelles Giant Tortoise 1, Seychelles Fruitbat 10+. La Dige to Praslin Brown Noddy 5+, Lesser Noody c10, Fairy Tern 2, Sooty Tern 2. Praslin Grey Plover July Praslin to La Digue Wedge Tailed Shearwater 2, Lesser Noddy c25. La Digue (West side) Lesser Frigatebird 2, Whimbrel 1, Lesser Noddy 15+, Fairy Tern 10+, Madagascar Turtledove c10, Barred Ground Dove 50+, Seychelles Bulbul c10, Seychelles Swiftlet 5. Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher 7 (3 pairs, 2 nests, 1 imm. With red ring on left leg), Seychelles Sunbird 20+, Common Mynah 30+, Madagascar Fody July Amitie Beach Sanderling 9, Whimbrel 1

7 Cousin Island Wedge Tailed Shearwater 7 (in nests) c5 others flying, White-tailed Tropicbird c25 (including young in nests and adults flying), Greater Frigatebird 1, Common Moorhen 2, Lesser Noddy several nesting on trees, Fairy Tern 30+ (some with egg others with young), Madagascar Turtledove c10, Seychelles Blue Pigeon 2, Seychelles Magpie Robin 7, Seychelles Warbler 5, Seychelles Sunbird 5+, Seychelles Fody 6+. Praslin Valle de Mer area Seychelles Black Parrot 7, Seychelles Blue Pigeon 3, Madagascar Turtledove 4, Barred Ground Dove 10+, Seychelles Sunbird 8+, Seychelles Bulbul 5+, Madagascar Fody 6. Seychelles Fruitbat July Amitie to Jetty, Praslin White-tailed Tropicbird 3, Frigatebird sp. 1, Green Backed Heron 1, Grey Plover 1, Marsh Sandpiper 1, Ruddy Turnstone 7, Sanderling 1, Great Crested Tern 9, Seychelles Blue Pigeon 1, Seychelles Sunbird c10, Madagascar Fody 20+. Praslin to Mahe Wedge Tailed Shearwater c10, Audubon s Shearwater 1, Brown Noddy 30+, Lesser Noddy 50+. Victoria Grey Heron 1 Seychelloise National Park (Mission area) Seychelles Scops Owl 2 (seen and heard) 08 July Victoria (Raining all day) Grey Heron 2 09 July Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary Moorhen 2, Barred Ground Dove 20+, Madagascar Turtledove 5, Madagascar Fody c10, Mudflats Grey Heron 2, Grey Plover 2, Ruddy Turnstone 9, Greenshank 1, Whimbrel 1. Road from Airport to Police Bay (South tip of Mahe) and up to Bel Ombre Wedge Tailed Shearwater 15+ (off police bay), Frigatebird sp 3 (police bay), Grey Heron 2, Green Backed Heron 2, Cattle Egret 10, Moorhen 3, Whimbrel 2, Great Crested Tern 11, Brown Noddy 30+ (police bay), Lesser Noddy 100+ (police bay), Fairy Tern 2, Barred Ground Dove 100+, Seychelles Bulbul c10, Seychelles Sunbird 30+, Common Mynah 200+, Madagascar Fody Mission ruins area Tenrec 1.

8 10 July Bel Ombre Seychelles Kestrel 1. Morne Seychelloise National Park White-tailed Tropicbird 3, Barred Ground Dove 15+, Madagascar Turtledove 5, Common Mynah 20+, Madagascar Fody c5. Tea Factory outside Seychelloise National Park to Port Glaud area Grey Heron 2, Cattle Egret 1, Green Backed Heron 1, Whimbrel 2, Bridled Tern 1, Great Crested Tern 1, Seychelles Kestrel 1, Barred Ground Dove 40+, Madagascar Turtledove 10, Seychelles Sunbird 6, Madagascar Fody 30+.

9 Systematic List The Systematic list follows: Skerrett, A., I. Bullock & T. Disley Birds of the Seychelles. Helm Field Guides Audubon s Shearwater Puffinus ilherminieri C10 at sea between Mahe and Praslin on 02 July, 1 at sea from Praslin to Mahe on 07 th. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus at sea between Mahe and Praslin on 02 July, 3 and 2 between Praslin and La Digue on 04 and 05 th, 7 in nests on Cousin Island and c5 in flight, c10 at sea from Praslin to Mahe on 07 th, 15+ off Police Bay (South Mahe) on 09 th. White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus 4 seen from Guest house at Bel Ombre (Mahe) on 30 June, 30+ on Bird Island on 01 July, 4+ at La Digue on 4 th, c25 on Cousin Island on 06 th, 3 at Amitie, Praslin on 7 th, 3 high above Seychelloise NP on 10 th, Great Frigatebird Fregata minor 25+ at Bird Island on 01 July, 1 on Cousin island on 06 th, Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel 3 and 2 at La Digue on 04 and 05 th, Fregata sp. 1 offshore at Bel Ombre on 30 June, 1 offshore at Praslin on 07 th, 3 offshore at Police Bay, Mahe on 09 th, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea 2 at Mahe jetty on 02 July, 1 imm at La Digue on 04 July, 1 at Victoria on 07 th, 2 ibidem on 08 th and another 2 on mudflats outside Victoria and another 2 along road in the southern part of Mahe on 09 th, 2 at Port Glaud on 10 th. Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis 1 along road from Airport to Bel Ombre and 3 at Port Glaud on 30 June, 10 near Airport/Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary on 09 th. 1 near Tea Factory outside Morne SNP on 10 th, Green-backed Heron Butorides striatus 1 at Praslin on 03 rd, 1 at La Digue on 04 th, 1 along east shore on Praslin on 07 th, 2 along South tip of Mahe on 09 th, 1 at Port Glaud on 10 th. Seychelles Kestrel Falco araea ENDEMIC 1 at Bel Ombre on 30 June, 1 ibidem, 1 near Tea Factory and one (with yellow nylon entangled around his feet) at Port Glaud on 10 July. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 5 (4 adults and 1 chick) on Bird Island on 01 July, 2 on Cousin Island on 06 th, 2 at Roche Caiman BS and 3 near Police Pt. Bay on 09 th,

10 Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola 1 at Praslin on 04 th and on 07 th, 2 on mudflats outside Victoria, Mahe on 09 th, Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus 1 on La Digue (west side) on 05 th, 1 on Amitie Beach, Praslin on 06 th, 1 on mudflats outside Victoria, Mahe and 2 near South tip of Mahe on 09 th, 2 near Port Glaud on 10 th. Common Greenshank Tringa glareola 1 on Mudflats outside Victoria on 09 th. Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis 1 along west coast of Praslin on 07 July. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres 7 along west coast of Praslin on rocks on 07 th, 9 on mudflats outside Victoria, Mahe on 09 th. Sanderling Calidris alba 4 Amitie Beach, Praslin on 02 nd, 9 ibidem on 06 th, 1 on west coast of Praslin on 07 th. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii 9 along west coast of Praslin on rocks on 07 th, 11 in the South of Mahe on 09 th, 1 near Port Glaud on 10 th. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata Large Breeding Colony on Bird Island (c.a.1.5 million birds) on 01 July, 30+ at sea between Mahe and Praslin on 02 nd, 2 at sea from La Digue to Praslin on 04 th. Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus 1 near Port Glaud on 10 th. Brown Noddy Anous stolidus Ca,800 on Bird Island on 01 July,10 at sea from Mahe to Praslin on 02 nd, 5 at La Digue and 5+ at Sea from La Digue to Praslin on 04 th, 30+ at sea from Praslin to Mahe on 07 th, 30+ at Police Bay, Mahe on 09 th. Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris on Bird Island on 01 July, 40+ at sea from Mahe to Praslin on 02 nd, c10 at sea from Praslin to La Digue on 04 th, 20+ at La Digue and c10 at sea from La Digue to Praslin on 04 th, c25 at sea from Praslin to La Digue, 15+ on west side of La Digue on 05 th, several nesting on trees on Cousin island on 06 th, 50+ at sea from Praslin to Mahe on 06 th, 100+ offshore Police Bay, Mahe on 09 th, Fairy Tern Gygis alba 2 at Bel Ombre and another 2 near Port Glaud on 30 June, 6+ near Mahe Airport and 100+ on Bird Island on 01 July, 20+ at sea from Mahe to Praslin on 02 nd, c10 at La Digue and 2 at sea from La Digue to Praslin on 04 th, 10+ on West side of La Digue on 05 th, 30+ on Cousin Island on 06 th, 2 at Police Bay, Mahe on 09 th,

11 Madagascar Turtle Dove Streptopelia picturata 2 at Vallee de Mer NP, Praslin on 03 July, c10 at La Digue on th, c10 on Cousin Island and 4 at Vallee de Mer NP, Praslin on 06 th, 5 at Roche Caiman NR, Mahe on 09 th, 5 at Morne Seychelloise NP and 10 near Tea Factory near MSNP on 10 th, Barred Ground Dove Geopelia striata Single to double figures on all days. Maxima 100+ on Bird Island on 01 July and on La Digue on 04 th, Seychelles Blue Pigeon Alectroenas pulcherrima ENDEMIC C8 during drive along north side of Mahe on 30 June, 1 on Praslin on 02 July, 1 at Vallee de Mer NP on 03 rd, 2 on Cousin Island on 06 th, 1 at Amitie, Praslin, on 07 th, Seychelles Black Parrot Coracopsis (nigra) barklyi ENDEMIC 6 near Vallee de Mer NP on 02 nd and 7 in the same place on 06 th. Ringed Necked Parakeet Psittacula krameri 1 along road from Morne SNP towards Port Glaud on 30 June. Seychelles Scops-Owl Otus insularis ENDEMIC 1 calling during daytime at Morne SNP (Mission Area) on 30 June, 2 seen and heard in the evening at same place on 07 July. Seychelles Swiftlet Aerodramus elaphrus ENDEMIC 3 at Morne Seychelloise NP on 30 June, c6 at Vallee de Mer NP, Praslin on 03 July, 5 at La Digue on 05 th. Seychelles Bulbul Hypsipetes crassirostris ENDEMIC 2 at Bel Ombre, Mahe, 6+ along road from Sans Souci to Morne Seychelloise NP on 30 June, 4 on Praslin on 02 July, 15+ at Vallee de Mer NP, Praslin on 03 rd, 30+ at La Digue on 04 th and c10 ibidem on 05 th, 5+ at Vallee de Mer NP on 06 th, c10 along Southern tip of Mahe on 09 th. Seychelles Magpie-Robin Copsychus sechellarum ENDEMIC 7 on Cousin Island on 06 th. Seychelles Warbler Acrocephalus sechellensis ENDEMIC 5 on Cousin Island on 06 th. Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher Terosiphone corvina ENDEMIC 7 (3 pairs, 1imm [red ring on left leg] and 2 nests c10 metres apart in a well trodden footpath) on La Digue on 05 th. Seychelles Sunbird Nectarinia dussumieri ENDEMIC Single to double figures on all days. Common Myna Acridotheres tristis Single to double figures on all days Madagascar Fody Foudia madagascariensis Double figures on all days.

12 Seychelles Fody Fody sechellarum ENDEMIC 6+ on Cousin Island on 06 th. Mammals Seychelles Fruit Bat Pteropus seychellensis Double to treble figures on most days Tenrec Tenrec ecaudatus 1 at Morne Seychelloise NP, Mahe on 09 July Rattus sp. 1 at Roche Caiman on 09 th ********************************