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Madagascar Comprehensive III 2Nd to 22Nd November 2017 (21 Days) Trip Report

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Madagascar Comprehensive III 2Nd to 22Nd November 2017 (21 Days) Trip Report Madagascar Comprehensive III 2nd to 22nd November 2017 (21 days) Trip Report Long-tailed Ground Roller by Gareth Robbins Trip report and photos compiled by Tour Leader: Gareth Robbins and John Caddick Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Madagascar Trip Report – RBL Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2017 2 Tour Summary Once the Masoala extension had come to an end, we met the rest of the group at our quaint hotel in Antananarivo. We consumed a delectable lunch and then went on to visit the historical Lac Alarobia (a Ramsar Site within the city of Ramsar in Iran, where the treaty was signed for the conservation and sustainable use of Wetlands in 1971). These Wetlands originally belonged to the last queen of the Antananarivo’s family and then they were sold shortly after her death to the extremely wealthy Ranarivelo family. After driving through intense traffic, we arrived at this beautiful gem, hidden away from all the hustle and bustle of the city. To top it all Meller’s Ducks by Gareth Robbins off, we were presented with an abundance of birdlife. At the first lake, we saw numerous waterfowl from Red-billed Teals to White- faced Whistling Ducks, and we also revelled in close-up views of a White-throated Rail which was collecting food for its young. Two Meller’s Ducks were perched peacefully and elegantly on a tree trunk which was lying right in front of us in the water, and here we saw a Black-crowned Night Heron too. On our enjoyable stroll around the first dam, we had incredible sightings of Malagasy Kingfisher, as well as large numbers of white morph Dimorphic Egrets, Black Herons, Squacco Herons, Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night Herons on the idyllic island in the middle of the lake. We investigated each nesting heron with care, eventually coming across an exquisite Malagasy Pond Heron in breeding plumage. At the second lake, we found several more Meller’s Ducks and Hottentot Teals. On our way back to where our walking venture began, we successfully managed to get stunning views of Madagascan Swamp Warbler and Malagasy Brush Warbler. Towards the end of the walk, we witnessed a Madagascan Grebe – all in all, what a fantastic way to start the trip! After a bright, early and substantial breakfast, we packed our bags into three 4x4s and made our way through the Antananarivo traffic. We then embarked on our journey out of the town, and once we took a rest with a short leg stretch, we continued with our mission to Andasibe (Perinet Special Reserve). We drove through some small villages and overtook large trucks, all the while having the chance to look at areas consisting of rice paddies, where we spotted Dimorphic and Great Egrets, Black and Squacco White-throated Rail by Gareth Robbins Herons and a Malagasy Kestrel. After a long journey, we arrived at our fabulous lodge in Andasibe and during our relaxing lunch, we got swift glimpses of White-throated Rails and Madagascan Blue Pigeons. We then proceeded to head out to the Reserve and Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Madagascar Trip Report – RBL Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2017 3 within our two hours of birding, we were fortunate to see Spectacled Tetraka, Forest Fody, Malagasy Brush Warbler, Rainforest Scops Owl and Madagascan Sparrowhawk. Furthermore, we saw a couple of Diademed Sifakas and spent a decent amount of time with these delightful creatures, watching them jump gracefully between each tree. We then headed to the famous area to see a Collared Nightjar, and here it was roosting in a Bird Tree Fern. After this amazing sighting, we visited a nesting Madagascan Wood Rail, only managing to see the bill and eyes of the bird. We then continued out of the park, spotting Malagasy Turtle Dove along the way. Our next excursion involved a brief walk and then a visit to pine plantations, where we got some exceptional views of a Madagascan Owl. We then unpacked our bags at the lodge and before we knew it, we were on our first night walk! Whilst enduring our riveting night walk, Madagascan Blue Pigeon by Gareth Robbins we came across Goodman’s Mouse Lemur and Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur. Additionally, we saw two different types of Chameleons, namely the large Parson’s Chameleon and the smaller Short-horned Chameleon, also known as Elephant Eared Chameleons/Nose-horned Chameleon. Today was an intense day with travel and birding, so we lavished in a gorgeous dinner before preparing ourselves for the itinerary for the next day. After a nourishing and early breakfast, we began our journey to the Mantadia National Park. Luc, our guide, was adamant to find us some ground rollers, so to search for these we made a few stops along the way. Whilst Luc was on the hunt for ground rollers, the rest of us were privileged to find birds such as Green, Common and Stripe-throated Jerys, as well as Common Newtonia and Rand’s Warbler. Luc ultimately heard the call of a Short-legged Ground Roller, so in haste, we drove up the hillside and got an impressive sighting of two! We clambered back down the hill and chose to take another trail in the search of Scaly Ground Roller and a few other birds. When on the trail, we picked up some good views of White- throated Oxylabes, Wedge-tailed Jery/Tetraka and we were presented with mind-blowing photographic opportunities of a male Crossley’s Vanga. In addition, we saw a vanga flock, which produced awe-inspiring sightings of White- headed and Tylas Vangas. A Madagascan Cuckooshrike also made an appearance. We then focused all of our attention back on the Scaly Ground Roller, and after some persistent Collared Nightjar by Gareth Robbins searching, we decided to have some lunch whilst Luc explored a little further. As soon as we finished our lunch, we heard Luc call from the forest and we raced back down the trail. After some serious running, diving, shoving, fighting, you name it, every Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Madagascar Trip Report – RBL Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2017 4 single one of us rejoiced in seeing this astonishing and unique bird. We returned to the lunch spot and then moved on along the road to try our luck at finding Pitta-like Ground Roller. En route Luc spotted a Madagascan Flufftail flying across the road, and after several moments, we found ourselves actually staring at this striking little bird, right next to the side of the road. This was most definitely a highlight for most of us, as this particular bird is notorious for being extremely difficult to encounter. We continued on our search for the Pitta-like Ground Roller and Luc eventually heard the bird call. After more scampering, we all got some remarkable looks at this very cooperative bird. Before exiting the National Park, we paid a visit to a small wetland and this offered us impressive views of the aloof Madagascan Rail. We then left the park and made our way back to the lodge, spotting Broad-billed Roller, Blue Pigeon and Madagascan Buzzard along the way. We made our way back to Mantadia National Park for the second time today. After such a successful day of birding the day before, pressure was somewhat relieved and we could focus solely on various new birds within another habitat. Our very first target for the day was Red-breasted Coua. We tried one particular Short-legged Ground Roller by Gareth Robbins area, without any luck, but some did spot the vocal Cuckoo Roller flying overhead. A little further down the road, the coua was heard calling. At the exact same time, one of the guests saw Lowland Streaked Tenrec and we all got formidably close sightings of this marvellous creature. We entered a small area of forest and were privileged to hear the Red Breasted Coua call again – most of the group saw this bird for the second time. When we then approached the vehicles, and Luc pointed out a Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher flying across the road for us all to see. During our visit to the nest site, we searched for Madagascan “Crested” Ibis but could only see one chick buried within the nest. After a few seemingly long minutes, the second chick appeared. We waited incredibly patiently for an adult to feed both the chicks and whilst this was happening, news came to us that there was a Nuthatch Vanga close by. We raced to the site and were presented with not only one, but two of these birds. Before we knew it, we were right in the middle of a flock and we also managed to see Cryptic Warbler, Tylas, Blue, Chabert and Red-tailed Madagascan Flufftail by Gareth Robbins Rockjumper Birding Tours View more tours to Madagascar Trip Report – RBL Madagascar - Comprehensive III 2017 5 Vangas, Madagascan Cuckooshrike, Common Newtonia and a pair of Nelicourvi Weavers. We returned to the Ibis nest and got fascinating looks at the crest of the adult. Our next plan of action was stopping off for lunch before driving to a nearby wetland to ultimately try and see Madagascan Snipe and Grey Emutail. We heard the Grey Emutail call but only got some brief glimpses of it flying out of the short, thick grass. A few moments later, Luc observed a Madagascan Snipe and we all gazed at this bird as it flew and landed nearby. On our way back to the vehicles, we saw Malagasy Kestrel hover and then dive into the grass to catch a small critter for its lunch.
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