Indian Ocean Islands Comoros & Mayotte 26th September to 4th October 2020 (9 days) Mayotte Scops Owl by Daniel Keith Danckwerts Sprinkled through the tropical seas off East Africa are a series of volcanic and coralline islands where paradise is defined in a most exquisite beauty! On our exploration of these idyllic isles, we will search for birds in the most spectacular scenery; be it rugged forest-clad volcanic peaks, verdant forest patches or white, shell-laden beaches fringed by warm water and teeming marine life. Island wildlife is generally susceptible to extinction, however, and the islands of this area are no exception with birds like the unfortunate Dodo serving as stark reminders of Mans’ heavy hand. The Comoros Archipelago, in particular, consists of a series of volcanic islands off the central-east African coast. They are divided between the Union of the Comoros – a sovereign nation formed by the three islands of Grande Comoro, Anjouan & Mohéli – and the French overseas department of Mayotte. The vast evergreen forests that once dominated these islands have largely been removed, leaving only a few remaining pockets of RBL Indian Ocean Islands – Comoros Itinerary 2 pristine habitat. Collectively, the four islands boast roughly 24 endemic species but this will likely reach a staggering 40 with further research. The addition of incredible scenery, a series of easily approachable active volcanoes and particularly friendly locals have made these islands an enticing and rewarding experience. We welcome you to join us as we island-hop with binoculars in hand on our quest to find the birds of these heavenly Indian Ocean isles. THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival on Mayotte – Petite Terre to Grand Terre, and Pic Combani Day 2 Mayotte to Anjouan – Baramtsanga and Lac Dzialandée Day 3 Anjouan – Bazimini & Moya Jungle Day 4 Anjouan to Moheli – afternoon visit to Djandu Forest Day 5 Moheli: Chalet Saint Antoine Day 6 Moheli to Grand Comoro – Salamini area Day 7 Grand Comoro – Mount Karthala Day 8 Grand Comoro – Mount Karthala and Salamini area Day 9 Depart TOUR MAP… RBL Indian Ocean Islands – Comoros Itinerary 3 THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1: Arrival on Mayotte – Petite Terre to Grand Terre, and Pic Combani. We begin our exploration of the Comoros Archipelago on the French overseas department of Mayotte. Upon arrival at the Dzaoudzi–Pamandzi International Airport, located on the small neighbouring island of Petite Terre, we will immediately transfer by ferry to the mainland of Grand Terre. The ferry ride can produce several interesting species, with White-tailed Tropicbird and Lesser Noddy being of particular interest. We will then visit the nearby site of Pointe Mahabo to begin our search for the Comoros Fody (ssp: algondae) and Mayotte White-eye, while also investigating the nearby mudflats for Crab-plover and a handful of other Palearctic waders and Larids. Species we could expect to see include the Caspian, Greater Crested, Lesser Crested and Bridled Terns, Grey, Common Ringed and Greater Sand Plovers, Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits, Whimbrel, Common Greenshank, Terek, Curlew and Commons Sandpipers, Sanderling and Ruddy Turnstone. After what will undoubtedly be a fantastic introduction to the birds of the Comoros, we shall drive up to our rural Mayotte Drongo accommodation; a stunning ecocentric lodge surrounded by rain by Daniel Keith Danckwerts forest and home to all the endemics we will be searching for – literally right on our doorstep! We will spend the remainder of the day birding the lodge grounds where we will no doubt find the beautiful Mayotte Sunbird and the lyre-tailed Mayotte Drongo, though the local race of Frances’s Sparrowhawk (ssp: brutus) can prove much more of a challenge. The Comoros Blue and Olive Pigeons favour fruiting trees in the dense forested gullies and we should enjoy great photographic opportunities of these two key species. We will also almost certainly find the endearing Mayotte Scops Owl on a day roost – arguably one of the easiest owls in the world – alternatively, we shall search for them later in the evening when they become more active. Other targets include the Cuckoo Roller (ssp: discolor) – whose echoing calls are a resounding feature of these forests – as well as the Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher (ssp: pretiosa) and Malagasy Black Swift (ssp: mayottensis). Finally, we will take some time to find the resident troop of Brown Lemurs that inhabit the gardens of our lodge. Day 2: Mayotte to Anjouan. We should have some time to bird the lodge grounds for any species we may have missed yesterday. While specifically targeting the remaining few Comoros Olive Pigeon by Dubi Shapiro endemics, we shall also keep a look out for the many island RBL Indian Ocean Islands – Comoros Itinerary 4 specific subspecies that may be split in years to come. We will then catch what is arguably the shortest international flight in the world to the neighbouring island of Anjouan, located just 84km (52 miles) to the North-west of Mayotte. Of the four islands in the Comoros Archipelago, Anjouan has suffered the most from deforestation with only the steepest mountain slopes having any intact primary forest cover. As a result, one of our primary target species for the island, the Critically Endangered Anjouan Scops Owl is rather challenging to find. We will thus dedicate a fair amount of our time to finding this small predator. Upon arrival in Mutsamudu, we shall immediately transfer to our local hotel where we will bird the local environs for the endemic Anjouan Sunbird and Anjouan Brush Warbler. Later, we will head to an area known as Baramtsanga where we will explore a series of trails through secondary forest. The primary targets here will include the Crested Drongo (ssp: potior), Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher (ssp: vulpina), Frances’s Sparrowhawk (ssp: pusillus), Malagasy White-eye (ssp: anjuanensis) and, if we are extremely fortunate, the rare and little known local subspecies of Cuckoo Roller (ssp: intermedius). We could also see the Madagascan Harrier and Mohéli Scops Owl by Daniel Keith Danckwerts the rare Mongoose Lemur; both far easier to find here than on Madagascar. This evening we will explore the forested slopes around Lac Dzialandée – a known haunt of the rare Anjouan Scops Owl. Our efforts will involve a short hike into the remaining forest patches before dusk, where we will then wait in the hopes of hearing the owl’s distinctive duetting calls. Day 3: Anjouan: Bazimini & Moya Jungle. We have some time this morning to explore Baramtsanga for any species we may have missed yesterday. In the early afternoon, we will explore the Bazimini area where the Comoros Thrush (ssp: bewsheri) and Comoros Fody (ssp: anjuanensis) will be our main targets. If we are extremely fortunate, we will also encounter the impressive Comoro Black Flying Fox; surely one of the most impressive of all the world’s bats! Finally, we will explore the Moya Jungle in the very south of Anjouan where we stand a backup chance at seeing the Anjouan Scops Owl. Day 4: Anjouan to Moheli; afternoon visit to Djandu Forest. Today we depart by ferry for Comoros Green Sunbird by Dubi Shapiro the nearby island of Moheli, located just 50km RBL Indian Ocean Islands – Comoros Itinerary 5 (30miles) to the west of Anjouan. While on the ferry, we shall spend our time searching for any pelagic species of interest such as the Greater and Lesser Frigatebirds, White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown and Masked Boobies, and even the localised Persian Shearwater. We will arrive on Moheli with sufficient time to explore the nearby Djandu Forest. Here we hope to encounter the rare Blue Vanga (ssp: comorensis) and the distinctive Moheli Brush Warbler. Other notable targets will include the Olive Bee- eater, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher (ssp: voelzkowiana), Malagasy White-eye (ssp: comorensis), Malagasy Turtle Dove (ssp: comorensis), Comoros Thrush (ssp: moheliensis), Malagasy Green (ssp: voelzkowi) and Humblot’s Sunbirds (ssp: mohelicus), Comoros Fody (ssp: eminentissima), and the huge Greater Vasa Parrot. As dusk falls, we will begin our efforts to see the incredible Moheli Scops Owl. This species’ growling call is among one of the most unique bird sounds in the world and we guarantee that hearing and seeing this species will be a highlight for all. Day 5: Moheli: Chalet Saint Antoine. We have an early start Humblot’s Flycatcher this morning as we drive to the western edge of Moheli, where by Dubi Shapiro we will explore a short trail leading to the abandoned Chalet Saint Antoine. The Moheli Bulbul – subtly different from the abundant Malagasy Bulbul (ssp: madagascariensis) – will no doubt be a feature of our morning, however we have our sights set on a much more difficult endemic. Near the trail head, we will scour fruiting fig trees for the Comoros Green Pigeon though seeing this difficult species requires luck and patience. The Comoros Olive and Blue Pigeons are far more common, and will no doubt keep us occupied as we search. Other birds we expect to encounter include the Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher (ssp: voelzkowiana), Malagasy Green (ssp: voelzkowi) and Humblot’s Sunbirds (ssp: mohelicus), Comoros Fody (ssp: eminentissima) and, if we are extremely fortunate, the Malagasy Brush Warbler. Day 6: Moheli to Grand Comoro. Today we catch another internal flight – this time to Grand Comoro. This is the largest of the four islands, located just 40km (28 miles) west of Moheli. Upon arrival, we will immediately transfer to our hotel in Morni. In the afternoon, we make our way to a known Grand Comoro Drongo stakeout in an area known as Salamini; surprisingly, this is one of the trickiest endemics on the island. While Comoros Fody by Dubi Shapiro searching for the Drongo, we also have RBL Indian Ocean Islands – Comoros Itinerary 6 good chance of seeing the Comoros Olive Pigeon, Humblot’s Sunbird (ssp: humbloti) and Comoros Fody (ssp: cosobrina).