Madagascar Comprehensive IV 9th to 29th November 2017 (21 days) Trip Report

Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake by Rand Rudland

Trip report compiled by Tour Leader, Adam Walleyn

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Tour Summary

We started off the comprehensive tour with lunch at our pleasant hotel on the outskirts of Antananarivo and then boarded a bus to weave our way through the busy traffic into the downtown area. Here, a private reserve at Lac Alarobia is a haven for waterbirds, and offered an excellent start to our Madagascar birding. We were greeted by throngs of Red-billed Teal and White-faced Whistling Ducks and were soon enjoying several Meller’s Duck – an endangered species that is now seemingly thriving at this location. We also saw a few Hottentot Teal and a pair of bulky Knob-billed Ducks. Herons were in abundance, including large nesting colonies of Dimorphic Egret, Cattle Egret, Black Heron, Squacco Heron and Black-crowned Night Heron. Smaller numbers of Great Egret and Striated Heron were also present; but it took some searching to find the most wanted heron here, the endangered Malagasy Pond Heron. We eventually enjoyed good looks at three birds in full breeding regalia. A nice bonus was a pair of Madagascan Grebe – yet another endangered waterbird. Along the borders of the lake lurked Common Moorhen and a White-throated Rail by Rand Rudland single Red-knobbed Coot; while a White-throated Rail paraded around in the open, giving simply incredible looks. We also had our first sightings of a couple more common endemics, such as Malagasy Kestrel, Red Fody, Malagasy Brush Warbler and superb little Malagasy Kingfishers to conclude a wonderful start to our birding. We then headed back to our hotel to enjoy a dinner and discuss plans for the adventure ahead.

After a tasty breakfast, we loaded up our set of four-wheel-drives. After navigating the early morning Tana traffic, we were headed eastbound for the incredible rainforests of Andasibe. It was a largely birdless drive through rice paddies and eucalyptus plantations but we did stop for a Hamerkop and then scoped up a pair of Madagascan Pratincoles at the Mangoro River. Eventually, we arrived at our rainforest lodge set right on the edge of Analamazoatra Reserve and were soon hearing the evocative wails of Indri and enjoying bright green Striped Day Geckos.

After lunch, we set off straight for the reserve, Collared Nightjar by Peter Friedmann where our fantastic local guide had a steady stream of exciting wildlife to show us! We saw our first forest birds, like Spectacled Tetraka, Nelicourvi Weaver and Stripe-throated Jery, but things really started getting exciting when our guide showed us a rufous morph Rainforest Scops Owl peering down at us from its tangled roost. We then headed up the hill, where a Madagascan Wood Rail nest was unfortunately unoccupied – probably

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having fledged out the day before. We had better luck at a Madagascan Sparrowhawk nest, where we could enjoy excellent scope views of this rare forest raptor sitting up on its nest. We next visited a Collared Nightjar nest that had also just fledged, fortunately the youngster was roosting on the ground just beside the nest. The bird was in almost full adult plumage, with just a bit of down left on the underside. The cryptic colouration of this species makes it one of the most beautiful and poorly-known birds in the country, and we gorged in the great views of this special bird.

Hearing some Indris wailing nearby, we set off in search of them but instead found a pair of roosting Eastern Wooly Lemurs, staring quizzically at us with their big orange eyes. We then headed back down the hill where our local guide played a fun game with us called “spot the leaf-tailed gecko” and we were eventually able to spot it. This was a Mossy Leaf-tailed Gecko and its camouflage really has to be seen to be believed. We were also fortunate to get good views of a couple of beautiful snakes – Perinet Tree Snake and Eastern Wooly Lemurs by Rand Rudland Lateral Water Snake. At this stage we had to leave the reserve, as it was closing for the day, but just before the gate we lingered when we had a female and chick Madagascan Flufftail showing incredibly well on the edge of the path – really superb! From the gate, we walked a short distance where we were able to scope up a fantastic Madagascan Owl sitting on an exposed perch within an exotic pine plantation. At this stage, thunder that had been rumbling louder and louder for the past hour was starting to sound very close indeed, so we beat a hasty retreat back to our lodge where the heavens promptly opened up and an absolute deluge of rain beat down – our timing could not have been better.

The rains did clear up in time for a night walk, and we had a fantastic series of critters – our first chameleons, both Short-horned and Nose-horned, were enjoyed with raindrops still clinging to their skin. Frogs were calling abundantly, although we could only locate one species – the Boophis viridis. A Webbs’ Tuft-tailed Rat clambering around in some low vegetation was a bonus find. Lemurs were a bit elusive initially in the damp conditions, but we did glimpse a Goodman’s Mouse Lemur, we had good views of Eastern Wooly Lemurs and then got progressively better views of Furry- eared Dwarf Lemurs. The final dwarf lemur showed superbly well and ending on this high note we headed back to the lodge for dinner and straight off to bed with an early start Boophis viridis by Rand Rudland ahead.

We headed out early this morning to the excellent Mantadia National Park. The distance is not far but the road is certainly bumpy, and after last night’s downpour the driving was a bit more tricky than normal. Eventually, we arrived at the forest and spent the morning birding, making numerous stops

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along the road in search of the many special birds to be found here. During one of our first stops, we heard the much-desired Pitta-like Ground Roller and soon had four birds bopping all around us. Initially the birds were a bit elusive, but eventually one settled down, offering us unbeatable views of this, arguably the most beautiful of all Malagasy birds.

We headed off in search of Scaly Ground Roller next, a much more challenging species to catch up with. This bird led us on quite the chase for a while, but it too eventually settled down and offered us superb views of its wonderfully cryptic scaly plumage. Indeed, we were able to see an adult bringing food to its underground nest!

We then tried to find the third ground roller here – Short-legged Ground Roller, but this difficult species was completely silent and we Pitta-like Ground Roller by Rand Rudland drew a blank. We also spent quite a bit of time searching for Red-breasted Coua. After a bush bash, we heard a couple of different birds calling at reasonably close range but just could not get close enough to the birds to see them. Other good sightings during our morning’s birding included France’s Sparrowhawk, Madagascan Buzzard, Madagascan Blue Pigeon, Blue Coua, Lesser Vasa Parrots, Red- tailed Vanga, Common Newtonia, Ward’s Flycatcher, Rand’s Warbler, Green Jery, Malagasy Green Sunbird and Madagascan Starling – quite the list! We also saw a chick Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher outside its nesting hole, but the adult was nowhere to be seen.

It was now time to pause for a picnic lunch, but our meal was interrupted on a couple of occasions – firstly by a Baron’s Mantella, one of the most beautiful of all the world’s frogs, and then by a family group of about 7 Eastern Bamboo Lemurs which showed very well.

After lunch, we tracked down a family group of Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs. This striking and often elusive lemur put on quite the show for us and got into a bit of screaming match at one stage – spectacular!

We then visited a Madagascan Ibis nest but were disappointed to find it recently fledged, so we carried on to a small lake. Here we had a breeding plumaged Madagascan Grebe along with a couple of new species – Madagascan Spinetail low overhead and both Madagascan Swamp Warbler and Dark Newtonia giving us very nice views. The Scaly Ground Roller by Rand Rudland latter species occurs here at an unusually low elevation. The long drive home was uneventful and a try at Madagascan Rail had to be aborted as the afternoon downpour hit. Indeed, today’s downpour was probably even harder than yesterday’s, but good timing for us again. One final highlight at the end of our long day was an Indri feeding up high in

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the light rain just behind our cabins – not a bad way to end a wonderful day in the field! With the rain continuing into the evening, we cancelled our planned night walk and enjoyed a slightly earlier dinner, with another big day ahead.

Another early start saw us heading off in a different direction to a site that gets very little visitation – Ioroka Forest. This was a true four-wheel-drive track, and after the heavy rains of the last couple afternoons, it took some skilful driving for us to arrive at the trailhead. We spent about 8 hours hiking along a well-made trail and the whole day had quite an exploratory feel to it. Everyone did very well during our long hike, and we reaped the benefits of spending some quality time in a very birdy forest. Our walk in started with Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur by Rand Rudland good views of a pair of White-throated Oxylabes and then a super Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher – an adult this time. We then enjoyed three different Velvet Asitys – one of the star birds of Madagascar. We saw two males and a female. We then had a Cuckoo Roller male fly low overhead in display flight as he screamed his distinctive call. We also bumped into a mixed feeding flock – in fact, this would be the only real flock we encountered during our time in the area; such flocks were conspicuously absent during our visit. Top species in the flock included Tylas Vanga, Blue Vanga, Red-tailed Vanga and Madagascan Cuckooshrike.

At a small stream crossing, we heard a Common Sunbird-Asity which was extremely hyperactive initially, but then settled down to give us really nice views, another great bird. At the end point of our walk, we arrived at a beautiful and lush area of palms, ferns, and pandanus. Here, in this little microclime, we were surprised to see a Madagascan Magpie Robin of the albospecularis subspecies – unusual in that inexpectatus is the normally occurring subspecies in this part of the country. A careful and patient search in this special area eventually yielded the ultimate prize – a Helmet Vanga! This spectacular bird is arguably the most-wanted bird in the country and is rarely encountered in this part of Madagascar, so was a huge bonus. And not only did we see the bird, but we had sensational walk away views!

On a major high, it was now a good time to break for lunch. Our picnic lunch sure tasted good today! Clouds slowly Madagascan Grebe by Rand Rudland gathering signalled more afternoon rains coming, and with a long walk ahead of us, we wasted little time before getting a move on again. Highlights of the walk out were a Red-fronted Coua, Blue Coua, Hook-billed Vanga, brief views of Wedge-tailed Tetraka and another super Baron’s Mantella. We heard at least 3 Short-legged Ground Rollers, but unfortunately they were all on the next ridge over and were just a bit out of range after an

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already long walk. Once back at the vehicles the sky was starting to get quite dark, and we were all keen to head out before the downpour arrived. We did stop for a big Parson’s Chameleon and then made a last effort for Madagascan Rail. This time we were in luck, and had the bird cross the road twice at very close range. We made it past the worst of the road just as the downpour arrived and got back to our lodge with no problems at all.

To cap off this terrific day, we went on another night walk. We saw more Short- horned Chameleons, a huge White-lipped Bright-eyed Frog and then found a couple of hoped-for Goodman’s Mouse Lemurs showing very well at close range – a fitting end to a great day in the rainforests of Madagascar. Helmet Vanga by Rand Rudland We now had one more morning in the area, and set off into the Analamazoatra Reserve for a full morning, hoping to fill in any of the few gaps in our list for the area. We started off in style by having very good views of a Madagascan Ibis slowly making its way along a trail and then along a riverbank – not a rare species but one of the most challenging to see. We heard a distant Red-breasted Coua but it was out of reach. We fared better with a Forest Fody, as we had super views of this increasingly rare endemic. We also had a couple of distant Greater Vasa Parrot. Then we headed back up the hill and tracked down a couple of Indri feeding up high in a fruiting tree and belting out their amazing call. There was also a very cute pair of roosting Eastern Wooly Lemurs here. We wandered back down the hill and were very pleased to finally catch up with a shy Madagascan Wood Rail shuffling along the forest floor. We also found a frog called Anodonthyla pollicaris, one of the world’s tiniest amphibians. It was getting on in the morning, and it had been a good morning, but one final highlight awaited us. After climbing up and down the hill one last time, we found the beautiful Diademed Sifaka waiting for us on the other side, and we were treated to the best display imaginable from them. Originally sitting quietly in the trees, the family group came swooping through at great speed, over and around us, even grazing a couple of us as they passed by, an absolutely incredible experience. We followed them down the hill, and at the base of the hill, we enjoyed them at leisure as they fed and then made an enormous few leaps across the trail and through some large trees. What an end to our time in these magical rainforests of eastern Baron’s Mantella by Rand Rudland Madagascar.

Returning to the lodge, we had lunch and then set off on the drive back to Tana. It proved to be something of an adventure as we drove through an absolutely torrential downpour and then got a taste of Monday afternoon rush-hour traffic. Eventually, we made it back to our comfortable hotel where we

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enjoyed dinner and a good night’s rest before starting the next leg of our adventure.

After a relaxed breakfast, we headed the short distance to the Tana airport for an on- time flight to Tolagnaro (Fort Dauphin). We landed into a very strong headwind and were soon loading into our fleet of four-wheel- drives for the notoriously pothole-filled drive to the world-famous Berenty Reserve. There was little to see in the way of birds along the drive, apart from one vehicle that had a very lucky sighting of a Banded Kestrel flying across the road. The landscape was interesting, with fantastic cloud formations over the jagged peaks of the Andohahela mountains to the north as we Diademed Sifaka by Rand Rudland passed through a few small but lively towns, then into the rainshadow over the far side, and the incredible spiny forests with their octopus trees and baobabs. It was very hot as we arrived to check into our pleasant rooms at Berenty and get ready for an afternoon walk.

We drove a short distance to a nearby patch of spiny forest, where our local guide pointed out one amazing creature after another with his spear as we wandered through this botanical wonderland. Reptiles are prominent in this spiny forest, and we enjoyed seeing Three-eyed Lizards and a Warty Chameleon. We also saw our first lemurs for which Berenty is so famous. These included our first sightings of both Ring-tailed Lemur and Verreaux’s Sifakas, which are well-adapted to living in these unique forests. We also saw two species of nocturnal lemurs at their roosts – White-footed Sportive Lemurs and a Grey-brown Mouse Lemur. On the avian front, we were very happy to see a roosting Madagascan Nightjar with its cryptic plumage and then an absolutely superb Torotoroka Scops Owl glaring down at us from its concealed roosting spot within an octopus tree.

Returning to the lodge, we had a bit of time to enjoy the Ring-tailed Lemurs and dancing Verreaux’s Sifakas around our rooms as the sun sank low on the horizon. We then returned back into the spiny forests after dark, where we enjoyed seeing an active Torotoroka Scops Owl, several screeching White-footed Sportive Lemurs and the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. The experience of wandering through the moonlit spiny forest with the calls of its nocturnal Verreaux’s Sifaka by Rand Rudland creatures was something to remember.

We were up in the cool early morning hours in search of Madagascan Sandgrouse. After some searching by vehicle drew a blank, we decided to explore the area by foot. After a fair bit of walking, three birds exploded off the ground in front of us and flew a lap around us before disappearing into a

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distant field. We were not able to locate them again, but were pleased to have had a reasonable view after our efforts. We then headed back for a tasty breakfast and set out on a very pleasant walk in the gallery forest. Lemurs of three species were an almost constant presence and we spent a great deal of time enjoying their antics – particularly the Verreaux’s Sifaka, which are arguably the most endearing of all the lemurs. We did well on the bird front, with excellent views of Giant Coua and three different White- browed Hawk-Owls. Other highlights of our walk included France’s Sparrowhawk, Hook-billed Vanga, Crested Coua, Barn Owl and Madagascan Hoopoe. We had a bonus sighting of 5 tiny Madagascan Buttonquail chicks following their father around. We also visited the Madagascan Flying Fox roost and enjoyed good views of these impressive bats. Torotoroka Scops Owl by Rand Rudland By now it was time for lunch, and after a leisurely meal the time had come to leave Berenty and drive back to Fort Dauphin. We arrived in the late afternoon to check into our comfortable hotel and enjoyed a nice dinner at a nearby restaurant.

With a bit of time in the morning at Fort Dauphin, we headed to a vantage point over the Indian Ocean. We saw a group of 5 Wedge-tailed Shearwater working a bait ball and then a Madagascan Gull came winging through. We then had breakfast and made our way to the airport for another on-time flight bound for Toliara.

Upon arrival at Toliara, we boarded our four-wheel-drive vehicles and headed a short way up to our pleasant beachside resort at Ifaty. After checking in and enjoying a delicious lunch, we had a siesta and then headed out to the nearby salt pans in search of the ever-declining Madagascan Plover. We had just stepped out of the vehicles and were getting ourselves sorted when already we found the pair of this bird in record time! We could enjoy their intricate markings in White-browed Hawk-Owl by Rand Rudland detail. With our target in the bag so quickly, we then scoped the rest of the pans, seeing some more widespread shorebirds – White-fronted Plover, Common Greenshank, Black- winged Stilt and Ruddy Turnstone. There was another surprise in store as well, as we were able to have pretty good views of a Greater Painted Snipe. We then returned to our lodge and as dusk descended we enjoyed incredible views of a family of Grey Mouse Lemurs that were living in the roof of the restaurant. While watching these, we were shocked to see a dwarf lemur come running through the restaurant as well – but which species was a mystery that would have to wait to be solved.

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The next morning saw us heading into Parc Mosa at sunrise. Enjoying the sun coming up over the top of this incredible spiny forest and seeking out the many unique and wonderful birds of this habitat is one of the high points of any visit to Madagascar. One of the very first birds we saw was the incredible Sickle-billed Vanga - a pair of which showed extremely well to us.

We then set off in search of the much wanted Long-tailed Ground Roller. As we waited for our local guides to locate their whereabouts, we enjoyed such commoner species as Grey-headed Lovebird, Common and Stripe-throated Jery, Sakalava Weaver, Red Fody and even a couple of migrant Barn Swallows. Eventually, our guides did find that amazing roadrunner-like bird that we so wanted to see, and we all had fair views of the Long-tailed Ground Roller as it hopped along and froze a couple of times. However, the bird was near a nest and skittish, so we thought it best to leave it alone and search in a different area. We were indeed able to find Sickle-billed Vanga by Rand Rudland a somewhat more relaxed bird that gave better views. With our most-wanted bird in the bag, we set off in search of the other endemics of the area and eventually had really good views of both Thamnornis and Archbold’s Newtonia.

A few Madagascan Green Pigeons were unexpectedly present, we finally had a good look at a Madagascan Cukoo and we also had a really good look at a Madagascan Sparrowhawk around its nest – our second of the trip! With the sun climbing higher into the sky, we were finally able to find a male Subdesert Mesite perched motionless in an octopus tree and giving us really special views.

We then left the spiny forest for a well- deserved late breakfast and had a long break through the heat of the day. In the later afternoon, we headed down the coast to visit a wetland area which was humming with bird activity, including several Greater Flamingos, Squacco and Black Herons, Hottentot Teals, Little Grebes and several waders – Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Ringed Plover and Kittlitz’s Plover. The surrounding open country offered up excellent viewing of a number of widespread common species that we had not yet spent much time watching – Subdesert Mesite by Rand Rudland Olive Bee-eater, Malagasy Coucal, Madagascan Cisticola, Madagascan Mannikin and Red Fody. We were treated to a few flypasts of Greater Painted Snipe and then found a stunning female bird sitting right out in the open that offered fantastic viewing. As we were watching her, a shy Baillon’s Crake trotted right in front of her for a pretty unique photobomb! On the drive back to the lodge, we added a Three-banded Plover and it actually started to rain – something of an oddity for this arid part of the world.

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Before dinner, we again enjoyed the antics of the resident Grey Mouse Lemurs but were unable to locate the dwarf lemur of the previous night. After dinner, we were determined to track it down and were eventually successful in finding it, obtaining excellent views and documenting it with a few photographs. It proved to be the awkwardly-named Coquerel’s Giant Dwarf Lemur, a rarely encountered species that is not known from this area – an exciting way to end a productive day.

We returned in the morning to the spiny forests, where the smells of last night’s rain and a strange mist hanging in the air gave it a very different feel. We had two spiny forest endemics left to see and wasted no time in finding them. First up was a terrific Running Greater Painted Snipe and Baillon’s Crake by Rand Coua which showed to perfection. Rudland

We then set off in search of Lafresnaye’s Vanga – frustratingly, the nest it had been occupying was empty and so we had to set about the harder task of finding one in the forest. It did not take long, however, and we had superb looks at a male just a few feet away showing off his incredible bill. With the pressure off, we could now enjoy a relaxed walk in this beautiful forest, watching the commoner birds and tracking down many of the reptiles from this herp-rich area – Mahafaly Sand Snake, Bernier’s Four-striped Snake, Warty Chameleon, Standing’s Day Gecko, Sakalava Velvet Gecko, Three-eyed Lizard, Dwarf Bark Gecko and even a rare Spider Tortoise.

We were also delighted to have an absolutely superb encounter with a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec and our excellent local guides also tracked down a roosting “Black- shouldered” Sportive Lemur. One of the most fascinating finds of the morning was a Kung-Fu Cricket!

Following on from our productive and relaxed walk, we returned to our resort for a great breakfast and a bit more downtime before heading into the small city of Toliara. In the later afternoon, we headed up onto La Tabla in a strong wind – so finding the Kung-Fu Cricket by Rand Rudland area’s specialities was going to be fairly challenging. With some persistence, we did manage to obtain exceptional views of a pair of Red- shouldered Vanga, which moved about slowly just a few feet away from us! It took quite a bit more persistence before we finally tracked down the other speciality; but with the sun nearing the horizon, we did indeed find a Verreaux’s Coua getting up onto a tree for superb viewing. Another excellent day in the books.

With a windy forecast in store, we were anxious to be out early for our boat ride. It was indeed already

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breezy in the early morning as we headed south from Toliara along the coast. The cliffs by the Onilahy River was our first destination, although this time around they were devoid of Humblot’s Herons. We did record Grey Heron, Peregrine Falcon and Malagasy Black Swift before continuing on through choppy conditions to Nosy Ve. On the spit there was a mixed tern/wader roost, which to our delight held five Crab Plovers.

We landed on the island and enjoyed excellent views of these, along with Greater and Lesser Crested Terns, Ruddy Turnstone and White-fronted and Grey Plovers. We then went for a very pleasant walk around this uninhabited island with its sandy beaches and interesting Euphorbia forest. After checking a few bushes, we found a few nesting Red-tailed Tropicbirds while overhead several birds were enjoyed as they flew against an immaculate blue sky. We spent a bit more time on this wonderful island and then headed across to the Red-shouldered Vanga by Rand Rudland mainland at Anakao. Here we soon found a couple of pairs of the localised Littoral Rock Thrush and then settled down for a tasty lunch overlooking the blue waters off Anakao. We took a bit of time to enjoy a relaxation around the restaurant and then reboarded our speed boat to Toliara. By now the wind had become quite strong and the sea was building quickly; fortunately, it was a following sea so the journey back was reasonably comfortable.

Once back in Toliara, we headed to our hotel to rinse off the salt water and then headed out to Arboretum d’Antsokay, where we enjoyed a very pleasant stroll through this fascinating botanical garden with all its spectacular spiny forest plants. An olivaiceps Red-capped Coua was the avian highlight of the walk; we also watched a sleeping Grey-brown Mouse Lemur, had excellent views of a roosting Commerson’s Leaf-nosed Bat and saw a few new reptiles, including Merrell’s Spiny Lizard and Gold-spotted Skink. We returned to Toliara for dinner and a good night’s rest, ready to start the next leg of the adventure.

We now headed inland towards Zombitse National Park. The early morning drive through grand scenery was enlivened by an unexpected flock of nearly 50 Madagascan Sandgrouse flying through a river valley. Crab-Plovers by Peter Friedmann We had an excellent walk through the fantastic transitional forest at Zombitse – an underappreciated birding site that is full of interesting things. It didn’t take us too long to track down the area’s speciality, Appert’s Tetraka, for good views of this highly endangered species. We also enjoyed super views of a pair of Rufous Vanga along with Blue Vanga, Long-billed Berniera, Giant Couas and several Cuckoo Rollers – the male of which we were finally able to see perched. Other highlights of our walk included the localised endemic

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Hubbard’s Sportive Lemur and also a couple family groups of Verreaux’s Sifaka, along with a Sakalava Velvet Gecko, colourful Standing’s Day Geckos and a big beautiful Giant Hog-nosed Snake, plus some immense Adansonia za baobab trees. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch here and we had to fend off a pair of Giant Couas that were obviously used to picnickers sharing their lunch here – tomatoes seemed to be their favourite.

We carried on with our scenic drive and arrived in the stunning sandstone country and Borassus palm savanna of Isalo National Park, where we checked into our incredible hotel. We enjoyed some downtime in this glorious spot, having a swim in the pool and exploring the lush oasis below the hotel and the sandstone hills Hubbard’s Sportive Lemur by Rand Rudland all around us. A heavy rain arrived and saw us beating a hasty retreat to our rooms. We somewhat reluctantly decided to have a go at finding Madagascan Partridge in the rain, and were driving out to the site to do a wet walk through some grassland when we saw a pair of birds standing right in the middle of the road – saving us the trouble! On the drive back to our hotel, we found 2 more males standing on the road and arrived back not only having seen the partridges really well but also staying dry. We then enjoyed a fantastic dinner to celebrate another great day.

Isalo National Park by Rand Rudland

An early morning walk around hotel grounds failed to turn up the normally reliable Forest Rock Thrush, but there were quite a few other birds, reptiles and amphibians to be found and some fine scenery to be enjoyed. After a delicious breakfast, we left behind this oasis and began the long drive to Ranomafana National Park. The early part of our drive took us through the stunning sandstone country of Isalo National Park and then the anthropogenically altered but undeniably gorgeous scenery of the Horombe Plateau. We enjoyed a picnic lunch at Anja Community Reserve where a short walk netted us great encounters with the high altitude form of Ring-tailed Lemur plus a couple of interesting chameleons: a heavyweight Oustalet’s Chameleon and a tiny but intricately marked Bruno’s Leaf Chameleon – endemic to this tiny reserve.

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Well refreshed, we carried on with the latter part of our drive past vineyards, and then into more well- watered rice-growing country around Fianarantsoa, and ultimately through the higher elevation rainforests of the glorious Ranomafana National Park. We paused at the waterfall for breathtaking views, and the heavy flows also confirmed our suspicion that the area had been receiving heavy rainfall. Overhead flew flocks of Malagasy Black Swifts. We arrived at our hotel just as an afternoon downpour commenced.

The rain continued through the night and it was still raining reasonably heavily as we ate breakfast and headed out, along with our excellent local guides, to the Vohiparara sector of the park. Conditions showed no sign of improving so we set off doing the best we could. We started out with a distant Cryptic Warbler perched up in the scope. Blue Vanga by Rand Rudland We then entered the well-maintained trails but the going was very difficult in the rainy conditions. We made a valiant effort and came away with some sort of views of a bunch of great birds – Rufous- headed Ground Roller, Common Sunbird-Asity, Velvet Asity, Brown Emutail and Forest Fody. The frogs were certainly enjoying the conditions more than the birds and many species were heard calling, of which we saw a few: Madagascar Jumping Frogs had turned the bright yellow colour they do after heavy rains and the onset of breeding, and we also found the much rarer and still not officially described Vohiparara Jumping Frog. We also saw the “slowly-slowly” frog Andontohyla moramora, which was incredibly tiny but had its throat extended to the max, pumping out its piping call.

We returned to the vehicle in the late morning to regroup and make a renewed assault at birding by climbing the summit trail. The weather cleared to some extent and, as hoped, the birds started to show themselves. In the end, we had an excellent afternoon. We finally tracked down Wedge-tailed Tetrakas for very good views and then had a pair of Pollen’s Vanga, within a vanga flock, showing off their bulky bills. Next up we had a couple of fairly cooperative Brown Emutails and then after all of our efforts, we finally tracked a Rufous-headed Ground Roller down for quite good views. Near the high point of the trail, we finally found a pair of Forest Rock Thrushes around their nest – the species had been proving unusually elusive for us until now. The walk down was enlivened by a couple of groups of delightful Milne-Edwards Sifakas and we also bumped into a mixed tetraka flock, where Grey-crowned Tetrakas showed unusually well. It had been a long, wet day but the results were more than worth the effort.

Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko by Peter After drying out back at the hotel, we went for a night walk, Friedmann still in the rain. The walk featured an absolutely

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extraordinary array of chameleons with 5 different species and many individuals all within a very small area. We saw the double-tusked O’Shaugnessy’s Chameleon and several Blue-legged Chameleon – one of them a large male with blue legs signalling he was ready to mate. We also saw the emerald green Side-striped Chameleon, a Deceptive Short-horned Chameleon and the tiny Elongate Ancient Leaf Chameleon which has recently been placed in a new genus Palleon. Exceptional stuff, and we capped it off with super views of a “Greater” Dwarf Lemur – recent research suggests that this is actually an undescribed lemur species.

It was still raining heavily as we went to bed, and no one was really looking forward to a repeat of yesterday’s weather, so it was a pleasant relief to wake up to misty and cloudy but not rainy conditions. We headed into the Belle-Vue sector of the park and set off on a walk up and down the hills of this rugged but wildlife-rich area. Light showers Blue-legged Chameleon by Rand Rudland came and went through the day but overall it was relatively dry and in fact perfect weather for a day of birding, and we were in store for quite the day! We started off with Red-fronted Brown Lemurs and Red-bellied Lemurs and then heard a Brown Mesite calling below us. Our highly skilled local guides came up with a plan that I was admittedly a bit sceptical about, but in no time at all we had this notoriously difficult bird walking literally at our feet for insanely good views. The bird must not have been that concerned by us as he paused to pick up a bit of food before carrying on past us leaving us a bit open-mouthed at what we had just experienced. Carrying on a short distance, we finally caught up with a superb Crossley’s Vanga, having a showy male walking about in fairly open understorey. Then the sharp eyes of our guides spotted what is surely one of earth’s most amazing creatures – a Satanic Leaf-tailed Gecko. We then moved a bit deeper into the park and ended up along a secluded river valley with massive trees. We heard a Nuthatch Vanga in a bird flock in this area and some people managed brief views, but the bird disappeared. Eventually, we returned to the entrance area and stopped on the way for a group of Golden Bamboo Lemurs feeding in their favoured giant bamboo habitat – as the species is directly responsible for the creation of this amazing national park, a visit here is not complete without seeing these beautiful lemurs.

After an early picnic lunch, we carried on to a less frequently visited sector of the park. After a walk through regenerating forest, we arrived at a secluded wetland, where a pair Brown Mesite by Rand Rudland of Meller’s Duck came winging past. As we reached the wetland, a Madagascan Snipe burst up and flew past at close range. We also had good views of a Grey Emutail here. We then walked along a narrow forest trail to a real treat – an active Henst’s Goshawk nest. With the old reliable nest in the Bellevue sector now abandoned, this is one of

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the hardest birds to see in the country. The adult showed superbly well and its screams rang through the forest, a truly amazing experience.

We returned to the vehicle on a major high and there was still a fair bit of daylight left, so we decided we would try and push our luck a bit more and go in search of the Madagascan Yellowbrow. This is amongst the hardest birds to see in Madagascar, so the fact that we were able to watch one hopping about on the ground and in low branches for about five minutes must rank as one of the highlights of the trip. We were all big smiles as we returned to the vehicle at the end of our excellent day.

We also went out for another night walk, where we were treated to superb views of a Madagascar Sacred Ibis and Curlew Sandpiper by Rand Rudland couple of Rufous Mouse Lemurs. We then went out in search of herps and found a couple of large Madagascar Bright-eyed Frogs, the even larger White-lipped Bright-eyed Frog and a rather plain Betsileo Madagascar Frog. We also saw a number of chameleons again, including O’Shaugnessy’s, Side-striped and Nose-horned Chameleon.

After two long and very productive days on the trails of Ranomafana, we now had a long travel day ahead of us as we returned to Tana. We drove for many hours through rice paddies and small villages and broke up the day with a tasty lunch at the grand old Hotel de Therme in Antsirabe. After navigating through the rush hour traffic of Tana, we were pleased to reach our hotel having recorded a reasonably impressive 20 species of bird from the bus!

With an afternoon flight the following day, we elected to have a relaxing morning and then set off to the airport after lunch. Our slightly delayed flight north to Mahajunga town arrived in the late afternoon, and from the airport we drove the short distance to our hotel near the waterfront. The always bustling town was even busier than usual with a political convention in full swing on the streets, but we eventually made our way to our hotel.

A calm morning greeted us on the Mahajunga waterfront and we set out up the Bernier’s Teal by Rand Rudland Betsiboka estuary with scattered thunderstorms and generally great conditions. As we crossed the estuary, we had flypasts from a few Lesser Crested Terns and a much-appreciated trio of Saunder’s Terns. We had timed our trip to arrive at the mangrove islands on the falling tide when the birds appear from their mangrove roosts to feed on the bonanza of invertebrate life that gets exposed. Our first sighting was of a flock of 16 Lesser

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Flamingoes, and then we moved on to the best area for finding the area’s two prime specialities. En route we had distant looks at a couple of new birds for us – a huge Humblot’s Heron slowly flapping past, and a Madagascar Harrier-Hawk picking up the late morning thermals to survey its mangrove kingdom.

As the tide continued to drop, large numbers of Dimorphic Egrets began to appear, and then a mixed shorebird flock of Curlew Sandpipers, Terek Sandpipers and both Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers. We were thrilled to spot the endangered endemic Madagascan Sacred Ibis appearing on the mudflats and were able to make a close approach at this special bird. We also found a mixed tern roost, where we eventually saw four species – Lesser Crested, Whiskered and Common Terns along with excellent views of Greater Vasa Parrot by Rand Rudland the three Saunder’s Terns. The prognosis on the Bernier’s Teal was not looking good at all, however. With no recent sightings of this increasingly tricky bird here, we were not really expecting to connect, so it was a bonus to find one after some perseverance and enjoy excellent viewing of one of the world’s rarest ducks. With all the hoped-for species and more having been seen, we returned to Mahajunga in somewhat windy conditions and back to the hotel for a late lunch.

After lunch, we set off down the highway towards Ankarafantsikay National Park, meeting thousands of pilgrims who were returning to the city in busload after busload on the way. We arrived at our very pleasant setting within the dry forests and on the shores of Lake Ravelobe, and went for a late afternoon wander around the headquarters. We enjoyed excellent viewing of a couple of family groups of beautiful Coquerel’s Sifaka and a couple of family parties of Sickle-billed Vangas before finally connecting with the hoped-for White-headed Vanga, high up in the canopy.

We finished off a long and productive day with a night walk on the boundary of the national park. Just after stepping off the bus, we were enjoying good views of a Golden- brown Mouse Lemur which is endemic to this tiny area. Nearby, we were quite surprised to find a roosting Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher, a species even our excellent local guide had never before seen on a night walk here. As we continued along, we enjoyed some good herps – Oustalet’s and Rhinoceros Chameleon, Malagasy Cat-eyed Snake and Antongil Velvet Gecko. We also got a pretty good look at a Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur and a Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher by Rand Rudland Western Tuft-tailed Rat, and there were all sorts of interesting insects to look at – a really excellent night walk. Around the dinner area, we were able to see two more nocturnal lemur species – Milne-Edwards Sportive Lemur and Mongoose Lemur.

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We headed out early in the morning to a nearby patch of forest that holds the spectacular and little- known Schlegel’s Asity. We connected almost immediately with this speciality as we found a pair sitting quietly and low down. Once we found the right angle on the birds, we could soak in the incredible head pattern on the male for as long as we wanted.

Having succeeded so quickly, we decided to have an early breakfast and then continue birding the dry forests of Ampijoroa. We soon heard one of the other prime specialities of the area and after a bit of strategising and time, had a pair of White- breasted Mesites standing on the middle of the trail and giving their harsh whistled call – absolutely superb. We then set off in search of the final real speciality of the area, the very localised Van Dam’s Vanga. The birds proved to be vocal, but furtive and Schlegel’s Asity by Rand Rudland elusive this morning, and only gave us brief and unsatisfactory views. While searching for the vangas, we did see several Rufous and Blue Vangas, a few Red-capped Coua and were privileged to watch a Madagascan Ibis sitting up on its nest. The subspecies here, urschi, looks quite different to the bird we had seen in the rainforest near the start of the trip. We also enjoyed seeing a pair of roosting Western Wooly Lemurs – our 28th and final species of lemur for the trip. Another highlight was seeing 3 large Giant Hog-nosed Snakes and a Madagascar Ground Boa. We decided to postpone the search for Van Dam’s Vanga until tomorrow, and on the walk out of the forest we finally connected with a Coquerel’s Coua that was busy grabbing a number of insects off the ground and carrying them up to its nest.

After lunch, we had an impromptu gathering on the shores of Lake Ravelobe, where we were very pleased to enjoy excellent views of Humblot’s Heron and scoped up the resident but critically endangered Madagascan Fish Eagle, not to mention a large array of other herons and a couple of massive Nile Crocodiles.

Later in the afternoon, we went slowly around the lake in the local boat and enjoyed closer views of many of the same species. The undoubted highlight was rounding a corner to find the Madagascan Fish Eagle on the shores eating a large fish. The light couldn’t have been more perfect and it was undoubtedly the best look I have ever had at this impressive bird. The latter part of the afternoon was spent back around the headquarters enjoying the resident Coquerel’s Sifakas and Sickle-billed Vangas, a large Four-striped Snake and also the enormous Cattle Egret colony behind the White-breasted Mesites by Rand Rudland accommodations that was in full swing.

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We headed out on a final night walk and had a similar set of sightings to our previous evening – the roosting Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher was on its same perch and we again enjoyed Oustalet’s Chameleons, Golden-brown Mouse Lemurs and a Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur.

Our final full day of the tour began with an early morning walk in the dry forests. Van Dam’s Vanga was to be much more cooperative today and it did not take long before we enjoyed a good look at a male, much to our satisfaction – this is the rarest and most localised of all vangas. A leisurely wander through the forests Madagascan Fish Eagle by Rand Rudland allowed us time to enjoy numerous very confiding Red-capped Couas, a male Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher at point-blank range and a bonus sighting of a family of Mongoose Lemurs.

After breakfast, we headed out to the rice paddies surrounding our local guide’s village, where he suggested we might be able to connect with Madagascan Jacana – this normally fairly reliable species had been missing in action for some time in the area. To our joy, we found the bird almost immediately upon arrival and had good views of yet another endangered endemic. With a clean sweep of all the region’s specialities, we set off on a leisurely walk up to the big baobab. As we crossed the swing bridge, Christina spotted a snake crossing the bridge. I raced back to find, to my absolute shock, that this was a Malagasy Leaf-nosed Snake – a dream find for me! We spent as long as we wanted admiring the unique snake; it was a female with the full leafy appendage. The baobabs themselves were something of an anti-climax after the adrenaline of the amazing snake sighting, but were nonetheless a much-appreciated ending to a highly successful visit to these dry forests.

We had a bit of downtime around the headquarters, during which we enjoyed an amorous pair of Greater Vasa Parrot – the male was in fact so rough that he was pulling the feathers off the head of the female making her look bald, just like the illustration in the field guide. Some were also fortunate to have superb views of a Cuckoo Roller and we all enjoyed the last bit of time with the wildlife that was in and all around cabins – Coquerel’s Sifakas, Cuvier’s Spiny-tailed Lizards, Western Plated Lizards and many more.

Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher by Rand Rudland At midday, we drove back to Mahajunga and visited a seasonal wetland that had recently become flooded with the heavy rains of late. A distant African Openbill would be our last new species of the trip and there was a good variety of birdlife around to keep us entertained as we rested in the shade of the mango trees. A final herpetological highlight was provided by a Blonde Hog-nosed Snake. From here we headed to the airport, checked in, and all seemed well when Air Mad cancelled

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the flight. With flights home the next day, there was little option but to board our bus and drive through the night to Tana – a long and wearying drive. Not perhaps the end to the trip we had envisioned, but Madagascar is nothing if not full of surprising twists and turns, and this day had certainly seen its fair share.

We did arrive at our hotel in time for breakfast, said our farewells and headed to the airport for flights home. It had been a very special few weeks on the 8th continent – thanks to the group for having such a flexible and open attitude, we certainly saw the best the island has to offer. ______Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate Cuckoo Roller by Peter Friedmann number of days on the tour the species was recorded.

List powered through the report generator of our partner iGoTerra.

Birds (187 in total: 185 seen, 2 heard) Nomenclature and taxonomy follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2017. IOC World Bird List (v 7.2). Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl Anatidae White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata (4) 200 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 4 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 4 Mahajanga 25.11 and 30 Mahajanga 28.11. Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos (1) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11. Meller's Duck (EN) Anas melleri (2) 12 Alarobia Lake 9.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Bernier's Teal (EN) Anas bernieri (1) 1 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha (5) 300 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 10 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 40 Isalo NP 20.11 and 10 Mahajanga 28.11. Hottentot Teal Anas hottentota (2) 6 Alarobia Lake 9.11 and 20 Ifaty 17.11.

Guineafowl Numididae Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris (2) 20 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 20 Berenty Reserve 15.11.

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Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies Phasianidae Madagascan Partridge Margaroperdix madagarensis (1) 4 Isalo NP 20.11.

Shearwaters and Petrels Procellariidae Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica (1) 5 Fort Dauphin 16.11.

Grebes Podicipedidae Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis capensis (1) 2 Ifaty 17.11. Madagascan Grebe (VU) Tachybaptus pelzelnii (3) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11.

Flamingos Phoenicopteridae Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus (1) 8 Ifaty 17.11. Lesser Flamingo (NT) Phoeniconaias minor (1) 16 Betsiboka Delta 26.11.

Tropicbirds Phaethontidae Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda rubricauda (1) 15 Nosy Ve 19.11.

Storks Ciconiidae African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus madagascariensis (1) 1 Mahajanga 28.11.

Ibises and Spoonbills Threskiornithidae Malagasy Sacred Ibis (EN) Threskiornis bernieri bernieri (1) 1 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus (3) 2 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11, 7 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 40 Ampijoroa 28.11. Madagascan Ibis (NT) Lophotibis cristata (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax (2) 100 Alarobia Lake 9.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Striated Heron Butorides striata rutenbergi (8) 1 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11, 1 Ifaty 17.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 10 Mahajanga 28.11. Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides (5) 50 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 3 Ifaty 17.11, 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 50 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 100 Ampijoroa 27.11. Malagasy Pond Heron (EN) Ardeola idae (4) 3 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 4 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

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(12) 300 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 20 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 10 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 5 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 100 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 10 Ifaty 17.11, 5 Isalo NP 20.11, 10 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 20 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 5000 Ampijoroa 26.11, 10000 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 30 Mahajanga 28.11. Grey Heron Ardea cinerea firasa (2) 1 Tulear 19.11, 1 Nosy Ve 19.11 and 1 Betsiboka delta 26.11. Humblot's Heron (EN) Ardea humbloti (2) 1 Betsiboka Delta 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Purple Heron Ardea purpurea madagascariensis (2) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 27.11. Great Egret Ardea alba melanorhynchos (7) 5 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 5 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 3 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 10 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 1 Betsiboka delta 26.11 and up to 5 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca (7) 40 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 5 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 3 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 2 Ifaty 17.11, 2 Ampijoroa 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Mahajanga 28.11. Dimorphic Egret Egretta dimorpha (9) 75 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 10 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 5 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 10 Nosy Ve 19.11, 5 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 20 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 30 Betsiboka delta 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Mahajanga 28.11.

Hamerkop Scopidae Hamerkop Scopus umbretta umbretta (4) 1 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 3 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 1 Anja Community Reserve 21.11.

Hawks, Eagles, and Kites Accipitridae Madagascan Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides radiatus (1) 1 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Frances's Sparrowhawk Accipiter francesiae francesiae (5) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 28.11. Madagascan Sparrowhawk (NT) Accipiter madagascariensis (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 1 Parc Mosa 17.11. Henst's Goshawk (NT) Accipiter henstii (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius parasitus (12) 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 30 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 30 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 2 Ifaty 16.11, 2 Ifaty 17.11, 2 Anakao 19.11, 20 Isalo NP 20.11, 30 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 3 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 2 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Mahajanga 28.11. Madagascan Fish Eagle (CR) Haliaeetus vociferoides (1) 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Madagascan Buzzard Buteo brachypterus (8) 1 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Zombitse NP 20.11, 2 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 2 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11, 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 4 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11.

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Mesites Mesitornithidae White-breasted Mesite (VU) Mesitornis variegatus (2) 3 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 heard Ampijoroa 28.11. Brown Mesite (VU) Mesitornis unicolor (2) 1 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Subdesert Mesite (VU) Monias benschi (1) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11.

Flufftails Sarothruridae Madagascan Wood Rail Canirallus kioloides (1) 1+3 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Madagascan Flufftail Sarothrura insularis (1) 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots Rallidae Madagascan Rail (VU) Rallus madagascariensis (1) 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11. White-throated Rail Dryolimnas cuvieri cuvieri (4) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla intermedia (1) 1+3 heard Ifaty 17.11. Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus pyrrhorrhoa (2) 10 Alarobia Lake 9.11 and 2 Mantadia NP 11.11. Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata (1) 1 Alarobia Lake 9.11.

Buttonquails Turnicidae Madagascan Buttonquail Turnix nigricollis (1) 8 Berenty Reserve 15.11.

Crab Plover Dromadidae Crab-plover Dromas ardeola (1) 5 Nosy Ve 19.11.

Stilts and Avocets Recurvirostridae Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus (3) Up to 15 Ifaty 16-18.11.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola squatarola (1) 14 Nosy Ve 19.11. Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula tundrae (1) 2 Ifaty 17.11. Madagascan Plover (VU) Charadrius thoracicus (1) 2 Ifaty 16.11. Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius (1) 40 Ifaty 17.11.

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Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris bifrontatus (1) 1 Ifaty 17.11. White-fronted Plover Charadrius marginatus tenellus (2) 5 Ifaty 16.11 and 1 Nosy Ve 19.11. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus pamirensis (1) 3 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii scythicus (2) 5 Tulear 19.11 and 20 Betsiboka Delta 26.11.

Painted-Snipes Rostratulidae Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis (2) 1 Ifaty 16.11 and 4 Ifaty 17.11.

Jacanas Jacanidae Madagascan Jacana (NT) Actophilornis albinucha (1) 1 Ampijoroa 28.11.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Madagascan Snipe (VU) Gallinago macrodactyla (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (4) 2 Ifaty 17.11, 2 Ifaty 18.11, 100 Tulear 19.11 and 20 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (2) 2 Ifaty 16.11 and 2 Ifaty 17.11. Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus (1) 75 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (3) 1 Ifaty 17.11, 5 Betsiboka Delta 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres interpres (2) 12 Ifaty 16.11 and 15 Nosy Ve 19.11. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (2) 30 Ifaty 17.11 and 50 Betsiboka Delta 26.11.

Pratincoles and Coursers Glareolidae Madagascan Pratincole (VU) Glareola ocularis (1) 2 Mangoro River 10.11.

Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers Laridae Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus melisandae (1) 1 Fort Dauphin 16.11. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii thalassinus (1) 15 Nosy Ve 19.11. Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis bengalensis (2) 1 Nosy Ve 19.11 and 10 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Saunders's Tern Sternula saundersi (1) 3 Betsiboka Delta 26.11. Common Tern Sterna hirundo hirundo (1) 1 Betsiboka Delta 26.11.

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Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida delalandii (1) 2 Betsiboka Delta 26.11.

Sandgrouse Pteroclidae Madagascan Sandgrouse Pterocles personatus (2) 3 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 40 Sakaraha 20.11.

Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia var. domestica Malagasy Turtle Dove Nesoenas picturatus picturatus (8) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 3 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 5 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 4 Parc Mosa 17.11 and up to 2 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Namaqua Dove Oena capensis aliena (9) 5 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 10 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 6 Ifaty 16.11, 5 Parc Mosa 17.11, 2 Parc Mosa 18.11, 10 Ifaty 18.11, 2 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 5 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 28.11. Madagascan Green Pigeon Treron australis (2) 6 Parc Mosa 17.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 26.11. Madagascan Blue Pigeon Alectroenas madagascariensis (5) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 10 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 4 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 4 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Cuckoos Cuculidae Malagasy Coucal Centropus toulou toulou (12) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1+1 heard Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 heard Iharoka Forest 12.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11, 4 Ifaty 17.11, 1 Zombitse NP 20.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11 and up to 2 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Crested Coua Coua cristata (5) 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 6 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 4 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 1 Zombitse NP 20.11. Verreaux's Coua (NT) Coua verreauxi (1) 1 La Table 18.11. Blue Coua Coua caerulea (6) 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 4 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11. Red-capped Coua Coua ruficeps (4) 1 La Table 18.11, 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 3 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 28.11. Red-fronted Coua Coua reynaudii (3) 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 1 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11. Coquerel's Coua Coua coquereli (2) 2 heard Zombitse NP 20.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Running Coua Coua cursor (1) 1 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 1 heard La Table 18.11. Giant Coua Coua gigas (2) 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 5 Zombitse NP 20.11.

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Red-breasted Coua Coua serriana (2) 2 heard Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11. Madagascan Cuckoo Cuculus rochii (11) 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 heard Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 Parc Mosa 18.11, 1 heard Anja Community Reserve 21.11, 2 heard Ranomafana NP 22.11, 4 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 2 heard Ampijoroa 27.11.

Barn-Owls Tytonidae Western Barn Owl Tyto alba (2) 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 1 heard Ampijoroa 26.11.

Owls Strigidae Torotoroka Scops Owl Otus madagascariensis (5) 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 1 heard Isalo NP 20.11 and up to 1 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Rainforest Scops Owl Otus rutilus (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11. White-browed Hawk-Owl Ninox superciliaris (2) 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 3 Berenty Reserve 15.11. Madagascan Owl Asio madagascariensis (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11.

Nightjars and Allies Caprimulgidae Collared Nightjar Gactornis enarratus (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11. Madagascan Nightjar Caprimulgus madagascariensis (3) 1+1 heard Berenty Reserve 14.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11 and 1 Parc Mosa 18.11.

Swifts Apodidae Madagascan Spinetail Zoonavena grandidieri grandidieri (1) 10 Mantadia NP 11.11. African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus gracilis (7) 1 La Table 18.11, 30 Isalo NP 20.11, 10 Isalo NP 21.11, 20 Ranomafana NP 22.11, 30 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 20 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11 and 10 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11. Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba willsi (1) 3 Zombitse NP 20.11. Malagasy Black Swift Apus balstoni balstoni (3) 5 Tulear 19.11, 100 Zombitse NP 20.11 and 30 Ranomafana NP 21.11. Little Swift Apus affinis (2) 4 Antananarivo 9.11 and 20 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11.

Cuckoo-Roller Leptosomidae Cuckoo Roller Leptosomus discolor discolor (8) 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1+2 heard Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 3+5 heard Zombitse NP 20.11, 1+5 heard Ranomafana NP 22.11, 3 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11, 2 heard Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11.

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Rollers Coraciidae Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus glaucurus (10) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 4 Mantadia NP 11.11, 3 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11 and up to 10 Ampijoroa 26-28.11.

Ground-Rollers Brachypteraciidae Short-legged Ground Roller (VU) Brachypteracias leptosomus (1) 3 heard Ioroka Forest 12.11. Scaly Ground Roller (VU) Geobiastes squamiger (1) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11. Pitta-like Ground Roller Atelornis pittoides (2) 2+2 heard Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Rufous-headed Ground Roller (NT) Atelornis crossleyi (2) 3+2 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11. Long-tailed Ground Roller (VU) Uratelornis chimaera (1) 2 Parc Mosa 17.11.

Kingfishers Alcedinidae Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher Corythornis madagascariensis (4) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Malagasy Kingfisher Corythornis vintsioides vintsioides (7) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 11.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 1 Isalo NP 20.11, 1 Ampijoroa 26.11, 1 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Mahajanga 28.11.

Bee-eaters Meropidae Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus superciliosus (8) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 4 Ifaty 16.11, 10 Ifaty 17.11, 5 La Table 18.11, 5 Isalo NP 20.11, 5 Ampijoroa 26.11, 5 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Mahajanga 28.11.

Hoopoes Upupidae Madagascan Hoopoe Upupa marginata (7) 1 Antananarivo 9.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 2 Tulear 20.11, 5 Isalo NP 20.11, 10 Isalo NP 21.11 and up to 6 Ampijoroa 26-28.11.

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae Malagasy Kestrel Falco newtoni newtoni (16) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 4 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 8 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 Parc Mosa 18.11, 2 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 6 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Isalo NP 21.11, 1 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 1 Ranomafana NP 22.11, 4 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 1 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Mahajanga 28.11. Banded Kestrel Falco zoniventris (1) 1 Road to Berenty Reserve 14.11. Sooty Falcon (NT) Falco concolor (1) 1 Zombitse NP 20.11. Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus radama

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(1) 2 Tulear 19.11.

Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Greater Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa (6) 2 heard Ioroka Forest 12.11, 3 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11 and up to 4 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Lesser Vasa Parrot Coracopsis nigra (5) 15 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 26.11. Grey-headed Lovebird Agapornis canus (4) 6 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 40 Parc Mosa 17.11, 10 Parc Mosa 18.11, 10 Ifaty 17.11 and 4 Isalo NP 21.11.

Broadbills Eurylaimidae Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea (4) 3 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Schlegel's Asity (NT) Philepitta schlegeli (1) 2 Ampijoroa 27.11. Common Sunbird-Asity Neodrepanis coruscans (2) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11 and 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11.

Vangas Vangidae Red-tailed Vanga Calicalicus madagascariensis (5) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 heard Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Red-shouldered Vanga (VU) Calicalicus rufocarpalis (1) 2 La Table 18.11. Hook-billed Vanga Vanga curvirostris (3) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11. Lafresnaye's Vanga Xenopirostris xenopirostris (1) 1 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 1 heard La Table 18.11. Van Dam's Vanga (EN) Xenopirostris damii (2) 1+3 heard Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11. Pollen's Vanga (NT) Xenopirostris polleni (1) 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Sickle-billed Vanga Falculea palliata (4) 2 Parc Mosa 17.11 and up to 5 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. White-headed Vanga Artamella viridis (2) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 3 Ampijoroa 27.11. Chabert Vanga Leptopterus chabert (4) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 4 Parc Mosa 17.11 and 2 Parc Mosa 18.11. Blue Vanga Cyanolanius madagascarinus madagascarinus (5) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 1 Zombitse NP 20.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 27.11. Rufous Vanga Schetba rufa (3) 2 Zombitse NP 20.11, 5 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 28.11. Helmet Vanga (VU) Euryceros prevostii

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(1) 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11. Tylas Vanga Tylas eduardi (3) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 4 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Nuthatch Vanga Hypositta corallirostris (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Dark Newtonia Newtonia amphichroa (3) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Common Newtonia Newtonia brunneicauda (12) 4 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 2 Parc Mosa 18.11, 1 Zombitse NP 20.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11. Archbold's Newtonia Newtonia archboldi (1) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11. Ward's Flycatcher Pseudobias wardi (3) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Crossley's Vanga Mystacornis crossleyi (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae Madagascan Cuckooshrike Coracina cinerea (7) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 4 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 3 Betsiboka delta 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11.

Drongos Dicruridae Crested Drongo Dicrurus forficatus forficatus (17) 5 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 5 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 4 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 10 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11, 10 Parc Mosa 17.11, 6 Parc Mosa 18.11, 4 La Table 18.11, 2 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 2 Isalo NP 20.11, 1 Isalo NP 21.11, 4 Zombitse NP 20.11, 6 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 4 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 2 Betsiboka delta 26.11, up to 6 Ampijoroa 26-28.11 and 2 Mahajanga 28.11.

Monarch Flycatchers Monarchidae Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata mutata (13) 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 4 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 6 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 4 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 2 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 4 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae Pied Crow Corvus albus (12) 30 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 25 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 10 Fort Dauphin 16.11, up to 20 Ifaty 16- 18.11, 5 La Table 18.11, 5 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 5 Nosy Ve 19.11, 20 Isalo NP 20.11, 30 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 6 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 2 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Mahajanga 28.11.

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Larks Alaudidae Madagascan Lark Eremopterix hova (7) 4 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 4 Ifaty 17.11, 10 La Table 18.11, 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 5 Isalo NP 20.11, 5 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11 and 2 Mahajanga 28.11.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Malagasy Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis madagascariensis (17) 4 Antananarivo 9.11, 6 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 20 Mantadia NP 11.11, 6 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 10 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 2 Parc Mosa 18.11, 4 Isalo NP 20.11, 4 Isalo NP 21.11, 4 Zombitse NP 20.11, 10 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 10 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11, 10 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11 and up to 4 Ampijoroa 26-28.11.

Swallows Hirundinidae Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica madagascariensis (6) 3 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 10 Antananarivo 14.11, 1 Ifaty 17.11, 3 Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 5 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11. Brown-throated Martin Riparia paludicola cowani (2) 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 5 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11. Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica rustica (3) 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 4 Ifaty 17.11, 10 Ifaty 18.11 and 4 Anakao 19.11.

Reed-Warblers and Allies Acrocephalidae Malagasy Brush Warbler Nesillas typica (5) 2 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11. Subdesert Brush Warbler Nesillas lantzii (3) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11, 2 Parc Mosa 18.11, 4 La Table 18.11 and 2 heard Anakao 19.11. Madagascan Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus newtoni (3) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 3 Ifaty 17.11 and 2 Betsiboka delta 26.11.

Grassbirds and Allies Locustellidae Brown Emutail Bradypterus brunneus (1) 3 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Grey Emutail Amphilais seebohmi (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Malagasy Warblers Bernieridae White-throated Oxylabes Oxylabes madagascariensis (1) 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11. Long-billed Bernieria Bernieria madagascariensis (4) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Zombitse NP 20.11, 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 27.11. Cryptic Warbler Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi (1) 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Wedge-tailed Jery Hartertula flavoviridis (3) 3 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 10 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11.

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Thamnornis Thamnornis chloropetoides (1) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11. Spectacled Tetraka Xanthomixis zosterops (3) 3 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Appert's Tetraka Xanthomixis apperti (1) 1 Zombitse NP 20.11. Grey-crowned Tetraka Xanthomixis cinereiceps (2) 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 3 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11. Madagascan Yellowbrow (NT) Crossleyia xanthophrys (1) 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11. Rand's Warbler Randia pseudozosterops (4) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11, 3 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Cisticolas and Allies Cisticolidae Common Jery Neomixis tenella (5) 10 Parc Mosa 17.11, 5 Parc Mosa 18.11, 2 Zombitse NP 20.11, 4 Betsiboka Delta 26.11 and 2 Mahajanga 28.11. Green Jery Neomixis viridis (4) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1+5 heard Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Stripe-throated Jery Neomixis striatigula (6) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 3 heard Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Parc Mosa 17.11, 10 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 5 La Table 18.11. Madagascan Cisticola Cisticola cherina (7) 4 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 6 Ifaty 17.11, 2 La Table 18.11, 5 Nosy Ve 19.11, 2 Isalo NP 20.11 and 10 Mahajanga 28.11.

Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies Zosteropidae Malagasy White-eye Zosterops maderaspatanus maderaspatanus (8) 5 Antananarivo 9.11, 2 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 15 Mantadia NP 11.11, 10 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 10 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11, 5 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 5 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 5 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Starlings Sturnidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis (15) 20 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 10 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 20 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 30 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 30 Berenty Reserve 15.11, up to 30 Ifaty 16-18.11, 20 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 10 Nosy Ve 19.11, 10 Anakao 19.11, 30 Isalo NP 20.11, 30 Ranomafana to Isalo NP 21.11, 10 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 10 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11, 10 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 20 Mahajanga 28.11. Madagascan Starling Hartlaubius auratus (2) 3 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Madagascan Magpie-Robin Copsychus albospecularis

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(15) 4 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 4 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 6 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 4 Parc Mosa 17.11, 5 Parc Mosa 18.11, 2 La Table 18.11, 4 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 2 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Isalo NP 21.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 3 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 1 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11. Littoral Rock Thrush Monticola imerina (1) 3 Anakao 19.11. Forest Rock Thrush Monticola sharpei (1) 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Madagascan Stonechat Saxicola sibilla (5) 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 13.11, 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11.

Sunbirds and Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Souimanga Sunbird Cinnyris sovimanga (16) 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 10 Mantadia NP 11.11, 4 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 2 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 4 Parc Mosa 17.11, 5 Parc Mosa 18.11, 5 La Table 18.11, 4 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11, 1 Anakao 19.11, 6 Isalo NP 20.11, 2 Isalo NP 21.11, 2 Anja Community Reserve 21.11, 5 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11, 5 Ranomafana NP 23.11 and up to 2 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Malagasy Green Sunbird Cinnyris notatus notatus (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 2 Mantadia NP 11.11.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus (1) 10 Mahajanga 26.11.

Weavers and Allies Ploceidae Nelicourvi Weaver Ploceus nelicourvi (6) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Sakalava Weaver Ploceus sakalava (5) 20 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 10 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 20 Parc Mosa 17.11, 15 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 10 Anakao 19.11. Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis (11) 5 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 10 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 20 Parc Mosa 17.11, 10 Parc Mosa 18.11, 20 Ifaty 17.11, 10 Anakao 19.11, 1 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11, 1 Antananarivo 25.11, 5 Ampijoroa 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Mahajanga 28.11. Forest Fody Foudia omissa (3) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11, 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Waxbills and Allies Estrildidae Madagascan Mannikin Lepidopygia nana (5) 1 Alarobia Lake 9.11, 2 Antananarivo to Andasibe 10.11, 20 Ifaty 17.11, 2 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 2 Mahajanga 28.11.

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Wagtails and Pipits Motacillidae Madagascan Wagtail Motacilla flaviventris (7) 1 Antananarivo 9.11, 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11, 4 Ranomafana NP 21.11, 4 Ranomafana NP 23.11, 3 Antsirabe to Ranomafana 24.11 and 1 Antananarivo 25.11.

Mammals (36 in total: 36 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Tenrecs Tenrecidae Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Echinops telfairi (2) 1 Ifaty 16.11 and 1 Parc Mosa 18.11.

Lemurs Lemuridae Brown Lemur Eulemur fulvus (4) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 10 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11, 10 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 28.11. Mongoose Lemur Eulemur mongoz (2) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 28.11. Red-bellied Lemur Eulemur rubriventer (1) 5 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Red Brown Lemur Eulemur rufus (2) 30 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 10 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Golden Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur aureus (1) 3 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Eastern Lesser Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur griseus (2) 6 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Ring-tailed Lemur Lemur catta (3) 30 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 30 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 20 Anja Community Reserve 21.11. Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur Varecia variegata (2) 3 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Sportive Lemurs Lepilemuridae Milne-Edwards's Sportive Lemur Lepilemur edwardsi (3) Up to 4 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Hubbard's Sportive Lemur Lepilemur hubbardorum (1) 1 Zombitse NP 20.11. White-footed Sportive Lemur Lepilemur leucopus (2) 5 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11. “Black-shouldered” Sportive Lemur Lepilemur sp nov (1) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11.

Dwarf and Mouse Lemurs Cheirogaleidae Furry-eared Dwarf Lemur Cheirogaleus crossleyi (1) 3 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11.

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Greater Dwarf Lemur Cheirogaleus major (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 22.11. Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur Cheirogaleus medius (2) 2 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Grey-brown Mouse Lemur Microcebus griseorufus (2) 1 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11. Goodman's Mouse Lemur Microcebus lehilahytsara (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11. Grey Mouse-lemur Microcebus murinus (2) 4 Ifaty 16.11 and 3 Ifaty 17.11. Golden-brown Mouse Lemur Microcebus ravelobensis (2) 3 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Rufous Mouse Lemur Microcebus rufus (1) 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Coquerel's Giant Dwarf Lemur Mirza coquereli (2) 1 Ifaty 16.11 and 1 Ifaty 17.11.

Indrid Lemurs, Sifakas Indriidae Eastern Woolly Lemur Avahi laniger (2) 4 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Western Woolly Lemur Avahi occidentalis (1) 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Indri Indri indri (4) 5 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 11.11, 5 heard Mantadia NP 11.11, 5 heard Iharoka Forest 12.11 and 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli (3) Up to 10 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Diademed Sifaka Propithecus diadema (1) 8 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Milne-Edwards Sifaka Propithecus edwardsi (2) 10 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11. Verreaux's Sifaka Propithecus verreauxi (3) 10 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 25 Berenty Reserve 15.11 and 10 Zombitse NP 20.11.

True Mice and Rats, Gerbils, Spiny Mice, Crested Rat Muridae House Rat Rattus rattus (1) 1 Isalo NP 21.11.

Climbing Mice, Rock Mice, White-tailed Rat, Malagasy Rats and Mice Nesomyidae Western Tuft-tailed Rat Eliurus myoxinus (1) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11. Webb’s Tuft-tailed Rat Eliurus webbi (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11. Eastern Red Forest Rat Nesomys rufus (1) 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Malagasy Carnivores Eupleridae Malagasy Ring-tailed Mongoose Galidia elegans

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(2) 1 Ranomafana NP 21.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Old World Leafnose Bats Hipposideridae Commerson's Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros commersoni (1) 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11.

Old World Fruit Bats Pteropodidae Madagascan Flying Fox Pteropus rufus (1) 100 Berenty Reserve 15.11.

Reptiles (54 in total: 54 seen) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Lamprophiidae Lamprophiidae Thamnosophis epistibes (1) 1 Iharoka Forest 12.11.

Tortoises Testudinidae Southern Spider Tortoise Pyxis arachnoides (1) 1 Parc Mosa 18.11.

Chameleons Chamaeleonidae Eiongate Ancient Leaf Chameleon Palleon nasus (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 22.11. Bruno’s Leaf Chameleon Brookesia brunoi (1) 2 Anja Community Reserve 21.11. Short-horned Chameleon Calumma brevicorne (2) 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 2 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11. Blue-legged chameleon Calumma crypticum (1) 5 Ranomafana NP 22.11. Deceptive Chameleon Calumma fallax (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 22.11. Band-bellied Chameleon Calumma gastrotaenia (2) 1 Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Nose-horned Chameleon Calumma nasutum (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. O'Shaughnessy's Chameleon Calumma oshaughnessyi (2) 2 Ranomafana NP 22.11, 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11 and 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11. Parson's Chameleon Calumma parsonii (1) 1 Ioroka Forest 12.11. Carpet Chameleon Furcifer lateralis (1) 1 Isalo NP 20.11. Oustalet's Chameleon Furcifer oustaleti (4) 1 Anja Community Reserve 21.11, 1 Ampijoroa 26.11, 2 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 3 Mahajanga 28.11. Rhinoceros Chameleon Furcifer rhinoceratus

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(1) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11. Warty Chameleon Furcifer verrucosus (2) 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 1 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 1 La Table 18.11.

Iguanas Iguanidae Three-eyed Lizard Chalarodon madagascariensis (4) 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11, 3 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 La Table 18.11 and 1 Nosy Ve 19.11. Cuvier's Spiny-tailed Lizard Oplurus cuvieri (3) Up to 5 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Merrem's Spiny-tailed Lizard Oplurus cyclurus (1) 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11. Duméril's Spiny-tailed Lizard Oplurus quadrimaculatus (2) 10 Isalo NP 20.11 and 2 Isalo NP 21.11.

Geckos Gekkonidae Antongil Velvet Gecko Blaesodactylus antongilensis (1) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11. Sakalava Velvet Gecko Blaesodactylus sakalava (2) 1 Parc Mosa 18.11 and 1 Zombitse NP 20.11. Common Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra mutilata (1) 2 Ranomafana NP 21.11. Common House Gecko Hemidactylus frenatus (1) 4 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 25.11. Mercator Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mercatorius (6) 3 Ifaty 17.11, 1 Anakao 19.11, 1 Isalo NP 20.11, 5 Mahajanga to Ankarafantsika NP 26.11, 5 Ampijoroa 27.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 28.11. Grandidier's Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus tolampyae (3) 2 Zombitse NP 20.11, 1 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 2 Ampijoroa 27.11. Southern Bark Gecko Lygodactylus tuberosus (2) 2 Berenty Reserve 14.11 and 3 Berenty Reserve 15.11. Mocquard's Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus verticillatus (1) 1 Parc Mosa 18.11. Short-headed Day Gecko Phelsuma breviceps (1) Anakao 19.11. Aldabra Day Gecko Phelsuma abbotti (1) Mahajunga 25.11 Striped Day Gecko Phelsuma lineata (3) 5 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 2 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 13.11. Madagascar Day Gecko Phelsuma madagascariensis (3) Up to 5 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Modest Day Gecko Phelsuma modesta (3) 1 Berenty Reserve 15.11, 1 Ifaty 16.11 and 4 Ifaty 17.11. Peacock Day Gecko Phelsuma quadriocellata (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Standing's Day Gecko Phelsuma standingi (2) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11, 1 Ifaty 17.11 and 6 Zombitse NP 20.11. Satanic Flat-tail Gecko Uroplatus phantasticus

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(1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Mossy Flat-tail Gecko Uroplatus sikorae (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11.

Plated Lizards Gerrhosauridae Madagascar Keeled Cordylid Tracheloptychus madagascariensis (1) 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11. Western Girdled Lizard Zonosaurus laticaudatus (3) Up to 5 Ampijoroa 26-28.11. Madagascar Girdled Lizard Zonosaurus madagascariensis (1) 2 Mantadia NP 11.11. Zonosaurus aenus (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 5 Mantadia NP 11.11. Ornate Girdled Lizard Zonosaurus ornatus (1) 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 23.11.

Skinks Scincidae Gold-spotted Skink Trachylepis aureopunctata (1) 1 Arboretum d'Antsokay, Tolliara 19.11. Gravenhorst's Skink Trachylepis gravenhorstii (1) 3 Isalo NP 20.11.

Boas Boidae Madagascar Ground Boa Acrantophis madagascariensis (1) 1 Ampijoroa 27.11.

Lamprophiidae Lamprophiidae Bernier's Striped Snake Dromicodryas bernieri (1) 1 Ifaty 18.11. Four-striped Snake Dromicodryas quadrilineatus (1) 1 Ampijoroa 27.11. Perinet Tree Snake Ithycyphus perineti (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11. Madagascar Leaf-nosed Snake Langaha madagascariensis (1) 1 Ampijoroa 28.11. Giant Hog-nosed Snake Leioheterodon madagascariensis (2) 1 Zombitse NP 20.11 and 3 Ampijoroa 27.11. Blond Hog-nosed Snake Leioheterodon modestus (1) 1 Mahajanga 28.11. Malagasy Cat-eyed Snake Madagascarophis colubrinus (1) 1 Ampijoroa 26.11. Mahafaly Sand Snake Mimophis mahfalensis madagascariensis (2) 1 Parc Mosa 17.11 and 1 Parc Mosa 18.11. Water Garter Snake Thamnosophis lateralis (3)1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11, 1 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Anja Community Reserve 21.11 Trail Garter Snake Thamnospohis epistebes (1)1 Ioroka Forest 12.11.

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Crocodiles and relatives Crocodylidae Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus madagascariensis (2) 3 Ampijoroa 26.11 and 5 Ampijoroa 27.11.

Amphibians (17 in total: 14 seen, 3 heard) Status codes: E = Endemic, NE = Near-endemic, I = Introduced IUCN codes: CR = Critically endangered, EN = Endangered, VU = Vulnerable, EW = Extinct in the Wild, NT = Near Threatened, DD = Data Deficient

Narrow-mouthed Frog frogs Microhylidae Climbing Frog Species Anodonthyla pollicaris (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.13. Slowly-slowly Climbing Frog Anodonthyla moramora (2) 1 Vohiparara Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 23.11.

Madagascar frogs Mantellidae Madagascar Frog Species Blommersia blommersae (1) Vohiparara Ranomafana NP 22.11. Undescribed Madagascar Frog Species Blommersia sp nov (1) 5 Isalo NP 20.11. Madagascar Jumping Frog Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11 and 2 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. Vohiparara Jumping Frog Aglyptodactylus vohiparara (1) 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11. White-lipped Bright-eyed Frog Boophis albilabris (2) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 12.11 and 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Morondava Bright-eyed Frog Boophis doulioti (1) 5 Ampijoroa 27.11. Red-eyed Bright-eyed Frog Boophis luteus (1) 5 heard Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11. Madagascar Bright-eyed Frog Boophis madagascariensis (2) 2 Ranomafana NP 22.11 and 2 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Green Bright-eyed Frog Boophis viridis (1) 1 Analamazoatra Special Reserve 10.11. Madagascar Frog Species Gephyromantis asper (1) 1 heard Ranomafana NP 22.11. Ambatolahy Madagascar Frog Gephyromantis enki (1) 10 heard Ranomafana NP 22.11. Baron’s Mantella Mantella baroni (2) 1 Mantadia NP 11.11 and 1 Iharoka Forest 12.11. Betsileo Madagascar Frog Mantidactylus betsileanus (1) 1 Ranomafana NP 23.11. Madagascar Frog Species Mantidactylus melanopleura (1) 1 heard Ranomafana NP 23.11.

True frogs Ranidae

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Mascarene Grass Frog Ptychadena mascareniensis (2) 2 Isalo NP 20.11 and 1 Vohiparara, Ranomafana NP 22.11.

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Rockjumper Birding Ltd Tel: (USA & Canada) toll-free: 1-888-990-5552 Labourdonnais Village Email: [email protected] Mapou Alternative email: [email protected] Mauritius Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com

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