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Indian Ocean Islands Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues 17Th to 28Th September 2018 (12 Days) Trip Report

Indian Ocean Islands Seychelles, Mauritius, Réunion, and Rodrigues 17Th to 28Th September 2018 (12 Days) Trip Report

Indian Ocean Islands , , Réunion, and Rodrigues 17th to 28th September 2018 (12 days) Trip Report

Rodrigues by Daniel Keith Danckwerts

Tour Leader: Daniel Keith Danckwerts

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Tour Summary Sprinkled through the tropical seas off the East African coast are a series of corraline, granitic and volcanic islands that, together, support an incredible 35 regional endemic . This includes some of the world’s rarest and most sought-after birds, including the magical Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, indescribably rare and critically endangered Réunion Cuckooshrike, jewel-like Rodrigues and Mauritius Fodies, mythical Seychelles Scops and, of course, the -flying Barau’s Petrel. These islands also support several million widespread breeding , including Brown and Lesser Noddies, White and Sooty , both White-tailed and Red-tailed Tropicbirds, and Wedge-tailed and Tropical . Our 12-day journey took us across most of these isolated landmasses, where we secured sightings of an incredible 75 , including all but one of the region’s endemics. Some of the undisputed highlights included our day trip to (Seychelles), where we watched several hundred thousand seabirds attending their nests, along with three endangered Seychellois endemics (Seychelles Magpie-Robin, , and ), as well as our hike through the tree-fern dominated of Réunion Island, where we saw all of the island’s endemics at very close range. It really was a sensational trip like no other! ______The top ten birds of the trip, as decided upon by the tour participants: 1. Seychelles 6. Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher 2. Réunion Cuckooshrike 7. Mauritius 3. 8. Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher 4. 9. Barau’s Petrel 5. Seychelles 10. Réunion Stonechat ______The Tour in Detail Our journey across the wonderful islands of the western Indian Ocean began on the indescribable granitic islands of the central Seychelles, where paradise is defined by coconut-fringed white-sand beaches and tall mountain peaks adorned with moss-clad humid forests. The gardens of our tranquil lodge on the main island, Mahe, delivered the first endemics of the trip: the exquisite , noisy groups of Seychelles , and the drab Seychelles . A distant large brown raptor was also spotted soaring high among large numbers of White-tailed Tropicbirds – any -of-prey of this size would constitute a vagrant to these remote islands, but the bird was unfortunately too far to be identified with any certainty. Other distractions included the jewel-like , shy but common , soft-cooing Zebra Dove, and the ubiquitous . Huge Seychelles Flying Foxes, with four-foot wingspans, were almost always visible overhead as they searched for fruiting trees. Venturing further afield, we visited La Misere, where a group of three Seychelles White- provided brief views. This inexplicably rare endemic remains on the brink of , with as little as fifty birds left on the island of Mahe, though several successful translocation projects are currently in place to Seychelles Blue Pigeon by Daniel Keith Danckwerts save the species. As we watched them dart

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through the canopy, several Seychelles flew overhead like bullets in the sky. From there, we ventured to a nearby lagoon, where we saw Crab-plover, loose flocks of Curlew Sandpiper in partial breeding dress, Common Greenshank, and Common Whimbrel. A large heronry here also contained hundreds of Western and some Grey . Next, the Mahe International Airport produced a wonderful pair of Seychelles – the smallest of all kestrels and one of the smallest birds-of-prey in the world. Happy with our success so far, we returned to the highlands of the Morne Seychelles National Park and waited till dusk. It took some effort, but we eventually found a calling . This species is so rare it was once thought extinct, at least until a small population was rediscovered in 1960! Thrilled, we headed back to the hotel for a late dinner and some much- needed rest.

It was an early start the following morning, as we boarded a small aircraft and flew to the neighbouring Island. The short journey took us over tropical turquoise seas, dotted with small Seychelles Sunbird by Daniel Keith Danckwerts islets. Praslin, our home for the next two nights, is the second largest island in Seychelles, and was the haunt of our next major target: Seychelles Black . After checking into our hotel and viewing the vivid (and endemic!) Seychelles Giant Day on the trunk of a coconut palm, we ventured to the nearby Vallee des Mai. This World Heritage Site is centred around an impressive , filled with coco- der-mer palms that produce large pelvis shaped nuts, and it was here that multiple Seychelles Black were seen. This dull-looking parrot is the national bird of Seychelles, breeding only on Praslin, where its total population of between 340 and 600 individuals is currently listed as vulnerable by BirdLife International. While we waited for the parrots to appear, we were entertained by some particularly confiding Seychelles and several wonderful Seychelles Blue Pigeons. Happy with our success, we headed to a nearby wetland. Here we hoped to see Yellow Bittern, but this was clearly not meant to be. Instead, we saw many more Seychelles Blue Pigeons and Seychelles Black Parrots. The afternoon was spent around the lodge, where we watched small numbers of White and Sooty Terns, Wedge-tailed , and Brown and Lesser Noddies flying just offshore.

The next day was undoubtedly the highlight of our time in Seychelles. We boarded the Dolphin II, from right in front of our lodge, and boated to the nearby Cousin Island. This island sanctuary is one of the last remaining strongholds for three rare endemics: Seychelles Magpie-Robin, Seychelles Seychelles Magpie-Robin by Daniel Keith Danckwerts Warbler, and Seychelles Fody. All three species were easily found (within minutes of arriving!) and proved especially confiding, often coming to within arm’s reach! We then enjoyed the island’s impressive breeding colonies, which include tens of thousands of both Lesser and Brown Noddies, the angelic White , and the magical White-tailed Tropicbird. A visit to the island’s summit, at less than one hundred metres above sea level, also delivered a pair of nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. The walk back to the research station produced some foraging

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Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, and both Bridled and Common Terns. Cousin Island is also a haven for several endemic and rare introduced , and we easily located Seychelles , Giant Bronze , century-old Giant Tortoises, Seychelles , and an endangered Hawksbill just offshore as we were transferred back onto the Dolphin II. We returned to the lodge for lunch, where we spotted a small flock of . This included Ruddy Turnstone, both Greater and Lesser Sand Plovers, Sanderling, and Curlew Sandpiper. The afternoon was then taken at our own leisure, to make the most of our ‘birding holiday’ in this tropical paradise.

The next day was our most anticipated excursion in Seychelles, though the initial plans to spend the morning on were halted by a strong wind, rough seas, and an imminent drizzle. We therefore headed straight to the island of , seeing both Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, Brown and Lesser Noddies, Great Crested and Sooty Terns, and Wedge-tailed Shearwater en route. The heavens opened as we crossed the halfway point between the two islands, providing some much-needed relief from the humidity, only to clear as we docked in a small quay on La Digue. Seychelles Fody by Daniel Keith Danckwerts

Here we spotted an especially confiding Striated , which posed for sublime photographic opportunities against a white-sand beach. We loaded onto the back of a truck and headed towards the small La Veuve (the local name of the Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher) Reserve in the centre of the island. The key target here, the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher, was easily found, including as many as ten incandescent males with their blue-black , foot-long tails, and glowing cerulean facial parts. We watched as the birds chased each other back-and-forth, hoping to win the watchful of some nearby females. Historically, this critically was known from five islands in Seychelles, but the birds only survived into modern times on La Digue. Reintroduction projects onto St Denis (and, much more recently, Curieuse) have proven successful for the conservation of this species, the population of which now exceeds 300 individuals. Thrilled with our success, we found shelter in the nearby research station as the rain had returned with tropical force. Following a quick lunch, in which we were treated to several -by Bridled Terns and Lesser Noddies, as well as a frolicking pair of Bottlenose Dolphins, we returned to Praslin, where we then waited out the storm. The return trip by boat, despite us all being huddled in the dry safety of our boat’s cabin, produced a few final seabirds for the day, including White Tern and a magical Tropical Shearwater.

The storm cleared, but we sadly had to return to Mahe the following morning. We were met by Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher by Daniel Keith our fabulous local guide, Pearly Constance, who Danckwerts immediately took us to find Black-crowned

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Night Heron and Yellow Bittern. We were successful in both regards, the latter species being a rare natural colonist on the granitic islands of central Seychelles. A number of Common Moorhens and Common Waxbills also worked the riverside sedges while Great Frigatebird, a pair of Seychelles Kestrels, and several White-tailed Tropicbirds soared overhead. Following a quick lunch break back at the hotel, an intrepid few decided to visit La Misere in the hopes of attaining better views of the Seychelles White- eye. Our efforts were rewarded with cracking point-blank walk away sightings of a single adult, together with a handful of Seychelles Blue Pigeons and Seychelles Bulbuls. However, Seychelles Scops Owl was seemingly nowhere to be found this evening, and we returned to our hotel unsuccessful. We were, however, relieved to have had incredible views of all the Seychelles endemics during our brief five-day stay. White Tern by Daniel Keith Danckwerts

Our time in Seychelles had unfortunately come to an end, and the following morning we boarded a flight to Mauritius. As we checked in, a pair of Seychelles Kestrels arrived to bid us farewell. Upon arriving in Mauritius, we were transferred to a nearby hotel, where we added introduced Village Weavers, Red- whiskered Bulbuls, and House Sparrows, together with several other non-native species that we had already seen previously. Our afternoon excursion was to Ile Aux Aigrettes, a small island sanctuary just off the east coast of mainland Mauritius. Here we easily saw three key endemics, including the glistening , long-billed and busy Mauritius Olive White-eye, and the unbelievable . The latter is the subject of one of the most successful conservation stories in the world, having once been reduced to a population of fewer than twenty individuals. Several interesting reptiles were also seen here, including the vivid Orante Day Gecko, rare Telfair’s Skink, and Aldabra Tortoise. We transferred back to the ‘mainland’, seeing House Crow and Spotted Doves en route, and then back to our hotel for the evening.

An overnight excursion then took us 500km north- east of Mauritius, to the small islet of Rodrigues. A trio of pratincoles, seen from the aeroplane window as we landed, were unfortunately too brief to be identified to species level. Common Myna, Red Fody, House Sparrow, and Zebra Dove were seemingly everywhere as we transferred from the airport to the hotel. Following a quick lunch break, we then drove to the Solitude Forest Station. It took under half an hour, from the point we boarded the bus, to find our two key targets: the indescribable Rodrigues Fody and the drab . We particularly enjoyed watching the former Pink Pigeon by Daniel Keith Danckwerts species, as the males flitted here and there, quivering their splayed wings to impress females. We additionally visited Grand Montane, the highest peak on this isolated landmass, where the scenery was truly spectacular. Here, we again secured sightings of both endemics. An evening walk along the coast was then especially unproductive, though the endless salt flat seemed absolutely perfect for Palearctic waders, delivering only a pair of Common

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Whimbrels, as well as several Striated Herons. We tucked in to a wonderful traditional dinner, consisting of several flavoursome Creole dishes, before retiring for the evening in our seaside hotel.

We returned to Mauritius, content with our successes on Rodrigues, and were immediately transferred to Les Vallee des Ferney. This well- known site is fast being recognised as the best area for the rare and endangered , which once numbered just two individuals, as well as several other reintroduced endemics. After a quick packed lunch, we loaded up into one of the park’s busses and headed into the heart of the reserve. The visitor’s centre supported several large Aldabra Tortoises, but a calling kestrel was the primary focus of our attention. It took some time, but we eventually spotted a single bird perched high Rodrigues Warbler by Daniel Keith Danckwerts up in the canopy. It then treated us to several fly-by views as it moved between shaded trees, calling loudly. Some time later, a second bird arrived and perched in the open, offering sublime photographic opportunities. Happy with our success, we walked along one of the forested tracks. Here, we easily found both Pink Pigeon and Mauritius Grey White-eye, though the recently reintroduced remained elusive despite all our best efforts to find them. Large numbers of Greater Mascarene Flying Fox flew between forest patches, a herd of Javan Rusa were spotted on an opposite hillside, and a troop of Crab-eating wandered through the underbrush. The walk back to the visitor’s centre delivered a cracking flock of Mascarene Swiftlets, flying low over the forest and giving us ample opportunity to study their plumage. We were then transferred back to the reserve headquarters, where we spotted a pair of Grey Francolin, and then back to our hotel for the evening.

We left the hotel early the following morning, with our sights set on the last remaining Mauritius endemics. We travelled towards the south-western edge of the island, to the famed Black River Gorges National Park, where we then set off along the Maccabbe trail by foot. Our hike first took us through some stunted ridge-top heath, mixed with invasive eucalyptus and cherry-guava thickets, where we found both Mauritius Fody and Mauritius Bulbul. We then dropped into some richer indigenous forest, where Echo Parakeets were easily seen flying back-and-forth – one particular group perched right above us, offering the most incredible Mauritius Kestrel pair by Daniel Keith Danckwerts walk-away views. This incredible species is another of Mauritius’s successful conservation stories, having been bought back from as few as 12 mature individuals in 1986. Luck was seemingly on our side, as we also found as many as five Mauritius Cuckooshrikes, including a wonderful rufous-brown female. The desolata form of Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher took considerably more work but, eventually, we happened upon a lone male, in a mixed flock with both Mauritius Grey White-eye and Mauritius Bulbul. This incredible race, which is characterised by a richer and brighter plumage, is a likely split from the nominate form of Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher on Réunion Island. We hiked back towards our vehicle for a quick lunch break, seeing many more of the

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endemics en route. Unfortunately, our pelagic trip to Round Island was cancelled due to poor weather and rough seas, but a quick visit to the Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary added White-tailed Tropicbird, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Common Whimbrel, and the introduced Scaly-breasted Munia. The afternoon was then spent at leisure back in our comfortable beach-side hotel.

We left Mauritius later than initially expected, due to an unexpected flight delay, but still salvaged an entire afternoon on Réunion Island. After quickly checking into our hotel in Saint Denis, the administrative capital of this French overseas department, we drove to l’Etang du Gol on the south-western coast. Here, we were treated to the wonderful spectacle of at least two thousand Barau’s Petrels displaying just offshore. Unlike most other Pterodromids, Barau’s Petrel return to their breeding colonies in daylight; the theory being that the birds use warm air currents as an energy saving technique, helping them gain altitude more easily. It has therefore been described as one of the Barau’s Petrel by Daniel Keith Danckwerts easiest petrels in the world to see, though this never detracted from the spectacle of seeing clouds of birds masterfully flying across the rough sea before eventually passing overhead on their way back to the breeding colonies on the island’s two highest peaks. The nearby lagoon supported Striated Heron, Common Sandpiper, and our first Mascarene Martins of the trip. We then returned to Saint Denis, where we settled into a wonderful traditional Réunionaise dinner before enjoying some much-needed rest.

We awoke early the following morning, as we headed inland towards La Roche Ecrite – the northern section of Parc Nationale de La Réunion, supporting a large tract of the island’s last intact indigenous forests. Our journey took as over endless switchbacks as we climbed from sea-level to nearly 1,000m in altitude. The parking area, at the base of the hiking trail, was a most welcomed sight, especially since it supported several wonderful Réunion Stonechats – a firm favourite for all. Busy flocks of Réunion Grey White-eye also moved through the low undergrowth, forever being chased around by the impossibly bright male Red Fodies. Réunion Stonechat by Daniel Keith Danckwerts We then set off along the trail in search of the last few endemics. It did not take long before we encountered Réunion Olive White-eye, an unusually confiding Réunion Bulbul, and the bourbonensis race of Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher. Some way further along, we saw a wonderful trio of Réunion Harriers, a fairly recent split from Harrier.

This left only the Réunion Cuckooshrike – one of the rarest birds in the world, numbering as few as 30 individuals, and confined to an area as small as 1,600ha in these central highlands. Almost immediately, upon entering the species’ favoured microhabitat, we heard a distant male. It proved especially responsive and was soon perched beside the trail in full open view, offering walk-away views. Just fantastic! We returned to the vehicles and were transferred to a nearby bakery, where we enjoyed some traditional

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geranium brioche as a celebratory treat, before driving down to our wonderful beach-side resort in Saint Pierre. We remained here for the rest of the final afternoon of the tour, enjoying what could easily be described as some of the best seawatching in the world; literally hundreds of Brown Noddies, Wedge-tailed and Tropical Shearwaters, and Barau’s Petrels had been forced near shore due to the rough sea, offering sublime opportunities to study and compare these incredible species. The day ended with a joyous dinner, where we reminisced over our wonderful experiences together. Though, sadly, all good things must come to an end, and we had to bid part of the group farewell as the rest of us continued for the extension.

On behalf of myself and Rockjumper Birding Tours, I’d like to express my most sincere gratitude to the clients of this tour for making it such an all-round success and fun experience. ______Annotated List of species recorded Note: Number in brackets ( ) indicate number of days on the tour the species was recorded. List powered through the report generator of our partner iGoTerra. Réunion Cuckooshrike by Daniel Keith Danckwerts Birds (76 in total: 76 seen) Nomenclature and follows Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v 8.1). 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 ______

Mauritius

Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies Phasianidae Grey Francolin Francolinus pondicerianus (2) 1 heard IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9 and 2 Ferney Valley 24.9.

Tropicbirds Phaethontidae White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus lepturus (1) 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Herons, , and Bitterns Ardeidae Striated Heron striata rutenbergi (4) 1 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9, 10 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9, 4 Rodrigues 24.9 and 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

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Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus pyrrhorrhoa (1) 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola squatarola (1) 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus (3) 5 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9, 2 Rodrigues 24.9 and 4 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (1) 3 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Brown Noddy stolidus pileatus (1) 50 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9. Common Tern Sterna minussensis (1) 2 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Pigeons and Doves Rock Dove livia var. domestica (5) 10 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 22.9 and 3 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 23.9. Malagasy Turtle Dove picturatus picturatus (4) 3 Solitude Forest Station 23.9, 5 Rodrigues 24.9 and 3 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9. Pink Pigeon (EN) Nesoenas mayeri mayeri (2) 15 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9 and 6 Ferney Valley 24.9. Spotted Dove chinensis (4) 3 Mahebourg 22.9, 8 Ferney Valley 24.9, 3 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9 and 4 Mauritius 26.9. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata (4) 5 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9, 5+3 heard Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9 and up to 5 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23-23.9.

Swifts Apodidae Mascarene (NT) francicus (3) 1 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22.9, 10 Ferney Valley 24.9 and 25 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Falcons and Caracaras Mauritius Kestrel (VU) Falco punctatus (1) 5 Ferney Valley 24.9.

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Old World Parrots Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri borealis (1) 4 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9. Echo Parakeet (EN) Psittacula eques echo (1) 15 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Cuckoo- Campephagidae Mauritius Cuckooshrike (VU) typica (1) 5 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Monarchs Monarchidae Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone bourbonnensis desolata (1) 1 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Crows, Jays, and Magpies Corvidae House Crow Corvus splendens (2) 3 Mahebourg 22.9 and 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus (5) 5 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22.9, 5 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 23.9, up to 5 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22-22.9 and up to 15 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22-22.9. Mauritius Bulbul (VU) olivaceus (1) 20 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Reed warblers and allies Rodrigues Warbler (EN) rodericanus (1) 4+6 heard Solitude Forest Station 23.9.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Mauritius Grey White-eye Zosterops mauritianus (2) 8 Ferney Valley 24.9. Mauritius Olive White-eye Zosterops chloronothos (1) 6 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9.

Starlings Sturnidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis Observed 4 day(s) in total.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus domesticus (5) 10 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22.9. Also observed on 4 other day(s).

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Weavers, Widowbirds cucullatus (5) 30 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22.9, 10 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 23.9, 50 Ferney Valley 24.9 and 50 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9. Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis Observed 4 day(s) in total. Mauritius Fody (EN) Foudia rubra (2) 15 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9 and 2 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9. Rodrigues Fody (VU) Foudia flavicans (1) 10 heard Solitude Forest Station 23.9.

Waxbills, Munias and allies Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild cavendishi (5) 3 Holiday Inn, Mauritius 22.9, 8 Les Cocotiers, Rodrigues 23.9 and 4 Mauritius 26.9. Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura punctulata (1) 10 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Finches Fringillidae Yellow-fronted Canary Crithagra mozambica (1) 6 Ferney Valley 24.9. ______

Réunion

Petrels, Shearwaters & Diving Petrels Barau's Petrel (EN) Pterodroma baraui (2) 2000 L'Etang du Gol 26.9 and 2000 Saint Pierre 27.9. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica (2) 2 L'Etang du Gol 26.9 and 50 Saint Pierre 27.9. Tropical Shearwater bailloni bailloni (1) 20 Saint Pierre 27.9.

Tropicbirds Phaethontidae White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus lepturus (3) Up to 15 Reunion 26-28.9.

Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Striated Heron Butorides striata rutenbergi (1) 1 L'Etang du Gol 26.9.

Kites, Hawks & Eagles Accipitridae Reunion Harrier (EN) Circus maillardi (1) 3 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

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Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus pyrrhorrhoa (1) 2 L'Etang du Gol 26.9.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos (1) 3 L'Etang du Gol 26.9.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Brown Noddy Anous stolidus pileatus (1) 50 Saint Pierre 27.9.

Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia var. domestica Observed 2 day(s) in total. Malagasy Turtle Dove Nesoenas picturatus picturatus (2) 2 Saint Pierre 27.9 and 2 Reunion 28.9. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata Observed 1 day(s) in total.

Swifts Apodidae (NT) Aerodramus francicus (3) 25 L'Etang du Gol 26.9.

Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Rose-ringed Parakeet Psittacula krameri borealis (1) 2 Saint-Denis 26.9.

Cuckoo-shrikes Campephagidae Réunion Cuckooshrike (CR) Coracina newtoni (1) 1 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

Monarchs Monarchidae Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone bourbonnensis bourbonnensis (1) 8 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus Observed 2 day(s) in total. Réunion Bulbul Hypsipetes borbonicus (1) 12 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

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Swallows Hirundinidae borbonica borbonica (1) 5 L'Etang du Gol 26.9.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Réunion Grey White-eye Zosterops borbonicus borbonicus (1) 50 La Roche Ecrite 27.9. Réunion Olive White-eye Zosterops olivaceus (1) 25 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

Starlings Sturnidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis Observed 2 day(s) in total.

Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Réunion Stonechat Saxicola tectes (1) 15 La Roche Ecrite 27.9.

Old World Sparrows Passeridae House Sparrow Passer domesticus domesticus Observed 2 day(s) in total.

Weavers, Widowbirds Ploceidae Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus Observed 2 day(s) in total. Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis Observed 2 day(s) in total.

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Seychelles

Petrels, Shearwaters & Diving Petrels Procellariidae Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica (3) 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 2 Cousin Island 19.9 and 4 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9. Tropical Shearwater Puffinus bailloni nicolae (1) 1 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9.

Tropicbirds Phaethontidae White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus lepturus (6) 500 Cousin Island 19.9 and 10 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9.

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Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns Ardeidae Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis (1) 1 Mahé 21.9. Black-crowned Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax (1) 1 Mahé 21.9. Striated Heron Butorides striata degens (5) 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 2 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9, 1 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9 and 1 Mahé 21.9. Western (4) 200 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9, 200 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 18.9, 5 Mahé 21.9 and 200 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 22.9. cinerea firasa (2) 4 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9 and 1 Mahé 21.9.

Frigatebirds Fregatidae Great Frigatebird Fregata minor aldabrensis (3) 5 Cousin Island 19.9, 3 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9 and 1 Mahé 21.9. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel iredalei (2) 1 Cousin Island 19.9 and 5 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9.

Rails, Crakes & Coots Rallidae Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus orientalis (3) 15 Cousin Island 19.9, 1 heard Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9 and 4 Mahé 21.9.

Crab-plover Dromadidae Crab-plover Dromas ardeola (1) 2 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9.

Plovers and Lapwings Charadriidae Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola squatarola (2) 4 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9 and 1 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 20.9. Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus pamirensis (3) Up to 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19-21.9. Greater Sand Plover Charadrius leschenaultii scythicus (2) 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9 and 5 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 21.9.

Sandpipers and Allies Scolopacidae Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus phaeopus (3) 3 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9, 1 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 20.9 and 3 Grand Anse, Praslin 21.9. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica lapponica (1) 2 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9.

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Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres interpres (4) Up to 15 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18-21.9. Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea (4) 15 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9 and up to 10 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19-21.9. Sanderling Calidris alba alba (3) Up to 8 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19-21.9. Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia (5) 2 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9, up to 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18-20.9 and 1 Mahé 21.9.

Gulls, Terns & Skimmers Laridae Brown Noddy Anous stolidus pileatus (3) 250 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 200 Cousin Island 19.9 and 6 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9. Lesser Noddy Anous tenuirostris tenuirostris (3) 200 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 10000 Cousin Island 19.9 and 300 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9. White Tern Gygis alba candida (4) 5 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 250 Cousin Island 19.9, 8 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9 and 2 Mahé 21.9. Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii thalassinus (1) 1 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9. Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus antarcticus (2) 3 Cousin Island 19.9 and 10+25 heard Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9. Onychoprion fuscatus nubilosus (2) 30 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9 and 10 Praslin to La Digue crossing 20.9. Common Tern Sterna hirundo minussensis (1) 1 Cousin Island 19.9.

Pigeons and Doves Columbidae Rock Dove Columba livia var. domestica (3) 3 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9, 5 Grand Anse, Praslin 18.9, 3 Grand Anse, Praslin 21.9, 3+2 heard Grand Anse, Praslin 21.9 and up to 3 Grand Anse, Praslin 21-21.9. Malagasy Turtle Dove Nesoenas picturatus rostratus (1) 1 Cousin Island 19.9. picturatus: (6) 4+6 heard Cousin Island 19.9, and 25 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9. Zebra Dove Geopelia striata (6) 2 Cousin Island 19.9, 2+15 heard Cousin Island 19.9, up to 15 Cousin Island 19-19.9 and 4 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9. Seychelles Blue Pigeon Alectroenas pulcherrimus (6) 15 Valée de Mai, Praslin 18.9, 6 Cousin Island 19.9 and 1 heard Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

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Owls Strigidae Seychelles Scops Owl (EN) Otus insularis (1) 1 Morne Seychellois NP, Mahe 17.9.

Swifts Apodidae (VU) Aerodramus elaphrus (1) 15 La Misere, Mahe 17.9.

Falcons and Caracaras Falconidae (VU) Falco araeus (3) 2 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 17.9, 3 Mahé 21.9 and 1 Providence Mudflats, Mahe 22.9.

Old World Parrots Psittaculidae Seychelles Black Parrot (VU) Coracopsis barklyi (1) 5+3 heard Valée de Mai, Praslin 18.9.

Monarchs Monarchidae Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher (CR) Terpsiphone corvina (1) 20 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Bulbuls Pycnonotidae Seychelles Bulbul Hypsipetes crassirostris (6) 3 Cousin Island 19.9, 3+5 heard Cousin Island 19.9, up to 5 Cousin Island 19-19.9 and 4 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Reed warblers and allies Acrocephalidae Seychelles Warbler (VU) Acrocephalus sechellensis (1) 10 Cousin Island 19.9.

White-eyes Zosteropidae Seychelles White-eye (EN) Zosterops modestus (2) 3 La Misere, Mahe 17.9 and 1 La Misere, Mahe 21.9.

Starlings Sturnidae Common Myna Acridotheres tristis tristis (4) 10 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9 and 5+5 heard Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Chats, Old World Flycatchers Muscicapidae Seychelles Magpie-Robin (EN) Copsychus sechellarum (1) 8 Cousin Island 19.9.

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Sunbirds and Spiderhunters Nectariniidae Seychelles Sunbird dussumieri (6) 5 Cousin Island 19.9, 5+10 heard Cousin Island 19.9, up to 10 Cousin Island 19-19.9, 5 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9, 2 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 21.9, 2+6 heard Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 21.9 and up to 6 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 21-21.9.

Weavers, Widowbirds Ploceidae Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis Observed 6 day(s) in total. Seychelles Fody (NT) Foudia sechellarum (1) 25 Cousin Island 19.9.

Waxbills, Munias and allies Estrildidae Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild cavendishi (1) 3 Mahé 21.9.

Mammals (9 in total: 9 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 ______

Mauritius

Old World monkeys Cercopithecidae Crab-eating Macaca fascicularis (2) 25 Ferney Valley 24.9 and 6 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Shrews Soricidae House Shrew Suncus murinus (1) 1 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9.

Mongooses Herpestidae Small Indian Herpestes auropunctatus (2) 1 Ferney Valley 24.9 and 1 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9.

Deer Cervidae Javan Rusa Rusa timorensis (1) 15 Ferney Valley 24.9.

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Old World Fruit Bats Pteropodidae Greater Mascarene Flying Fox Pteropus niger (1) 150 Ferney Valley 24.9. Rodrigues Flying Fox Pteropus rodricensis (2) 10 Grand Montane, Rodrigues 23.9 and 6 Rodrigues 24.9.

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Seychelles

Tenrecs Tenrecidae Tailless Tenrec Tenrec ecaudatus (2) 1 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9 and 1 Morne Seychellois NP, Mahe 21.9.

Oceanic Dolphins Delphinidae Common Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops truncatus (1) 2 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Old World Fruit Bats Pteropodidae Seychelles Flying Fox Pteropus seychellensis (6) 4 Valée de Mai, Praslin 18.9, 5 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9 and 2 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Reptiles (11 in total: 11 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 ______

Mauritius

Tortoises Testudinidae Aldabra Tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri (3) 10 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9, 5 Ferney Valley 24.9 and 1 Rivulet Terre Rouge Bird Sanctuary 25.9.

Geckos Orange-spotted Day Gecko guimbeaui (1) 8 Maccabbe Trail, Black River Gorges NP 25.9. Ornate Day Gecko Phelsuma ornata (1) 5 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9.

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Skinks Scincidae Telfair’s Skink (1) 1 IIe aux Aigrettes 22.9.

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Réunion

Geckos Gekkonidae Common Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra mutilata (1) 1 Saint-Denis 27.9.

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Seychelles

Tortoises Testudinidae Aldabra Tortoise Dipsochelys dussumieri (2) 8 Cousin Island 19.9 and 2 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9.

Cheloniidae Hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata bissa (1) 1 Cousin Island 19.9.

Geckos Gekkonidae Seychelles Bronze Gecko Ailuronyx seychellensis (1) 3 Cousin Island 19.9. Common Four-clawed Gecko Gehyra mutilata (3) 4 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9 and 4 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9. Seychelles Day Gecko Phelsuma astriata astriata (2) 2 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9, 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 19.9, up to 3 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18-18.9 and up to 15 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18-18.9. Seychelles Giant Day Gecko Phelsuma sundbergi sundbergi (2) 1 Indian Ocean Lodge, Praslin 18.9 and 3 Veuve reserve, La Digue 20.9. longinsulae: Observed 1 day(s) in total.

Skinks Scincidae Wright's Mabuya Mabuya wrightii (1) 30 Cousin Island 19.9. Seychelles Skink Trachylepis seychellensis (1) 30 Cousin Island 19.9.

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Rockjumper Birding Ltd The Hive, Lot 23 Tel: (USA & ) toll-free: 1-888-990-5552 Centre Commercial du Barachois Email: [email protected] La Place Cap, Tamarin Alternative email: [email protected] Mauritius Website: www.rockjumperbirding.com

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