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MADAGASCAR 2003

WEATHER OR NOT…

“One could well ask where did all that weather come from, in spite of the alleged dry season, the group was plagued by inclement weather, everywhere but the south-west, and Air Madagascar also did its bit to throw spanners in the works.

This was the first tour since “La Crise,” it was nevertheless good to see how the country was getting itself back together again. The accommodation was much the same as before, and in some there had been improvements, however, the cost of living had mounted quite considerably and things that were of exceptional value before, have lost their competitive edge.

The persistence of wintery conditions as opposed to “the glorious days of Spring” meant that birds were loathe to reveal their presence, if indeed they were really there, the drizzle throughout our stay in the eastern Rainforests presented a rather Rachel Carsonian environment, and most species required some work to locate. Nevertheless the tour did manage ten out of ten Couas, three out of three Mesites, five out of five Ground-Rollers and three out of four Asitys, although admittedly Common Sunbird Asity remained for most a voice in the forest, whose name was blurted out with frustrating frequency as the birds vocally revealed their presence.

As we have always experienced, there were no biting insects to be encountered, even leeches remained a relatively scarce item of interest in spite of the rain, and the temperatures could not have been called excessively hot anywhere we visited. We benefited from the comparatively short days so no really early starts were required, the cool mornings that kept the birds still until the conditions became favourable for them, and activity pretty much throughout daylight hours as the heat was not there to send them into hiding mode. The exception being Cap Masaola on the extension where birds habitually enter hiding mode shortly after awakening!

The tour commenced with visits to Tsaratsaotra in Antananarivo, where the herons had arrived en masse to start their nesting activities, early birds such as Cattle Egrets, Great Egrets and Black-crowned Night-Herons had as usual commenced in late winter, and their broods were already on the wing. Squaccos were behaving like Birds of Paradise, waving their exaggerated plumes in the faces of their intended, and the Dimorphic Egrets were in all stages from nest-building to feeding nearly independent young. A rare visitor, although present now for over two years, was an Open-billed Stork, and there were large numbers of ducks present, no Meller’s, although sadly that has now become the norm for this location. Extravert White-throated Rails wailed dementedly as they paraded openly in front of the papyrus beds, and the attractive Madagascan Kingfishers (nothing to do with Malachite Kingfishers in spite of the name in the literature) engaged in swift aerial chases.

Leaving here we examined the bird collections at Tsimbazaza, both dead and alive. A Little Grebe on the lake should not really have been on the “haut plateau” and the absence of Madagascan Little Grebe was a bit of a disappointment. From here we left for our lunch at Tonga Soa near the airport, meeting a number of Oustalet’s Chameleons, one of which readily showed its aggression. Lunch here, negated the rush to catch our flight to Mahajanga, and we ate unhurriedly in a relaxed atmosphere. In the evening we arrived, and settled into our comfortable rooms complete with the luxury of remote controlled air-conditioners.

The staff went out of their way to fit in with our rather demanding programme. The next morning after breakfast we departed for Ankarafantsika, arriving a little after 8 00 a.m. During the course of the two days we managed to find all of the special birds of that National Park, with the exception of Van Damn’s Vanga, which taunted us with infrequent calling, but never deigned to show itself. Even the usually tiresome Schlegel’s Asity was along the main road, and some sharp eyes in the group found two Madagascar Jacanas which had taken to becoming very secretive in the nearby swamp. Other wonderful species included White-breasted Mesite, Sickle-billed Vanga and Humblot’s Heron.

After two full days exploring this area we had organised a boat trip into the Betsiboky River to look for the Bernier’s Teal and Ibis that are the specialities of the mangroves in the estuary. We had two small boats because two weeks earlier the boat we usually use had been stolen from its moorings and had never been seen again. The wind blew very strongly and though we persisted through much drenching, it was evident that the inclement weather made the continuation of our expedition dangerous, and we turned back and spent the remainder of the morning drying our clothes at the hotel. Our flight back to Tana was postponed for an hour, and then another hour, followed by another, and finally took off at 7:00 p.m. Only four people made dinner that night, which finished at 11:15 p.m.!

The next morning we left the capital for our long road journey to Ranomafana, the morning started cloudy and cool, and after our stop for lunch deteriorated to a miserable drizzle. Equally miserable was the condition of the connecting road to Ranomafana, generously pockmarked with craters and trenches. We finally arrived at our lodge at 7:30 p.m., after a very long day on the road.

Over the following two days, we worked hard in the forest, both days were miserable and cold if not wet as well. Hardly anything was calling, but we managed to find most the specialities of the area, except that another Xenopirostris was to give us a hard time, and we did not even hear a Pollen’s Vanga. But on the positive side we did find Rufous-headed Ground-Roller, both Emutails, Madagascar Snipe and Meller’s Ducks on the nearby swamp.

By the third day, the amount of rain that had fallen, made the road impassable for the buses and Petrol tankers that floundered along the route, several had become irretrievably bogged down, and necessitated some deft driving to pass them in the quagmire. On one occasion we had also become stuck, and for many it was the first time that they had seen people pull out a vehicle with a yoke, like so many bipedal oxen.

It was a struggle, but both our driver and the bus were able to negotiate all the hazards that nature had thrown at them, and we finally made the tarmac. Lunch at Ambalavao was a bit late, the skies opened with a torrential rain all the way to Ihosy, the lightning display was most impressive, but as the rain eased two Madagascar Partridges were spotted by a participant, requiring a quick “marche arriere” for the best of views that could be had from a bus. All this meant that we arrived on the Plateau l’Horombe in the dark. It was amazing to see that the area was flooded, when usually it is a sandy desert, and we had to find our way around many nameless lakes, taking many unnamed roads, but as luck would have it, we discovered a refugee Madagascar Pratincole, presumably knocked out of the sky by the storm, and a very obliging Marsh Owl. We successfully picked our way across the inundation, arriving at our hotel in time for dinner.

On the following morning the Benson’s Rock-Thrushes were their usual obliging selves, and we left for Zombitse National Park. It was not at all difficult to locate the special endemic there, Appert’s Greenbul, but not with the help of the guide who after an hour tried to tell us that the circuit was finished. In all fairness, the guides in other parts of Madagascar are well amongst the best on the planet, but those in Zombitse rank zero. They are lazy, extortionate and know nothing of the things that they are supposed to be guiding the visitor to! After our picnic lunch we set off for St. Augustin to try and locate Verreaux’s Coua and Red-shouldered Vanga. We arrived in the late afternoon and failed with both, tried for a Green Flash over the bay and failed with that too! Then it was off to our hotel in Tulear, after confirming our boat to Anakao and Nosy Ve for an early departure the following day.

The tide was low on arriving, and we had to wade out to the boat, but otherwise it was a calm ride down to Anakao. The Littoral Rock-Thrushes were not to prove difficult, but the discovery of an all yellow Fody caused some excitement. It was in full breeding plumage, whereas mysteriously all other fodies retained “sparrow-plumage.” The short hop over to the island proved productive, not only for the beautiful Red-tailed Tropicbirds, but also a party of Crab Plovers that had taken up residency on the beach.

The next morning instead of going directly to Ifaty, we went to St. Augustin to look again for the Coua and the Vanga. The Coua commenced being difficult, but several finally gave themselves up after a half-hour of scanning over the thorn-scrub like demented sea-watchers, however the Vanga was not going to play, and although we searched the area thoroughly there was no sign of the beast in their usual haunt. We returned to the hotel for lunch, then were on the road to Ifaty in the afternoon. At the nearby saltings Ted spotted a Little Stint not showing much association with the Curlew Sandpipers, but a rarity in Madagascar. The wanted Madagascar Plovers were not in residence.

Just as the sun came up we set off for our somewhat mechanical bird finding in the spiny forest with the local resident expert. All of the local specialities such as Sub-Desert Mesite, Running Coua and Long-tailed Ground-Roller fell one after the other, and all provided very good views, topped by the tours only Banded Kestrel on the way back to the car. Just before lunch Julian found a pair of Madagascar Plovers on the beach in front of the hotel.

As we had seen all of the regions birds on offer without too much effort, we pulled the plug on the second day with the intention of returning to St. Augustin for that noisome Vanga. On the way we stopped for a while at the large swamp towards Tulear, finding many Little Bitterns and a few Baillon’s Crakes. Lunch followed and the afternoon again at St. Augustin, and again no sign whatsoever of the Vanga, nesting Peregrines put on a fine show, however, and a pool harboured two secretive Painted-snipe.

On the morning of our departure we searched La Table for a few hours, and again frustration ensued, as well as boredom of listening to pre-recorded Red-shouldered Vangas for three days! We left for the airport, for our flight to Fort Dauphin… Air-Mad intervened again. It cancelled the flight; the plane having set off and having a flashing light or something similar, had returned to Tana for examination. We returned back to the hotel in Tulear, and made arrangements to cancel Berenty and on return to Tana go straight to Perinet for the extra day.

Next morning saw us at the airport catching our flight to Tana, which rubbed salt into the wounds by stopping at Fort Dauphin en route. From the airport we had lunch at Tonga Soa before the winding journey to Perinet. That evening we had a night walk finding many interesting lemurs, frogs and chameleons.

The next day we birded in the “Special Reserve” where Indris put on a good show. The rain that started mid-morning was intermittent throughout the day, but on the main it was dry. Nuthatch Vangas were part of a mixed species flock that fed alongside a roosting Madagascar Scops Owl, well concealed in a pine tree. In the afternoon we transferred to Mantadia, at last finding Madagascar Little Grebes which preferred to spend more time out of the water than in it!

The following morning it was drizzling and quite miserable, but still we managed to track down Short-legged and Scaly Ground-Rollers. Obliging Madagascar Rails paraded past us, a little too close for some binoculars, and the forest denizens in the form of Wedge-tailed Jery, Grey-crowned Greenbul and White-throated Oxylabes moved through too quickly for some people. The rain fell into the early evening, and recommenced the following morning with annoying persistence.

Another day at Mantadia, with very obliging Madagascar Flufftail, Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher and Henst’s Goshawk. Searches for Madagascar Crested Ibis in the evenings were not fruitful, but a fluffy pair of Madagascar Long-eared Owl chicks proved some compensation.

Our last morning was mainly dry, but not too much sun, Cryptic Warbler started singing but kept to a far line of trees, and only seen to drop out of sight and never seen again. Much better views were had of some of the secretive forest species, but Red-breasted Coua called once then completely shut up shop, then it was back to Tana.

That night the main group departed leaving those that were going to continue to Cap Masaola National Park.

The morning was bright and sunny and after some initial culinary purchases of local products, the now greatly reduced group left for Tsaratsaotra. Now the Madagascar Squacco Herons were in full plume, and eager to show off their fine feathers. The species were much as before, except that the hitherto friendly White-throated Rails, had adopted the secretiveness that one expects from rails. A search for a T-shirt led to some amazing discoveries about Sakalava Rail accessibility, and after such a tiring day the group retired.

The next morning there was a flight to Tamatave, strangely this first stopped at Ile St. Marie well north of there. Changing planes at Tamatave, the passage was straight past Ile St. Marie again, but eventually we landed at Maroansetra, together with the coffin that had occupied eight of the seats! In the evening we had a walk around the hotel, highlights being wonderful terrestrial views of Madagascar Nightjar, a Barn Owl nest and perhaps the most impressive of all, the Tomato Frog in its reddish-orange splendour.

The boat-trip to Nosy Mangabe was calm, and the remainder of the day was spent exploring the island and seeing the incredible herp fauna, many of which are endemic to the island, and the majestic Black-and-White Ruffed Lemurs. On a night walk we were unfortunate with the elusive Aye-Aye, but the roosting Pygmy Kingfisher was an attractive find, more so than the bizarre Leaf-tailed Geckos which were none the less captivating in their own right.

Morning showers greeted us, as we waited for our boat to Cap Masaola. Fortunately these abated for our entire crossing, and we arrived dry (for once). That afternoon we had a walk through the forest, negotiating several streams, many ups and downs and a few showers. The birds that we sought, however, were not willingly showing themselves. That night we had a comfortable sleep, but in the morning the clothing had absorbed a great deal of moisture from the high humidity that had condensed during the night.

On the following morning we located a nice Helmet Vanga only fifty metres from our bungalow, whilst a Red-breasted Coua which put up a fight for over an hour was even closer to our abode. Distant Pollen’s Vanga called without showing themselves, but we succeeded in finding Scaly Ground-Roller and there were two separate territories of Short-legged Ground-Rollers.

After a good sleep we entered the forest again on the final morning on the Cap, and for a full half-an-hour a male Helmet Vanga danced around us keeping much to the understory, and presenting very exceptional views. Our crossing back to Maroansetra was very calm, with the surprise of an adult Common Noddy which flew right over our boat. Maroansetra does not have much to offer the ornithologist, and an evening walk whilst producing Barn Owl, Madagascar Scops Owl and Madagascar Nightjar did not offer much else except for a Madagascar Tree Boa in the driveway.

The next morning was very relaxed, preparing for the long and somewhat tiresome journey that lay ahead. Our flight left for Tamatave on time, but stopped at Mananara on the way. The three-hour transfer at Tamatave was brightened up with a trip to the beach for refreshments and very dapper House Sparrows. On the way we saw long queues outside the Petrol Stations, as the refiners had been on strike for a week. The flight to Tana left ten minutes earlier than scheduled as we had enough passengers, and after a final meal at Tonga Soa, and an exercise in repacking, it was off to the airport only two kilometres away for the last but long leg “chez eux. ”

Yet again our ground agents proved themselves very able at taking the best care of us, when faced with several unforeseen factors that prevented everything going strictly to plan. Thanks to all of these people for playing such a major role in the success of the tour.” Brian Finch.

Bird List

Column 1 = number of days recorded

Column 2 = greatest daily total

H = heard only

Eurasian Little Grebe	1	2		Tachybaptus ruficollis
Madagascar Little Grebe	2	1		Tachybaptus pelzelnii
Red-tailed Tropicbird	80	1		Phaethon rubricauda
African Darter	3	2		Anhinga rufa
Little Bittern	5	1		Ixobrychus minutus
Black-crowned Night Heron	80	3		Nycticorax nycticorax
Squacco Heron	175	5		Ardeola ralloides
Madagascar Pond Heron	2	3		Ardeola idea
Cattle Egret	500	10		Bulbulcus ibis
Striated Heron	6	8		Butorides striatus
Black Heron	50	4		Egretta ardesiaca
Dimorphic Egret	200	9		Egretta dimorpha
Great Egret	50	11		Egretta alba
Purple Heron	3	4		Ardea purpurea
Grey Heron	4	3		Ardea cinerea
Humblot's Heron	1	4		Ardea humbloti
Hamerkop	3	4		Scopus umbretta
Madagascar Crested Ibis	1		H	Lophotibis cristata
Fulvous Whistling-Duck	2	1		Dendrocygna bicolor
White-faced Whistling Duck	250	5		Dendrocygna viduata
Knob-billed Duck	25	2		Sarkidornis melanotos
African Pygmy Goose	7	1		Nettapus auritus
Meller's Duck	2	1		Anas melleri
Red-billed Teal	400	1		Anas erythorhyncha
Hottentot Teal	3	1		Anas hottentota
Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk	1	1		Aviceda madagascariensis
Black Kite	40	11		Milvus migrans
Madagascar Fish Eagle	2	1		Haliaeetus vociferoides
Madagascar Harrier Hawk	1	1		Polyboroides radiatus
Réunion Harrier	1	1		Circus maillardi
Henst's Goshawk	1	2		Accipiter henstii
Madagascar Sparrowhawk	1	2		Accipiter madagascariensis
France's Sparrowhawk	2	6		Accipiter francesii
Madagascar Buzzard	10	13		Buteo brachypterus
Madagascar Kestrel	20	13		Falco newtoni
Banded Kestrel	1	1		Falco zoniventris
Peregrine Falcon	2	1		Falco peregrinus
Madagascar Partridge	2	1		Margaroperdix madagascariensis
Harlequin Quail	1	1		Coturnix delagorguei
White-breasted Mesite	2	2		Mesitornis variegata
Brown Mesite	2	1		Mesitornis unicolor
Sub-desert Mesite	1	1		Mesitornis benschi
Madagascar Buttonquail	6	4		Turnix nigricollis
Madagascar Flufftail	1	7		Sarothrura insularis
Madagascar Rail	4	2		Rallies madagascariensis
White-throated Rail	2	9		Dryolimnas cuvieri
Madagascar Wood Rail	2	2		Canirallus kioloides
Baillon’s Crake	4	1		Porzana pusilla
Common Moorhen	10	4		Gallinula chloropus
Madagascar Jacana	2	1		Actophilornis albinucha
Greater Painted-Snipe	2	2		Rostratula benghalensis
Black-winged Stilt	6	5		Himantopus himantopus
Crab Plover	5	1		Dromas ardeola
Madagascar Pratincole	1	1		Glareola ocularis
Kittlitz's Plover	15	3		Charadrius pecuarius
Madagascar Plover	4	2		Charadrius thoracicus
Three-banded Plover	6	2		Charadrius tricollaris
White-fronted Sandplover	10	4		Charadrius marginatus
Greater Sand Plover	3	4		Charadrius leschenaultii
Grey Plover	15	4		Pluvialis squatarola
Madagascar Snipe	4	1		Gallinago macrodactyla
Bar-tailed Godwit	2	1		Limosa lapponica
Whimbrel	15	4		Numenius phaeopus
Common Greenshank	50	5		Tringa nebularia
Common Sandpiper	5	6		Actitis hypoleucos
Ruddy Turnstone	15	3		Arenaria interpres
Sanderling	3	1		Calidris alba
Little Stint	1	1		Calidris minuta
Curlew Sandpiper	250	4		Calidris ferruginea
Caspian Tern	1	2		Sterna caspia
Great Crested Tern	50	1		Sterna bergii
Lesser Crested Tern	50	2		Sterna bengalensis
Whiskered Tern	60	1		Chlidonias hybridus
Feral Pigeon	√			Columba livia
Madagascar Turtledove	4	11		Streptopelia picturata
Namaqua Dove	100	8		Oena capensis
Madagascar Green Pigeon	1	2		Treron australis
Madagascar Blue Pigeon	3	3		Alectroenas madagascariensis
Greater Vasa Parrot	6	5		Coracopsis vasa
Lesser Vasa Parrot	30	11		Coracopsis nigra
Grey-headed Lovebird	40	6		Agapornis canus
Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo	2	6		Cuculus rochii
Giant Coua	1	1		Coua gigas
Coquerel's Coua	2	3		Coua coquereli
Red-breasted Coua	1		H	Coua serriana
Red-fronted Coua	2	5		Coua reynaudi
Running Coua	2	2		Coua cursor
Red-capped Coua	3	2		Coua ruficeps
[Green-capped Coua]	1	3		Coua olivaceiceps
Crested Coua	3	5		Coua cristata
Verreaux's Coua	4	2		Coua verreauxi
Blue Coua	3	6		Coua caerulea
Madagascar Coucal	4	14		Centropus toulou
Barn Owl	1	2		Tyto alba
Torotoroke Scops Owl	1	1		Otus torotoroke
Madagascar Scops Owl	1	4		Otus rutilus
Madagascar Long-eared Owl	2	3		Asio madagascariensis
Marsh Owl	1	1		Asio capensis
Madagascar Nightjar	15	13		Caprimulgus madagascariensis
Madagascar Spinetail	10	3		Zoonavena grandidieri
African Palm Swift	40	6		Cypsiurus parvus
Alpine Swift	6	1		Apus melba
Madagascar Black Swift	6	3		Apus balstoni
Madagascar Kingfisher	4	12		Alcedo vintsioides
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher	1	2		Ceyx madagascariensis
Madagascar Bee-eater	30	12		Merops superciliosus
Short-legged Ground-Roller	1	2		Brachypteracias leptosomus
Scaly Ground-Roller	1	1		Brachypteracias squamigera
Pitta-like Ground-Roller	3	1		Atelornis pittoides
Rufous-headed Ground-Roller	2	1		Atelornis crossleyi
Long-tailed Ground Roller	1	1		Uratelornis chimaera
Cuckoo-Roller	4	8		Leptosomus discolor
Madagascar Hoopoe	6	7		Upupa marginata
Velvet Asity	2	5		Philepitta castanea
Schlegel’s Asity	1	1		Philepitta schlegli
Common Sunbird-Asity	3	4		Neodrepanis coruscans
Madagascar Bushlark	50	11		Mirafra hova
Mascarene Martin	20	16		Phedina borbonica
Plain Martin	20	7		Riparia paludicola
Madagascar Wagtail	12	12		Motacilla flaviventris
Ashy Cuckoo-Shrike	3	6		Coracina cinerea
Madagascar Bulbul	50	13		Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Long-billed Greenbul	8	8		Phyllastrephus madagascariensis
Spectacled Greenbul	6	5		Phyllastrephus zosterops
Appert's Greenbul	10	1		Phyllastrephus apperti
Grey-crowned Greenbul	2	2		Phyllastrephus cinereiceps
Red-tailed Vanga	3	9		Calicalicus madagascariensis
Rufous Vanga	8	2		Schetba rufa
Hook-billed Vanga	2	4		Vanga curvirostris
Lafresnaye's Vanga	4	4		Xenopirostris xenopirostris
Van dam's Vanga	1		H	Xenopirostris damii
Sickle-billed Vanga	15	2		Falculea palliata
White-headed Vanga	4	4		Artamella viridis
Chabert's Vanga	15	12		Leptopterus chabert
Blue Vanga	2	9		Cyanolanius madagascariensis
Nuthatch Vanga	2	3		Hypositta corallirostris
Tylas Vanga	3	7		Tylas edouardi
Littoral Rock Thrush	3	1		Monticola imerinus
Forest Rock Thrush	3	1		Monticola sharpei
Benson's Rock Thrush	2	1		Monticola bensoni
Madagascar Magpie Robin	6	16		Copsychus albospecularis
Madagascar Stonechat	6	8		Saxicola torquata
White-throated Oxylabes	2	6		Oxylabes madagascariensis
Madagascar Yellowbrow	3	1		Crossleyia xanthophrys
Crossley's Babbler	1	3		Mystacornis crossleyi
Brown Emutail	1	1		Dromaeocercus brunneus
Grey Emutail	3	1		Amphilais seebohmi
Madagascar Brush Warbler	2	8		Nesillas typica
Sub-desert Brush Warbler	6	6		Nesillas lantzii
Madagascar Swamp Warbler	10	6		Acrocephalus newtoni
Thamnornis Warbler	2	1		Thamnornis chloropetoides
Rand's Warbler	3	5		Randia pseudozosterops
Common Newtonia	10	13		Newtonia brunneicauda
Dark Newtonia	1	3		Newtonia amphichroa
Archbold's Newtonia	2	1		Newtonia archboldi
Madagascar Cisticola	10	10		Cisticola cherina
Common Jery	15	15		Neomixis tenella
Green Jery	2	4		Neomixis viridis
Stripe-throated Jery	1	2		Neomixis striatigula
Cryptic Warbler	1	1		Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi
Wedge-tailed Jery	2	4		Hartertula flavoviridis
Ward's Flycatcher	6	6		Pseudobias wardi
Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher	10	10		Terpsiphone mutata
Souimanga Sunbird	40	17		Nectarinia souimanga
Long-billed Green Sunbird	8	13		Nectarinia notata
Madagascar White-Eye	10	11		Zosterops maderaspatna
Madagascar Mannikin	20	10		Lonchura nana
Nelicourvi Weaver	3	5		Ploceus nelicourvi
Sakalava Weaver	100	4		Ploceus sakalava
Madagascar Red Fody	30	16		Foudia madagascariensis
Forest Fody	4	3		Foudia omissa
Indian Myna	25	11		Acridotheres tristis
Madagascar Starling	5	5		Hartlaubius auratus
Crested Drongo	12	26		Dicrurus forficatus
Pied Crow	250	11		Corvus albus

Bird List from the Cap Masaola extension

Bold indicates species not recorded on main part of tour

Long-tailed Cormorant	1	2		Phalacrocorax africanus
Black-crowned Night Heron	20	1		Nycticorax nycticorax
Squacco Heron	150	3		Ardeola ralloides
Madagascar Squacco Heron	6	1		Ardeola idea
Cattle Egret	500	4		Bulbulcus ibis
Striated Heron	1	2		Butorides striatus
Black Heron	25	4		Egretta ardesiaca
Dimorphic Egret	200	4		Egretta dimorpha
Great Egret	15	4		Egretta alba
African Openbill Stork	1	1		Anastomus lamelligerus
Madagascar Crested Ibis	1		H	Lophotibis cristata
White-faced Whistling Duck	200	5		Dendrocygna viduata
Knob-billed Duck	8	1		Sarkidornis melanotos
Red-billed Teal	75	1		Anas erythorhyncha
Black Kite	2	2		Milvus migrans
France's Sparrowhawk	1	2		Accipiter francesii
Madagascar Buzzard	3	3		Buteo brachypterus
Madagascar Kestrel	2	2		Falco newtoni
Madagascar Wood-Rail	1		H	Canirallus kioloides
White-throated Rail	5		H	Dryolimnas cuvieri
Common Moorhen	8	1		Gallinula chloropus
Madagascar Pratincole	3	3		Glareola ocularis
Whimbrel	1	2		Numenius phaeopus
Common Sandpiper	2	2		Actitis hypoleucos
Curlew Sandpiper	8	1		Calidris ferruginea
Greater Crested Tern	5	3		Sterna bergii
Lesser Crested Tern	100	4		Sterna bengalensis
Roseate Tern	200	2		Sterna dougallii
Common Noddy	1	1		Anous stolidus
Feral Pigeon	√			Columba livia
Madagascar Turtledove	1	1		Streptopelia picturata
Madagascar Green Pigeon	2	2		Treron australis
Greater Vasa Parrot	4	3		Coracopsis vasa
Lesser Vasa Parrot	50	3		Coracopsis nigra
Red-breasted Coua	1	2		Coua serriana
Red-fronted Coua	2		H	Coua reynaudi
Crested Coua	2		H	Coua cristata
Blue Coua	4	3		Coua caerulea
Madagascar Coucal	4	6		Centropus toulou
Barn Owl	1	2		Tyto alba
Madagascar Scops Owl	1	3		Otus rutilus
Madagascar Nightjar	5	2		Caprimulgus madagascariensis
Madagascar Spinetail	6	3		Zoonavena grandidieri
African Palm Swift	8	3		Cypsiurus parvus
Madagascar Kingfisher	2	2		Alcedo vintsioides
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher	2	2		Ceyx madagascariensis
Madagascar Bee-eater	1	2		Merops superciliosus
Broad-billed Roller	1	2		Eurostopodus glaucurus
Short-legged Ground-Roller	1	2		Brachypteracias leptosomus
Scaly Ground-Roller	1	1		Brachypteracias squamigera
Cuckoo-Roller	1	3		Leptosomus discolor
Mascarene Martin	6	3		Phedina borbonica
Madagascar Wagtail	2	4		Motacilla flaviventris
Ashy Cuckoo-shrike	3	3		Coracina cinerea
Madagascar Bulbul	50	5		Hypsipetes madagascariensis
Long-billed Greenbul	8	3		Phyllastrephus madagascariensis
Spectacled Greenbul	10	3		Phyllastrephus zosterops
Red-tailed Vanga	6	3		Calicalicus madagascariensis
Rufous Vanga	2	1		Schetba rufa
Hook-billed Vanga	2	1		Vanga curvirostris
Pollen’s Vanga	1		H	Xenopirostris polleni
White-headed Vanga	1	1		Artamella viridis
Chabert's Vanga	10	3		Leptopterus chabert
Blue Vanga	4	3		Cyanolanius madagascariensis
Helmet Vanga	1	2		Euryceros prevostii
Tylas Vanga	2	1		Tylas edouardi
Madagascar Magpie Robin	1	4		Copsychus albospecularis
Madagascar Swamp Warbler	2	1		Acrocephalus newtoni
Common Newtonia	10	3		Newtonia brunneicauda
Common Jery	6	4		Neomixis tenella
Stripe-throated Jery	1	1		Neomixis striatigula
Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher	10	4		Terpsiphone mutata
Souimanga Sunbird	15	5		Nectarinia souimanga
Long-billed Green Sunbird	1	3		Nectarinia notata
Madagascar White-Eye	15	4		Zosterops maderaspatna
Madagascar Mannikin	6	3		Lonchura nana
Madagascar Red Fody	10	5		Foudia madagascariensis
House Sparrow	10	1		Passer domesticus
Indian Myna	50	6		Acridotheres tristis
Madagascar Starling	4	3		Hartlaubius auratus
Crested Drongo	10	5		Dicrurus forficatus
Pied Crow	25	2		Corvus albus

THE COOL CUSTOMERS:

REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS WE MET

Wherever we went, we came across many examples of the unique Madagascan Herpetofauna. Few were left unidentified, and we did manage to sort out the following……

Reptiles

Geochelone radiata	Radiated Tortoise	CAPTIVE
Geochelone yniphora	Plowshare Tortoise	CAPTIVE
Pyxis arachnoides	Spider Tortoise	CAPTIVE
Pelomedusa subrufa	Terrapin	Ampijoroa
Crocodylus niloticus	Nile Crocodile	Ampijoroa
Sanzinia madagascariensis	Ground Boa	Maroansetra/Nosy M’gabe
Liophidium rhodogaster	Red-bellied snake	Ranomafana
Leioheterodon madagascariensis	Black and yellow	Ampijoroa
Leioheterodon madagascariensis	Cream-beige	Ampijoroa
Liopholidophis thieli	Long striped black/white	Ifaty (bird bath)
Mimophis mahafalensis	Zig-zag pattern	St. Augustin (David’s hand)
Gehyra mutilata	Asian House Gecko	Maroansetra
Hemidactylus mabouia	African House Gecko	Mahajanga
Homopholis antongilensis	Large banded Gecko	Nosy Mangabe
Lepidodactylus lugubris	Chevroned house Gecko	Anakao
Uroplatus fimbriatus	Large	Nosy Mangabe
Uroplatus sikorae	Medium	Perinet (on branch)
Phelsuma breviceps	Spotted day Gecko	Anakao
Phelsuma leiogaster	Grey day Gecko	Tulear
Phelsuma madagascariensis	Large orange spots on back	widespread
Phelsuma lineata	Striped day Gecko white on side	Tana/R’na/P’t/M’setra
Phelsuma quadriocellatus	Blue eye-spots, banana lover	Ranomafana
Oplurus cuvieri	Collared Iguanid	Ampijoroa
Chalarodon madagascariensis	Three-eyed Lizard	Ifaty/Zombitse
Zonosaurus madagascariensis	Common striped lizard	Pe’net/NM/Cap M’ala
Zonosaurus trilineatus	Dark striped lizard	La Table
Zonosaurus laticaudatus	Large flattish lizard	Ampijoroa
Brookesia superciliaris	Miniature dinosaur	Ranomafana
Brookesia peyreirasi	Miniscule	Nosy Mangabe
Furcifer rhinoceratus	Chameleon Chain-saw nose	Ampijoroa
Calumma gastrotaenia	Chameleon flat-sided	Perinet/Nosy M’gabe
Calumma oustaleti	Chameleon Huge, greyish	Tonga Soa/Ampijoroa
Calumma nasutus	Chameleon Nose projection	Perinet
Calumma brevicornis	Chameleon Short nose projection	Perinet
Calumma parsoni	Chameleon huge twin nasal flaps, green	Perinet
Calumma pardalis	Chameleon banded	M’setra/Nosy M’gabe
Mabuya gravenhorsti	Common skink	widespread
Mabuya elegans	Bright skink	A’joroa/Ranomafana

Amphibians

In spite of the rain nearly all frogs were found on the extension

Aglyptodactylus madagascariensis	Cap Masaola
Boophis luteus	Perinet
Boophis viridis	Perinet
Boophis tephraeomystax	Maroansetra
Mantella betsileo	Cap Masaola *
Mantella laevigater	Nosy Mangabe
Mantidactylus grandidieri	Nosy Mangabe
Mantidactylus pulcher	Vohiparara
Mantidactylus horridus	Nosy Mangabe
Dyscophus antongili	Maroansetra
Plethodontohyla notosticta	Nosy Mangabe
Stumpffia tetradactyla	Nosy Mangabe

The Butterfly Distractions

PAPILIONIDAE - Swallowtails

Pharmacophagus antenor	The giant Swallowtail of Birdwing affinity	Maj/Amp/If/Tol
Papilio dardanus	Mocker Swallowtail	Amp/Zom
Papilio demodocus	Citrus Swallowtail	widespread in open
Papilio delalande	Endemic yellow-banded Swallowtail	NM/Cap Masaola
Papilio epiphorbas	Endemic Green-banded Swallowtail	Ran/Cap Masaola

PIERIDAE - Whites and Yellows

Belenois aurota	Caper White (but smaller than African)	If
Belenois helcida	Very fast, black bordered, pale yellow-white	Amp
Belenois grandidieri	Caper white, irregular markings undeneath	Ifaty
Appias epaphia	Black-tipped pointed forewings	Amp/Zom
Catopsilia thauruma	Very fast Emigrant, quite variable	widespread
Colotis evanthe	Very small Orange TIP like African evagore	Amp/Ifaty/Tulear/Zom
Colotis manahari	Black tipped yellow or white, forewing spot	Amp
Colotis zoe	Rayed Purple Tip	La Table
Eurema brigitta	Small Grass Yellow	widespread
Eurema floricola	Grass Yellow	widespread
Leptosia alcesta	Flip Flop	widespread
Mylothris smithii	Or similar species of Dotted Border	Amp/Man

SATURNIDAE - Browns and Ringlets

Henotesia maeva	Small very orange Ringlet	Common Cap Masaola
Henotesia pauper	Dull brown/grey	Cap Masaola
Henotesia ankaratra	All dull orange	fairly widepsread
Heteropsis fraterna	many ringed underside	Common Tsaratsaotra
Strabena trophthalma	Orange-ringed spots	Common Ran
Melanitis leda	Evening Brown	Tana

DANAIIDAE - Monarchs

Danaus chrysippus

African Monarch

Widespread

NYMPHALIDAE - Brush-footed Butterflies

Sallya madagascariensis	Social Tree Nymph	Amp
Aterica rabena	Large forest floor, orange	Ran/NosyMangabe/
		Cap Masaola
Biblyia antevora	Or similar, but yellow not orange	Amp
Charaxes antamboulou	Underside hindwing leaflike	Zom
Eurytela dryope	Orange Piper	Zom
Hypolimnas missipus	Danaiid Eggfly	Ran
Pseudacraea imerina	Basking on lead	Amp
Neptis kikideli.	Extremely extensive white banding	Amp/Cap Masaola
Junonia oenone	Dark Blue Pansy	Tana/Ran
Junonia andremiaja	White (blue cast) banded Pansy	Tana/Ran
Junonia rhadama	The all brilliant blue Pansy	widespread
Junonia goudoti	orange marked, orange Pansy, tailed & hooked	widespread
Salamis anarcardii	Mother-of-Pearl	Ran
Phalantha phalanta	Leopard	Ifaty

ACRAEIDAE - Acraeids

Acraea dammi	Fiery red black spotted hindwing, clear forewing	Amp
Acraea igati	On flowering bush	Zom
Acraea turna	On flowering bush	Zom
Acraea hova	On flowering bush	Zom
Acraea encedon	Mimicking yellow African Monarch	Ran/Per
Acraea eponina	Very small	Ran
Acraea zitja	Banded orange underwing	Quite widespread
Acraea masamba	Translucent forewing, black bar hindwing	Per
Pardospsis punctatissima	Very spotted	Very common/Maroansetra

RIODINIDAE - Judys

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