Madagascar Day 1 - Andasibe

Our Madagascan adventure began very early as we didn’t arrive at the hotel in Antananarivo until 00:30 at which time we promptly crashed out in our rooms prior to a 6.30am breakfast. This was enlivened by a male Madagascan Stonechat in the gardens – the first of many endemics we were to see over the course of our 3 week tour. It was a short drive to our first birding stop of the day, at Lac Alarobia a wetland right within the city limits of Antananarivo. This site hold a mass of waterfowl comprising he numbers of White-faced Whistling-Ducks and Red-billed Teals. It took a little while to spot our first of 6 endemic Meller’s Ducks but once seen they were obvious, being much bigger and darker than their local neighbours. In the sunny conditions we had to walk around the lake to get better light and in doing so found a couple of stunning Malagasy Pond-Herons, with stunning blue bills and red legs standing our amidst the throng of breeding Squacco Herons, numerous Dimorphic Egrets and several Black Herons also present on the island. 

White-faced Whistling Ducks and Red-billed Teal

Walking on we saw at least two Madagascan Swamp Warblers, a few Malagasy Kingfishers, and at the second lake a couple of Hottentot Teals. Overhead a Malagasy Kestrel and Yellow-billed Kite flew around the clear blue sky. A stunning White-throated Rail walked across the track in front of us very slowly and out into the marsh, and was followed by Madagascan Red Fody, Madagascan Mannikin, Malagasy Coucal and a few Malagasy White-eyes. We had seconds of Meller’s Duck, as well as a superb Broad-billed Roller flying around in front of us on the walk back to our waiting vehicles.

White-throated Rail

A longish drive of a coupe of hours followed across the rather boring countryside of rice fields and cleared hillsides where a couple of Hamerkops, Striated Herons and an olive Bee-eater for Rob enlivened things a little. Eventually we reached a bridge where we scoped a pair of stunning Madagascan Pratincoles perched on their stony island in the middle of the river. Whilst watching them, a Chabert Vanga flew in to the bare tree right in front of us and dallied for a while. What a bird – common but beautiful. 

Chabert Vanga

Madagascan Pratincoles

 We reached Indri Lodge around 3pm and had a little time to unpack and check out the gardens where our first Madagascan Wagtail was seen next to the swimming pool and another Madagascan Stonechat was also present. A really short 5 minute drive into the Andasabe forests followed and what a fantastic couple of hours we were treated to. A narrow trail took us into the woodland and we rattled of new bird after new bird, beginning with a huge Blue Coua lolling around in the canopy above us. Scope views of a staked-out Nuthatch Vanga sat on a nest followed, and then at a small clearing we saw Long-billed Tetraka and a pair of Nelicourvi Weavers in quick succession. 

Nuthatch Vanga

Back on the road and the open woodland was really productive with a cracking Ward’s Flycatcher perched out in the open, a brief Souimanga Sunbird, Madagascan Cuckooshrike, Green Jery singing from the top of a tree, an awesome White-headed Vanga, and several Malagasy Bulbuls. 

Ward's Flycatcher

Madagascan Cuckooshrike

All of these showed very well and were seen in the scope making this a fantastic session. Oh and the day roosting Rainforest Scops-Owl wasn’t too bad either, but it was just a shame the light had dropped a bit too much. 

Rainforest Scops Owl

But what a day with 24 endemic and near-endemics seen. Wow!