We headed into Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, an extensive area of eastern rainforest. Habitat that is home to a large number of endemics. The drive in was, well… tortuous to say the least, being a bumpy, dirt track and thank goodness that it is dry now as it looks like it could be slippy quagmire after rain. At least a Crested Drongo was seen on the way in but after a 90 minute drive we were ready for a walk! The first stake-out we tried was for Pitta-like Ground-Rollerand in no time at all we were hearing a calling bird that seemed to be high up in the canopy. This species proved particularly tricky to see and sure enough, only a couple of the group laid binoculars on it as this flighty individual really didn’t want to be seen. A little frustrating but they are easier at Ranomafana later in the trip. We wound our way along some barely discernable trails through the forest, crossing a small stream at one point in our ground-roller quest. It’s difficult to know how far we walked but as the early morning chill and mist gave way to bright sunshine, the temperature rose and we began to sweat! All that was forgotten when we eventually found a crippling Short-legged Ground-Roller perched quite high up in the canopy.
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| Short-legged Ground Roller |
After a bit of manoeuvring we got a much better angle from a low bank and the ‘front on’ views were to die for. Oh yes! The ticking-pace quickened from here on in with Malagasy Brush Warbler, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher, Madagascan Magpie-Robin, Madagascan Cuckoo, Malagasy Turtle Dove and Madagascan Blue Pigeon all being seen shortly after.
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| Madagascan Cuckoo |
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| Madagascan Blue Pigeon |
A short drive took us below a forested hill and up we walked with the aim to see a nesting Collared Nightjar. At the base of the hill a Wedge-tailed Jery showed very well, a Spectacled Tetraka was too quick for most but a Red-fronted Coua was stunning. The hike ‘up the hill’ was an adventure in itself and got us all sweating and puffing a bit but when we arrived at the appointed spot I couldn’t believe it. The nightjar was about 5 metres off the ground in the middle of a tree fern, apparently sat on its nest! How bizarre. The walk back down was pretty steep, but in all the hike had taken around an hour although to some it felt longer. I think everyone was glad to reach the flat paths and we were rewarded with Grey-crowned Tetraka, Long-billed Bernier and a pair of canopy dwelling Blue Vangas.
From here we walked to the small lake, seeing Souimanga Sunbirdand plenty of Olive Bee-eatersalong the way but boy was it hot. Yet a fine Madagascan Grebe lolling in the middle of the lake was very much appreciated, as was our picnic lunch here.
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| Madagascan Grebe |
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| Indri |
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| Lowland Streaked Tenrac |
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| Madagascan Wagtail |
Lots of bee-eaters were flying around, a Broad-billed Roller flew in, a pair of Malagasy Kestrels appeared to be attending a nest in a hole in a large, dead tree and our first Lesser Vasa Parrots were scoped. After lunch we went back to the first site visited this morning and tried Pitta-like Ground Roller without so much as a sniff, but a Common Newtonia showed quite well to round off our birding. We left and set out on the long drive back to the park entrance, as it closed at 4pm (how ridiculous) and arrived back at our digs at 3.15pm for a well deserved rest. After a few hours here we met for the checklist before heading out on a night excursion where we saw a Brown Mouse Lemur, Fat-tailed Dwarf Lemur, and a Nose-horned Chameleon.
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