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Several rarities have been reported at Alphonse: Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, Western Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus. Amur Falcon is an annual visitor to Seychelles in small numbers, with more than 95% of sightings collected by SBRC in November-December. This individual was located at the IDC village by Chris Narty on 18 December and was also seen by Pep Nogués and Ari Fernadez. The Western Honey Buzzard was first sighted by Murray Collins, over the airstrip on 17 December. It was also seen by Pep Nogués. This species has been recorded on 7 previous occasions in Seychelles including once in the Amirantes (at D'Arros). This is the most southerly report to date The Red-throated Pipit was seen and photographed by Chris Narty SBRC has accepted 29 previous records of this species including 7 from Alphonse. This latest sighting means it has been reported from Alphonse more often than any other island.
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SBRC has received images from Tony and Tris Enticknap of a Little Bittern present on Bird Island 12-18 November and a Eurasian Hobby 13-19 November. The Little Bittern has been previously reported on this blog, but the quality of the image and the fact this is only the second record for Seychelles makes it worth another mention. The hobby was also reported to SBRC but without photos to substantiate.
More of Tony Enticknap's photography from Seychelles and elsewhere can be seen at this link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tick-my_pictures/ CJ Havemann has reported a Common Quail Coturnix coturnix at North Island on 8 November. Other observers were Angelin Sanders and Jeremy Waters. SBRC has accepted just hree previous records of this species.
Mel Robinson has reported an immature Eurasian Hobby present on 12 November at Belle Etoile on the east coast of Denis Island. Eurasian Hobby is a rare vagrant to Seychelles and SBRC has accepted 29 previous records. This is the third record from Denis Island following previous confirmed sightings in 2001 and 2008.
An African Spoonbill Platalea alba has been present in the vicinity of Providence, Roche Caiman and near STC Hypermarket for around one month. African Spoonbill breeds in tropical Africa and northwest Madagascar. It is probably nomadic throughout most of range, moving in response to rains but it is apparently sedentary in Madagascar, which suggests an African origin for our bird is most likely. Vagrants have been recorded in Oman, Yemen and several European countries (Spain, France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic and Italy) including an instance of successful breeding in France.
This is the first record for Seychelles. Chris Narty has reported a Madagascar Pond Heron near the beach at Alphonse on 15 November. This species breeds at Aldabra and is a vagrant elsewhere in Seychelles. SBRC has accepted 6 vagrant records, two from Farquhar, and one from each of Cosmoledo, Assumption, North and Bird.
Gerard Rocamora has reported a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago at Grand Soeur on 23-25 November. There have been 22 previous records of this species.
From top left to bottom right: Northern Roller, Black-winged Pratincole, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Black-tailed Godwit, Short-toed Lark, Yellow Wagtail without a tail! (all photos: Adrian Skerrett) Bird Island has produced a long list of vagrant sightings so far this month. This includes all of the above pictured birds plus Osprey, Little Bittern, Little Stint, Sand Martin, Eurasian Hobby, White Wagtail and Collared Pratincole.
Chris Narty has reported Gargeney at Alphonse on 10 November. Garganey is an annual visitor to Seychelles. SBRC collects all reports of this species. To date, 329 reports have been collected with a clear peak in sightings during November and numbers gradually declining through the season thereafter.
A new book, "Complete Birds of Seychelles" has been launched at a ceremony hosted by the Right Honourable Sir Aneerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister and Former President of Mauritius. Featuring the work of Nariansamy Ramen and Adrian Skerrett, the book is a large format photographically illustrated work celebrating the birds of Seychelles.
The book is now on sale in Seychelles at Antigone bookshop, price SR500. Profits from the sale of books will be donated to the observation work of Island Conservation Society. |
AuthorAdrian Skerrett Categories |