Except for the birding sites visited, the interior of
south Andaman and Havelock Island are almost completely deforested.
This doesn’t mean the islands are not beautiful. The coastline has
been almost unspoilt and the police seem to be very strict about the
proper use of the beaches so there are miles of unspoilt empty
beach. There are however around the Port Blair coastline, some
pretty ugly looking hotels (with garish painted concrete walls),
springing up and with the opening of the international airport in
the near future this trend is bound to continue.
The littoral rainforest forest has also been left intact so that
from the sea and beach, the islands look like paradise islands. The
islands have been massively overpopulated against the advise of
several government commissions, British and Indian. The Andaman were
used as a dumping ground for Bangladeshi and Sri Lanka refugees and
with the law allowing squatters rights to reclaimed forest land the
effect has been disastrous for the environment. I was told that the
Government planned to keep 80% of the forest intact, but in the
areas I saw, the figure is probably nearer 5%. Hopefully the other
islands are more protected.
I was also told that a few years ago, dynamite fishing had destroyed
the coral around Havelock island but that it is now recovering.
Port Blair
There is some good shore-watching habitat to the north of Phoenix
Bay around to Chatham. The locals are sure that if you are alone in
the middle of nowhere you must want company or at least to be honked
at by every passing vehicle, so be prepared, if you want to scan the
shore for mysterious waders you need to have the equanimity of a
Buddha. I don’t!
Best birds: Collared Kingfisher,
Greater Sand Plover (in breeding plumage), Terek Sandpiper, Great
Knot, Little Tern (a relatively recent winter visitor), Pacific Reef
Egret, White-bellied Sea Eagle.
Corbyn’s Cove
This site is probably not anything like what it used to be judging
by the species, which used to be seen here. A road has been built
through the middle of the marsh and it is not much more than a pool
with some ferny looking marsh-vegetation on the near side. It still
turns up some good birds. At first thought I heard a Black-browed
Reed Warbler, but later couldn’t be sure. The much more extensive
marsh at Sippighat (on the way to Wandoor), looks more promising for
that species.
I did find Mangrove Whistler to be quite common here. It was seen at
most visits and heard every morning and evening. It was always on
the opposite side of the road to the marsh.
Best birds: Stork-billed
Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Watercock, Wood Sandpiper (only
seen here), Pond Heron species, Yellow Bittern, Cinnamon Bittern,
Mangrove Whistler, Pacific Swallow, Rusty-rumped Warbler, Dusky
Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Clamorous Reed Warbler (but look for
other large reed warblers).
Chiriya Tapu
This is still quite a good patch of forest. The beach is quite
popular with the Indian tourists so the road can get a bit more busy
at times (usually towards sunset) and weekend is probably to be
avoided. I birded there all day and it was usually very quiet. I
spent quite a lot of time looking for the pale Crested Serpent
Eagle, which I failed to see. The highlight was an Andaman Crake,
which was seen very quickly on the first day. It was seen foraging
in the leaf litter on a steep hillside, just below the road, in a
dry area. The site was in the beginning of the forest, just before a
small concrete road culvert, marked ¾ on the left side as you head
down toward the coast. It was just before the 2km road marker. The
treat was that it stayed long enough to give great views.
The wet area directly behind the beach was only explored on the last
visit but it turned up White-rumped Shama and Pale-footed Warbler
and looked like a good place for Ruddy Kingfisher. (Beware! this is
a rubbish and toilet hazard area).
Best birds: Andaman Crake, Andaman
Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Collared Kingfisher,
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Brown Coucal,
Vernal Hanging Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet,
Long-tailed Parakeet, Brown-backed Needletail, Mangrove Whistler
(heard), Black-naped Oriole, Large Cuckooshrike, Bar-bellied
Cuckooshrike, a large flock of at least 10 Andaman Drongo and 20
Andaman Treepie, Asian Brown Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama,
White-headed Starling, Common Hill Myna, Pacific Swallow,
Black-headed Bulbul, Oriental White-eye, Pale-footed Warbler, (a
possible Thick-billed Warbler), Dusky Warbler, Olive-backed Sunbird.
Mount Harriet National Park
This is a superb forest site. I spent most of the time
concentrating on two most difficult species, Andaman Cuckoo Dove and
Andaman Wood Pigeon.
The best place for Andaman Cuckoo Dove is supposed to be the path up
from the aqueduct, which crosses the road at Panighat. It can get a
bit dead at certain times of day but this is indeed the only place I
saw this species. As you head up the path you very soon come to a
fork. The right fork heads into a plantation so take the left fork,
which runs along the wall of a small reservoir. I had fantastic
views of a pair about 50 m beyond the last concrete fence post, on
the far side of this plantation. They were seen quite late in the
afternoon, after walking this path three times. I also saw Andaman
Crake at the top of this path, just before it meets the paved road,
again foraging in the leaf litter, and again giving great views. I
am sure this species is not difficult to find, as long as you don’t
presume that all the noises in the leaves are lizards.
I spent pretty much a whole day looking for Andaman Wood Pigeon and
again a pair was seen late in the afternoon, this time in the forest
just below the park entrance. They were low down much more tame than
the Green Imperial Pigeons and gave superb views. That is a very
pretty bird! On the main road a little up from the park entrance, I
was watching a frugivorous flock when I heard a strange trill which
was found to be coming from a Violet Cuckoo!
I intended to spend at least one evening looking for owls. I
couldn’t get permission from the forest department to spend the
night in the rest house. I then planned to spend the evening there
and catch the last ferry back. Because it gets dark so early it
should be possible to see some owls but I ran out of time to do
this. It seems that no one would mind if you slept in one of the
three watchtowers.
Best birds: Andaman Crake, Andaman
Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Dollarbird, Violet Cuckoo,
Brown Coucal, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet,
Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Brown-backed Needletail,
Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo Dove, Andaman Crake, Japanese
Sparrowhawk, Andaman Treepie, Black-naped Oriole, Large Cuckooshrike,
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike, Andaman Drongo, Black-naped Monarch (nest
building), Orange-headed Thrush, Asian Brown Flycatcher,
White-headed Starling, Black-headed Bulbul, Dusky Warbler,
Olive-backed Sunbird, Forest Wagtail.
Wandoor and Jolly Buoy Island
Another superb site. The forests on the islands are bursting
with pristine forest. The best plan would be to share the private
hire of a boat with 5 or 6 who would like to visit Redskin so you
can avoid the exodus to Jolly Buoy. I realised this too late after I
had haggled with the boat operators who were adamant that they were
not going to drop me off at Redskin. The situation has changed so
that instead of the government ran trip around the islands, the
boats are all private and will only make a beeline to the island of
their choice. I was told that they periodically change between
visiting Jolly Buoy or Redskin. The island of the season was Jolly
Buoy and no matter what boat you buy your ticket for they all leave
on convoy together. When you arrive at the island you have to wait
your turn while everyone is offloaded in a small glass bottom boat
meanwhile the boat is leaking diesel onto the reef! Despite all
this, the trip is really special, a tropical island paradise! Once
offloaded (you could swim if it wasn’t for the bins) the majority of
the tourists stay all together next to the beachhead and don’t seem
interested in the coral and the snorkelling. You only need to walk
20m or so either direction to have your own stretch of beach and
good coral. Masks are for rent on the beach if you haven’t brought
your own. When the whistle goes for time to depart it takes ages to
load everyone back aboard so there is still 30-40 minutes of
snorkelling time, as I said earlier this is not an experience to be
missed. I was high as a kite after walking the island. I thought I
saw the fin of a shark but it may have been the nose of a "napoleon
fish". Shoals of tiny fish were leaping away from larger fish and
the high tide line was full of crabs, a "Blue Planet" experience. I
caught a glimpse of some large birds flying on the far side of the
island, which I was pretty sure were something special so I walked
around the point to find two Beach Thick-knees out on the rocks. As
I watched them through my bins taking notes but not sure what the
hell they were, I honesty thought this was a first for India. Later
of course I found out that are resident on the islands. The funny
thing was that as I watched them and made a drawing one of them came
running from about 100m away towards me and didn’t stop coming, it
was almost as though it was trying to scare me away. As these birds
are quite comical anyway the situation was one not to be forgotten.
As the charging bird came closer its bluff had been called and it
veered away and pretended it had other business to attend to. Not
wanting to disturb it further I carried on around the island. When I
returned there was still time to do 40 minutes of snorkelling
(incredible).
Best birds: Andaman Woodpecker,
Stork-billed Kingfisher, Collared Kingfisher, Chestnut-headed
Bee-eater, Brown Coucal, Vernal Hanging Parrot, Alexandrine
Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Brown-backed
Needletail, Watercock, Beach Thick-knee, Black-naped Tern, my only
sighting of pale Crested Serpent Eagle from the ferry, Besra,
Mangrove Whistler (heard), (a probable White-breasted Woodswallow),
Large Cuckooshrike.
Manjeri
On the last day I visited here (where Jerdon’s Baza has
apparently been seen in 1989) but I didn’t stay long as the forest
was quite degraded and there was no shade so it became unbearably
hot. So I decided to drive down to Chiriya Tapu with the last chance
for Ruddy Kingfisher. In the morning it was a beautiful spot at the
pier, with a view overlooking the straight to Rutland Island and no
one around but it looked like there were plans to do something as
the road was being overhauled (possibly paved) right up to the pier.
Best birds: Collared Kingfisher, Brown
Coucal, Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed Parakeet, Glossy Swiftlet
(seem to be nesting under the pier), 3 Andaman Serpent Eagle’s,
Pacific Reef Egret, Little Heron, White-breasted Woodswallow,
Olive-backed Sunbird.
Havelock Island
I only intended staying a couple of nights on Havelock but it
was the most luxurious place I had visited and as the owl
possibilities were also good, I ended up staying six nights (the
last night was because there was no ferry on the Monday). I spent
all of my time near Beach # 7.
The Jungle Resort compound is very good for owls. The open kitchen
area behind the restaurant had an Andaman Hawk Owl perching very
close, on every evening of my stay (let the kitchen staff know you
are interested and they will help you). Around the garden area and
from my hut I heard many owls calling. Brown Hawk Owl was heard but
not seen and both Andaman and Oriental Scops Owl were seen. A good
tip when looking for the owls with a torch is to remember that they
are often much more close than you think and by bashing through the
bush you can easily scare away birds that are right in front of you.
Once I had cottoned on to this fact, I had some great views of the
scops owls at Jungle resort.
The hill behind the resort has a pair of resident Andaman Serpent
Eagles. This hill is worth exploring if you have time but make sure
you take insect repellent. In the afternoon it was very bad for
mosquitoes although it is apparently fine earlier in the day. Here I
saw my only White-rumped Munia of the trip.
After misidentifying some swifts on the first day I did not get to
see my first real Edible Nest Swiftlets until my fourth day on
Havelock, but this is more to do with spending a lot of time
relaxing rather than the absence of the birds. This one flock
however was all I saw on Havelock although I later saw a small flock
on the way back from Manjeri, on the main island.
White-breasted Woodswallow was seen on the electric wires along the
road near the village but it was only seen in ones and twos and not
every day. I met an American birder Howard Horvath, who told me they
were common at Christine Beach south of beach # 3. He had also seen
Andaman Cuckoo Dove at beach # 5, so perhaps there is some good
forest there.
It took me a while to discover the beach pool where the road meets
the beach, but here were five Sunda Teal which were present on every
subsequent visit. Krys Kazmierczak saw one here in 1991 so it is
obviously a good spot. In the mangroves here I also saw and heard
Mangrove Whistler and in the evening beside the road an Oriental
Scops Owl.
The site near the old solar power station (about 200m inland from
Harmony Resort), used to be good for Brown Hawk Owl of the endemic
race obscura, (Brian Gee 1996, reported it as common here) but I
failed to see it after several attempts. There is a path here which
runs through some cultivation and returns to the beach. One night I
heard an owl calling near the solar power station but one of the
locals was drunk and got nervous seeing me shining a torch up in the
trees and his shouting scared it away.
There is some reserved forest on the way to the "Elephant Beach" to
the north of Beach # 7. This is within easy walking distance. Coming
from Beach # 7 after about 3 km there is a small group of huts next
to a road marker with Rhadanagar 3 on the far side and 8 on the
nearside. Opposite this road marker is a path to the left, which
soon comes to the reserved forest and after about 2 or 3 km comes to
some streams through the mangroves, which you need to cross to get
to the beach. The path here can be very unclear depending on the
tide when you may have to wade knee deep through the water, but it
is a fairly popular with westerners so it should be easy to find.
This mangrove area may be good for Ruddy Kingfisher. I saw White-rumped
Shama ssp. albiventris, in the reserved forest. The forest around
Beach # 7 is very degraded so the hard to find forest species such
as Andaman wood Pigeon and Cuckoo Dove are unlikely to be found
here.
Best birds: Sunda Teal, Andaman
Woodpecker, Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker, Dollarbird, Collared
Kingfisher, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Blue-eared Kingfisher (west of
the jetty), Chestnut-headed Bee-eater, Brown Coucal, Vernal Hanging
Parrot, Alexandrine Parakeet, Red-breasted Parakeet, Long-tailed
Parakeet, Edible Nest Swiftlet, Brown-backed Needletail, Andaman
Scops Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Brown Hawk Owl (heard), Andaman Hawk
Owl, Watercock, Common or Swinhoe’s Snipe, Sanderling, Black-naped
Tern (from the ferry), Andaman Serpent Eagle, Japanese Sparrowhawk,
Besra, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Mangrove Whistler, Andaman Treepie,
White-breasted Woodswallow, Black-naped Oriole, Large Cuckooshrike,
Andaman Drongo, Black-naped Monarch, Orange-headed Thrush, Asian
Brown Flycatcher, White-rumped Shama, White-headed Starling, Common
Hill Myna, Pacific Swallow, Red-rumped Swallow, Dusky Warbler,
Olive-backed Sunbird, Yellow Wagtail (see list for description),
White-rumped Munia.
Neil and Long Island
These islands are open for overnight stay.
Key to Sites
PB = Port Blair; CC = Corbyn’s Cove;
CT = Chiriya Tapu; MH = Mount Harriet;
Wa = Wandoor; JB = Boat trip To Jolly Buoy Island;
Ma = Manjeri
Ha = Havelock Island (beach # 7 unless stated otherwise).
- = In transit between the given sites.
Sunda Teal Anas gibberifrons
albogularis
Ha (5 on 2/3, 3/3, 4/3, 5/3). See site details.
Andaman Woodpecker Dryocopus hodgei
Not uncommon in forest areas. CT (1 seen daily on 2 out of 3
days), MH (1 seen on 1st visit, 3 on 2nd visit
and 3 on 3rd visit), JB (1 on 26/2), Ha (1 seen daily, in
5 out of 6 days).
Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos macei andamanensis
Fairly common. CT, MH, JB, H.
Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis gigas
MH (one by the Forest Rest House on 23/2), Ha (up to 3 present
throughout).
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
CC (only seen twice).
Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting
rufigaster
Ha (one to the west of the jetty at # 1 on 5/3).
Stork-billed Kingfisher Halcyon
capensis osmastoni
Fairly common. CC, JB, Wa, Ha, CT.
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon
smyrnensis saturatior
Fairly common. CC, CT, Ha.
Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus
chloris davidsoni
Common around the coast. PB-CT, PB-MH, CT, CC, Wa, Ha, Ma.
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops
leschenaultii andamanensis
Not uncommon. The occasional sighting at CT, Ha, Wa.
[Common Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx
varius
I thought I heard this species at Mt. Harriet but it is not on
the Andaman list, so needs confirming.]
Unidentified Cuckoo
Ha (1 on 27/2).
Violet Cuckoo Chrysococcyx
xanthorhynchus
MH (one seen well on 23/2). Not shown on the distribution maps
of Grimmskipp or Krys Kazmierczak field guides, but is listed in the
Mt Harriet section in "A Birdwatcher’s Guide to India".
Brown Coucal Centropus andamanensis
Fairly common. MH, CC, Wa, Ha, Ma.
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopacea
Occasional seen and heard at MH, Ha.
Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus
vernalis
Fairly common. MH, JB, Ha, CT.
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula
eupatria magnirostris
Fairly common. CC, CT, MH, Wa, Ha.
Red-breasted Parakeet Psittacula
alexandri abbotti
Fairly common. CT, MH, Wa, Ha, Ma.
Long-tailed Parakeet Psittacula
longicauda tytleri
Fairly common. CT, MH, Ha, Ma.
Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta
Very common everywhere.
Edible nest Swiftlet Collocalia
fuciphaga
Ha (3 on 2/3), Ma-Sippighat (5 on 6/3).
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus
giganteus
Not uncommon. Best seen at the summit of Mount Harriet. CT, CC, MH,
Wa, Ha (flock of 30+).
Andaman Scops Owl Otus balli
Ha (1 seen on 3/3, heard on 1/3? and 3/3, all at Jungle Resort).
The call of a duet heard on the 3/3 was uyk—uyk—croo, where one bird
is calling uyk—uyk, and the other croo. These calls could be
variously rendered as ock (as in clock), uk or ut and caroo or kro.
Another pair heard dueting on the 1/3, possibly this species was
rendered as cu—cu—kro (with the u soft as in up). Grimmskipp gives
the call as hoot—hoot—cooroo and Krys Kaz. as wuúp—wuúp. On 4/3 I
heard a quite loud and hollow "oo—up" repeated two or three times at
about once per second. See site details.
Oriental Scops Owl Otus sunia
Ha (first seen on 1/3 at Jungle Resort and seen on several
occasions afterwards once I realised how close they were. Calling uk-o,
and on 2/3 near the end of the paved road). The head was grey
compared to the otherwise brown upperparts and brown and white
streaked underside. I seem to remember Brian Gee heard unusual calls
from this species but I don’t have his report with me right now.
Brown Hawk Owl Ninox scutulata obscura
Ha (heard only). At Jungle Resort I heard the following calls.
On 28/2 "oowuk—oowuk" with a one second pause, and on 3/3 a quite
loud and pleasant "oo-uk—oo-uk" with a one second pause. Krys
Kazmierczak gives the call of Andaman Scops as wuúp—wuúp, and Brown
Hawk Owl as hoowúp. The given call for Brown Hawk Owl in Grimmskipp
is a "soft pleasant oo—ok".
Andaman Hawk Owl Ninox affinis
Ha (superb views on every day I visited the kitchens of Jungle
Resort from 27/2-4/3). Call "Wo" as in the word walk.
Other Owl calls
coo—oo and a screeching trill.
to-to-te
oooo wo-wo
ee—e—eee--eeee
Rock Pigeon Columba livia
PB.
Andaman Wood Pigeon Columba
palumboides
MH (2 on 23/2).
Green Imperial Pigeon Ducula aenea
andamanica
Common. CT, MH, Wa, Ha, Ma.
Red-collared Dove Streptopelia
tranquebarica humilis
Common. CC, CT, MH, Wa, Ha (up to a flock of c.20).
Andaman Cuckoo Dove Macropygia
rufipennis
MH (2 on 22/2).
Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica maxima
Not uncommon. CT, MH, Wa, Ha.
Pompadour Green Pigeon Treron
pompadora chloroptera
Not uncommon. CT, MH, Ha.
Andaman Crake Rallina canningi
CT (1 on 20/2), MH (1 on 22/2). See site details.
Unidentified Crake
CC on 25/2.
White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis
phoenicurus
Ha (single only once).
Watercock Gallicrex cinerea
CC (1 on 24/2, 3572, 26/2), CC-Wa (2 on 26/2), Wa (1 on 26/2), Ha (1
on 27/2, 2 on 2/2).
Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura
Probably not uncommon in suitable habitat. MH (in the stream at the
bottom of the viaduct path), CC (fairly common).
[Possible Swinhoe’s Snipe Gallinago
megala
Ha (2 birds at the beach pool had short legs and no white
trailing edge to the wing, and another on 1/3 further inland was
either this species or Common Snipe).]
Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Ha (up to 5 on 3/3 and 1 on 1/3).
Unidentified Snipe
CC.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Not uncommon. PB-CT, CT, CC, PB (up to 7), Ha.
Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata
Singles at PB-CT, PB.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus
Small numbers at PB-CT, PB, JB.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia
CC (1 on 6/3).
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola
CC (1 on 6/3).
[Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus
CC (2 on 24/2). Not 100% sure as no further details were recorded.]
Terek Sandpiper Xenus cinereus
PB (3 on 24/2).
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos
Fairly common. PB-CT, PB-MH (a small flock at dusk), CC, Ma, Ha, CT.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres
PB-CT, PB (10 on 24/2), PB-CC.
Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris
PB (3 on 24/2).
Sanderling Calidris alba
Ha (1 on 28/2). This species is not mapped in the field guides as
having occurred on the Andaman Islands but one was also seen by Bob
Watts in April 1987.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea
CC (1 or 2 on three visits).
Beach Thick-knee Esacus neglectus
JB (2 on 26/2).
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis fulva
Fairly common along the coast. PB-CT, CT, CC, PB-CC.
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus
BP-CT (at least one on 20/2).
Lesser Sand Plover Charadrius mongolus
Common along coast. PB-CT, PB, CT, Ha (50+), CC.
Greater Sand Plover Charadrius
leschenaultii
Small numbers along the coast. PB-CT, PB (1 in breeding plumage on
24/2), CC.
Unidentified seabird
Large brown seabird seen flying away from the ferry on 5/3 Only poor
views were obtained due to the vibration of the boat but the jizz
was like one of the largest tern species. The back was a paler brown
than the upperwing. It was flying with elegant wing beats rather
than the dash of a skua or the sheering glides of a shearwater. The
water was fairly calm. It would be good to keep an eye out for
possible boobies, shearwaters etc.
Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana
Not uncommon. CC (1), Wa-JB (3) JB (10), PB-Ha (10 probables),
Ha-PB (18).
[Common/Roseate Tern Sterna hirundo/dougallii
PB-Ha (3 Common/Roseate on 27/2), Ha-PB (1 tern on 5/3 was slightly
larger than Black-naped Tern). Only Roseate has been recorded so far
on the islands (in the summer).]
Little Tern Sterna albifrons
PB (present throughout in the bay. Often roosting on the rocks.
Highest count 29 on 24/2). Could Saunders’s Tern stray so far?
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus
leucogaster
Seen frequently on the coast. Especially visible at Bamboo Flats
where they were seen very close to the landing and calling on 21/2.
CC, PB, MH, Wa, Ma, Ha.
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
davisoni
Ha (a pair seemed to be holding territory on the hill just behind
Jungle Resort, seen most days), Ma, (3 on 3/3).
Andaman Serpent Eagle Spilornis elgini
Uncommon in the areas explored. Wa-JB (one seen on 26/2, about
1km south of Wandoor skirting the island opposite).
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
MH (1 on 23/2) Ha (1 on 2/3).
Besra Accipiter virgatus
Wa (1 on 26/2), Ha (1 on 2/3).
Unidentified accipiter
CC (1 on 21/2), MH (1 on 23/2).
Changeable Hawk Eagle Spizaetus
cirrhatus andamanensis
Ha (2 on 27/2, 2 on 2/3, 1 on 3/3), CC (2 on 6/3).
Pacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra
Fairly common along the coast (mostly white phase). PB-CC, PB,
PB-CT, Ma.
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
CC.
Great Egret Casmerodius albus
CC (up to 3).
Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx
intermedia
CC.
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis
Wa.
Indian/Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola
grayii/bacchus
Fairly common. (Some seemed different from mainland Indian Pond
Herons at this time of year).
Little Heron Butorides striatus
Fairly common. PB-CT, CC (up to 7), Ma.
Yellow Bittern Ixobrychus sinensis
Fairly common CC, Ha.
Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus
cinnamomeus
CC (1 on 24/2, 25/2, 26/2), CC-Wa (1 on 26/2).
Asian Fairy Bluebird Irena puella
Fairly common (particularly easy to locate if the "raspberry"
call is heard. CT, MH, Ha.
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
lucionensis
Common particularly in transit. PB-CT, MH, PB-Wa, Wa, Ha, PB-Ma, Ma.
Mangrove Whistler Pachycephala grisola
CC (1 on 24/2, 2 on 25/2, 1 on 26/2, 1 on 6/3), Wa (1 on 26/2),
CT (1 on 6/3), Ha (1 on 3/3).
Andaman Treepie Dendrocitta bayleyi
Fairly common in good forest. CT (on 6/3, at least 10 were seen
in a flock with 20+ Andaman Drongos) MH.
Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos
Fairly common. CC, CT, MH, Ha, Ma.
White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus
leucorynchus humei
Wa-JB (1 possible on 26/2), Ha (2 on 27/2, 1 on 28/2, 2 on 3/3),
Ma (1 on 6/3).
Black-naped Oriole Oriolus chinensis
andamanensis
Common. CT, MH, Ha, Ma. Some have a very narrow nape band and
seemed slender billed. Call rendered as kree or krek.
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
andamanensis
Fairly uncommon. MH (1 and 2 on 23/2), CT (1 and 2 on 25/2), JB
(2 on 26/2), Ha (1 on 2/3, 2 singles on 3/3, 1 on 4/3). Female is
un-barred on breast and throat.
Bar-bellied Cuckooshrike Coracina
striata
MH (2 on 21/2, 1 or 2 on 22/2, 1 on 23/2), CT (1 on 6/3).
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
vividus
Fairly common. Several flocks at CC, CT, Ha, Wa.
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus flammeus
andamanensis
Fairly common. Several flocks at CT, Mh, Ha, Ma.
Andaman Drongo Dicrurus andamanensis
Common. CT (on 6/3 20+ were seen in a flock with 10+ Andaman
Treepie), CC, MH, Ha.
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus
paradiseus atiosus
Common. CT, MH, CC, Ha.
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
tytleri
Small numbers. MH (nest building on 21/2), Ha.
Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina
andamanensis/albogularis
MH (1 on 21/2), Ha (1 or 2 on 27/2, 1 on 2/3). The two vertical
head stripes were feint but more apparent than I had expected.
Asian Brown Flycatcher
Muscicapa dauurica
CT (1 on 20/2), MH (1 on 21/2), Ha (1 on 2/3, 1 on 3/3).
Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus
saularis andamanensis
Common. MH, CT (singing on 25/2), Ha (singing from 27/2 on), Ma, and
in transit.
White rumped Shama Copsychus
malabaricus albiventris
Ha, on way to elephant beach (1 on 1/3). CT, behind the beach (1 on
6/3).
Asian Glossy Starling Aplonis
panayensis tytleri
Common. CT, MH (flock of c. 100), Ha, Ma.
White-headed Starling Sturnus
erythropygius andamanensis
Fairly common. CT, MH (flock of c. 50), Ha.
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Common in transit and CT, CC, MH.
Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
andamanensis
Fairly common at CT, MH, Ha.
[Sand/Pale Martin Riparia riparia/diluta
Ha (1 on 2/3). The tail fork was too deep for Plain Martin. No
breast band could be seen.]
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Common.
Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica
Fairly common. Ones and twos seen at CC (all visits), CT, PB, Ha (5
out of six days).
Red-rumped Swallow Hirundo daurica
Ha (1 and 2 on 27/2, 1 and 2 on 2/3, 1 and 1 on 3/3). Not positively
recorded from the Andaman Islands according to the latest field
guides.
Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus
atriceps fuscoflavescens
Small numbers in good forest. CT, MH.
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus
jocosus whistleri
Common. CT, MH, Ha.
Oriental White-eye Zosterops
palpebrosus nicobarica
CT.
Pale-footed Bush Warbler Cettia
pallidipes osmastoni
CT (1 on 6/3).
Rusty-rumped Warbler Locustella
certhiola
CC (1 on 26/2).
Blyth’s Reed Warbler Acrocephalus
dumetorum
CC (24/2 singing, 26/2 singing), MH (1 probable on 22/2).
Clamorous Reed Warbler Acrocephalus
stentoreus meridionalis
CC (fairly common, one had a streaked breast), Ha (1 on 27/2 had a
streaked breast). Several times, came to the taped call of Oriental
Reed Warbler.
[Thick-billed Warbler Acrocephalus
aedon
CT (1 probable on 25/2).]
Dusky Warbler Phylloscopus fuscatus
CC (fairly common), CT, MH, Ha (# 7 and #1).
Plain Flowerpecker Dicaeum concolor
virescens
Common. CT, MH (20+ in fruiting trees), Ha.
Olive backed Sunbird Nectarinia
jugularis andamanensis
Fairly common. CT, MH, CC, Ha, Ma.
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
PB.
Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus
MH (1 on 22/2).
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Not uncommon. CC, CT, Ha (up to 25 on 28/2). All birds had a dirty
brown or grey breast, clearly demarcated. Most birds had a grey head
with a pale supercilium, lime green mantle and yellow vent and
throat (some with white belly, some yellow). A couple had grey head
with no supercilium.
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
MH (1 on 21/2), CC (1 on 25/2), Ha (1 on 2/3).
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
fumigata
Ha (c. 5 on 4/3 on hill behind the Jungle Resort).
Other animals
-
Many unidentified reptiles, especially in the rainforest.
- Glimpse of what looked like a weasel at Mt. Harriet.
- Many unidentified dolphins on returning from Havelock.
- Spectacular, flying fish were common on the ferry to and from
Havelock.
- A huge Water Monitor opposite Harmony Resort Beach # 7 Havelock,
which I had to try to stop the local boys from stoning. I suppose
they could do it little harm as it could just swim away.
