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Birding in the Seychelles with Seychelles Travel
Seychelles
offers the birding enthusiasts the opportunity of viewing a number of
critically endangered species, 11 endemic species and 4 endemic
sub-species such as the Seychelles Kestral (Falco araea), Seychelles
Blue Pigeon (Alectroenas pulcherrima), Seychelles Scops Owl (Otus
insularis), Seychelles Swiftlet (Aerodramus elaphrus), Paradise
Flycatcher (Terpsiphone corvina), Seychelles Bulbul (Hypsipetes
crassirostris), Magpie Robin (Copsychus sechellarum), Seychelles
Brush Warbler (Acrocephalus modesta), Seychelles Fody (Foudia
sechellarum, Seychelles Sunbird (Nectarinia dussumieri), Seychelles
White Eye (Zosterops modesta).
These birds are present on the islands of Mahe,
Praslin, La Digue, Cousin, Bird and Denis Island and are all within
convenient travelling distances from the main island of Mahe.
Seabirds
also feature widely in the Seychelles and breed in vast concentrations
throughout the islands. Bird Island, aptly named is a mecca for sooty
terns.
Organised Birding Tours
Seychelles Travel arrange regular organised birding tours of the islands for groups of up to 12 persons or for individuals.
Interested parties should contact Seychelles Travel to obtain the latest
programme of tours for 2010. and 2011.
Here is a typical 7 day group itinerary. Private guided tours can be arranged to suit individuals on each island.
Day 1
Arrive
Seychelles International Airport. Warm welcome on arrival and
introduction to your local tour organiser. Transfer to your hotel in
air-conditioned mini-coach. Welcome refreshing drinks whilst keys are
distributed, then the rest of day at leisure. Evening diiner and
overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Full
day on Mahe Island in search of the White Eye and Scops Owl in the
fmountain forests of Mahe with your local guide. Other
possibilities include the Seychelles Blue Pigeon, Seychelles Kestral,
Bulbul Swiftlet and the Seychelles Sunbird. Back to your hotel for
evening dinner and overnight stay. Day 3
Early
transfer to Mahe domestic terminal to take your 15 minute light
aircraft flight to Praslin Island. Onward transfer to your hotel.
Excursion to the Unesco Vallee de Mai nature reserve to view the Coco
de Mer palms that bear the largest fruit in the world. Also the home of
the Black Parrot, with possibilities of the Seychelles Bulbul and
Swiftlets. Return to hotel and evening dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4
Full
day boat excursion to Aride Island, 7 miles north of Praslin. This
nature reserve island, was purchased by Christopher Cadbury and 1975
became a Special Reserve being home to more lesser noddys than anywhere
else in the world, a hilltop sooty tern colony, 10 species of breeding
sea birds that includes red and white -tailed tropic birds, fairy
terns, shearwaters and frigate birds. Return to your Praslin hotel for
evening dinner and overnight stay. Day 5
Full
day excursion to Cousin Island, 1 mile from Praslin Island. Designated
a special reserve, on Cousin are the Brush Warblers, Seychelles Fody,
and Seychelles Turtle Dove. The Seychelles Magpie Robin has
recently been introduced. Here also there are large numbers of seabirds
including Audubon's Shearwaters, Bridled Terns and Brown and Black
Noddies. Return to your Praslin Hotel for evening dinner and overnight
stay.
Day 6
A day
on La Digue Island, just a short ferry trip away. Famous for its black
granite boulder formations and bullock cart transport around the
island. Visit the Paradise Flycatcher Reserve, the last known natural
habitat of this beautiful symbolic bird in the surviving stands of
almond and Takamaka trees.Return to your Praslin Hotel for evening
dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7
Morning at leisure followed by return light aircraft flight to Mahe to check in for your return international flight.
Click here to contact Seychelles Travel for more details and prices. |
