Andaman Islands, Day 6, October 17th, 2011

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

Since we were off fishing from mid-day today I did not start walking off into the jungle today.  But I still managed to get to see the regulars in the compound. It was nice being able to sit and watch the Asian Brown Flycatcher (Brunfluesnapper) catch insects on the wing like I am used to see its cousin the Spotted Flycatcher (Gråfluesnapper) do at home.

Village #7

The villages and beaches on this island are numbered, instead of named. This seems strange to me, but at least it makes it easy to say where you are. When we had just passed Village #7 on our way to Barefoot Scuba at Village #3, I became aware of a Stork-billed Kingfisher (Storkenebbisfugl) that was sat on one of the power lines. Just too bad that I did not have my camera with me, due to the fact that we were going into an open boat.

Barefoot scuba, Village #3

Barefoot Scuba looks much less tidy and nice than where we live at the Jungle Resort, but to just go through thereto get onto the sea it was OK. An Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl) and a Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Dragedrongo) were the only two birds that I could manage to identify. We headed out to see in a traditional Dhungi-boat, which is basically a long and narrow boat, with something looking like a car-engine from the fifties sat in the back. The exhaust comes through a pipe over the railing, and the sound is tremendous. But we survived with our hearing more or less intact, but we were soaked due to the poor ability of the boat to keep the waves outside. And what fishing goes I managed to catch a 20 kg Giant Trevally and a 2 kg Grouper. I had hoped to see some sea-birds on the trip, but the air at sea was as lifeless as anything you can imagine. That is definitely not what I am used to.

Species list of the day

Jungle Resort

·         Emerald Dove (Smaragddue)

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl)

·         Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol)

·         Scarlet Minivet (Skarlagenmønjefugl)

·         Black-headed Bulbul (Svarthodebylbyl)

·         Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl)

·         Asian Brown Flycatcher (Brunfluesnapper)

·         Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæreskvett)

·         Forest Wagtail (Skogerle)

Village #7

·         Stork-billed Kingfisher (Storkenebbisfugl)

Barefoot Scuba

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl)

·         Great Racket-tailed Drongo (Dragedrongo)

New species today: 1

Total number of species this far: 27

Andaman Islands, Day 5, October 16th, 2011

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

The way that I most often like to do birdwatching is to just sit in one spot and let the birds come to me at their own pace. So today I spent most of the day sat in the reception-house, looking out at the surrounding trees and just enjoying the color-display that was outside. The orioles and the bluebirds are of course some of the most richly colored birds around, but they both got put into the shade when a flock of Scarlet Minivets (Skarlagenmønjefugl) came flying by, and decided to land in the fruiting tree just in front of me. The bright red color of the males is just breath-taking, and can`t really be appreciated from a photo. The females are not bad either, where they have replaced the red colors from the males with a beautiful lemon-yellow. Other than two Pied Trillers (Parktrillefugl) that were feeding in the top of some palms, and a pair of Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters (Bengalbieter) that were picking giant bees from the air, the birds that I got to see today were the same as I have seen before. But the bee-hive that the Bee-eaters were feeding of was quite a sight though. When the bees themselves are between two and three centimeters long, and the entire hive, the size of a 10-liter bucket is covered with bees, it is a truly impressive sight!

Species list of the day

Jungle Resort

·         Emerald Dove (Smaragddue)

·         Andaman Scops Owl (Andamanugle)

·         Chestnut-headed Bee-eater (Bengalbieter)

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl)

·         Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol)

·         Great Racket-tailed Drongo (Dragedrongo)

·         Pied Triller (Parktrillefugl)

·         Scarlet Minivet (Scarlagenmønjefugl)

·         Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl)

·         Black-headed Bulbul (Svarthodebylbyl)

·         Asian Brown Flycatcher (Brunfluesnapper)

·         Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæreskvett)

·         Forest Wagtail (Skogerle)

·         Plain Flowerpecker (Olivenblomsterfugl)

New species today: 3

Total number of species this far: 26

Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Asian Fairy Bluebird, male

Asian Fairy Bluebird, male

Asian Fairy Bluebird, female

Asian Fairy Bluebird, female

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

Plain Flowerpecker

Scarlet Minivet, female to the left and male to the right

Emerald Dove

Black-headed Bulbul, ssp. fuscoflavescens, endemic ot the Andaman Islands

Black-naped Oriole

Black-naped Oriole, male (left) and female (right)

Black-naped Oriole

Bee-hive with HUGE bees!

Andaman Islands, Day 4, October 15th, 2011

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

Yet another beautiful day here in the tropics, and another day with magnificent birds to watch! A flock of Scarlet Minivets (Skarlagenmønjeful) are probably what made me look the most stupid throughout the day. When a flock of these came down in a tree twenty meters away from me I stood in the middle of the walk-path and more or less blocked it for everybody that was going somewhere. The Plain Flowerpecker (Olivenblomsterfugl) was also a nice bird to see, similar in size to the Goldcrest (Fuglekonge) at home it was a dwarf compared to the bulbuls and orioles around it. I managed to get photos of several species of birds today, including Long-tailed and Red-breasted Parakeets (Langhale- og Skjeggparakitt), Andaman and Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (Andaman- og Dragedrongo). I even got a few snaps of a Brown Shrike (Brunvarsler) that seemed quite unhappy in the afternoon rain. The day ended with an Asian Koel (Grønnebbkoel) running by our hut, and yet another species was noted down!

Species list of the day

Jungle Resort

·         White-bellied Sea Eagle (Hvitbukhavørn)

·         Emerald Dove (Smaragddue)

·         Red-breasted Parakeet (Skjeggparakitt)

·         Long-tailed Parakeet (Langhaleparakitt)

·         Asian Koel (Grønnebbkoel)

·         Brown-backed Needletail (Brunryggseiler)

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl)

·         Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol)

·         Great Racket-tailed Drongo (Dragedrongo)

·         Andaman Drongo (Andamandrongo)

·         Brown Shrike (Brunvarsler)

·         Scarlet Minivet (Skarlagenmønjefugl)

·         Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl)

·         Asian Brown Flycatcher (Brunfluesnapper)

·         Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæregjøk)

·         Forest Wagtail (Skogerle)

·         Plain Flowerpecker (Olivenblomsterfugl)

New species today: 8

Total number of species this far: 23

Andaman Drongo/Andamandrongo

Asian Fairy Bluebird/Blåalvefugl, female

Asian Brown Flycatcher/Brunfluesnapper

Asian Brown Flycatcher/Brunfluesnapper

Brown Shrike/Brunvarsler

Long-tailed Parakeet/Langhaleparakitt

Oriental Magpie Robin/Orientskjæreskvett, male

Oriental Magpie Robin/Orientskjæreskvett, female

Scarlet Minivet/Skarlagenmønjefugl, male

Red-breasted Parakeet/Skjeggparakitt

Emerald Dove/Smaragddue, young

Emerald Dove/Smaragddue, adult

Black-naped Oriole/Svartnakkepirol, female

Bathing elephant

One of the millions of Hermit Crabs/Eremittkreps

Andaman Islands, Day 3, October 14th, 2011

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

It is a new day, and there are new species to be seen. The Asian Fairy Bluebirds (Blåalvefugl) and the Black-naped Orioles (Svartnakkepirol) were very active in the morning, and the resident flock of Red-whiskered Bulbuls (Rødørebylbyl) were flying from one fruiting tree to another to get their part of the food. All along there were Asian Magpie Robins (Orientskjæreskvett) chirping and fighting for the rights of the best feeding-grounds. A group of Black-headed Bulbuls (Svarthodebylbyl) came by the fruiting tree next to the reception, and in the same tree a Plain Flowerpecker (Olivenblomsterfugl) was working hard to get its share of the food. A Red-breasted Parakeet (Skjeggparakitt) was feeding of a papaya-fruit while his buddies were sat around waiting, and an Andaman Woodpecker (Andamansvartspett) was hammering on a log not too far away. The two best birds of the day though are the White-rumped Munia (Hvitgumpnonne) that showed up when I was trying to photograph some bulbuls, and the White-bellied Sea Eagle (Hvitbukhavørn) that came flying over the beach when we had a stroll in the setting sun. The day ended from the front of the hut when a young Great Coucal (Orientsporegjøk) came wandering by the hut and gave great views.

Species list of the day

Jungle Resort

·         White-bellied Sea Eagle Hvitbukhavørn)

·         Red-breasted Parakeet (Skjeggparakitt)

·         Great Coucal (Orientsporegjøk)

·         Andaman Woodpecker (Andamansvartspett)

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Alveblåfugl)

·         Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol)

·         Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl)

·         Black-headed bulbul (Svarthodebylbyl)

·         Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæreskvett)

·         Forest Wagtail (Skogerle)

·         Grey Wagtail (Vintererle)

·         Plain Flowerpecker (Olivenblomsterfugl)

·         White-rumped Munia (Hvitgumpnonne)

New species today: 7

Total number of species this far: 15

Red-wented Bulbul/Rødørebylbyl

Red-wented Bulbul/Rødørebylbyl

Black-headed Bulbul/Svarthodebulbul, endemic subspecies to the Andamans

Black-naped Oriole/Svartnakkepirol

Plain Flowerpecker/Oliveblomsterfugl

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo/Dragedrongo

Wkite-rumped Munia/Hvitgumpnonne

Oriental Magpie Robin/Orientskjæreskvett

Fruitbat/Flygehund

The toad in the loudspeaker at the restaurant

Andaman Islands, Day 2, October 13th, 2011

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

Usually I quite enjoy sleeping for a long time in the mornings, but in 26 degrees Celsius and 100% humidity, I woke up at 6.30 in the morning. New place, new possibilities! I grabbed my binoculars and my camera and headed out on the grounds of the holiday-complex. The first bird that I got to see was an Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl). This stunning glossy blue and black bird only showed well when it was sat in the shade, and in flight through the sun I had no chance of following it. I really hope to get a good photo of this species one day. Other birds seen today were the Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol) with its lemon-yellow body with black over the eyes and on the wings, Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl) and the Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæreskvett) were very common, and I saw and heard them many places throughout the day. While having a little stroll through the jungle I came across a Grey Wagtail (Vintererle), a species of which I am very familiar with form Norway. It did not want to sit still, and it flew off as quickly as I got close to it. Its cousin, the Forest Wagtail on the other hand did not fly away, but ran away on the ground. I would love to get some photos of this species, but when it is hiding in thick undergrowth at least I am not able to get a decent picture of it.

Species list of the day

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

·         Emerald Dove (Smaragddue)

·         Asian Fairy Bluebird (Blåalvefugl)

·         Black-naped Oriole (Svartnakkepirol)

·         Red-whiskered Bulbul (Rødørebylbyl)

·         Forest Wagtail (Skogerle)

·         Grey Wagtail (VIntererle)

·         Oriental Magpie Robin (Orientskjæreskvett)

New species today: 7

Total number of species so far: 8

Asian Fairy Bluebird/Blåalvefugl. Male

Oriental Magpie Robin/Orientskjæreskvett

It it nice to be warned about what not to do around corcodiles...

One of the many lizzards I saw during our stay.

"Our" gekko "George" who ate insects onour mosquito-net

Andaman Islands, Day 1, October 12th, 2011

I will make a brief note of every day when I am in the Andaman Islands, and I will also attach some of the photos that I take during my stay here. Due to the fact that there is no internet or phone-coverage where I am staying the blog will be updated after I am back on Svalbard.

Port Blair, South Andaman Island

After a very long flight, with three changes of flights we finally arrived in the Andaman Islands. It is a true tropical paradise, where the rainforest truly lived up to its name. It was tanking down like if the monsoon was not over yet. After having arrived at the jetty, waiting for the ferry to bring us to Havelock Island we were very happy that there was a building to be stood inside. All sorts of temporary rain/clothes were being used, even a little plastic bag pulled over one man’s head. And the prize of being my first bird seen on the Andaman Islands went to the House Sparrow (Gråspurv). Not the bird I was truly hoping for, but it is one of the world’s most wide-spread birds thanks to human settlements. When the ferry arrived there was the usual Indian chaos, and it was a first come - first serve – mentality. But when we had finally managed to get on board it was a nice journey over to Havelock Island.

Jetty at Village # 1, Havelock Island       

For the x’th time today I had to show my passport and Visa again. These islands have to be some of the best protected ones I have ever been too, because there seem to be passport- and Visa-control at every point possible. When I was stood waiting for the control to get done I noticed both swifts, swiftlets and swallows flying over the jetty, but since I am not even very skilled in European species of these, I gave up figuring out which species they were.

Jungle Resort, Havelock Island

After a cab-ride that would have gotten my mother to become more or less a nerve-wreck, and after hearing multiple car-horns being used like if it was an active part of the car, we arrived at the holiday-complex which we were to stay at for the next twelve days. It was like walking into a botanical garden. I could immediately see that this was promising well.

Species list of the day:

Port Blair, South Andaman

·         House Sparrow (Gråspurv)

New species today: 1

Total number of species so far: 1

Welcoming #1

Welcomming #2

Trip to paradise

In the following weeks I will be posting day-accounts and pictures from a two-week holiday to the Andaman Islands in India. Thewe are some beautiful islands with some wonderful birds, and I hope that my pictures will do the birds right. I am currently in england, and will hopefully be able to post a report from here as well.