We caught the Catcocos Ferry to La Digue via a short stop in Praslin on 21st October. The boat was absolutely packed. We went & sat outside at the front of the ferry & it was a very fast ride! Birding was difficult, although we did see a few Wedge tailed Shearwaters, White tailed Tropicbirds & White Terns.
The bicycle is king here!
The harbour on La Digue.
Our perfect little home on La Digue.
The view from our garden.
A really stunning spot!
Sunset.
On arrival in La Digue harbour we quickly hired bicycles for the next ten days & the guy we hired them off arranged for our luggage to be taken to the house. And what a nice little house it turned out to be! The position was stunning, right on the sea. It was perfect! We unpacked & spent the rest of the afternoon/evening sat in the garden & enjoyed one of many spectacular sunsets.
A few pairs of White Terns were nesting
in the pine trees.
Looking towards our house,
which is just to the left of the point.
There are several little beach bars
tucked in among the trees.
in the pine trees.
There were a couple of Giant Tortoise around.
Looking for the flycatcher!
I think I have found it!
Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher
Male
Immature male
Male Seychelles Sunbird
Delana & I were up early the next day & went for a stroll along the bay, exploring our surroundings. It didn't take too long for us to see the avian star of this island, the Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher. And what a bird it is!
The main street at rush hour!
All the shops are small but quite well stocked.
The tourist center, where one can book
many tours/outings etc.
A panorama shot which hasn't quite worked out!
In the afternoon went into town for a few supplies & after a swim in the sea it was time for sundowners again!
Lesser Noddy
There were some huge crabs on the rocks.
Wedge tailed Shearwaters
Green backed Heron
We were up at the crack of dawn on 23rd October to watch the fly past of thousands of Wedge tailed Shearwaters. I estimated around 6-8,000 birds flew past in an hour, heading from their night time feeding grounds, back to their burrows on the island of Felicity. It was quite a sight. A Yellow Bittern was also noted flying in off the sea, which was a new bird for Delana.
Some sections of the path were steep!
The forest was lush, wet & spectacular
A few White tailed Tropicbirds
were nesting in the forest.
were nesting in the forest.
Anelle, Lourens & Delana
Delana & Lourens on the beach.
Greenshank
After breakfast we all jumped on our bikes & cycled across the centre of the island through lovely forest, to the Grand Anse Beach. It is a beautiful spot, but we had overcast weather & so didn't see it at its best. The odd Great Frigatebird flew over & a lone Greenshank was on the beach.
Anelle & Lourens on the rocks!
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Sepia sp.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Spotted Eagle Ray
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Longspine Sea urchin
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Oriental Sweetlips
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Greasy Grouper
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Emperor Angelfish
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Sepia sp.
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Porcupine Fish
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Longfinne Batfish
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Longfinne Batfish
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Yellowtail Sergeant
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
Yellowtail Sergeant
Photo courtesy of Delana Louw
On our return a little snorkel & then sundowners in the garden again!
On 24th October Delana & I cycled to the nearby point to watch the Shearwater parade & I managed to get a few shots.
On 25th October we cycled through the estate to one of the most beautiful beaches on this island. One takes a path running between the sea & the forest to access some of the more secluded beaches.
After a wonderful day out in a lovely area it was back to the house for you guessed it sundowners!
The bay just north of the house.
Just after a heavy shower.
The house from a snorkeling perspective!
White tailed Tropicbirds were nearly always
soaring around.
Champagne for sunset, of course!
Sunset from the house.
The following days settled into a rhythm of snorkeling, a bit of cycling & drinking in the garden. It is surprising how quickly the days passed by when you are not doing very much!
Bird list:
Wedge tailed Shearwater: between 6-8,000 every day at dawn.
White tailed Tropicbird: common breeder on this island. often seen flying round the forests giving spectacular views.
Greater Frigatebird: seen in small numbers most days, often flying high over the bay.
Lesser Frigatebird: one flew over the house on 23rd October at dusk.
Yellow Bittern: one flew in off the sea early one morning.
Green backed Heron: common along the shore.
Common Moorhen: common in all wet areas on the island.
Whimbrel: the commonest wader, flocks of up to 14 seen flying by at dusk.
Bar tailed Godwit: one flew by with Whimbrels one evening.
Grey Plover: two different singles seen.
Ruddy Turnstone: several small flocks seen.
Common Greenshank: two different singles seen.
Pomarine Skua: an immature flew past the house one evening.
Great crested Tern: one or two seen in the bay.
Common Noddy: up to 300+ seen every day from the house.
Lesser Noddy: up to 180+ seen every day.
Bridled Tern: up to 30 seen every day.
White Tern: common breeder on the island, 50+ noted every day.
Seychelles Blue Pigeon: common in the forest.
Barred Ground Dove: abundant & tame introduced species.
Madagascar Turtle Dove: abundant.
Seychelles Swiftlet: one to two birds seen at dusk most evenings around the garden. Interestingly they roosted in a palm tree. Delana also saw a group of six birds in the central forest.
Seychelles Bulbul: not as common as on the other islands but present throughout.
Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher: the star bird of the island, found throughout in good numbers wherever native forest is present.
Seychelles Sunbird: common throughout the island.
Madagascar Fody: introduced, the commonest land bird on the island.
Common Mynah: introduced, abundant throughout the island.
Common Waxbill: introduced, two birds seen in the garden one afternoon.
On 24th October Delana & I cycled to the nearby point to watch the Shearwater parade & I managed to get a few shots.
Island life!
Barred Ground Dove
Very common here.
Madagascar Turtle Dove
Madagascar Fody
The commonest land bird on the island.
Female.
Just messing about!
Another day gone!
This is the largest estate on La Digue.
White tailed Tropicbirds were soaring
above the hill forest.
White tailed Tropicbird
One cycles trough the estate to gain access
to the beaches.
Yet another Giant Tortoise
White tailed Tropicbirds were soaring
above the hill forest.
to the beaches.
Dramatic granite rocks, coming straight
into the ocean.
The forest comes right down to the beach.
Seychelles Fruit Bat
On 25th October we cycled through the estate to one of the most beautiful beaches on this island. One takes a path running between the sea & the forest to access some of the more secluded beaches.
Yet another glorious sunset from the house.
After a wonderful day out in a lovely area it was back to the house for you guessed it sundowners!
Early morning looking from our house.
soaring around.
The following days settled into a rhythm of snorkeling, a bit of cycling & drinking in the garden. It is surprising how quickly the days passed by when you are not doing very much!
Bird list:
Wedge tailed Shearwater: between 6-8,000 every day at dawn.
White tailed Tropicbird: common breeder on this island. often seen flying round the forests giving spectacular views.
Greater Frigatebird: seen in small numbers most days, often flying high over the bay.
Lesser Frigatebird: one flew over the house on 23rd October at dusk.
Yellow Bittern: one flew in off the sea early one morning.
Green backed Heron: common along the shore.
Common Moorhen: common in all wet areas on the island.
Whimbrel: the commonest wader, flocks of up to 14 seen flying by at dusk.
Bar tailed Godwit: one flew by with Whimbrels one evening.
Grey Plover: two different singles seen.
Ruddy Turnstone: several small flocks seen.
Common Greenshank: two different singles seen.
Pomarine Skua: an immature flew past the house one evening.
Great crested Tern: one or two seen in the bay.
Common Noddy: up to 300+ seen every day from the house.
Lesser Noddy: up to 180+ seen every day.
Bridled Tern: up to 30 seen every day.
White Tern: common breeder on the island, 50+ noted every day.
Seychelles Blue Pigeon: common in the forest.
Barred Ground Dove: abundant & tame introduced species.
Madagascar Turtle Dove: abundant.
Seychelles Swiftlet: one to two birds seen at dusk most evenings around the garden. Interestingly they roosted in a palm tree. Delana also saw a group of six birds in the central forest.
Seychelles Bulbul: not as common as on the other islands but present throughout.
Seychelles Black Paradise Flycatcher: the star bird of the island, found throughout in good numbers wherever native forest is present.
Seychelles Sunbird: common throughout the island.
Madagascar Fody: introduced, the commonest land bird on the island.
Common Mynah: introduced, abundant throughout the island.
Common Waxbill: introduced, two birds seen in the garden one afternoon.
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