Andaman Scops Owl_IDS - web edit 180x450(5pi).jpg

Andaman Scops Owl © Ian D'Souza

India: South

Endemics of the Andaman Islands

A 5-day small group birding tour focusing on the impressive number of endemics of the idyllic Andaman and Nicobar archipelago readily available on the easily accessible island of South Andaman.

Swathed in tropical forest, the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago is made up of more than 500 remote islands, part of a submarine mountain range extending from Myanmar to Sumatra that divides the Bay of Bengal from the Andaman Sea. The considerable number of endemic species they hold have evolved here out of sheer isolation, and with only very few islands inhabited they are afforded considerable protection due to inaccessibility and the extensive cover of natural vegetation. Our tour is an enjoyable exploration of South Andaman, the third largest island in the Andaman and Nicobar chain. On South Andaman, we will focus on the 21 of 30 Andaman and Nicobar endemics and near-endemics available in the coastal rainforests and mangroves of this tropical island paradise, including the imaginatively named Andaman Crake, Andaman Teal, Andaman Woodpecker and Andaman Boobook. These islands still retain affinities to Myanmar, to which they are geographically close and were once connected, and among the rich and varied avifauna we’ll also find an interesting mix of species, such as Mangrove Whistler and Asian Glossy Starling, more commonly associated with Southeast Asia than India.

This short tour can be linked with India - south: The Western Ghats and/or Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals to create a comprehensive itinerary covering the regional specialities of the southern portion of the Indian subcontinent.

REQUEST INFO / BOOK THIS TOUR

Group size: Our group size limit for all tours is 8 participants accompanied by 1 leader. Our tour prices are based on min. 6 participants, however we often confirm tours for 4/5 participants providing each group member agrees to pay an additional small group surcharge (which may be 5-20% of the 6-8 person tour price). Custom/private tours can be arranged for any group size.

Tour grading: Easy. All birding will be on foot along quiet, paved roads or well marked forest trails; the tour is intensive in terms of time spent in the field, at times in hot, humid conditions.

Accommodation & ground transport: Comfortable good to medium standard hotels throughout, all with private facilities. Road transport is by comfortable modern car(s) or minibus, with road conditions generally good.

Weather: The climate of the Andaman Islands is tropical monsoon, with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Daytime temperatures are hot across the islands, cooling off a little overnight. Rainfall is concentrated throughout India's June to September and less intense October to December monsoons. January to March is generally dry, but some amount of rain should be anticipated throughout the year. Humidity is high throughout the islands, but alleviated by gentle sea breezes.

Birds: 110-130

Mammals: 0-5

Photography: Good

Enjoyable, relaxed yet productive birding in a tropical island setting.

Realistic chances of seeing all 21 of the 30 species endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago available on South Andaman, including Andaman Teal, Andaman Crake, Andaman Woodpecker, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Treepie, Andaman Cuckooshrike and Andaman Shama.

An impressive selection of endemic night birds, including Andaman and Hume's Boobooks, Andaman and Walden's (Oriental) Scops-Owls, and Andaman Masked Owl.

Up to seven species of kingfisher in flooded fields, mangroves and forest waterways, including shy Ruddy, localised Collared, Blue-eared and Black-backed Dwarf.

An interesting selection of species more usually associated with Southeast Asia than India, such as Chinese Pond Heron, Mangrove Whistler, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Asian Glossy Starling, Long-tailed Parakeet, Olive-backed Sunbird, Plume-toed and White-nest Swiftlets, and White-breasted Woodswallow.

Birding in one of India's most interesting areas, from lush littoral rainforest and mangroves to dense tropical forests inland with clear affinities to Myanmar, surrounded by balmy waters and blue skies, and with a glimpse of the islands' fascinating history as a British penal colony.

Day 1: Arrive Port Blair

Arrivals into Port Blair airport this morning. Port Blair will be our base for a four-night stay on South Andaman, and this afternoon we can expect a good introduction to the islands’ more widespread birds, such as Dusky Warbler, Long-tailed Parakeet, Olive-backed Sunbird, Asian Glossy Starling, Black-capped and Stork-billed Kingfishers, White-bellied Sea-eagle, Pacific Reef-Heron, Watercock, Grey-headed Swamphen, a selection of waders that might include Curlew and Marsh Sandpipers, Greater and Lesser Sandplovers, and Kentish Plover, plus our first endemics, perhaps Andaman Drongo or White-headed Starling.

Days 2-4: South Andaman

We have three full days on South Andaman to explore sites further afield. North of Port Blair, we will visit Mount Manipur (previously Mount Harriet) National Park, where dense tropical evergreen forests on the slopes of the third highest peak of the archipelago host most if not all of island’s available endemics. In roadside forests we will look for Andaman Treepie, Andaman Shama, Andaman flowerpecker, Andaman Green-Pigeon, Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Asian Emerald and Violet Cuckoos, Blyth's Paradise-Flycatcher, and Forest Wagtail, scanning the skies from the peak for Andaman Woodpigeon, Pied Imperial-Pigeon, Plume-toed and White-nest Swiftlets, Brown-backed and less regular White-throated Needletails, White-breasted Woodswallow, Changeable Hawk-Eagle and Black Baza. Lingering here after dusk, we hope to locate Andaman Nightjar, Andaman and Hume’s Boobooks, Andaman Scops Owl and the endemic 'Walden's' race of Oriental Scops Owl. We will also visit the coastal rainforests of Chidiya Tapu to the south of the island, looking for Andaman Serpent-Eagle, Andaman Coucal, Andaman Woodpecker, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, Andaman Bulbul, and the elusive Andaman Crake. Elsewhere on the island, mangrove-lined creeks, marshes and flooded fields host flocks of Andaman Teal, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers, Ruddy and Collared Kingfishers, Black-backed Dwarf Kingfisher, Chinese Pond-Heron, Yellow and Cinnamon Bitterns, Black-browed, Oriental and Clamorous Reed Warblers, Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler, and Mangrove Whistler.

Day 5: Depart Port Blair

Depending on group departure plans we may have time for some final birding around Port Blair this morning. Departures from Port Blair today.

Pre-tour extension / Linked tour (India - south: The Western Ghats):

This tour can be combined with our tour of India - south: The Western Ghats to create a comprehensive 14 night/15 day Southern India birding tour that covers the endemics of both regions. These can be further combined with Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals, to create a tour that covers the entire southern portion of the Indian subcontinent and its speciality species. If combining tours, on day 1 we will fly into Port Blair from Bangalore.

Wednesday 17 January - Sunday 21 January 2024

with Leio De Souza

Wednesday 22 January - Sunday 26 January 2025

with Leio De Souza

2024: INR 98000 / $ 1195 / £ 930 / € 1070 (Port Blair/Port Blair)

Duration: 4 nights/5 days

Group size: min. 6 / max. 8 with 1 leader

Single room supplement: INR 23000 / $ 280 / £ 220 / € 250

Deposit: INR 20000 / $ 240 / £ 185 / € 215 (20% of the tour price)

Pre-tour extension / Linked tour (India - south: The Western Ghats):

This tour can be combined with our tour of India - south: The Western Ghats to create a comprehensive tour that covers all Western Ghats endemics together with all accessible Andaman & Nicobar endemics. Discount applicable when purchasing both tours. These tours can also be joined to Sri Lanka: Endemic Birds and Mammals.

The tour is priced in Indian Rupees (INR). Amounts shown in other currencies are indicative.

The tour price includes: