Rare birds recorded at Alphonse

Amur Falcon at Alphonse (Pep Nogues)

Several rare avian visitors to Seychelles have been reported from Alphonse by Island Conservation Society staff in December including Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, Western Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus.

The Amur Falcon, pictured above, breeds in north eastern Asia and migrates south through India before crossing the Indian Ocean to winter in Africa. This individual was located at the IDC village by Chris Narty on 18 December and was also seen by Pep Nogués and Ari Fernadez. Chris, Pep and Ari are ICS staff based on the island running conservation programmes supported by IDC.