Madagascar November 2012 – January 2013, Farankaraina

Due to some delay in Maroantsetra because of unavailable bird guides for Masoala National Park we opted for a small detour to the forest of Farankaraina. This s not a prime birding spot, but it is known as a good site for Aye-aye. We organized the trip through a small local NGO. To get to the forest a three to four hour pirogue ride is necessary.  The boat trip proved good for at least 20 Madagascar Pratincoles, Chabert´s and White-headed Vangas as well as two Allen´s Gallinules.

The forest produced Henst´s Goshawk, Madagascar Green Pigeon, Red-breasted Coua and Madagascar Crested Ibis. Helmet Vanga is apparently also possible here. We also observed Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemurs and a Lowland Streaked Tenrec. The night walk resulted in large numbers of Brown Mouse Lemurs, a single Greater Dwarf Lemur and best of all an Aye-aye. However, we only heard the Aye-aye tapping on a dead log, for our overenthusiastic young guide sprinted into the forest as soon as he found out why we stopped and demanded silence… We heard the animal leaping away through the canopy shortly afterwards…

Lowland Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)

The ever present Phelsuma lineatus

Farankaraina was a nice place to relax, bird without a lot of pressure and of course to search for Aye-aye. The NGO is lovely, but a bit inexperienced and the guides might need to learn a thing or two, but don´t be put off by our infortune! We definitely had a lovely time here.