Mauritius January - July 2013, Petrin, Camp Field Station and Brise Fer

These three sites are all quite close to each other and this part of the national park probably holds the best upland forest of the entire country, for much weed control is taking place. The forest holds a high density of native trees like Black Ebony or Screw Pine (Vacoas), however the understory in the places that have not been weeded is still covered in several dozens of Chinese Guavas, forming an impenetrable wall... Camp Field Station and Brise Fer are both more or less of Limits to the public, but the forest around them is reasonably good and well worth a visit, for it holds the same species, just not as close up. They can be reached by hiking from the Petrin Field Station. A guide is not mandatory. This hike also offers a scenic view over the gorges. Visits to Camp field station itself might be organised through MWF but I´m not sure if they still do this...

This area holds the biggest sub-population of Echo Parakeets (several 100), but most descent from hand reared birds and almost all birds depend on supplementary feeding. The same goes for the 90 Pink Pigeons around Brise Fer and the 15 around the Petrin visitors center. On the other hand, Brise Fer, Camp field station and the Parakeet Trail are probably the best places in the world to see Mauritius Cuckooshrikes and there is no project assigned to this species, so it is completely tickeable. Maurtius Bulbul also roams these forests. The Brise Fer area is also very interesting for reptile enthusiasts, for it is one of the few places on earth where Upland Day Geckos and Macchabee Skink can be seen, though they are very hard to find.

Female Echo Parakeet (Psittacula eques)

This part of the national park should not be missed, for it offers great views, Mauritius Cuckooshrikes and above all more or less healthy native forests. It might be interesting for photographers to arrange a visit to the field station, for close up views of Echo Parakeet and Pink Pigeon are guaranteed.