6th January – After lunch at the Emerald View we were driven out to Sippighat wetlands where we met up with Shaktivel who was to be our guide for the next week. We joined him and a client who was leaving the next day. Among the many waterbirds we saw large numbers of our first endemic – Andaman Teal. Also had good views of two Ruddy-breasted Crake and a White-browed Crake. The latter is a vagrant and has apparently been at this site for several months. We stayed into the evening and drove along a bund wall to scattered patches of forest to await the Andaman Nightjar. It did not disappoint, several were calling, and we had a good view of one sitting on a rocky bank.

7th January – we were collected by Shaktivel and driver (Basudev) at 4.40 am. This was necessary in order to catch the first ferry at Chatham docks across to Bamboo Flats in order to reach the Shoal Bay area. This was accomplished without any hitches and we were birding in the Shoal Bay forest by 5.30 am. Most of the birding was along a track just before the cemetery on the opposite side of the road. The endemics came thick and fast! By 9 am we had seen Andaman Treepie, Andaman Cuckoo-Shrike, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Woodpecker (at a nest hole), Andaman Cuckoo-Dove, Andaman Shama, Andaman (White-headed) Starling and Andaman Flowerpecker. Despite much searching we could not find Andaman Crake, although at least one was heard calling. By 9 am it was hot and bird activity low, so we returned to the hotel via the ferry crossing.

At 3pm we drove to the Ograbraj wetland area, past Sippighat. No new birds seen although a Pied Harrier was seen quartering the marshes and several Red-throated Pipits were found in a field. On the way back to town, Shaktivel took us to the Bathu Basti secondary school, a stake out for the Andaman Masked Owl. We waited until just after dark watching for the owl to emerge from a damaged ceiling area under a verandah. At 5.40 the owl appeared briefly, perched to allow photographs and then disappeared into the night.

8th January – Another early start to catch the 5 am ferry to Bamboo Flats. This time we turned right after the ferry, heading for Mt Harriet National Park. The road climbs steeply and we reached the park gates by about 6 15 am. They do not open until 7 am, but the guard allowed us in to walk towards the summit. We left our passports with the driver who would do the paperwork, pay the entry fee and follow us after 7 am. Walking up we had good views of Andaman Green Pigeon and two Andaman Serpent Eagles. After the car picked us up we drove towards the summit, finally getting good views of Andaman (Brown) Coucal – a common bird but difficult to see well. Just before the summit we were lucky enough to have a close encounter with three Andaman Crakes! From the car park we walked past the resthouse and historic sites to the beginning of the Kalapather Trail. Here there is a good view west over the forest canopy. A bird was seen at the top of a distant tree and the ‘scope brought into play. It was an Andaman Wood Pigeon! This is the generally regarded as the most difficult of the endemics and is thought to be declining in numbers. This good ‘scope view was the only one we had of this species. Late morning we returned to Port Blair.

At 3 pm we returned to the ferry and headed for the Shoal Bay area for owling after dark. On the way we stopped at the Wrightmyo mangroves and then walked into the mangroves behind the cemetery. The extensive area of mangroves was fairly quiet but we eventually had good views of a Mangrove Whistler. As dusk descended we moved to the forest track on the other side of the road. Between 6 pm and 7.30 pm Shaktivel got us good views of Andaman Scops Owl, Andaman Hawk Owl and Walden’s Scops Owl. The last-named is a subspecies of Oriental Scops Owl, but may be split in future.

9th January – The morning was spent firstly at Ograbraj wetlands. Nothing new, but among the many waterbirds and waders found an Openbill Stork, which is a vagrant to the Andamans. Continuing on we stopped for tea at a café in Tusnabaad – made memorable by a large fruiting fig tree, which hosted at least 40 Hill Mynas, several Vernal Hanging Parrots and large numbers of Andaman (White-headed) Starlings, as well as Indian Golden Orioles, Green Imperial Pigeons and Asian Glossy Starlings. After Tusnabaad we drove to Kurmadera Beach, which was very scenic and with historic WWII bunkers, but few birds.

In the afternoon we birded the Garacharma mudflats – many waders – including more than six Broad-billed Sandpipers; then went on to Sippighat which produced an Oriental Reed Warbler for the list.

10th January – a late start today at 8 am after a hotel breakfast. We drove south to Chidiya Tapu where we were booked into the Wild Grass Resort. The road goes through primary forest which contains most of the endemic species. From our verandah we had views of Changeable Hawk Eagle circling over the forest.

After lunch we drove down a track to Badabalu Beach, passing over a culvert beneath which there were hundreds of roosting Plume-toed Swiftlets. The beach is very scenic, but marred by incredible quantities of litter from people who picnic there at weekends. We birded the area behind the beach consisting of scattered forest remnants, fields and marshes. Species new to the list included Ashy Drongo (the sanguiensis ssp.), dollarbird, up to seven Siberian Stonechats and a Crested Serpent Eagle of the small Andamans ssp. Over the fields there were large feeding flocks of Edible-nest Swiftlets, Plume-toed Swiftlets and Brown-backed Needletails. In among them we discovered a fork-tailed swift that was identified as Blyth’s Swift – a lifer! Also present were several Red-rumped Swallows.

With only one endemic left to find we spent the early evening around Chidiya Tapu village where Shaktivel located at least six Hume’s Hawk Owls, so we got good views of our final endemic. In addition we had close views of two more Walden’s Scops Owls.

11th January – with all the targets seen we could relax and explore the surrounding forests. We spent the early morning birding the magnificent forest leading into Chidiya Tapu, following this up with a visit to the Biological Park where we had stunning close up views of an Andaman Serpent Eagle near the gate. Also noteworthy were a pair of Blue-eared Kingfishers. The late afternoon was spent back at Badabalu with little of note although we added Small Minivet to the list.

12th January – Birded the marshes at Chidiya Tapu and added Clamorous Reed Warbler to the list. Also today we visited the forest past the Biological Park leading to the beach.

13th January – In the morning a final visit to Badabalu, lots of birds but nothing new to the list. Drove back to Port Blair and checked into the TSG Emerald for our final night. The trip ended with another late afternoon visit to Sippighat and Ograbraj.

14th January – departed at 7.25 am for Chennai.