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Olivaceous (Réunion) Bulbul Hypsipetes borbonicus

Réunion

Photo: Alain Fossé

The following information is from a correspondent who took a family holiday to Réunion in July 2005. The sightings are not of uncommon species but they include several endemic and near endemic species and as this is the first news we have received from this island, we felt that it should be included.

The following species were each observed on several days of the holiday: White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus; Madagascar (Réunion) Marsh Harrier Circus maillardi; Madagascar Turtle Dove Streptopelia picturata; Mascarene Swiftlet Aerodramus francicus; Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica; Réunion Stonechat Saxicola tectes; Réunion White-eye Zosterops olivaceus; Mascarene Grey White-eye Z. borbonicus and Madagascar Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis.

The following species introduced to Réunion were also seen on several days: Zebra Dove Geopelia striata; Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus; Common Myna Acridotheres tristis; House Sparrow Passer domesticus; Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus and Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild.

In addition, species that were seen less frequently were Green-backed Heron Butorides striata, Madagascar Partridge Margaroperdix madagascariensis, Madagascar Buttonquail Turnix nigricollis, Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica lonnbergi, Brown Noddy Anous stolidus, Olivaceous (Réunion) Bulbul Hypsipetes borbonicus and Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone bourbonnensis.

Further information can be found at reunionreport.