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The following records were published in recent Bulletins of the African Bird Club and are for information only.

The following records are mainly from the period October 2009–May 2010, with a few from earlier dates. Never have so many reports of rarities been received since the Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) was formed in 1992. Accepted firsts are Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria fallax (one at Cousin Island on 15 June 2009), Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba (one on Bird Island on 20–21 November), Desert
Wheatear Oenanthe deserti (a first winter male on Bird Island on 16–19 November) and Common Stonechat Saxicola torquatus (one on Denis on 27 December). This takes the total number of species on the Seychelles list to 254. First reports of Herald Petrel Pterodroma heraldica on Cousin on 10–11 June 2009 and of European Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca on Bird Island are currently being examined.

Second reports for Seychelles, all from Bird Island, include a first-winter female Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka on 13–20 November and a male Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla on 16 November. A record of a snipe on 12 November was accepted as either Pintail Snipe Gallinago stenura or Swinhoe's Snipe G. megala; this is the second such record, whilst there is only one confirmed record of Pintail
Snipe. A first-winter bunting on 21 November was accepted as either Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana or Cretzchmar's Bunting E. caesia; there is only one accepted record of Ortolan and none of Cretzchmar's.

Third reports include a Reed Cormorant Phalacrocorax africanus on Grand Terre, Aldabra, on 16 February, a Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus on Alphonse on 7–9 December, a Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris on Desroches on 3–5 March, and an Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina on Bird Island on 12 November. Single Wood Warblers Phylloscopus sibilatrix on Bird Island on 17 and 27 November were the third and fourth records.

Fourth records were a Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides on Praslin on 12 January, a Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla on Bird Island on 16–23 November, with two present on the final date, and a female / immature Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis on Bird Island on 14 November.

The sixth Wilson's Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus for the archipelago was observed off D'Arros on 3 July 2009. A belated report of an Indian Pond Heron
Ardeola grayii on Denis on 10 December 2007 was the fifth for Seychelles; singles were also recorded on Alphonse on 30 October–5 November, and on Desroches. A Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus on Frégate on 8–11 November and another on Bird Island on 10–17 November constituted the fifth and sixth records. A Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni was on Desroches on 8 March (sixth record). Single Common Pratincoles Glareola pratincola were on North Island on 25 September (earliest post-breeding arrival date), Alphonse on 5–14 November and Bird Island on 11 November (nine previous records). Reports of Black-winged PratincoleG. nordmanni included four adults on Alphonse on 4–16 May 2009, one on Frégate on 12 June 2009, one on Bird Island on 11–28 November, two on Frégate on 14 November and one on Desroches on 1 March; there are six previously accepted records. A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos was on Alphonse on 8–16 May (fifth record). A belated report of a Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybridus at Victoria, Mahé, on 11 October 2006 was the fifth for Seychelles. Two Little Swifts Apus affinis were seen on Cousine on 20 January (fifth record). A Common House Martin Delichon urbicum on Alphonse on 4–5 October and a Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea on North Island on 18–19 November were the ninth records for both species.

A ring found at the Alphonse airstrip on 12 December 2009 had been applied to a first-year Eleonora's Falcon Falco eleonorae at Las Islas Columbretes, Spain, on
17 September 2008. It is assumed that the bird died on Alphonse and the ring became detached; there have been 28 previous records of this species. Eurasian Hobbies F. subbuteo were reported from D'Arros on 21 November, Bird Island on
15–21 November (two), Frégate on 17 November, Poivre on 7 December and Desroches on 3–4 January; all were immatures (21 previous records). Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus were observed on Alphonse on 15–22 January 2009, Desroches on 23 October–26 November, Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 18 November,
North Island on 16 November–1 December, Bird Island on 16–26 November (with two present on 19–20 November), Cousine on 4 December and 25 December–2
January, Praslin on 12 January and Aride on 14 January (26 previous records). Lesser Cuckoos C. poliocephalus were present on Bird Island on 22 November, at Anse aux Pins, Mahé, on 13 January–27 February, with two there on the final date, and on Cousine on 10–13 January and 21 January–20 February (13 previous records).

For the third time in living memory and for the second consecutive season, there were reports of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus in significant numbers,
including 20–25 on Bird Island on 8–25 November, one at Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary, Mahé, on 18 November, six on North Island on 18–19 November, two on Cousin on 19 November, six on Conception on 23 November, two on Aride on
16–20 November, one on Alphonse on 28 November, at least one on Denis on 2–12 December, four on D'Arros on 15 December, and one on Silhouette on 15–16 December. Apart from the three years when invasions took place, there have been 17 accepted records.

Further records of interest include a Little Egret Egretta garzetta on Cousine on 5 February–3 March (26th record), a Great Egret E. alba at Beau Vallon marsh, Mahé, on 14 November and another on Bird Island on 9–11 November (14 previous records), an adult Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary, Mahé, from about 18 October to at least 18 November, with an immature on Alphonse on 22 October, one on Desroches on 24 October–17 November and another immature on Bird Island on 11–21 November (37 previous records), a female or immature Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata on Aride on 5 January (tenth record), an immature Northern Pintail A. acuta on Aride on 20 January (11th record), a Ruff Philomachus pugnax on Desroches on 16 November, with two on Bird Island on 13–28 November (28 previous records), a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago on Aride on 17 October, two on Alphonse on 20 October–6 November and two on Denis on 30 December (14 previous records), a Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa on Aride on 24 December (seventh record), a Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus on Cousine on 20 January (17th record), an adult Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica off Bird Island on 18 November (11th record), a Common Swift Apus apus on Desroches on 5 February (19th record), a Pacific Swift A. pacificus on Bird Island on 11–15 November, with another on Denis on 26–27 December (12th–13th records), a European Roller Coracias garrulus on Bird Island on 10–27 November and 18 March, with others on Frégate on 11–13 November, Praslin on 16 November, Desroches on 17–25 November and 7–17 February, Alphonse on 25–28 November (two) and 14 March, and Denis on 2 December (34 previous records), an adult Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus on Alphonse on 10–22 November (14th record east of the Aldabra group), a Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia on Alphonse on 20–26 October, with another on Bird Island on 9–11 November (18 previous records), a White Wagtail Motacilla alba on D'Arros on 7 November, with others on Desroches on 26 November and on Bird Island on 15–20 November (27 previous records), a first-winter Yellow Wagtail M. flava on Aride on 20–25 November (31st record), an adult and up to four first-winter Red-throated Pipits Anthus cervinus on Bird Island on 11–25 November (17th record), a Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus on Bird Island on 11 November (11th record), a Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe on Denis on 3 January and another on Aldabra on 14 January (45 previous records), and a female / immature Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus on Bird Island on 11 November, with another on Cousine on 24 December (14 previous records).

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) from mid-June to mid-November 2009 include the first of Herald Petrel Pterodroma aterrima,one on Cousin on 10–11 June 2009. A Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides at Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary, Mahé, on 3 April–26 June was the fourth report for Seychelles. Single Indian Pond Herons A. grayii on Alphonse on 30–31 October, on Desroches on 11 November and on Denis Island on 10 December 2007 (details received late) were the fifth to seventh reports for Seychelles. A remarkable number of Common Swifts Apus apus were reported on Desroches, beginning with one on 18 October, rising to ten the following day, declining to five on 20 October, with one remaining until 25 October. Of 16 previous records, 14 involved solitary birds, whilst the remaining two involved two individuals, and no sightings have been made over such a sustained period, the majority being present on one day only. There was also a Common Swift at Alphonse on 19 October.

Also of interest were a Great Egret Egretta alba on Paul Island, St Joseph Atoll, on 10 November and another at Beau Vallon, Mahé, on 15 November (13 previous accepted records), a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea on Alphonse on 22 October and one on Desroches on 24 October (37 previous records), an adult Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola on Alphonse on 5 November (nine previous records), an adult Black-winged Pratincole G. nordmanni on Frégate on 12 June (seven previous records), a Ruff Philomachus pugnax at Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 23 September 2009 (27 previous records), a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago on Aride on 12 October and two on Alphonse on 20 October–6 November (14 previous records), a Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia on Alphonse on 20–26 October (18 previous records), a Common House Martin Delichon urbicum on Alphonse on 4–5 October (eight previous records), and an adult male White Wagtail Motacilla alba on D’Arros on 7 November (27 previous records).

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Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) from mid-December 2008 to mid-June 2009 include a Plain Martin Riparia paludicola at Anse Etoile, Mahé, on 9 December 2008, which has been accepted as the first record for Seychelles. Other accepted records include an adult Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at Seychelles Golf Club, Mahé, on 13 December (fourth record), two female Northern Pintails Anas acuta at Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 20 December (tenth record), an adult male Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca on Denis Island on 17 November (fourth record), an adult nominate race Black Kite Milvus migrans on Alphonse on 24 December and presumably the same individual on 7 January (third record), an adult and an immature Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola at Amitié, Praslin, on 28 November (ninth record), a Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius on Alphonse on 21 November (tenth record), a Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes at St François Atoll on 17 November (fourth record), an adult Jacobin Cuckoo Oxylophus jacobinus on Cousine Island from 30 November to 4 December (tenth record), a European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus on Aride Island on 20 November (fifth record), and a female or first-winter Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus on Alphonse on 18 - 22 November (tenth record).

Other reports accepted by SBRC during the period include two Little Egrets Egretta garzetta on Praslin on 31 December and one at Providence, Mahé, on 25 January (24 - 25th records), an adult Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 14 - 20 December at least (36th record), an immature Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae on Aride Island on 19 November (28th record), up to three Eurasian Hobbies Falco subbuteo on Denis on 24 - 27 November and a first winter on Cousine Island on 24 December - 11 January (20th and 21st records), a Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago on Alphonse on 16 - 22 November and one at Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 20 December (13 - 14th records), a first-winter Common Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus on Alphonse on 13 - 15 December (16th record), a Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus found dead on North Island on 20 December (13th record), an immature Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava on Aride on 19 November (30th record), a Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia on Alphonse on 23 - 26 December (18th record), and a first-winter male Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe (45th record).

Still under review by SBRC are the first report for Seychelles of a Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii at sea near Cosmoledo on 17 March, a Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae at Poivre on 19 March (the fourth report east of Aldabra, where it breeds), together with the fifth Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus on Aride on 5 December, a Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni on Alphonse on 27 February - 3 April, a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminate on Alphonse on 8 - 16 May and a Little Swift Apus affinis on North Island on 24 January. Also of interest and under review are reports of a Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax at sea between Cosmoledo and Poivre on 18 March (11 previous records), a Great Egret Egretta alba at St Joseph Atoll on 26 April (12 previous records), an adult Purple Heron Ardea purpurea on Desroches on 23 April (36 previous records), four Black-winged Pratincoles Glareola nordmanni on Alphonse on 4 - 16 May (seven previous records), and a Pacific Swift Apus pacificus on Alphonse on 19 March (ten previous records).

An exceptional invasion of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus in November - December 2008, involving several hundred birds from Bird and Denis in the north to Alphonse in the south, was reported. By late December most had moved on, except on Denis, Bird, D’Arros, St Joseph and Alphonse. On Denis c.10 remained through January, increasing to c.20 in February and 30 in April, declining thereafter with most having departed by 6 June, but three remained to at least 15 June. On Bird four were present until at least 4 May. On D’Arros numbers declined steadily from c.10 in January to three by 10 June. On St Joseph ten were present in January, with one remaining until at least 10 June. On Alphonse up to three were seen until 21 February. Elsewhere, 13 were reported at Cote d’Or, Praslin, on 19 - 28 April; on Aride, up to three on 25 - 31 December and one on 3 - 4 February; on Curieuse four on 6 January; on Silhouette, none from 27 December until three on 22 April; on Eden, two on 30 January and three on 10 February; on St François, three on 15 January; on Poivre, four on 12 March; and on Desroches, three on 27 February and 12 - 15 on 23 April. .

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) for June - December 2008 include an Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus and a Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni at the airstrip on Alphonse from 26 October, representing the fifth and sixth reports for Seychelles respectively; both were still present in early December. Three Sandwich Terns Sterna sandvicensis at Grand Anse, Praslin, on 9 July were the fifth report of this species.

An exceptional invasion of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus began with six on Praslin on 17 November and six on Denis Island on 18 November. Numbers built up dramatically on 20 - 24 November with up to 500 on Denis, 120 at St Joseph Atoll, 100 on D’Arros, 50 on North Island, 35 on Praslin, 30 on Silhouette, 30 on Desroches, 30 on Mahé, 18 on Aride, 15 on Anonyme, ten on Cousine and five on Alphonse. Numbers declined thereafter but a few were still present in early December on all of the islands listed. This is the second time in living memory that a mass invasion of Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters has been
witnessed in Seychelles. On the first occasion, hundreds or perhaps thousands
of birds were seen on 15 different islands, arriving in early November 2001, with a few remaining as late as mid-June 2002. Apart from these two mass invasions, there have been only 14 previous records.

Amur Falcons Falco amurensis also arrived in significant numbers around the same time as the Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, with up to 50 on Denis from 21 November; numbers declined thereafter but a few were still present in early December. There was one at North Island on 21 November, nine on 22 November
and two still present in early December. There was also one at Glacis, Mahé on 21 - 22 November, up to 20 at D’Arros from 24 November and two at Point Larue, Mahé on 1 - 2 December. Amur Falcons were seen to take Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters on D’Arros and Denis, and a Madagascar Turtle Dove Streptopelia picturata was also taken on Denis. Amur Falcons are now annual visitors to Seychelles although the species was unrecorded prior to 1995.

Reports of European Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus, a species with only 11 previous records, include a male found dead on D’Arros on 26 September (the earliest arrival in Seychelles), a male and a female / immature on Praslin on 11 October, and one at St François on 28 October.

Other sightings of interest during the period were a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at Denis Island on 3 October (34 previous records), a Broad- billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus at Alphonse on 17 September (an annual visitor to the Aldabra group with 11 previous records east of there) and a Red-throated Pipit
Anthus cervinus on North Island on 6 October (16 previous records).

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) for December 2007 - May 2008 include the following. A juvenile Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae on Assumption Island was the first record from any of the outer islands other than Aldabra, where it breeds. A female Northern Pintail Anas acuta at Roche Caiman, Mahé, on 5 December was joined by another female and a male in early January, which remained until at least 19 January (there are eight previous records). A Black Kite Milvus migrans on Alphonse Island on 26 - 27 March was the second report for Seychelles. Three Amur Falcons Falco amurensis were reported from North Island on 9 December and two from Alphonse on 26 December - 5 January (27 previous records). A Great Snipe Gallinago media at Mont Fleuri, Mahé, on 16 - 17 January and a European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus on Aride Island on 10 - 29 January have both been accepted by SBRC as the third records for Seychelles. A Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus was on Alphonse on 4 January (11 previous records).

The first Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii for the islands was a male at Picard, Aldabra, on 8 February . It has been accepted as the first record for the archipelago and is considered to pertain to the nominate race. Other sightings of interest include three Common House Martins Delichon urbicum on Alphonse Island on 16 - 18 May (seven previous records), a Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava (27 previous records) and single Northern Wheatears Oenanthe oenanthe on Aride on 18 - 20 December and Alphonse on 12 February (43 previous records).

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Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) for May - November 2007 include the third Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris for Seychelles (and the first for the outer islands), at Harrison’s Beach and Gendron’s Beach, Alphonse, on 1-3 November. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis at the airstrip, Alphonse, on 6-8 November was also a first report for the outer islands and the sixth for Seychelles. Two European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster at Picard, Aldabra, on 14 November represented the third report for Seychelles (both previous records were also from the Aldabra group). Isabelline Wheatears Oenanthe isabellina at the airstrip, Bird Island, on 27 October and at Providence, Mahé, on 6-7 November, were the fourth and fifth reports for Seychelles.

Common Sand Martins Riparia riparia were seen at the airstrip, Bird Island, on 27 October (two), at the south beach, St Francois Atoll, on 3 November (one) and at the airstrip, Alphonse, on 23-26 October (one); there are 15 previous records. White Wagtails Motacilla alba (23 previous records) were reported at Alphonse from 23 October to 3 November, D’Arros on 9 November and Picard, Aldabra, on 25 November.

Other sightings of interest include a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea (33 previous records) at Alphonse from 16 October until 9 November, an adult Common Pratincole Glareola pratincola (six previous records) at La Passe, Silhouette, on 28 October, a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata (28 previous records, including 19 from Aldabra) at Picard, Aldabra, from 30 October to 3 November, and a Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus (ten previous records) at Cousine Island on 21 November.

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) for November 2006 - May 2007 include firsts for no fewer than five species: a Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea at Gro Latet, Aride Island, on 24 November, a juvenile female Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula at the sewage ponds on Alphonse on 23-25 December, a Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus rochii at the Old Settlement, Picard, Aldabra, on 24-29 December, an African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus at Picard, Aldabra, on 20 December, and a Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris found exhausted near the cemetery, Picard, Aldabra, on 24 April.

Other records from the period include the following. A dark-morph Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta at Cousin, on 10 January, was the fourth record from Seychelles; the previous three, in 2003, 2004 and 2006, also at Cousin, were all of intermediate morphs and at least two refer to the same individual (see Bull. ABC 13: 88–90; 14: 102). A first-year Eleonora’s Falcon Falco eleonorae was at the Old Settlement, Picard, on 12 December and another on 21 January.

At Providence landfill, Mahé, a Long-toed Stint Calidris subminuta on 28 January was the second report for Seychelles, whereas a Temminck’s Stint C. temminckii on 10 March was the sixth. Three Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago were also there on 10 March; ten of the 11 accepted records are of singles and the other concerned two individuals. A Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus stayed at Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary, Mahé, from 21 February until 10 March. Four Grey-tailed Tattlers Heteroscelus brevipes at St François Atoll on 1 March, with two until 7 April, constitute the third report for Seychelles; the first two records were of singles. A White-throated Needletail Hirundapus caudacutus at the airstrip of Alphonse on 1 December was the fifth for Seychelles. A European Roller Coracias garrulus stayed at the Research Station, Picard, on 16-19 May.

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On Mahé, two White Wagtails Motacilla alba were at Oceangate, on 6 December, whilst a Yellow Wagtail M. flava, possibly of the race beema, was at Providence landfill on 27 January and another of unknown race at Mare Anglaise on 27 April. A Grey Wagtail M. cinerea was at the plateau, North Island, on 2-3 November and a Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe at the Old Settlement, Picard, on 11 February. A Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus which landed on a boat at the lagoon, St François Atoll, and was transported to Alphonse and released, was the fourth report for Seychelles. A juvenile European Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus was in the vicinity of the Settlement, Picard, on 24 December.

The airstrip at Alphonse was particularly productive during the period, with sightings of a first-winter Amur Falcon Falco amurensis on 25 December, an Oriental Pratincole Glareola maldivarum on 2-26 December, a Black-winged Pratincole G. nordmanni on 10-26 December, a Common Swift Apus apus on 26 April, an adult Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus on 11 December, a Common Sand Martin Riparia riparia on 15-17 February, up to six Barn Swallows Hirundo rustica on 4-21 March, and a Common House Martin Delichon urbicum on 9-14 April.

The high number of records received from Alphonse was largely due to the opening of a new Island Conservation Centre with full-time staff in February 2007. This has also enabled the regular monitoring of neighbouring St François Atoll and its large wintering wader population. Regular counts at St François found remarkably high numbers of up to 1,750 Crab-plovers Dromas ardeola and up to 800 Ruddy Turnstones Arenaria interpres. Also recorded were the highest numbers in Seychelles for Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus (400 in April), Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola (250 in March) and Saunders’s Tern Sterna saundersi (1,800 in March). Also on Alphonse, a previously unknown colony of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus pacificus has been discovered. The frigatebird roost on Alphonse has been found to be of national importance, with counts of up to 4,200 birds, comprising c.95% Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel and 5% Greater Frigatebird F. minor.

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) from August–November 2006 include the following. On Cousin, an intermediate-morph Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta, recovered on 13 August, proved to be the same individual ringed on the island on 29 June 2004 and presumed to be the same as that photographed on 29 August 2003; these are the only reports for Seychelles. A Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos on D’Arros on 13 November was the fourth report for Seychelles. Two Common Redshanks Tringa totanus at Roche Caiman Bird Sanctuary, Mahé, on 2 August, with one at Dauban marsh, La Passe, Silhouette, on 11 September were the fourth and fifth reports. There have been 14 previous records of Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus from Seychelles, but one on Bird Island on 25 March–2 April 2006 was more than a month later than any previous record and was the first of an adult in breeding plumage. Other sightings of interest included a Common Swift Apus apus at D’Arros on 9–12 November. The first Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus for Seychelles was at Aldabra on 15–31 October.

Reports received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee during the period January-April 2006 include two firsts for the archipelago: a male Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope at Dauban marsh, Silhouette, from 17 February to 1 March, and a Garden Warbler Sylvia borin, which came aboard the cruise ship Le Ponant between Aldabra and Alphonse on 27 March.

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Reports from May-December 2005 received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) include the first Sooty Gull Larus hemprichii for Seychelles, an adult in breeding plumage at Aride Island on 29 August. Nine Flesh-footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes were reported from five locations on 25-27 October off the north and north-east edge of the Seychelles Plateau (north of Bird and Denis islands); four previous records have been accepted by SBRC to date. The fifth Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites oceanicus for the archipelago was also reported in the same area on 27 October. A Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus stayed at Bird Island from 6 May until 28 August. The fifth Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris for Seychelles was also found there on 5-13 November, as well as the third Madagascar Pond Heron Ardeola idae east of the Aldabra group (where it breeds on Aldabra Atoll) on 14 September. A Great White Egret Egretta alba was found at an unnamed islet off Benjamin, St Joseph Atoll, on 21 July, and a Purple Heron Ardea purpurea at North Point, Mahé, on 23 October. A White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata was at Cinq Cases beach, Aldabra, on 20 August.

Eleven Amur Falcons Falco amurensis were on North Island on 30 November, with four still present on 23 December. A Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo was seen at Mahé on 8 November and an Allen’s Gallinule Porphyrio alleni at Picard, Aldabra, on 6 June. The second Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus for Seychelles was at Bird Island on 1 November (interestingly, the first record, now accepted by SBRC, was at this same location the previous season), with the fifth Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola also there on 29 October, and two from 31 October to 23 December. A Grey-tailed Tattler Heteroscelus brevipes at Glacis, Mahé, on 30 September, was the third for Seychelles. A European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur stayed at Bird Island on 4-9 November and a European Roller Coracias garrulus at Cousine on 13-29 November.

The third Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla remained at Bird Island from mid October to 12 November. A Mascarene Martin Phedina borbonica was at L’Union Estate, La Digue, on 4 July. Single White Wagtails Motacilla alba were observed at Bird Island on 5 May and at Cousine Island on 24 November. A Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus was at Bird Island on 8-12 November. A Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus was ship-assisted from east of La Digue on 29 October to La Digue on 30 October, and another was at Bird Island on 3-5 November. An Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina on North Island on 12 October constitutes the fourth report for Seychelles. Second reports were received for Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus at Bel Air, Mahé, on 9 November and Icterine Warbler Hippolais icterina at Bird Island on 10 November. Also at Bird Island were a Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata on 7-9 November and a European Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus on 5-9 November.

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A Pterodroma at Cousin Island on 29 August 2003 and 29 June 2004 (Bull. ABC 12: 70), has been identified by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) as Kermadec Petrel P. neglecta, the first record for Seychelles. Reports from the period October 2004-March 2005 include the first Little Crake Porzana parva for the islands, seen on Cousin on 25-27 December, whilst a Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus at Bird Island from 25 October until 25 March will be the first for Seychelles if accepted (there is also a published record rejected by SBRC).

A Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus at the Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata colony area from 21 January until 3 February was the second report. A Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea at the Le Niol waterworks, Mahé, on 12-15 March was the fifth report for Seychelles. A Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus at Bird Island from 29 November until about 12 December will be the fourth record if accepted (there are a further two records deemed indeterminate with Common Chiffchaff P. collybita and one confirmed as Common Chiffchaff). Other sightings of interest included three Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters Merops persicus at Bird Island on 22 January-4 February, with two still present on 5 February, and a Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus at Bird Island on 22 December.

Recent records received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) include the first Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus for Seychelles found at Bird Island on 24 October–14 November 2004. A Pterodroma at Cousin Island on 29 August 2003 and, possibly the same individual, on 29 June 2004 was either a Herald Petrel P. arminjoniana or a Kermadec Petrel P. neglecta; evidence, including photos, a full set of morphometrics and a blood sample, is being examined by SBRC; neither species has ever been recorded in Seychelles.

Second reports for Seychelles in 2004 include a White-cheeked Tern Sterna repressa at Providence, Mahé, on 20 November, a Common Rock Thrush  Monticola saxatilis at Bird Island on 10 October, a Whinchat  Saxicola rubetra at Bird Island on 20 November and a Common Whitethroat  Sylvia communis also there on 17–20 March. A late report was received of a Common Redshank Tringa totanus at Anse aux Pins, Mahé, on 13 December 2002, together with a more recent one from Providence, Mahé, on 20 November 2004; there is only one previous accepted record for Seychelles.

Other reports of interest, from the period March–December 2004, include a Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aetherus at Aride on 30 October, two Amur Falcons Falco amurensis at Bird Island on 3 December, a Eurasian Oystercatcher  Haematopus ostralegus at Aride on 28 April and one at La Passe, Silhouette on 16–28 June, an adult and a first-winter Collared Pratincole Glareola pratincola at Oceangate mudflats, Mahé on 1–18 November, an adult Oriental Pratincole G. maldivarum at  Bird Island on 21–22 March, a Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa at Bird Island on 14 November, a Ruff Philomachus pugnax at Bird Island on 3–4 October, a Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus at Bird Island on 8 March and a Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla also there on 12 March.

Records accepted as firsts for the country by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) include a Bimaculated Lark Melanocorypha bimaculata at Bird Island on 22 to 27 November 2003 (possibly also the first genuine vagrant for the Southern Hemisphere) and an adult Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala that stayed at Denis Island from 30 December 2003 until 16 February 2004 (constituting the most easterly record for this species).

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Other records from 2003 and early 2004 accepted by SBRC include two adult Red-billed Tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus at St François lagoon on 11 January 2003 (fifth record for Seychelles), an adult Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris at Cousine Island on 29 October 2003 (fourth record), an adult female Cinnamon Bittern Ixobrychus cinnamomeus at Aride Island on 23 January 2004 (second record), an Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii at Denis Island, from 26 January to 26 February 2004 (fourth record), a non-breeding adult Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at Beau Vallon, Mahé, on 3 to 6 December 2003 (second record), an Osprey Pandion haliaetus at Denis Island from 13 July 2003 until 4 February 2004 (second record), a Common Quail Coturnix coturnix at Bird Island on 21 November 2003 (accepted as the third for Seychelles with the caveat that other possible escaped quail species could not be ruled out), a Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus at Alphonse Island on 25 October 2003 and at Bird Island from mid October 2003 until 10 May 2004 (third and fourth records), a Little Curlew Numenius minutus at Seybrew mudflats, Mahé, on 21/22 October 2003 (second record), a Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa at Alphonse Island on 24 to 28 December 2003 (fifth record), a European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus at Denis Island on 5 to 7 November 2003 (second record), and a Rose-coloured Starling Sturnus roseus at Frégate Island in mid December 2003 (fourth record).

Significant records from October 2003 to February 2004 received by SBRC include two Northern Pintails Anas acuta at a pool near Praslin airport on 26 November, a Northern Shoveler A. clypeata at Providence mudflats, Mahé, on 29 November, a Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus at Aride Island on 6 November, a Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius at Aride Island on 21 to 27 November, a Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis at the Inter-Island Quay, Victoria, Mahé, on 29 November and another at Seybrew mudflats, Mahé, on 17 February, a European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur at Bird Island on 23 to 27 November, an Asian Lesser Cuckoo Cuculus poliocephalus at Alphonse Island on 24 December and one at Aride on 29 December, a Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava at La Passe, Silhouette, on 11 to 17 October, a White Wagtail M. alba at l’Allée, Aride Island, on 18 to 23 November, a first-winter Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus at Aride Island on 29 October to 3 November and a male at Denis Island on 1 January to 13 February 2004, and a first-winter Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus at Bird Island on 22 November.

The exceptional number of Amur Falcons Falco amurensis of late 2002, a species unrecorded in Seychelles prior to 1995 (see Bull ABC 10: 138), was repeated in late 2003. Reports include an adult female at Praslin Airport on 4 December, up to ten at Bird Island on 20 to 28 November (mainly female or first-winters, with at least one second-year male), an adult female at La Passe, Silhouette, on 18 December, an immature at Alphonse Island from 25 December until 8 February 2004, and a male at Alphonse Island on 25 December.

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Records from the period September 2002 to March 2003 include the following. Four Flesh-footed Shearwaters Puffinus carneipes at sea between Astove and Desroches on 23 December, and one at about one mile from the entrance to the lagoon of Desroches the next day, were the third and fourth records for Seychelles. The allegedly first Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides for Seychelles was reported from Bird Island in October 2002 (Bull. ABC 10: 61); subsequently, however, a record of this species at the Inter-Island Quay, Mahé, on 21 September, which will represent the first for Seychelles if accepted, was received by Seychelles Bird Records Committee. A Great White Egret Egretta alba was on Desroches on 8 November to 24 December. The report of five adult Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus at La Passe, La Digue, on 11 to 15 March, represents the first for Seychelles. A first-year female Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca at Anse Forbans, Mahé, on 19 to 25 December was the third for Seychelles.

In late 2002 a large number of Amur Falcons Falco amurensis were reported: one on Aride on 28 to 30 November, up to seven on various dates in December on Platte Island, one on Desroches on 11 December, two on Alphonse on 18th and one on La Digue on 26th; the majority of birds appear to have been first-years, with at least two adult females (interestingly, no adult male has ever been recorded in Seychelles). Other falcon records include one first-year and two adult pale morph Eleonora’s Falcons Falco eleonorae on Alphonse on 18 December, a first-year Eurasian Hobby Falco subbuteo at La Passe, Silhouette, on 6 November and another on 4 December.

An immature Madagascar Pratincole Glareola ocularis was at the Inter-island Quay, Mahé, on 21 to 25 October and two at Lemuria golf course, Praslin, on 25 to 27 October; these represent the second and third records for Seychelles. Buff-breasted Sandpipers Tryngites subruficollis at Lemuria golf course, Praslin, on 15 November and at a playing field adjacent to the Inter-Island Quay, Mahé, from 6 December to 1 January were the fourth and fifth reports for Seychelles. A male Ruff Philomachus pugnax stayed at Victoria, Mahé, from 19 December to 1 February. An adult Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa on Aride on 17 to 27 October was the fourth report for the archipelago. Two adults and one first-year Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis at Anse l’Islette, Mahé, on 23 December represent a fifth record for Seychelles. Black-naped Tern S. sumatrana was reported from Aride Island on 27 December.

Other noteworthy records include a Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus at Grand Anse, Mahé on 20 December, an Asian Lesser Cuckoo C. poliocephalus at Côte d’Or, Praslin on 26 December, an immature European Roller Coracias garrulus at Victoria, Mahé on 19 November to 6 December, five Broad-billed Rollers Eurystomus glaucurus at various locations at Aldabra on 6 November to 20 December, and a first-year White Wagtail Motacilla alba at La Passe, Silhouette, on 11 to 21 November.

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Last page update 20th January 2011