Owling trip to Comoros (1 Viewer)

I

iain tomlinson

Well-known member

• Nov 19, 2019

• #1

Hello, I recently took an owling trip to the Comoros (and Seychelles and Kenya).

here is what happened

https://iainsowls.blogspot.com/2019/10/2019-comoros-mayotte-seychelles-and.html

Cheers, Iain

 

foresttwitcher

Virtually unknown member

• Nov 19, 2019

• #2

A great read, Iain, and an incident packed tale, as usual.

 

MKinHK

Mike Kilburn

• Nov 20, 2019

• #3

"Hardcore" is the first word that comes to mind.
"Rather you than me" is the second, and
"Thanks for the great write up" is my final word!

actually I loved your description of your first Sokoke Scops Owl - it brought out a big smile and a great memory. There are pix of Sokoke Scops Owl and African Wood Owl here for those who are curious.

Cheers
Mike

 

dandsblair

David and Sarah

Supporter

• Nov 20, 2019

• #4

Excellent report

Really admire your determination and so glad you didn't step off the mountain.:t:

 

lewis20126

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2019

• #5

MKinHK said:

"Hardcore" is the first word that comes to mind.
"Rather you than me" is the second, and
"Thanks for the great write up" is my final word!

actually I loved your description of your first Sokoke Scops Owl - it brought out a big smile and a great memory. There are pix of Sokoke Scops Owl and African Wood Owl here for those who are curious.

Cheers
Mike

Click to expand...

Yes, brilliant read as always - very jealous over your Moheli Scops Owl sighting - it hadn't even been discovered when went to that island. We didn't go out a night as there 'weren't any owls'....

cheers, alan

 

jurek

Well-known member

• Nov 20, 2019

• #6

Nice report!

I would always welcome tips how to find more owls (technique and strategy tips, not stakeout places or contacts to local people).

 

kb57

Well-known member

• Nov 22, 2019

• #7

MKinHK said:

"Hardcore" is the first word that comes to mind.
"Rather you than me" is the second, and
"Thanks for the great write up" is my final word!

Click to expand...

I would echo Mike's comments, although until I read your report, I hadn't appreciated the Seychelles could be such a 'hardcore' destination...I'd assumed he meant the Comoros!

Appreciate you sharing such an entertaining trip report, which reads really well as a description of the travel experience as well as the owling.

 

wolfbirder

Well-known member

• Nov 24, 2019

• #8

Wow. That would have killed me 5 times over!
A fantastic read, great dedication!

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Nov 24, 2019

• #9

A really fun read... perhaps a suggestion to carry a bottle of water though (said in good spirit and jest) Brings back nice memories!

 

pbjosh

missing the neotropics

• Nov 24, 2019

• #10

kb57 said:

I would echo Mike's comments, although until I read your report, I hadn't appreciated the Seychelles could be such a 'hardcore' destination...I'd assumed he meant the Comoros!

Appreciate you sharing such an entertaining trip report, which reads really well as a description of the travel experience as well as the owling.

Click to expand...

I did Comoros with Ross - we did a lot of hiking on Karthala (and camped up top as well) for both the owl and diurnal birds.

On Moheli we hired a car to the other side of the island for the diurnal birds, and on the return in the evening just stopped in a likely forest patch and got the owl easily.

On Anjuan we also used Patrice, got the owl in what sounds like the same location.

On Mayotte the owl is easy - hardest part (which is not hard) is transport up to and back from Relais.

In the Seychelles we rented a car for the day for something like US$40 or so if I recall correctly and drove back and forth on the cross island road owling until the wee hours. It took us a long time to find Seychelles Scops-Owl, I recall we went to bed about 3-4am, just pitching our tents at one of the pullouts / rest areas / view points up there. We were exhausted from travel and staying out all night but it was not as gnarly as this account!

Cheers,
Josh