Birdwatching in Andaman Islands
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, represent the highest peaks of an underwater mountain range. It rose from the sea floor 38 million years ago and is considered to be an extension of Myanmar’s Arakan range and Sumantran Barisan range. The Andamans were once connected to present-day Myanmar by a land bridge during the last ice age. Its geographical isolation from other landmasses for 10,000 years eventually allowed evolution to take its course. Now these islands play host to an absolute treasure trove of endemic wildlife, with most having a stronger overall affinity for the Indo-Malayan region than that of the Indian Subcontinent, making birdwatching in Andaman very rewarding. (eBird Trip Report)
Our well-curated Andaman birding tour itinerary lets birdwatchers witness the endemic birds that call the Andaman Islands their home.
Day 1: Arrival and Birdwatching in Chidiyatapu
Arrive at Port Blair Airport (IXZ), preferably before noon. Our vehicle will transfer you to your hotel, which will be the base of our next five nights in Andaman. Post lunch, we will drive towards Chidiyatapu Reserve Forest to search for endemic species such as Andaman Treepie, Andaman Drongo, Andaman Shama. Andaman Bulbul, Andaman Coucal, White-headed Starling, Andaman Wood-Pigeon, and Andaman Serpent Eagle, along with other resident species that are found only in Andaman Islands in the Indian Subcontinent, such as Ornate Sunbird, White-breasted Woodswallow. Plume-toed and White-nest Swiftlets, Long-tailed Parakeets, and Pacific Reef Heron.
Post sundown, we will search the forest edges for nocturnal endemics such as the Andaman Nightjar, Andaman Boobook. Hume’s Boobook, Andaman Scops, and Oriental Scops Owl (modestus spp.) before returning to the hotel.
Day 2: Birdwatching in Andaman (Kalatang Reserve Forest & Sippighat Wetlands)
We will start early for Kalatang Reserve Forest, an evergreen forest that is an hour’s drive. Also requires a ferry crossing across the bay. We will look for Pied Imperial Pigeons while waiting for the ferry at Chatam Island. At Kalatang, our primary targets are Andaman Crake, the extremely localized Andaman Cuckooshrike, Andaman Cuckoodoves, Andaman and Freckle-breasted Woodpeckers, Andaman Treepie. Andaman Flowerpecker, and also the possibility of the Andaman Wood Pigeon. We will also search the nearby mangroves for Ruddy Kingfisher and Mangrove Whistler. Return back to the hotel for lunch.
Post lunch, visit Sippighat Wetlands to search for the endemic Andaman Teal and other waders and wetland species such as Pacific Golden Plover, Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Curlew Sandpipers, Eurasian Curlew, Pacific Swallow, White-bellied Sea Eagle, Eastern Yellow Wagtails, Pipit etc.
After sunset, continue with night birding to search for the Andaman Masked Owl.
Day 3: Birding in Shoal Bay Forest and Ograbraj Wetlands
Another early morning start to reach Shoal Bay Village. A tropical evergreen forest with tall canopy ahead of Kalatang Reserve Forest. Birding along the forest road to the village end. Birds to expect here are Andaman Green Pigeon, Andaman Wood Pigeon, Asian Glossy Starling, Long-tailed, Red-breasted and Alexanadrine Parakeet, Violet Cuckoo, Freckle-breasted Woodpecker, and Andaman Bulbul. Return to hotel for lunch.
Later in the afternoon we visit Ograbranj Wetlands for the endemic Andaman Teals. Other key targets here are Oriental Reed Warbler, Black-browed Reed Warbler, Pallas Grasshopper Warbler, Richard’s Pipit, Common Greenshanks, Marsh Sandpiper, Slaty-breasted Rail, Stork-billed & Blue-eared Kingfishers, Pacific Swift, Pied & Eastern Marsh Harriers.
Day 4: Birdwatching in Chidiyatapu Reserve Forest and Garacharma Wetlands
We drive to Chidiyatapu (Chidiya means bird and Tapu means island), to search for the missing endemics, most likely to be the Andaman Crake, Andaman Serpent Eagle, and Andaman Wood-Pigeon. Searching along the paddy fields for Amur Stonechats and scanning the rain trees for migrating Arctic Warbler, Greenish Warbler, rare Pale-legged and Sakhalin Leaf Warblers.
Later in the afternoon, visit Garacharma and Chouldari Wetlands, but in different wetland patches further ahead. Target waders and warblers like Pallas Grasshopper Warbler, Oriental Reed, and Black-browed Reed Warbler.
Day 5: Birdwatching in Andaman (Ferrargunj Reserve Forest)
Visit the Ferrargunj Reserve Forest, or Mt. Harriet National Park, a tropical evergreen forest similar to Shoal Bay. Our primary objective today is to target some of the endemics or resident birds that are pending. Later, in the afternoon, visit either a wetland or forest habitat, depending on the targeted species.
All our Andaman birding sessions end after the evening session on day 5.
Day 6: Departure
Post breakfast at the hotel, our driver will drop you off at the airport for your flight back to mainland India.
No-birding session is planned on this day or charged for in the original tour cost. In case, you have a late afternoon flight, you can opt for sightseeing or a Half-day Tour (chargeable basis)
Middle Andaman Extension (3 Days)
Opted as a pre-tour extension of our Andaman itinerary to cover the Pale-footed (Andaman) Bush Warbler, rediscovered after 114 years by Shakti himself.
Day 1: Arrival and Transfer to Middle Andaman Island.
Arrive at Port Blair Airport (IXZ), preferably before noon. We will drive to the town of Rangat in Middle Andaman for our two-night stay. It’s a 9-10 hour drive through two Jarawa Tribal Reserves where vehicles are only allowed to pass through on time designated convoys and vehicles are not allowed to stop midway. very limited birding en route.
Day 2-3: Birding in Middle Andaman
We will spend the entire day birding around Middle Andaman to search for the Pale-footed (Andaman) Bush warbler, which was rediscovered after 114 years (Birdcount India Article). and also target endemics like the Andaman Wood Pigeon, Andaman Crake, Andaman Cuckoodove, Andaman Serpent Eagle.
On our final day, we drive back to Port Blair in the morning and continue as per our main tour itinerary.
South & Little Andaman Birding Tour (8 Days)
This can be opted to cover the Nicobar Pigeon and Beach Thick-knee, along with the Andaman Endemics
For a private Andaman Birding Tour or Andaman Birdwatching & Sightseeing customized itinerary tour.
