A Greater Spotted Cuckoo Clamator glandarius has been reported from the plateau area at Aride by Lutz Stirand on 7 December. SBRC has accepted just two previous records of this species.

Several rarities have been reported at Alphonse: Amur Falcon Falco amurensis, Western Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus and Red-throated Pipit Anthus cervinus.

Amur Falcon is an annual visitor to Seychelles in small numbers, with more than 95% of sightings collected by SBRC in November-December. This individual was located at the IDC village by Chris Narty on 18 December and was also seen by Pep Nogués and Ari Fernadez.

The Western Honey Buzzard was first sighted by Murray Collins, over the airstrip on 17 December. It was also seen by Pep Nogués. This species has been recorded on 7 previous occasions in Seychelles including once in the Amirantes (at D'Arros). This is the most southerly report to date

The Red-throated Pipit was seen and photographed by Chris Narty SBRC has accepted 29 previous records of this species including 7 from Alphonse. This latest sighting means it has been reported from Alphonse more often than any other island.

SBRC has received images from Tony and Tris Enticknap of a Little Bittern present on Bird Island 12-18 November and a Eurasian Hobby 13-19 November. The Little Bittern has been previously reported on this blog, but the quality of the image and the fact this is only the second record for Seychelles makes it worth another mention. The hobby was also reported to SBRC but without photos to substantiate.

More of Tony Enticknap's photography from Seychelles and elsewhere can be seen at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tick-my_pictures/

CJ Havemann has reported a Common Quail Coturnix coturnix at North Island on 8 November. Other observers were Angelin Sanders and Jeremy Waters. SBRC has accepted just hree previous records of this species.

Mel Robinson has reported an immature Eurasian Hobby present on 12 November at Belle Etoile on the east coast of Denis Island. Eurasian Hobby is a rare vagrant to Seychelles and SBRC has accepted 29 previous records. This is the third record from Denis Island following previous confirmed sightings in 2001 and 2008.