Birding Safaris Africa

Trip report compiled by Wawire James

Our trip total of 82 species in 2 day birding in Nyahururu-South Marmanet Forest, Manguo Ponds(Nyahururu), Kinangop Grassland and Manguo Ponds(Limuru).

Our safari departure was from Nairobi to Nyahururu, a stop at Cape Eagle Owl site, where we guided by Paul to site the owl, roosting on the cliff; A population of Mackinder’s eagle owls in central Kenya has been the focus of ecological research in since June 2004. Darcy Ogada of the National Museums of Kenya and Paul Muriithi have been studying this population of approximately 16 pairs to determine the impacts of farming practices on the ecology and conservation of the owls. The owls’ nest and roost on cliffs adjacent to small farms in the lower reaches of the Aberdare Mountains, among the species seen here were Nyanza Swift, Greater-Blue eared Starling, Grey headed Woodpecker.

An evening nature walk in South Marmanet Forest, we were treated to some forest jewels including Hartlaub’s Turaco, magnificent Narina Trogon, Grey, Yellow-breasted and Chestnut-throated Apalis, Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, and Hunter’s Cisticola and Brown throated Wattle eye. Early morning while birding around the grounds of the Thompson’s Fall Lodge, we actually sited the Slender-billed Starling, Northern Double Collared, Tacazze and Bronze Sunbird.

Thereafter we traveled to the Kinangop Plateau that produced the rare Sharpe’s Longclaw; Sharpe’s Longclaw is a bird endemic to Kenya. The Kikuyu people call it gathonjo ka werũ-ini, meaning "a weaver-like bird that lives only in the grasslands". The English name was chosen in memory of the British 19th century ornithologist Richard Bowdler Sharpe, other species spotted on site were the Red-capped Lark, Red-throated Wryneck, Levaillant Cisticola and Yellow Bishop, from Kinangop, we made a stop at the Manguo Ponds in Limuru, where we spotted several water fowl birds such as the, White-backed Duck, White-faced Whistling Duck, and the Grey Crowned Crane with juveniles.

In spite of the heavy down pour of rain, over the 2 days, we had great birding trip, we did arrive in Nairobi nearly dusk.

By Wawire James

02nd-11th November 2009

The geography of East Africa is often stunning and scenic. Shaped by global plate tectonic forces that have created the Great Rift Valley, East Africa is the site of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, which have the two tallest peaks in Africa.

Our safari took us to Tanzania-Ngorongoro Crater,Tarangire National Park,amazingly within the crater I did record upto over 10 Kori Bustard and as well we did spot the Lesser Kestrel, White Backed Vultures, Lappet Faced Vulture, Tawny Eagle, African Spoonbill, Red Billed Buffallo Weaver among other species.

Aside from herds of zebra, gazelle, and wildebeest, the crater is home to the "big five" of rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. The crater plays host to almost every individual species of wildlife in East Africa, with an estimated 25,000 animals within the crater.

Tarangire park is famous for its huge number of elephants, baobab trees and tree climbing African pythons, birdlife is also prolific Ashy Starling, Yellow Collared Lovebirds, Black Stock among other species.

The journey also tooks us through to Kenya to Amboseli National Park famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. All members of the "Big Five" are found in the Maasai Mara, the Great Migration is one of the most impressive natural events worldwide, involving an immensity of herbivores some 1,300,000 wildebeests, 360,000 Thomson's gazelles, and 191,000 zebras.Additionally, over 450 species of birdlife have been identified in the park

On the last day an excursion to Nairobi National Museum,Daphene Sheldrick located south west from the city centre, a small, flexible charity, established in 1977 to honour to memory of a famous Naturalist, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the founder Warden of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.

A guided tour at Kazuri Bead Works-Situated on what was once a part of Karen von Blixen's coffee plantation there is now a small workshop where ceramic jewelry and beads are made by Kenyan women.Many of the beads and necklace components are tiny. Each one has to be shaped carefully, polished, fired, painted and fired again. The result is KAZURI, the Swahili word for "small and beautiful."

All the way from Central America Haslene & Yury from Costa Rica, not forgetting our experienced drivers Amos-TZ and Martin-KE who drove us through the terrains.

WENDY'S EAST AFRICA FOOTPRINT SAFARI 24TH JAN-08TH FEB 2009 KENYA/UGANDA

I wanted to tell you how very much we enjoyed our time with you fellows for the past two weeks. It was just one super day after the other. David, our guide, was out of this world - has to be one of the nicest people and was so into his birds and, i should add, really anything alive.(which was great for me as I'm not the birder in this duo). Both of the drivers, each very different from the other, were excellent - I can't believe how they managed the roads with mishap. Very best to everyone and thank you all.

Wendy

When the heat of the day is too excessive in the Serengeti National Park,some pride of lions usually take to the trees to doze and while away the noon time hours.

A lone Hyena though has a different view about that, why not soak your behind in a nice pool of water?

Up above on a high perch,The Whalberg's Eagle view all this with calm indifference.

Meanwhile the Hadzape Pygmy hunters are taking it easy after a hefty meal of grilled (Burned) Dik Dik from their morning hunting foray.

The heat of the day does not deter one among a flock of Abdim's Stork from foraging for a tasty morsel of grasshopper.

The Buffalo though is not amused by all this going ons.

A Basra Reed Warbler checks out the situation with a keen eye.

And what does the Kori Bustard has to say?

27th October-01st November 2008, By Wawire James

The Know Kenya Course (KKC) is an annual event of the Kenya Museum Society, open to everyone living in Kenya, newcomers and residents alike. The only requirement for attending is that you're keen to learn more about this exciting country of ours! Many embassies and international organisations make the Know Kenya Course part of their newcomer orientation programme.

The KKC presents a varied programme of morning and evening lectures, behind-the-scenes visits to Museum departments and an all-day fieldtrip on the final day.

Topics and Presenters for 2008

• Sacred Sites and Monuments – Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia
• Prehistory in Kenya – Dr. Meave Leakey
• Challenges of Nationhood and Identity in Kenya – Mr. John Sibi- Okumu
• Whose Kenyan: – Ms. Joyce Nyairo
• Human Rights/Gender Issues – Ms. Muthoni Wanyeki and the Honourable Njoki Ndung’u
• Political Cartoons and the Media - Gado
• Economic Development in Kenya: The Real Issues – Mr. Sunny Bindra
• Elephant Conservation – Ms. Paula Kahumbu
• The African Baobab Tree – Mr. Rupert Watson
• Kenya: A Country in the Making 1880-1940 – Mr. Nigel Pavitt
• Birds of Kenya – Mr. Munir Virani
• Sports Panel - Moderated by Martin Keino and featuring Mr. Paul Tergat and Ms. Tegla Lorupe
• 'The Building of the Uganda Railway - Otherwise known as the Lunatic Line' - Mr. Bryan Harris

The Films include:

• Queen of the Trees – presented by the film makers Victoria and Mark Deeble,
• Echo of the Elephants: The Last Chapter to be introduced by Dr. Cynthia Moss and
• World on a String: The Eternal Bead - introduced by Mr. Alan Donavan.

The Know Kenya Course is a major fund raising event of the Museum Society, and the speakers, lecturers and presenters all generously share their knowledge free of charge. The funds raised support the National Museums through the KMS grant programme.

All proceeds from the Know Kenya Course goes to the National Museums of Kenya.

The Taita hills lie in South-eastern Kenya about 150km inland from the coast and cover an area of about 250 square km. They hold a series of tropical montane cloud forests. Geologically,these hills are the northernmost part of the eastern Arc mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot.Recently, a member of BSA has been collecting ornithological data from two of the fragments, he managed to get nice shots of the flora and fauna of the area, here are some samples.

1)Lanner Falcon 2)Lemon Dove 3)Ruppell's Robin Chat 4)Taita Thrush 5)Taita White-eye 6)White-starred Robin 7)Vereaux Eagle 8)Yellow-throated Woodland Warbler

30th July-13th August 2008 By Wawire James

This was one of the most fascinating safaris, a 15 day safari that took us to some spectacular places in Tanzania. I n and around Arusha, a visit to the Arusha Park, to Lake Manyara, to the Great Plains of Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park.

Arusha town is better known as the safari capital of the world, it truly has a wealth of experiences to offer visitors: safaris in Arusha National Park, the birdlife, wildlife and the landscape are astonishing, Hartlaubs Turacos fly from tree to tree flapping their red wings, Spur-winged Geese in the savannah and moorland, the Momella Lakes with pink Flamingos and hikes to the breathtaking views on Mount Meru.

Lake Manyara National Park is home to large numbers of bird species, among these, both species of flamingos, Pink Backed Pelican, storks, and other species, as well as Hippos that can be observed at a close range. We were lucky to spot a leopard on a early morning game drive and the amazing tree climbing lions of Lake Manyara.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania’s first and most famous park, is renowned for it’s wealth of leopards and lions, wildebeest, zebra and Thompson’s gazelle.Birdlife is very abundant in the Serengeti, over 400 species have been recorded. In the Northern part of Serengeti towards the border of Kenya, we were able to spot one of the endemics, the Grey Breasted Spurfowl.

The Ngorongoro Conservation Area blends the finest landscapes, wildlife, culture and archeological sites in Africa. Ngorongoro is a huge Caldera, 250sq km in size and 600m deep, the Crater alone has a variety of different species, large animals including some of endangered species the Black Rhino. At the crater's wetlands we spotted the Black Crowned Night Heron, Purple Heron and the Fan-tailed Widowbird among other species.

Tarangire National Park's most celebrated feature is the numerous herds of elephants and gigantic, squat baobab trees. Birdlife is just amazing, from the flocks of the Yellow Collared Lovebirds to the endemic Ashy Starling and other variety of bird species.

BSA Guide Wawire James was sent to the Western Region to Cherengany Hills and Kitale,on a project attachment which was funded by the Tourism Trust Fund,EU,Birdlife International and Nature Kenya.The project was mainly focused on"Developing a National Avitourism product for Kenya".

The Cherangany forests are important for water catchment, and sit astride the watershed between the Lake Victoria and Lake Turkana basins. Streams to the west of the watershed feed the Nzoia river system, which flows into Lake Victoria; streams to the east flow into the Kerio river system.

The avifauna of the Cherangany is characteristic of the highland forests of Kenya west of the Rift Valley, comprising both central highland species and western species. 121 species of birds were recorded for the two weeks that he was there!

Early this morning (26.06.08), two members of BSA joined the Nairobi Ringing Group in their weekly ringing efforts at the NMK grounds. Although it was quite a chilly and overcast morning, 25 birds of 10 different species were caught within the 4 hours the nets were run. It was very interesting to control the new net rides which caught the Cisticolas which have been absent for quite a while. check out the images of some of the birds caught today.

Captions of the Images

1. Nico and David
2. Singing Cisticola
3. Streaky Seedeater
4. Variable Sunbird

1. African Goshawk
2. Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher
3. Yellow-bellied Greenbul
4. Kaya Waa Forest Fragment
5. Mwache Forest Fragment
6. Narina Trogon
7. Red-tailed Ant-thrush
8. Eastern Bearded Scrub Robin

BSA members continue to lend a hand and increase their knowledge at the Department of Ornithology based at The National Museums of Kenya. David seen in the images below takes a look at some of the departments study skins in the curation section. Some of the 35,000 or so skins date from the last century but they are still in good condition! Looking after the skins and making sure that they are properly catalogued is a major task. The collection is used extensively by scientists interested in bird taxonomy and distribution, and also by artists and birdwatchers.

Captions of the Images

1. Goliath Heron
2. Great Comorant
3. Long-tailed Comorant
4. Kori Bustard

Last month Bernard spent his time on a baseline bird survey in a little island off the coast of northern Mozambique. The main aim of the project was to try and locate the regionally threatened intra-African Spotted Ground Thrush and the East Coast Akalat which is also confined to coastal forests of Eastern Africa. Although they were not able to locate the two species, Bernard managed to capture nice images of some of the species found in the region. He also made a dry run for BSA future trips to the region.

CAPTIONS OF THE IMAGES

1) Bernard Ringing 2) Black-crowned Tchagra 3) Black-throated Wattle-eye 4) Peter's Twinspot 5) Red-faced Mousebird 6) Spectacled Weaver 7) Swallow-tailed Bee-eater 8) Zanzibar Red Bishop