I had a week in Kenya from 14-21 October. I am putting the finishing touches to a report that I will post later.
Here's a resume...
14 Oct
Arrived Mombasa and picked up by my friend Jonathan Baya [read all about it at "www.tracktours.weebly.com"]. There had been a lot of rain in the week before I arrived and there was a large amount of traffic as a result of accidents. Eventually, we made our way to Sagala Lodge near Voi, where we were staying that night.
We were greeted by Golden Breasted Starlings and a stunning African Paradise Flyctatcher [white morph] in its full glory. After lunch, a walk in the grounds added 40 birds to the list.
15 Oct
Cloudy and wet after an hour, during which time we walked around the grounds again. A Three Streaked Tchagra was a nice surprise, as was a Diederik Cuckoo. We then left and made our way towards Taita Hills.
This was a new area for me but we were unlucky as it was raining when we arrived and it continued to do so for most of the time we were there. When it stopped, I nipped outside to see Cape Robin Chat and three Common Fiscals, followed by several Spot Flanked Barbets and then, the first target, Taita White-eye. We stayed at the Taita Rocks Hotel. It's cheap and comfortable.
16 Oct.
More rain. Our plan to get to the forest early was a non starter. Eventually, we set off, having arranged a lift in a 4x4. It nearly made it all the way...! We met the ranger and forest guide and set off. The weather had improved a little. Yellow Bishop, Striped Pipit, Stripe Cheeked Greenbul and Scarce Swift were all lifers. After half an hour, we arrived at the area identified at being best for Taita Thrush. It took some time before one was seen but it flew off before I saw it. Happily, another 15 minutes later, and there were two, both showing well.
We continued along the path, looking for Taita Apalis but it wasn't to be. While we searched, I saw two or three Yellow Throated Woodland Warblers, which were new for me. We made our way back as the low cloud returned.
We got back to the Hotel and I retraced my steps from the previous day. 7 Spot Flanked Barbets were showing well, as were 2 Brown Breasted Barbets, another lifer.
17 Oct
Our plan to visit Saltlick was scuppered by the flooded road, which had resulted in a long tail-back of heavy vehicles. We turned back and headed towards Voi, stopping where we saw some activity. This brought me two lifers, Red Chested Cuckoo and Purple Grenadier. Lots of other nice birds in this area as well.
We arrived at the Voi Gate of Tsavo East NP at 2.30. In the next three hours, we cruised around the Park, seeing lots of good birds and a variety of animals. We were staying at Tarhi tented Camp and we arrived there in good time to relax a little before dinner.
18 Oct
Another Red Chested Cuckoo announced its arrival as we left the reception area. We travelled a short distance to the Kandari Loop, where a male Lion was showing very well. We parked the van for a good half hour and saw many birds. A Cisticola drove me mad. I didn't know what it was but took a camcorder shot of it singing from the top of a bush. I couldn't get the camcorder to focus properly but I posted it on the "ID needed" part of Bird Forum and a fellow birder put me out of my misery - Ashy Cisticola..thanks!
We moved on to the Aruba Waterhole and were shocked to see that it was bone dry. This part of Tsavo seemed to be the meat in the sandwich, rain wise. It was very wet to the west and to the east but no rain in this part. What a shame for the wildlife.
We moved on towards the Sala Gate, seeing 4 Southern Ground Hornbills, Buff Crested Bustard and a few other goodies. The road deteriorated as we got nearer the Gate and got even worse as we made our way to Malindi. A small flock of Magpie Starlings were new for me and we also saw a couple of Carmine Bee-eaters along the way on a very long journey.
I stayed at the Scorpio Villas in Malindi. It's good value.
19 Oct
Jonathan picked me up early and we went to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest. Target for today was Clarke's Weaver. We spent hours looking for one but to no avail. In the morning session, highlights included 2 Fischer's Turaco, Amani Sunbird, a pair of Forest Batis, migrating European Bee-eaters, 2 Eastern Nicators and both Retz and Chestnut Fronted Helmet Shrikes. In the afternoon, we tried elsewhere with the same result, the highlight being 3 or 4 Sokoke Pipits.
20 Oct
We went to Gongoni first, looking over the saltpans where there were hundreds of birds, mainly Flamingoes but many other species dotted around the edges. Two Malindi Pipits were very flighty. 4 Carmine Bee-eaters showed very well, as did a couple of Ethiopean Swallows.
We moved on to Sabaki, where there were thousands of birds! All kinds of waders, plus Ducks, Flamingoes, Terns and a few Gulls. Great place. After lunch, we headed off, stopping briefly at Mida Creek for distant views of 50 or so Crab Plovers and Roka Pools, where we saw Broad Billed Roller and Water Thick Knee. We stayed overnight in Bamburi.
21 Oct
We made our way to Mombasa Airport and the flight left at 1030, arriving Manchester about 10 hours later.
It was a good week, albeit slightly weather-affected. I saw about 200 species and as usual, enjoyed the wildlife on show in Tsavo. If anyone is interested in doing similar, please check out the website as all details are on there. You can also PM me if you have any questions.
Brings back memories of my Dad driving us through Tsavo on the way to Mombasa in 1961. Stunning scenery, but I wasn't into birds way back then so all I remember were Ground Hornbills! Plus the animals - stalking Elephants from our lodge was truly exhilarating!
Looking forward to the full report!
You have my attention Bob, every bird you mentioned would be a lifer for me !
I notice it's still raining in Malindi though. Fingers crossed !