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For a combination of both birds and mammals this was probably our best East Africa Highlights tour ever, with great behavioral observations, too: the cryptic camouflage and actions of Three-banded Courser at Baringo, a displaying African Broadbill in the Kakamega Forest, and the haunting duets of Tropical Boubous at Mountain Lodge immediately come to mind. But the mammals were also outstanding with a Leopard hunting a Warthog and then a reverse chase that saw the Leopard leaping up a tree, a large pride of Lions which had just killed a full-grown Hippo, and then the mystery of the tour -- just how did that Cheetah kill an adult female Ostrich?
We began as usual with an afternoon visit to Nairobi NP, seeing a nice variety of the common highland birds and the uncommon Shelley's Francolin right next to our car. The first big grassland mammals were well received too, but Common Giraffe was the real favorite.
The following day found us heading south to Tanzania and a night at the lovely Gibb's Farm. However, along the way we were soon seeing our first bush-country birds, including Eastern Chanting-Goshawk, White-bellied Go-away-bird, Lilac-breasted Roller, the gorgeous Red-and-yellow Barbet, Red-faced Crombec, Hildebrandt's Starling, and White-headed Buffalo-Weaver.
Gibb's is a great place to see some of the Crater Highland forest birds, and we awoke to the song of White-browed Robin-Chat right beside our rooms. African Paradise-Flycatcher and White-tailed Blue-Flycatcher were other garden highlights, while the forest walk produced Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater, Moustached Tinkerbird, and Golden-winged Sunbird. Another great meal (Gibb's is a real treat in this field) and then it was a short drive to our lodge on the rim of the world famous Ngorongoro Crater -- wow!
We followed this with a full day in the crater and for the first time really got into seeing a lot of big mammals; Spotted Hyaena, Lion, some big bull Elephants, Burchell's Zebra, Black Rhino, Hippo, African Buffalo, Wildebeest, plus many of the smaller gazelles. Birds were great, too, with our first Lappet-faced Vulture, Kori Bustard (at least 20), Gray Crowned-Cranes, Yellow-billed Oxpecker (oxpeckers are now their own family), a variety of pipits, and the endemic Rufous-tailed Weaver.
We then continued west to for what many visitors consider 'the highlight of the tour' -- the vast grass plains of the Serengeti. Olduvai Gorge gave us an insight into what life was like here millions of years ago, but then it was three days and nights seeing such memorable birds as the endemic Gray-breasted Spurfowl (right beside the vehicle), four species of vultures (waiting by a Lion kill), a lone Greater Kestrel over the barren plains, Chestnut-banded Plover by an alkaline pool, Fischer's Lovebird, Magpie Shrike, the rather shy White-tailed Lark, Red-throated Tit, Scarlet-chested Sunbird, and perhaps the least distinctive bird, but certainly one of the most interesting -- Tanzania's first record of Ortolan Bunting!
Mammals are of course a major part of any visit to the Serengeti, and just a few of our most memorable moments included several interactions with Lions and Leopards, more herds of Elephants, Hippos in their daytime pools, hyaenas on the prowl, the herds of antelopes and gazelles and, perhaps even more impressive, the huge vast openness of one of the world's greatest grasslands!
We then began our return journey to Nairobi, but not before two nights in the arid bush and baobab country at Tarangire. This really was a wonderful stay, with yet another Leopard, more Lions, a Cheetah eating an Ostrich, hundreds of Elephants and literally thousands of Wildebeest. Bird highlights were a close a Secretary-bird, Yellow-throated and Black-faced sandgrouse, the endemic Yellow-collared Lovebird, Southern Ground-Hornbill, White Helmetshrike, Northern Pied-Babbler, and yet another endemic -- Ashy Starling.
We were now into the last week of our tour, which by design stayed in habitats of complete contrast to those in Tanzania. A central-African-type rainforest at Kakamega, the Rift Valley cliffs and freshwater at Baringo, and the high forest of Mt. Kenya. First though we began at Lake Nakuru, where exceptional rains had raised the water levels to a record high. Due to the change in alkalinity flamingo numbers were low (but 2000 Greaters and 800 Lessers were still impressive), however it was the sheer spectacle of many thousands of close waterbirds that really stole the show -- a photographer's paradise with huge numbers of ducks, cormorants, pelicans, herons, egrets, ibises, and migrant shorebirds, often right next to our vehicle.
We then drove west for a three-night stay at the famous Kakamega Forest -- a total contrast to any of the birding we'd done before. New birds were the order of the day, with just a few of the most memorable being Crowned Hawk-Eagles (next to their nest), Great Blue Turaco, African Emerald Cuckoo, Scaly-breasted Illadopsis, Blue-headed Bee-eater, the massive Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Yellow-billed Barbet, African Broadbill (displaying), African Shrike-Flycatcher, Pink-footed Puffback, nine species of greenbuls, Banded Prinia, Turner's Eremomela, Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat, and Red-headed Bluebill.
Heading east we then drove the spectacular road to the Great Rift Valley, the Tugen Hills, and on to Baringo. Due to further exceptional flooding our Baringo lodge was closed, so we stayed at the nearby Bogoria Spa Resort -- the birding though was magnificent, with Spotted Thick-knee, Three-banded Courser (bird of the tour for some), African Scops-Owl, Northern White-faced Owl, Grayish Eagle-Owl, Slender-tailed Nightjar, Jackson's and Hemprich's hornbills (both Baringo specials), Pygmy Batis, Somali Tit, Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit, Brown-tailed Chat, Bristle-crowned Starling, Beautiful Sunbird, and both Golden-backed and Northern Masked weavers.
We then completed our clockwise loop back to Nairobi by clmbing out of the Rift Valley and on to Mountain Lodge on the south-west flank of Mt. Kenya. We arrived in heavy rain, but within an hour it had stopped and the birdlife was just fantastic -- Scaly Francolin in the glade, Delegorgue's and African Green-Pigeons at the salt lick, and in the surrounding forest Red-fronted Parrot, Hartlaub's Turaco, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Black-tailed Oriole, White-browed Crombec, Black-throated and Chestnut-throated apalises, Rueppell's Robin-Chat, Sharpe's Starling, and Eastern Double-collared Sunbird.
Arriving back in Nairobi with time to enjoy private day-rooms for changing and a shower before our flights homeward, we made just a couple of brief stops along the way -- but as so often in East Africa new birds were around every corner, and we all enjoyed super-close looks at a Green-backed Honeyguide, Wire-tailed Swallow, and a dazzling male Collared Sunbird in a flowering bottle-brush tree.
Till next time!
--Terry
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
BIRDS
Struthionidae (Ostrich)
OSTRICH (COMMON) (Struthio camelus massaicus) – Common and widespread in open grassland and bush country throughout the tour; in all we saw about 200.
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
WHITE-FACED WHISTLING-DUCK (Dendrocygna viduata) – Ten at Limuru Pond, and about 200 at a roadside pool between Baringo and Nakuru.
WHITE-BACKED DUCK (Thalassornis leuconotus) – We saw about a dozen of this rather uncommon duck at Limuru Pond.
COMB DUCK (OLD WORLD) (Sarkidiornis melanotos melanotos) – An adult male was at the roadside pool between Baringo and Nakuru.
EGYPTIAN GOOSE (Alopochen aegyptiaca) – Common and widespread on wetlands throughout the tour.
YELLOW-BILLED DUCK (Anas undulata) – Thirty at Limuru Pond, and about 80 at Lake Nakuru.
RED-BILLED DUCK (Anas erythrorhyncha) – Widespread at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour; in all we saw about 70.
HOTTENTOT TEAL (Anas hottentota) – Twenty at Lake Nakuru.
CAPE TEAL (Anas capensis) – About 30 at Lake Nakuru.
SOUTHERN POCHARD (Netta erythrophthalma) – Ten at Limuru Pond.
MACCOA DUCK (Oxyura maccoa) – We saw two males at Limuru Pond.
Numididae (Guineafowl)
HELMETED GUINEAFOWL (Numida meleagris) – About 15 near Namanga and then common in many areas throughout Tanzania; in all we saw about 600.
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
COQUI FRANCOLIN (Francolinus coqui) – Great close looks at about 20 in the Serengeti.
CRESTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus sephaena) – About a dozen at Tarangire, and 1 at Lake Baringo.
SHELLEY'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus shelleyi) – Shy and uncommon so we were lucky to see 3 in Nairobi National Park.
SCALY FRANCOLIN (Francolinus squamatus) – Four in the forest glade at Mountain Lodge.
HILDEBRANDT'S FRANCOLIN (Francolinus hildebrandti) – We saw a pair with 1 small juvenile at the bottom of Ngorongoro Crater.
YELLOW-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus leucoscepus) – Common in Tarangire where we saw about 70.
GRAY-BREASTED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus rufopictus) – Great looks at this Tanzania endemic in the Seronera area of Serengeti. [E]
RED-NECKED FRANCOLIN (Francolinus afer) – Common at Tarangire.
Podicipedidae (Grebes)
LITTLE GREBE (Tachybaptus ruficollis) – About 400 at Lake Nakuru, and also small numbers at widespread wetlands elsewhere.
Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
GREATER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus roseus) – Nice looks at about 2000 at Lake Nakuru, and 60 on a small pool in the Serengeti.
LESSER FLAMINGO (Phoenicopterus minor) – Due to the exceptional rains numbers were low at Lake Nakuru but we still enjoyed close views of about 800 there, and 14 were with the Greater Flamingos in the Serengeti.
Ciconiidae (Storks)
BLACK STORK (Ciconia nigra) – Singles at Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire.
MARABOU STORK (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) – Very common throughout the tour (and even in Nairobi city), in all we saw about 500.
YELLOW-BILLED STORK (Mycteria ibis) – At least 400 were at Lake Nakuru, and we also saw small numbers at a variety of scattered wetlands.
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo) – About 800 at Lake Nakuru.
LONG-TAILED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax africanus) – Twelve at Lake Nakuru, and 1 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
Pelecanidae (Pelicans)
GREAT WHITE PELICAN (Pelecanus onocrotalus) – At least 10,000 at Lake Nakuru were truly spectacular, we also saw 1 at Ngorongoro.
PINK-BACKED PELICAN (Pelecanus rufescens) – One near Lake Manyara, and then about 40 at Lake Nakuru.
Scopidae (Hamerkop)
HAMERKOP (Scopus umbretta) – Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour.
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
GRAY HERON (Ardea cinerea) – A total of about 30 were seen at a variety of wetlands throughout the tour.
BLACK-HEADED HERON (Ardea melanocephala) – More often found in damp grasslands than the previous species, they were widespread in small numbers.
PURPLE HERON (Ardea purpurea) – We saw an immature at Limuru Pond, and a beautiful adult at Bogoria.
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba) – About 50 at Limuru Pond, and 200+ at Lake Nakuru.
INTERMEDIATE EGRET (Mesophoyx intermedia) – Forty at Lake Nakuru, and 6 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
LITTLE EGRET (Egretta garzetta) – Singles at Limuru Pond and Lake Baringo, and 6 at Lake Nakuru.
CATTLE EGRET (Bubulcus ibis) – Only 20 in Tanzania, but then common and widespread throughout the Kenya part of the tour.
SQUACCO HERON (Ardeola ralloides) – One at Lake Baringo.
STRIATED HERON (Butorides striata) – Two near Seronera and 3 at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT-HERON (Nycticorax nycticorax) – One on a small dam near Kiawara.
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GLOSSY IBIS (Plegadis falcinellus) – Fifteen at Limuru Pond, 20 at Ngorongoro, and about 150 at Lake Nakuru.
SACRED IBIS (Threskiornis aethiopicus) – Small flocks were common throughout the tour.
HADADA IBIS (Bostrychia hagedash) – Small numbers were farily common (and noisy) throughout the highlands.
AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba) – Singles at Serengeti and Tarangire, and then about 40 at Lake Nakuru.
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
BLACK-SHOULDERED KITE (Elanus caeruleus) – We saw a total of about 30 in the Serengeti.
BLACK KITE (YELLOW-BILLED) (Milvus migrans parasitus) – This yellow-billed form was common (especially around towns) throughout the tour.
AFRICAN FISH-EAGLE (Haliaeetus vocifer) – We saw 3 singles at Tarangire, and 1 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
HOODED VULTURE (Necrosyrtes monachus) – Rather uncommon these days (due to accidental poisoning) but we were lucky and saw 13 in the Serengeti, and 6 at Tarangire.
WHITE-BACKED VULTURE (Gyps africanus) – By far the most common and widespread vulture; in all we saw about 270.
RUEPPELL'S GRIFFON (Gyps rueppellii) – Two at Tarangire.
LAPPET-FACED VULTURE (Torgos tracheliotus) – About 20 in the Ngorongoro to Serengeti area, and then 1 at Tarangire.
BLACK-BREASTED SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus pectoralis) – Two adults over the Serengeti.
BROWN SNAKE-EAGLE (Circaetus cinereus) – One at Ngorongoro, and 6 at Tarangire.
BATELEUR (Terathopius ecaudatus) – One in Ngorongoro Crater, 4 over the Serengeti grasslands, and 4 at Tarangire.
PALLID HARRIER (Circus macrourus) – Five (including 3 beautiful males) in the Serengeti.
AFRICAN HARRIER-HAWK (Polyboroides typus) – One over Gibb's Farm.
DARK CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax metabates) – Some of the group saw 1 near Lake Manyara.
EASTERN CHANTING-GOSHAWK (Melierax poliopterus) – Singles near Kajiado and Tarangire.
GABAR GOSHAWK (Micronisus gabar) – One near Kajiado on our way to the border.
AFRICAN GOSHAWK (Accipiter tachiro) – Two over Kakamega Forest.
COMMON BUZZARD (STEPPE) (Buteo buteo vulpinus) – Two at Lake Nakuru, and 1 at Kakamega.
AUGUR BUZZARD (Buteo augur) – Small numbers were common throughout the tour; in all we saw about 25.
TAWNY EAGLE (Aquila rapax) – We saw about 20 at Tarangire, and another 10 or so at a variety of widespread open country sites.
AFRICAN HAWK-EAGLE (Aquila spilogaster) – Two at Tarangire.
WAHLBERG'S EAGLE (Hieraaetus wahlbergi) – Singles in the Serengeti, Kerio Valley, and at Sagana Fish Ponds.
MARTIAL EAGLE (Polemaetus bellicosus) – One distantly in Nairobi NP, and then closer looks at 2 in the Serengeti.
LONG-CRESTED EAGLE (Lophaetus occipitalis) – Two at Nakuru, and 1 at Mountain Lodge.
CROWNED HAWK-EAGLE (Stephanoaetus coronatus) – Fantastic looks at a pair by a nest at Kakamega.
Sagittariidae (Secretary-bird)
SECRETARY-BIRD (Sagittarius serpentarius) – Singles in Nairobi NP, the Crater Highlands, and Tarangire.
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
PYGMY FALCON (Polihierax semitorquatus) – Three near Kajiado, and 1 in the Serengeti.
LESSER KESTREL (Falco naumanni) – Nice looks at a flying male in the Serengeti.
EURASIAN KESTREL (Falco tinnunculus) – Three over the Serengeti grasslands.
GREATER KESTREL (Falco rupicoloides) – One near Seronera Lodge.
GRAY KESTREL (Falco ardosiaceus) – One in the Serengeti.
LANNER FALCON (Falco biarmicus) – One to the south of Nairobi.
Otididae (Bustards)
KORI BUSTARD (Ardeotis kori) – We saw about 20 of these magnificent birds in Ngorongoro Crater and then another dozen scattered across the Serengeti.
WHITE-BELLIED BUSTARD (Eupodotis senegalensis) – Two pairs in the Serengeti.
BLACK-BELLIED BUSTARD (Lissotis melanogaster) – We saw a male and a female at Ngorongoro, and then another female near Seronera Lodge.
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
BLACK CRAKE (Amaurornis flavirostra) – Small numbers at a variety of widespread wetlands.
RED-KNOBBED COOT (Fulica cristata) – One hundred at Limuru Pond, 300+ at Lake Nakuru, and 2 near Thomson's Falls.
Gruidae (Cranes)
GRAY CROWNED-CRANE (Balearica regulorum) – About 300 in Ngorongoro were most impressive, but we also saw another dozen at Nakuru and near Eldoret.
Burhinidae (Thick-knees)
SPOTTED THICK-KNEE (Burhinus capensis) – Nice looks at a well camouflaged bird near the Baringo cliffs.
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
BLACKSMITH PLOVER (Vanellus armatus) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 250.
SPUR-WINGED PLOVER (Vanellus spinosus) – Ten at Lake Nakuru, and then 6 near Bogoria, and 1 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
BLACK-WINGED LAPWING (Vanellus melanopterus) – Five in the Seronera area of the Serengeti.
CROWNED LAPWING (Vanellus coronatus) – A total of about 45 between Ngorongoro and the Serengeti.
COMMON RINGED PLOVER (Charadrius hiaticula) – Two in the Serengeti.
THREE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius tricollaris) – Widespread in small numbers throughout the tour.
CHESTNUT-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius pallidus) – Great looks at a close bird on an alkaline lake in the Serengeti.
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
BLACK-WINGED STILT (Himantopus himantopus) – Most common at Lake Nakuru but others were widespread throughout the tour.
PIED AVOCET (Recurvirostra avosetta) – Ten in the Serengeti, and about 100 at Lake Nakuru.
Jacanidae (Jacanas)
AFRICAN JACANA (Actophilornis africanus) – Eight at Lake Nakuru, and then singles at Lake Baringo and the Sagana Fish Ponds.
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)
COMMON SANDPIPER (Actitis hypoleucos) – Widespread in small numbers.
GREEN SANDPIPER (Tringa ochropus) – Another widespread sandpiper.
COMMON GREENSHANK (Tringa nebularia) – Four at Lake Nakuru.
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) – Four in the Serengeti, and then about 40 at Lake Nakuru.
WOOD SANDPIPER (Tringa glareola) – The most widespread sandpiper, with a trip total of about 80.
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres) – Uncommon inland so we were surprised to see 1 on the small alkaline lake in the Serengeti.
LITTLE STINT (Calidris minuta) – At least 200 in the Serengeti, about 50 at Lake Nakuru, and 20 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
TEMMINCK'S STINT (Calidris temminckii) – Two in the Serengeti.
RUFF (Philomachus pugnax) – Three hundred at Lake Nakuru was the highest total, but they were also widespread at wetlands elsewhere.
Turnicidae (Buttonquail)
SMALL BUTTONQUAIL (Turnix sylvaticus) – One was flushed in the tall grasslands near Naabi Hill.
Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers)
TEMMINCK'S COURSER (Cursorius temminckii) – Nice looks at 2 in the Serengeti.
DOUBLE-BANDED COURSER (Smutsornis africanus) – One along a track at Tarangire.
THREE-BANDED COURSER (Rhinoptilus cinctus) – Great scope views of this beautiful bird near Lake Baringo.
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
GRAY-HOODED GULL (Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus) – At least 1000 were at Lake Nakuru.
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica) – Eight in the Serengeti, and about 50 at Lake Nakuru.
WHISKERED TERN (Chlidonias hybrida) – Twelve at Limuru Pond, and then about 450 at Lake Nakuru which included many in breeding plumage.
Pteroclidae (Sandgrouse)
CHESTNUT-BELLIED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles exustus) – Eight between Olduvai Gorge and Seronera.
YELLOW-THROATED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles gutturalis) – Twelve on the Serengeti plains, and then about a dozen at Tarangire.
BLACK-FACED SANDGROUSE (Pterocles decoratus) – Twenty at Tarangire.
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) – Small numbers at Namanga and Eldoret towns.
SPECKLED PIGEON (Columba guinea) – Widespread in small numbers.
DELEGORGUE'S PIGEON (Columba delegorguei) – Great looks at about 30 feeding at the Mountain Lodge salt lick.
DUSKY TURTLE-DOVE (Streptopelia lugens) – Two at Ngorongoro.
MOURNING COLLARED-DOVE (Streptopelia decipiens) – More commonly known as African Mourning Dove we saw about 100 in the Baringo area, and a few others in dry country at Serengeti and Tarangire.
RED-EYED DOVE (Streptopelia semitorquata) – Common and widespread.
RING-NECKED DOVE (Streptopelia capicola) – Very common and widespread.
LAUGHING DOVE (Streptopelia senegalensis) – Common and widespread.
EMERALD-SPOTTED WOOD-DOVE (Turtur chalcospilos) – Three at Tarangire, and 1 at Bogoria.
TAMBOURINE DOVE (Turtur tympanistria) – Many heard and 1 seen well at Kakamega.
NAMAQUA DOVE (Oena capensis) – Small numbers were widespread in the dry country.
AFRICAN GREEN-PIGEON (Treron calvus) – Two at Gibb's Farm, 8 at Kakamega, and 6 at Mountain Lodge.
Psittacidae (Parrots)
FISCHER'S LOVEBIRD (Agapornis fischeri) – As a truly wild bird this species is endemic to Tanzania; we had great looks at 3 at the bottom of the Crater Highlands. [E]
YELLOW-COLLARED LOVEBIRD (Agapornis personatus) – Another Tanzania endemic; we saw about 200 at Tarangire. [E]
RED-FRONTED PARROT (Poicephalus gulielmi) – About 80 at Mountain Lodge.
MEYER'S PARROT (Poicephalus meyeri) – About 15 between the Serengeti and Tarangire, and then 1 at Baringo.
RED-BELLIED PARROT (Poicephalus rufiventris) – More commonly known as African Orange-bellied Parrot, we saw a single female at Tarangire.
Musophagidae (Turacos)
GREAT BLUE TURACO (Corythaeola cristata) – Good looks at 3 of these massive turacos at Kakamega.
SCHALOW'S TURACO (Tauraco schalowi) – One on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
WHITE-CRESTED TURACO (Tauraco leucolophus) – Great looks at 2 of these gorgeous turacos in the Kerio Valley.
HARTLAUB'S TURACO (Tauraco hartlaubi) – About 8 at Mountain Lodge. [E]
BARE-FACED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides personatus) – Two singles in the Serengeti, and 4 at Tarangire.
WHITE-BELLIED GO-AWAY-BIRD (Corythaixoides leucogaster) – Small numbers were widespread in dry acacia country.
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
RED-CHESTED CUCKOO (Cuculus solitarius) – One at Kakamega Forest.
BLACK CUCKOO (Cuculus clamosus) – One in the grounds of Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
AFRICAN EMERALD CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx cupreus) – Fantastic looks at a male at Kakamega.
DIDERIC CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx caprius) – Singles near Seronera, and at Lake Baringo.
WHITE-BROWED COUCAL (Centropus superciliosus) – Widespread in small numbers; in all we saw about 10.
Strigidae (Owls)
AFRICAN SCOPS-OWL (Otus senegalensis) – Two at Lake Baringo.
NORTHERN WHITE-FACED OWL (Ptilopsis leucotis) – We saw various parts of a bird laying low on a nest near Lake Baringo.
CAPE EAGLE-OWL (Bubo capensis mackinderi) – We saw a roosting bird on a cliff near Kiawara.
GRAYISH EAGLE-OWL (Bubo cinerascens) – One near the cliffs at Baringo.
PEARL-SPOTTED OWLET (Glaucidium perlatum) – Singles at Tarangire and in the Kerio Valley.
Caprimulgidae (Nightjars and Allies)
SLENDER-TAILED NIGHTJAR (Caprimulgus clarus) – Great looks at 1 near Lake Baringo.
Apodidae (Swifts)
SCARCE SWIFT (Schoutedenapus myoptilus) – About 6 over Mountain Lodge after afternoon rain.
ALPINE SWIFT (Apus melba) – One over Mountain Lodge.
MOTTLED SWIFT (Apus aequatorialis) – One near Kajiado.
LITTLE SWIFT (Apus affinis) – Common and widespread.
WHITE-RUMPED SWIFT (Apus caffer) – Three at Seronera.
AFRICAN PALM-SWIFT (Cypsiurus parvus) – Widespread in small numbers near palm trees -like Manyara and Kisumu.
Coliidae (Mousebirds)
SPECKLED MOUSEBIRD (Colius striatus) – Very common and widespread.
BLUE-NAPED MOUSEBIRD (Urocolius macrourus) – Nice looks at about a dozen at Baringo.
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
MALACHITE KINGFISHER (Corythornis cristatus) – One in Nairobi NP.
AFRICAN PYGMY-KINGFISHER (Ispidina picta) – Great scope views of 1 at Kakamega.
GRAY-HEADED KINGFISHER (Halcyon leucocephala) – Singles at Bogoria and the Blue Posts Hotel.
WOODLAND KINGFISHER (Halcyon senegalensis) – We saw this stunning bird on the shores of Lake Victoria.
STRIPED KINGFISHER (Halcyon chelicuti) – One at Tarangire.
GIANT KINGFISHER (Megaceryle maximus) – One at the small dam near Kiawara.
PIED KINGFISHER (Ceryle rudis) – About 10 at Lake Baringo, and a few others at widespread scattered pools and lakes.
Meropidae (Bee-eaters)
BLUE-HEADED BEE-EATER (Merops muelleri) – Great looks at a pair and an immature in Kakamega Forest.
LITTLE BEE-EATER (Merops pusillus) – Widespread in open bush country.
CINNAMON-CHESTED BEE-EATER (Merops oreobates) – Common around Gibb's Farm and Ngorongoro (about 70), and then at Kakamega (15), and Mt. Kenya (20).
WHITE-THROATED BEE-EATER (Merops albicollis) – About a dozen at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
EUROPEAN BEE-EATER (Merops apiaster) – One in Ngorongoro Crater.
Coraciidae (Rollers)
LILAC-BREASTED ROLLER (Coracias caudatus) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 180 of these gorgeous birds.
RUFOUS-CROWNED ROLLER (Coracias naevius) – Singles at Tarangire and Baringo.
BROAD-BILLED ROLLER (Eurystomus glaucurus) – One at Ngorongoro Crater.
Upupidae (Hoopoes)
EURASIAN HOOPOE (AFRICAN) (Upupa epops africana) – We saw this African form at Seronera, Tarangire, and Nakuru.
Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitar-bills)
GREEN WOODHOOPOE (Phoeniculus purpureus) – Two at Nakuru, and 2 at Baringo.
ABYSSINIAN SCIMITAR-BILL (Rhinopomastus minor) – Four at Tarangire.
Bucerotidae (Hornbills)
NORTHERN RED-BILLED HORNBILL (Tockus erythrorhynchus) – Most common at Tarangire (about 50) but we also saw a few others near Kajiado and Baringo.
JACKSON'S HORNBILL (Tockus jacksoni) – We saw about 10 of these localised birds at Baringo.
VON DER DECKEN'S HORNBILL (Tockus deckeni) – Two near Seronera, and about 10 at Tarangire.
CROWNED HORNBILL (Tockus alboterminatus) – One from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
HEMPRICH'S HORNBILL (Tockus hemprichii) – Great looks at a pair along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
AFRICAN GRAY HORNBILL (Tockus nasutus) – Small numbers in the Serenbgeti and 6 in the Kerio Valley.
SILVERY-CHEEKED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna brevis) – One brielfy in flight over Ngorongoro Crater, and then good looks at about 12 at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-AND-WHITE-CASQUED HORNBILL (Ceratogymna subcylindrica) – Great looks at about 50 of these massive hornbills at Kakamega.
SOUTHERN GROUND-HORNBILL (Bucorvus leadbeateri) – We saw 3 together and then a single at Tarangire, and then 4 in the farm country near Eldoret.
Lybiidae (African Barbets)
YELLOW-BILLED BARBET (Trachyphonus purpuratus) – One seen well (and several heard) at Kakamega.
RED-AND-YELLOW BARBET (Trachyphonus erythrocephalus) – We saw these striking birds near Kajiado, at Olduvai, and at Tarangire.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (Trachyphonus darnaudii) – About 10 at Tarangire, and 3 in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
D'ARNAUD'S BARBET (USAMBIRO) (Trachyphonus darnaudii usambiro) – Endemic to the Mara-Serengeti eco-system this form is often split from the previous bird and known as Usambiro Barbet; we saw 3 near Seronera Lodge. [E]
GRAY-THROATED BARBET (Gymnobucco bonapartei) – About 15 at Kakamega.
MOUSTACHED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus leucomystax) – We saw 2 very extrovert birds in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
YELLOW-RUMPED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus bilineatus bilineatus) – We had good looks at this commonly heard bird at Kakamega and Mountain Lodge.
RED-FRONTED TINKERBIRD (Pogoniulus pusillus) – Singles at the bottom of the Crater Highlands and at Baringo.
YELLOW-SPOTTED BARBET (Buccanodon duchaillui) – Two at Kakamega.
RED-FRONTED BARBET (Tricholaema diademata) – Singles near Kajiado and at Tarangire.
SPOT-FLANKED BARBET (Tricholaema lacrymosa) – One near Seronera, and 4 at Lake Baringo.
BLACK-THROATED BARBET (Tricholaema melanocephala) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
WHITE-HEADED BARBET (Lybius leucocephalus) – Several singles between Serengeti and Tarangire.
BLACK-BILLED BARBET (Lybius guifsobalito) – One along the shore at Lake Victoria.
DOUBLE-TOOTHED BARBET (Lybius bidentatus) – One in the Kerio Valley.
Indicatoridae (Honeyguides)
CASSIN'S HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus insignis) – Some of the group saw 1 at Kakamega.
GREEN-BACKED HONEYGUIDE (Prodotiscus zambesiae) – Great looks for everyone at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
LESSER HONEYGUIDE (Indicator minor) – One at Tarangire.
Picidae (Woodpeckers)
NUBIAN WOODPECKER (Campethera nubica) – Singles near Seronera and at Tarangire.
CARDINAL WOODPECKER (Dendropicos fuscescens) – Singles at Gibb's Farm, Naabi Hill, and at Baringo.
BEARDED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos namaquus) – Good close looks at a male at Nakuru.
GOLDEN-CROWNED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos xantholophus) – One high in the canopy at Kakamega.
GRAY WOODPECKER (Dendropicos goertae) – Two at Baringo.
GRAY-HEADED WOODPECKER (Dendropicos spodocephalus rhodeogaster) – One at Tarangire.
Calyptomenidae (African and Green Broadbills)
AFRICAN BROADBILL (Smithornis capensis) – Fantastic looks at a displaying brd in Kakamega Forest.
Platysteiridae (Wattle-eyes and Batises)
AFRICAN SHRIKE-FLYCATCHER (Megabyas flammulatus) – Extremely uncommon at Kakamega these days so we were lucky to see a female behind the forest station.
BROWN-THROATED WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira cyanea) – Good looks at about 6 at Kakamega.
JAMESON'S WATTLE-EYE (Platysteira jamesoni) – Heard in the Kakamega undergrowth.
CHINSPOT BATIS (Batis molitor) – Three in the Crater Highlands.
BLACK-HEADED BATIS (Batis minor) – We saw a pair of this localised batis in the Kerio Valley.
PYGMY BATIS (Batis perkeo) – One along the cliffs at Baringo.
Prionopidae (Helmetshrikes and Allies)
WHITE HELMETSHRIKE (Prionops plumatus) – Two at Tarangire, and then 6 near Lake Baringo.
Malaconotidae (Bushshrikes and Allies)
BRUBRU (Nilaus afer) – Widespread in small numbers.
NORTHERN PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus gambensis) – We saw a pair during our picnic lunch stop in the Kerio Valley.
BLACK-BACKED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus cubla) – Singles at Nairobi NP and Gibb's Farm.
PINK-FOOTED PUFFBACK (Dryoscopus angolensis) – Good looks at a female in Kakamega Forest.
BROWN-CROWNED TCHAGRA (Tchagra australis) – Three at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
LUEHDER'S BUSHSHRIKE (Laniarius luehderi) – One in the tangled vines at Kakamega.
TROPICAL BOUBOU (Laniarius aethiopicus) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro, Nakuru, and Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-HEADED GONOLEK (Laniarius erythrogaster) – We saw these striking gonoleks at Kisumu and in the Kerio Valley.
SLATE-COLORED BOUBOU (Laniarius funebris) – Small numbers at Olduvai, Tarangire, and Namanga.
GRAY-GREEN BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus bocagei) – Five in the canopy of Kakamega Forest.
SULPHUR-BREASTED BUSHSHRIKE (Telophorus sulfureopectus) – Nice looks at this beautiful bushshrike in the Kerio Valley.
Campephagidae (Cuckoo-shrikes)
BLACK CUCKOO-SHRIKE (Campephaga flava) – We saw a female at Gibb's Farm, and then 2 males (including one of the yellow-shouldered form) in the Kerio Valley.
Laniidae (Shrikes)
GRAY-BACKED FISCAL (Lanius excubitoroides) – Common in the Serengeti where we saw about 90.
LONG-TAILED FISCAL (Lanius cabanisi) – Three in Nairobi NP, and about 10 at Tarangire.
TAITA FISCAL (Lanius dorsalis) – Three in the Serengeti.
MACKINNON'S SHRIKE (Lanius mackinnoni) – One at the Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
COMMON FISCAL (Lanius collaris) – Common and widespread.
MAGPIE SHRIKE (Corvinella melanoleuca) – Common in the more bushy parts of the Serengeti and at Tarangire; in all we saw about 200.
WHITE-RUMPED SHRIKE (Eurocephalus rueppelli) – Common in the Serengeti, and a few others elsewhere in open bush country.
Oriolidae (Old World Orioles)
WESTERN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus brachyrhynchus) – One at Kakamega.
AFRICAN BLACK-HEADED ORIOLE (Oriolus larvatus) – Singles at Kajiado, west of Arusha, in the Kerio Valley, and at Baringo.
BLACK-TAILED ORIOLE (Oriolus percivali) – One from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
Dicruridae (Drongos)
SQUARE-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus ludwigii) – Five in the forest interior at Kakamega.
FORK-TAILED DRONGO (Dicrurus adsimilis) – Widespread in small numbers.
Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
AFRICAN PARADISE-FLYCATCHER (Terpsiphone viridis) – Two at Gibb's Farm included a gorgeous male in breeding plumage, we then saw about 7 others at widespread sites in western and central Kenya.
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
CAPE CROW (Corvus capensis) – Small numbers at widespread sites in the highlands.
PIED CROW (Corvus albus) – Common and widespread.
FAN-TAILED RAVEN (Corvus rhipidurus) – Three at Lake Baringo.
WHITE-NECKED RAVEN (Corvus albicollis) – Great looks along the crater rim at Ngorongoro.
Alaudidae (Larks)
WHITE-TAILED LARK (Mirafra albicauda) – Six in the Seronera area of Serengeti.
RUFOUS-NAPED LARK (Mirafra africana) – One in Nairobi NP and then common in the Serengeti.
PINK-BREASTED LARK (Calendulauda poecilosterna) – One at Lake Baringo.
FOXY LARK (Calendulauda alopex intercedens) – Previously lumped with Fawn-coloured Lark of southern Africa; we saw singles at Olduvai and Tarangire.
FISCHER'S SPARROW-LARK (Eremopterix leucopareia) – Very numerous in the Serengeti where we saw about 1200, and then about another 100 at Tarangire.
RED-CAPPED LARK (Calandrella cinerea) – About 35 in the Serengeti.
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
PLAIN MARTIN (Riparia paludicola) – Twenty at Limuru Pond, and 10 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
BANDED MARTIN (Riparia cincta) – Four in Ngorongoro Crater.
ROCK MARTIN (Ptyonoprogne fuligula) – Widespread in small numbers near cliffs and buildings.
BARN SWALLOW (Hirundo rustica) – Very common and widespread.
ANGOLA SWALLOW (Hirundo angolensis) – About 40 along the shore of Lake Victoria.
WIRE-TAILED SWALLOW (Hirundo smithii) – An adult and an immature at the Sagana Fish Ponds.
RED-RUMPED SWALLOW (Cecropis daurica) – About a dozen at Seronera Lodge, and then 2 at Sagana Fish Ponds.
LESSER STRIPED-SWALLOW (Cecropis abyssinica) – Two at Seronera Lodge.
MOSQUE SWALLOW (Cecropis senegalensis) – We saw a single perched bird to the east of Thomson's Falls.
WHITE-HEADED SAWWING (Psalidoprocne albiceps) – About 30 along the road and in the clearings at Kakamega.
BLACK SAWWING (Psalidoprocne pristoptera) – One at Kakamega, and about 20 around Mountain Lodge.
GRAY-RUMPED SWALLOW (Pseudhirundo griseopyga) – Ten in the highland grasslands east of Eldoret.
Stenostiridae (Fairy Flycatchers)
AFRICAN BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia longicauda) – About 10 at Kakamega.
WHITE-TAILED BLUE-FLYCATCHER (Elminia albicauda) – We saw these gorgeous little 'Fairy Flycatchers' in the garden at Gibb's Farm.
Paridae (Chickadees and Tits)
WHITE-BELLIED TIT (Melaniparus albiventris) – Two in the Kerio Valley, and 1 at Thomson's Falls.
DUSKY TIT (Melaniparus funereus) – About a dozen in the canopy at Kakamega.
RED-THROATED TIT (Melaniparus fringillinus) – Two at the bottom of the Crater Highlands. [E]
SOMALI TIT (Melaniparus thruppi) – Two along the cliffs at Lake Baringo.
Remizidae (Penduline-Tits)
MOUSE-COLORED PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus musculus) – Two at Baringo.
AFRICAN PENDULINE-TIT (Anthoscopus caroli) – We saw 3 of the buff-bellied form 'sylviella' at the bottom of the Crater Highlands; these birds are often split as Buff-bellied Penduline-Tit.
Pycnonotidae (Bulbuls)
SLENDER-BILLED GREENBUL (Stelgidillas gracilirostris) – One at Kakamega, and 4 at Mountain Lodge.
SHELLEY'S GREENBUL (KAKAMEGA) (Arizelocichla masukuensis kakamegae) – We saw 1 creeping along branches like a nuthatch in the Kakamega Forest.
EASTERN MOUNTAIN-GREENBUL (OLIVE-BREASTED) (Arizelocichla nigriceps kikuyuensis) – One at Mountain Lodge.
JOYFUL GREENBUL (Chlorocichla laetissima) – Several small groups at Kakamega.
HONEYGUIDE GREENBUL (Baeopogon indicator) – Good scope looks at a male in Kakamega Forest.
ANSORGE'S GREENBUL (Eurillas ansorgei) – We saw 3 of these very localised greenbuls at Kakamega.
PLAIN GREENBUL (Eurillas curvirostris) – One at Kakamega.
YELLOW-WHISKERED GREENBUL (Eurillas latirostris) – One seen and many heard at Kakamega.
LITTLE GREENBUL (Eurillas virens) – One seen and many heard at Kakamega.
CABANIS'S GREENBUL (Phyllastrephus cabanisi) – One at Gibb's Farm, and 2 at Kakamega.
COMMON BULBUL (DARK-CAPPED) (Pycnonotus barbatus tricolor) – Very common and widespread.
Macrosphenidae (African Warblers)
WHITE-BROWED CROMBEC (Sylvietta leucophrys) – Great looks at this generally uncommon bird at Mountain Lodge.
NORTHERN CROMBEC (Sylvietta brachyura) – Singles at Namanga and Baringo.
RED-FACED CROMBEC (Sylvietta whytii) – Small numbers in the Serengeti and at Tarangire.
Phylloscopidae (Leaf-Warblers)
UGANDA WOOD-WARBLER (Phylloscopus budongoensis) – Many heard and 2 finally seen at Kakamega Forest.
Acrocephalidae (Reed-Warblers and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WARBLER (Chloropeta natalensis) – One at Limuru Pond.
MOUNTAIN YELLOW WARBLER (Chloropeta similis) – Nice looks at 1 from the roof of Mountain Lodge.
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)
CINNAMON BRACKEN-WARBLER (Bradypterus cinnamomeus) – Heard in the dense undergrowth at Mountain Lodge.
Cisticolidae (Cisticolas and Allies)
BLACK-COLLARED APALIS (Apalis pulchra) – One at Kakamega.
BLACK-THROATED APALIS (Apalis jacksoni) – We saw these attractive apalises at Mountain Lodge.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida) – Small numbers at several sites in the Tanzanian highlands.
YELLOW-BREASTED APALIS (Apalis flavida viridiceps) – Sometimes split as Brown-tailed Apalis, we saw 2 at Baringo.
BUFF-THROATED APALIS (Apalis rufogularis) – Many heard and brief views for some high in the canopy at Kakamega.
CHESTNUT-THROATED APALIS (Apalis porphyrolaema) – Nice looks at 2 at Mountain Lodge.
GRAY APALIS (Apalis cinerea) – One near Mountain Lodge.
BROWN-HEADED APALIS (Apalis alticola) – Two seen (and several more heard) in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
GREEN-BACKED CAMAROPTERA (GRAY-BACKED) (Camaroptera brachyura brevicaudata) – The grey-backed form was common and widespread.
OLIVE-GREEN CAMAROPTERA (Camaroptera chloronota) – Two in the middle levels of Kakamega Forest.
RED-FRONTED WARBLER (Urorhipis rufifrons) – About 10 in the low scrub at Baringo.
GRAY WREN-WARBLER (Calamonastes simplex) – One at Baringo.
WHITE-CHINNED PRINIA (Schistolais leucopogon) – We saw a couple of small groups at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
RED-FACED CISTICOLA (Cisticola erythrops) – One along the shore at Lake Victoria.
SINGING CISTICOLA (Cisticola cantans) – One at Limuru Pond.
CHUBB'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola chubbi) – One at Kakamega.
HUNTER'S CISTICOLA (Cisticola hunteri) – We saw these duetting birds around Mountain Lodge. [E]
RATTLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola chiniana) – Common in dry acacia country.
WINDING CISTICOLA (Cisticola galactotes) – Singles at Kisumu and Sagana.
TINKLING CISTICOLA (Cisticola tinniens) – We saw this rather attractive cisticola in a marsh near Eldoret.
STOUT CISTICOLA (Cisticola robustus) – Prefers the longer grass areas of the Serengeti.
PECTORAL-PATCH CISTICOLA (Cisticola brunnescens) – Fairly common in the Serengeti grasslands.
GRAY-CAPPED WARBLER (Eminia lepida) – One at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
BLACK-FACED RUFOUS-WARBLER (Bathmocercus rufus) – Nice looks at this shy undergrowth warbler at Kakamega.
BUFF-BELLIED WARBLER (Phyllolais pulchella) – Small numbers in the canopy of large acacias near Olduvai, at Naabi Hill, and at Baringo.
TAWNY-FLANKED PRINIA (Prinia subflava) – One at Tarangire.
BANDED PRINIA (BLACK-FACED) (Prinia bairdii melanops) – Good looks at this shy undergrowth bird at Kakamega.
YELLOW-BELLIED EREMOMELA (Eremomela icteropygialis) – Two at Naabi Hill.
GREEN-BACKED EREMOMELA (Eremomela canescens) – Very uncommon in Kenya, but we saw them at our usual site in the Kerio Valley.
TURNER'S EREMOMELA (Eremomela turneri) – Three in the canopy at Kakamega.
Sylviidae (Old World Warblers)
AFRICAN HILL BABBLER (Pseudoalcippe abyssinica) – Heard at Mountain Lodge.
BANDED WARBLER (Parisoma boehmi) – Good looks in the Seronera area.
GREEN HYLIA (Hylia prasina) – One in the middle levels at Kakamega.
Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
AFRICAN YELLOW WHITE-EYE (Zosterops senegalensis) – Eight at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
BROAD-RINGED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops poliogastrus) – One on the rim of Ngorongoro Crater, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BREASTED WHITE-EYE (Zosterops abyssinicus) – Six at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
Pellorneidae (Fulvettas and Ground Babblers)
SCALY-BREASTED ILLADOPSIS (Illadopsis albipectus) – Some of the group saw this super-skulker at Kakamega Forest.
Leiothrichidae (Laughingthrushes)
RUFOUS CHATTERER (Turdoides rubiginosa) – Small groups in the Kerio Valley, and at Baringo.
BLACK-LORED BABBLER (Turdoides sharpei) – About 30 at various sites in the Serengeti.
NORTHERN PIED-BABBLER (Turdoides hypoleuca) – Two near Kajiado, and about 15 at Tarangire. [E]
BROWN BABBLER (Turdoides plebejus) – Five during our lunch stop at Baringo.
ARROW-MARKED BABBLER (Turdoides jardineii) – One at Gibb's Farm.
Muscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers)
SILVERBIRD (Empidornis semipartitus) – Small numbers in the acacias at Serengeti, and then 1 in the Kerio Valley.
GRAYISH FLYCATCHER (Bradornis microrhynchus) – More commonly known as African Grey Flycatcher, they were common in the Serengeti and at Baringo.
WHITE-EYED SLATY-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis fischeri) – About 6 near Gibb's Farm, 1 at Nakuru, and 1 at Thomson's Falls.
NORTHERN BLACK-FLYCATCHER (Melaenornis edolioides) – One at the Rondo Retreat.
DUSKY-BROWN FLYCATCHER (Muscicapa adusta) – Usually called African Dusky Flycatcher, we saw small numbers at forest edge in the highlands of both Tanzania and Kenya.
GRAY TIT-FLYCATCHER (Myioparus plumbeus) – A single bird at the edge of Kakamega Forest was totally unexpected.
RED-BACKED SCRUB-ROBIN (Cercotrichas leucophrys) – Small nunbers near Kajiado, and in the Seronera area of Serengeti.
CAPE ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha caffra) – We saw a pair with a juvenile at Thomson's Falls.
BLUE-SHOULDERED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha cyanocampter) – Normally extremely shy but we had fantastic looks this tour at Kakamega - even in the scope!
GRAY-WINGED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha polioptera) – One at Kakamega.
RUEPPELL'S ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha semirufa) – Two singles at Mountain Lodge.
WHITE-BROWED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha heuglini) – Small numbers were fairly common (but scattered) throughout the tour.
SNOWY-CROWNED ROBIN-CHAT (Cossypha niveicapilla) – Brief views at Kakamega.
SPOTTED MORNING-THRUSH (Cichladusa guttata) – Singles at Namanga, Tarangire, and Baringo.
LITTLE ROCK-THRUSH (Monticola rufocinereus) – One at Lake Nakuru.
STONECHAT (Saxicola torquatus) – We saw a single male to the east of Eldoret.
NORTHERN ANTEATER-CHAT (Myrmecocichla aethiops) – Six at Ngorongoro, and about 20 at Nakuru.
MOCKING CLIFF-CHAT (Thamnolaea cinnamomeiventris) – We saw a male at Olduvai Gorge, and then a pair at Lake Nakuru.
BROWN-TAILED CHAT (Cercomela scotocerca) – We saw this localised bird along the cliffs at Baringo.
NORTHERN WHEATEAR (Oenanthe oenanthe) – Small numbers in the Serengeti, Tarangire, and Baringo.
MOURNING WHEATEAR (SCHALOW'S) (Oenanthe lugens schalowi) – One on the slopes of Ngorongoro Crater.
CAPPED WHEATEAR (Oenanthe pileata) – Common at Ngorongoro and in the Serengeti.
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
ABYSSINIAN THRUSH (Turdus abyssinicus abyssinicus) – Recently split from the southern African Olive Thrush, we saw them at Nairobi, Ngorongoro, and at Mountain Lodge.
AFRICAN THRUSH (Turdus pelios) – Three at Kakamega.
Sturnidae (Starlings)
WATTLED STARLING (Creatophora cinerea) – Small numbers at Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
GREATER BLUE-EARED GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) – Small numbers in the Serengeti and at Nakuru.
RUEPPELL'S GLOSSY-STARLING (Lamprotornis purpuroptera) – About 15 in the Serengeti, 12 at Nakuru, and 40 in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
SUPERB STARLING (Lamprotornis superbus) – Very common and widespread.
HILDEBRANDT'S STARLING (Lamprotornis hildebrandti) – Fairly common in the acacia country in the Serengeti, and a few near the border. [E]
FISCHER'S STARLING (Spreo fischeri) – Four near Namanga.
ASHY STARLING (Spreo unicolor) – This Tanzania endemic was common at Tarangire where we saw a total of about 180 birds. [E]
RED-WINGED STARLING (Onychognathus morio) – Widespread in small numbers.
WALLER'S STARLING (Onychognathus walleri) – About 20 around Mountain Lodge.
BRISTLE-CROWNED STARLING (Onychognathus salvadorii) – Seven along the cliffs at Baringo.
STUHLMANN'S STARLING (Poeoptera stuhlmanni) – Twenty at Kakamega.
SHARPE'S STARLING (Pholia sharpii) – One at Thomson's Falls, and 4 at Mountain Lodge.
Buphagidae (Oxpeckers)
RED-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) – Common and widespread wherever there were cattle or big game throughout the tour.
YELLOW-BILLED OXPECKER (Buphagus africanus) – Eight in Ngorongoro Crater, and 6 at Tarangire.
Nectariniidae (Sunbirds and Spiderhunters)
KENYA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD (Anthreptes orientalis) – Ten in the Baringo to Bogoria area.
GREEN SUNBIRD (Anthreptes rectirostris) – Great looks at a nest building pair at Kakamega.
COLLARED SUNBIRD (Hedydipna collaris) – We saw a single male at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
GREEN-HEADED SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra verticalis) – Two at Kakamega.
WESTERN OLIVE SUNBIRD (Cyanomitra obscura) – Two singles at Kakamega.
AMETHYST SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra amethystina) – Singles at Gibb's Farm, Nakuru, and the Blue Posts Hotel.
SCARLET-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Chalcomitra senegalensis) – Six in the Serengeti, and 1 at Nakuru.
TACAZZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia tacazze) – Fabulous looks at this gorgeous sunbird at Gibb's Farm.
BRONZE SUNBIRD (Nectarinia kilimensis) – Common and widespread in the highlands.
GOLDEN-WINGED SUNBIRD (Drepanorhynchus reichenowi) – We saw a single male at Gibb's Farm.
NORTHERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris reichenowi) – One at Kakamega.
EASTERN DOUBLE-COLLARED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mediocris) – About a dozen at Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge, and 10 around Mountain Lodge.
BEAUTIFUL SUNBIRD (Cinnyris pulchellus) – Just beautiful! We saw about 20 in the Kerio Valley and Baringo.
MARIQUA SUNBIRD (Cinnyris mariquensis) – Singles at Kajiado, Naabi Hill, and near Seronera.
RED-CHESTED SUNBIRD (Cinnyris erythrocercus) – Another gorgeous sunbird; we saw about 8 of these along the shore at Lake Victoria.
VARIABLE SUNBIRD (Cinnyris venustus) – One at Namanga, and about 40 in the Gibb's Farm area.
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
WESTERN YELLOW WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava) – About 10 in the Serengeti, and 6 at Baringo.
CAPE WAGTAIL (Motacilla capensis) – Two at Limuru Pond.
AFRICAN PIED WAGTAIL (Motacilla aguimp) – Common and widespread.
AFRICAN PIPIT (Anthus cinnamomeus) – Widespread in the grasslands at Ngorongoro, Serengeti, and Nakuru.
LONG-BILLED PIPIT (Anthus similis) – Two on the slopes of Ngorongoro Crater.
PLAIN-BACKED PIPIT (Anthus leucophrys) – Common in the Serengeti grasslands.
YELLOW-THROATED LONGCLAW (Macronyx croceus) – One at Sagana Fish Ponds.
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies)
ORTOLAN BUNTING (Emberiza hortulana) – Without doubt the surprise of the tour, we saw a first year bird in the grounds of Seronera Lodge - the first record for Tanzania - and great photos too!
GOLDEN-BREASTED BUNTING (Emberiza flaviventris) – One in Nairobi NP, and 2 at the bottom of the Crater Highlands.
Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
YELLOW-FRONTED CANARY (Serinus mozambicus) – One at the edge of Kakamega Forest.
SOUTHERN CITRIL (Serinus hypostictus) – Six near Kisumu.
REICHENOW'S SEEDEATER (Serinus reichenowi) – Four at Tarangire, 2 at Nakuru, and 2 near Sagana.
WHITE-BELLIED CANARY (Serinus dorsostriatus) – Six near Kajiado, and about 40 in the Serengeti.
STREAKY SEEDEATER (Serinus striolatus) – Ten at Gibb's Farm, and 2 at Mountain Lodge.
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) – Small numbers, mainly in various gas stations.
KENYA RUFOUS SPARROW (Passer rufocinctus) – Common nad widespread but most common in the Serengeti; in all we saw about 120.
NORTHERN GRAY-HEADED SPARROW (Passer griseus) – Most commonly seen in the Nakuru and Kakamega areas.
SWAHILI SPARROW (Passer suahelicus) – About 50 in the Serengeti.
CHESTNUT SPARROW (Passer eminibey) – Forty at Tarangire included some in quite good breeding plumage.
YELLOW-SPOTTED PETRONIA (Petronia pyrgita) – About 20 in the Serengeti, and 4 at Baringo.
Ploceidae (Weavers and Allies)
WHITE-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis albirostris) – We saw just a single adult male at Lake Baringo.
RED-BILLED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Bubalornis niger) – Common in most of the dry bush country of southern Kenya and northern Tanzania.
WHITE-HEADED BUFFALO-WEAVER (Dinemellia dinemelli) – Another common buffalo-weaver of the dry bush country; we saw a total of about 120.
SPECKLE-FRONTED WEAVER (Sporopipes frontalis) – Common at Olduvai and in the Serengeti.
WHITE-BROWED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser mahali) – Most common between Baringo and Bogoria (about 2000), but we also saw them near the border and at Thika.
CHESTNUT-CROWNED SPARROW-WEAVER (Plocepasser superciliosus) – We saw this very localised sparrow-weaver at our usual site in the Kerio Valley.
RUFOUS-TAILED WEAVER (Histurgops ruficauda) – This Tanzania endemic was common from Ngorongoro, across the Serengeti. and into Tarangire. [E]
GRAY-HEADED SOCIAL-WEAVER (Pseudonigrita arnaudi) – About 60 in the Seronera area.
BAGLAFECHT WEAVER (Ploceus baglafecht) – Common in the highlands.
LITTLE WEAVER (Ploceus luteolus) – Two males at Lake Baringo.
SLENDER-BILLED WEAVER (Ploceus pelzelni) – Three in the papyrus at Lake Victoria.
BLACK-NECKED WEAVER (Ploceus nigricollis) – Two at Kakamega.
SPECTACLED WEAVER (Ploceus ocularis) – Two in the forest above Gibb's Farm.
HOLUB'S GOLDEN-WEAVER (Ploceus xanthops) – One at Limuru Pond.
NORTHERN MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus taeniopterus) – Restricted to Lake Baringo in Kenya where we saw about 40, including many in fine breeding plumage.
LESSER MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus intermedius) – Two at Lake Baringo.
VITELLINE MASKED-WEAVER (Ploceus vitellinus) – Widespread in small numbers in acacia country.
SPEKE'S WEAVER (Ploceus spekei) – Twenty at Ngorongoro, and 4 at Nakuru.
VIEILLOT'S WEAVER (Ploceus nigerrimus) – About 20 were building nests at Rondo Retreat, Kakamega.
VILLAGE WEAVER (Ploceus cucullatus) – Twenty at Kisumu, and 30 at Baringo.
BLACK-HEADED WEAVER (Ploceus melanocephalus) – Also known as Yellow-backed Weaver; we saw about a dozen at Kisumu.
GOLDEN-BACKED WEAVER (Ploceus jacksoni) – We saw about 30 of these very attractive weavers at Lake Baringo.
CHESTNUT WEAVER (Ploceus rubiginosus) – Ten near Bogoria.
FOREST WEAVER (Ploceus bicolor) – About dozen (often in mixed species bird parties) at Kakamega.
BROWN-CAPPED WEAVER (Ploceus insignis) – Four at Kakamega.
RED-BILLED QUELEA (Quelea quelea) – Flocks of several hundred at Ngorongoro and Tarangire.
RED BISHOP (Euplectes orix) – We saw a single male to the east of Kisumu.
BLACK BISHOP (Euplectes gierowii) – One in non-breeding plumage at Tarangire.
YELLOW-SHOULDERED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes macroura macrocerca) – We saw a male in breeding plumage in the clearing at Kakamega.
RED-COLLARED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes ardens) – We saw about 15 in the Nairobi area, including a breeding plumage male at Limuru Pond.
FAN-TAILED WIDOWBIRD (Euplectes axillaris) – About 10 in Ngorongoro Crater, and 2 near Eldoret.
GROSBEAK WEAVER (Amblyospiza albifrons) – Two females at Gibb's Farm.
Estrildidae (Waxbills and Allies)
GRAY-HEADED NEGROFINCH (Nigrita canicapillus) – Two were nest building in Kakamega Forest.
YELLOW-BELLIED WAXBILL (Coccopygia quartinia) – We saw a couple of small flocks along the rim of Ngorongoro Crater.
COMMON WAXBILL (Estrilda astrild) – Ten at Lake Nakuru.
BLACK-CROWNED WAXBILL (Estrilda nonnula) – Six along a stream at Kakamega.
BLACK-CHEEKED WAXBILL (Estrilda erythronotos) – Two at Naabi Hill.
RED-RUMPED WAXBILL (Estrilda charmosyna) – One at Lake Baringo.
RED-HEADED BLUEBILL (Spermophaga ruficapilla) – Good looks at a male at Kakamega.
RED-CHEEKED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus bengalus) – Widespread in small numbers.
BLUE-CAPPED CORDONBLEU (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus) – Two males in the Serengeti.
PURPLE GRENADIER (Granatina ianthinogaster) – Small numbers at Nairobi NP, in the Serengeti, and at Baringo; in all we saw about 16.
GREEN-WINGED PYTILIA (Pytilia melba) – Nice looks at a male near Namanga.
RED-BILLED FIREFINCH (Lagonosticta senegala) – Eight at Nairobi, and 4 at Tarangire.
ZEBRA WAXBILL (Sporaeginthus subflavus) – About 30 in the long grass at Nairobi NP.
GRAY-HEADED SILVERBILL (Odontospiza griseicapilla) – Eight near Kajiado.
BRONZE MANNIKIN (Spermestes cucullatus) – Twelve in Nairobi NP, 6 at Kisumu, and 7 at the Blue Posts Hotel, Thika.
Viduidae (Indigobirds)
PIN-TAILED WHYDAH (Vidua macroura) – We saw a single male at Nakuru.
EASTERN PARADISE-WHYDAH (Vidua paradisaea) – A female at Tarangire.
MAMMALS
WAHLBERG'S EPAULETTED FRUIT BAT (Epomophorus wahlbergi) – About 30 at the gate to Nairobi NP.
BROWN GREATER GALAGO (Otolemur crassicaudatus) – One came to a feeding platform at Gibb's Farm.
BLUE MONKEY (Cercopithecus mitis) – About 20 at Kakamega Forest.
SYKES MONKEY (Cercopithecus albogularis) – One at Nairobi, and 6 at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-CHEEKED WHITE-NOSED MONKEY (Cercopithecus ascanius) – More commonly known as Copper-tailed Monkey, we saw 1 at Kakamega.
BLACK-FACED VERVET MONKEY (Cercopithecus aethiops) – Common and widespread; in all we saw about 450.
OLIVE BABOON (Papio anubis) – Common and widespread; we saw a total of about 850.
MANTLED GUEREZA (Colobus guereza) – More commonly known as Black-and-white Colobus; we saw 10 at Kakamega, and 4 at Mountain Lodge.
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) – Singles at Nairobi NP, Tarangire, and Mountain Lodge.
BUSH SQUIRREL (Paraxerus sp.) – Common at Tarangire, in the Kerio Valley, and at Mountain Lodge.
BLACK-BACKED JACKAL (Canis mesomelas) – Singles in Ngorongoro Crater and at Nakuru.
COMMON JACKAL (Canis aureus) – Two in Ngorongoro Crater.
BAT-EARED FOX (Otocyon megalotis) – Three adults and 2 young ones at a den in Tarangire.
LARGE-SPOTTED GENET (Genetta tigrina) – Three at Mountain Lodge.
SLENDER MONGOOSE (Herpestes sanguineus) – One at Baringo.
BANDED MONGOOSE (Mungos mungo) – We saw several 'bands' in the Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
EASTERN DWARF MONGOOSE (Helogale hirtula) – About a dozen in the Serengeti, and 30 at Tarangire.
SPOTTED HYAENA (Crocuta crocuta) – About a dozen in Ngorongoro Crater, and another 12 in the Serengeti included 1 eating a Thomson's Gazelle.
LEOPARD (Panthera pardus) – Just fantastic this tour with 3 separate sightings, and some great behavior, like 1 being chased up a tree by a Warthog, and another with a fresh Impala kill.
LION (Panthera leo) – We saw a total of 45, but perhaps most exciting were the pride of 18 which had just killed a full grown Hippo - amazing!
CHEETAH (Acinonyx jubatus) – Another fantastic and unusual sighting was 1 in Tarangire eating a full grown female Ostrich.
AFRICAN ELEPHANT (Loxodonta africana) – We saw a total of about 800 between Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, and Tarangire.
ROCK HYRAX (Procavia capensis) – Eight at Seronera.
BUSH (YELLOW-SPOTTED) HYRAX (Heterohyrax brucei) – Common on kopjes in the Serengeti, and at Tarangire.
TREE HYRAX (Dendrohyrax arboreus) – One at Mountain Lodge.
BURCHELL'S ZEBRA (Equus burchelli) – Several thousand were seen in Ngorongoro Crater, on the Serengeti plains, and at Tarangire.
BLACK RHINOCEROS (Diceros bicornis) – Six in Ngorongoro Crater.
WHITE RHINOCEROS (Ceratotherium simum) – We saw about 20 of this introduced species at Nakuru.
WARTHOG (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) – Common and widespread in grasslands and bush country; in all we saw about 300.
HIPPOPOTAMUS (Hippopotamus amphibius) – Twenty in Nairobi NP, 80+ at Ngorongoro, and about 120 at various pools in the Serengeti.
COMMON GIRAFFE (Giraffa camelopardalis) – Common in Nariobi NP, the Serengeti, and Tarangire.
ROTHSCHILD'S GIRAFFE (Giraffa rothschildi) – Great looks at 7 in Nakuru NP.
BUSHBUCK (Tragelaphus scriptus) – One near Gibb's Farm, and about 20 at Mountain Lodge.
COMMON ELAND (Taurotragus oryx) – We saw a huge male in Ngorongoro Crater, and then about 20 at Tarangire.
AFRICAN BUFFALO (Syncerus caffer) – Common in all the parks and reserves with grassland; in all we saw about 2500.
COMMON WATERBUCK (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) – About 50 at Tarangire.
DEFASSA WATERBUCK (Kobus defassa) – Three at Ngorongoro, 40 at Nakuru, and 20 at Mountain Lodge.
BOHOR REEDBUCK (Redunca redunca) – We saw a total of about 35 in the Serengeti and Tarangire.
TOPI (Damaliscus lunatus) – Fourteen in the Seronera area.
HARTEBEEST (KONGONI) (Alcelaphus buselaphus) – Also known as Coke's Hartebeest; we saw 30 in Nairobi NP, 15 at Ngorongoro, 200 in the Serengeti, and a dozen at Tarangire.
BLUE WILDEBEEST (Connochaetes taurinus) – About 3000 in Ngorongoro Crater, just 2 in the Serengeti, and then 6000+ at Tarangire.
STEENBOK (Raphicerus campestris) – Six in the Serengeti, and 5 at Tarangire.
SUNI (Neotragus moschatus) – One in Nairobi NP, and 1 at Mountain Lodge.
KIRK'S DIK-DIK (Modoqua kirki) – We saw a total of 20 in the Serengeti and Tarangire.
IMPALA (Aepyceros malampus) – Common and widespread in parks with open woodland; in all we saw about 550.
THOMSON'S GAZELLE (Gazella thomsoni) – Very common at Ngorongoro, in the Serengeti, and at Nakuru; we saw a total of about 8500.
GRANT'S GAZELLE (Gazella granti) – Common at Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Tarangire, and a few at Nakuru.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Reptiles seen on the tour included:
Red-headed Rock Agama; small numbers at Olduvai Gorge and Bogoria
Mwanza Flat-headed Agama; common on rocky areas in the Serengeti
Nile Monitor; singles at Tarangire, Baringo, and Bogoria
Nile Crocodile; 1 near Seronera
Totals for the tour: 451 bird taxa and 47 mammal taxa