12 Sep Trip Report – Wild Kenya: Famous Birding Loop 18-28 August 2024
Tour Leader: Paul Kungu
Guests: Rainer Ruess (World Lister) & Beate Ruess
Overview:
This report outlines a birdwatching tour that took place between August 18 and August 28, 2024, covering several key locations in Kenya, including Naivasha, Lake Baringo, Kakamega Forest, Lake Victoria, and the Maasai Mara. The trip was meticulously planned to provide our tour guests with an immersive experience of observing a wide variety of bird species in their natural habitats. Each day’s journey is documented, highlighting the species encountered, the specific habitats explored, and the overall experiences of the participants. The trip’s goal was not only to offer an enjoyable and educational experience for our guests but also to contribute to the ongoing study and documentation of bird species in these regions.
Day 1: Kinangop Plateau & Lake Elementaita – 18 August 2024
We began our journey at approximately 5:30 am from the airport and drove towards Naivasha. After a brief coffee stop of about 10 minutes in Limuru, we continued to Manguo Swamp, where we commenced bird-watching for an hour. Our next destination was the Kinangop Plateau, where we focused on finding the Sharpe’s Longclaw. We explored the area on foot until noon, then drove to Naivasha for lunch. Later, we traveled to Lake Elementaita to observe flamingos and other bird species. We spent around three hours bird- watching along the shores of Lake Elementaita, concluding at 5:00 pm before driving to Tumbiri Cliff Lodge in Lake Baringo.
The following are the species observed throughout the day:
- Knob-billed Duck
- Egyptian Goose
- Speckled Pigeon
- Red-eyed Dove
- Laughing Dove
- Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
- Namaqua Dove
- Dideric Cuckoo
- Red-chested Cuckoo
- Slender-tailed Nightjar
- Little Swift
- African Jacana
- Common Sandpiper
- African Darter
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- Great Cormorant
- Hamerkop
- Black-crowned Night Heron
- Little Egret
- Striated Heron
- Squacco Heron
- Great Egret
- Grey Heron
- Purple Heron
- Goliath Heron
- Osprey
- Shikra
- African Fish-Eagle
- Barn Owl
- Jackson’s Hornbill
- Malachite Kingfisher (Mainland)
- African Pygmy Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
- White-throated Bee-eater
- Madagascar Bee-eater
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- Grey-backed Fiscal
- Plain Martin
- Barn Swallow
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Red-rumped Swallow
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Spotted Morning-Thrush
- Beautiful Sunbird
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Little Weaver
- White-browed Coucal
To name a few..
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was the sighting of Sharpe’s Longclaw at the Kinangop Plateau.
Day 2: Lake Baringo – 19 August 2024
We began the day with a boat ride at around 6:30 am, birdwatching along the shores of Lake Baringo. The boat tour lasted for approximately two and a half hours. Afterward, we returned to the lodge for breakfast and spent an hour exploring the garden for further bird sightings. Following lunch, we took a 20-minute drive to a nearby area to search for nocturnal species. We spent three hours birdwatching before returning to the lodge at around 6:45 pm.
The following species were observed throughout the day:
- Mourning Collared-Dove
- Laughing Dove
- Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
- Namaqua Dove
- White-bellied Go-away-bird
- White-browed Coucal
- Dideric Cuckoo
- African Jacana
- African Openbill
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- Pink-backed Pelican
- Great Egret
- Purple Heron
- Jackson’s Hornbill
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
- Madagascar Bee-eater
- Red-and-yellow Barbet
- Red-fronted Tinkerbird
- Nubian Woodpecker
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- White-rumped Shrike
- Northern Crombec
- Grey Wren-Warbler
- Barn Swallow
- Northern Brownbul
- Common Bulbul
- Rüppell’s Starling
- African Grey Flycatcher
- Southern Black-Flycatcher
- Red-backed Scrub-Robin
- Spotted Morning-Thrush
- Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird
- Beautiful Sunbird
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Red-billed Firefinch
- Village Indigobird
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- African Pied Wagtail
- Common Ostrich
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Crested Francolin
- Spotted Thick-knee
- Blacksmith Lapwing
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Three-banded Courser
- Hamerkop
- Northern White-faced Owl
- Greyish Eagle-Owl
- Blue-naped Mousebird
- Hemprich’s Hornbill
- Meyer’s Parrot
- Rattling Cisticola
- Lesser Striped Swallow
- Red-billed Oxpecker
- Red-winged Starling
- Bristle-crowned Starling
- Superb Starling
- White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
- Slate-coloured Boubou
- Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike
- African Paradise-Flycatcher
- Fan-tailed Raven
- Somali Tit
- White-bellied Canary
- Red-billed Quelea
- Crimson-rumped Waxbill
- House Sparrow
- African Green-Pigeon
- Pied Cuckoo
- White-rumped Swift
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Western Cattle Egret
- Black-winged Kite
- African Harrier-Hawk
- Verreaux’s Eagle
- Northern Red-billed Hornbill
- African Pygmy Kingfisher
- Rufous-crowned Roller
- Black-throated Barbet
- Pygmy Falcon
- Lanner Falcon
- African Black-headed Oriole
- Red-fronted Prinia
- Rock Martin
- Rufous Chatterer
- Wattled Starling
- Magpie Starling
- Mocking Cliff-Chat
- Brown-tailed Chat
- Hunter’s Sunbird
- Little Weaver
- Northern Masked-Weaver
- Vitelline Masked-Weaver
- Chestnut Weaver
- Purple Grenadier
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
- Green-winged Pytilia
- Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Northern White-faced Owl.
Day 3: Lake Baringo – 20th August 2024
We began our journey at around 6:30 am and drove for 20 minutes to a nearby cliff, where we conducted a birding walk along the edge for four and a half hours. Later, we returned to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, at around 3:30 pm, we drove further up for 40 minutes towards Lolok, where we walked through the farms in search of whydahs. We then drove back to the lodge, arriving at around 6:30 pm.
The following species were observed throughout the day:
- White-faced Whistling-Duck
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Crested Francolin
- Namaqua Dove
- White-browed Coucal
- Dideric Cuckoo
- Red-chested Cuckoo
- African Palm Swift
- Water Thick-knee
- Common Sandpiper
- Hamerkop
- Little Egret
- Hadada Ibis
- Speckled Mousebird
- Green Woodhoopoe
- African Grey Hornbill
- African Pygmy Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
- Madagascar Bee-eater
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- Grey-backed Fiscal
- Rufous Chatterer
- Wattled Starling
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Superb Starling
- Southern Black-Flycatcher
- Beautiful Sunbird
- White-headed Buffalo-Weaver
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Red-billed Quelea
- Northern Red Bishop
- Pin-tailed Whydah
- Yellow-spotted Bush Sparrow
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Northern Red Bishop.
Day 4: Kakamega Forest – 21 August 2024
We began our journey at around 6:30 am, driving towards Kakamega Forest. On the way, we made several stops to search for special species like the White-billed Buffalo-Weaver and the White-crested Turaco. We had a packed lunch en route and continued our drive to the forest, arriving at 3:00 pm. Upon arrival, we started our birdwatching in the forest, walking around in search of birds until 6:15 pm, then drove to Rondo Retreat Lodge, arriving at 6:40 pm.
These are the species we found throughout the day, both on the way and within the forest:
- Laughing Dove
- Green Woodhoopoe
- African Grey Hornbill
- Northern Red-billed Hornbill
- White-throated Bee-eater
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- Red-and-yellow Barbet
- D’Arnaud’s Barbet
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- Grey Wren-Warbler
- Red-rumped Swallow
- Hildebrandt’s Starling
- Speckle-fronted Weaver
- Dideric Cuckoo
- Red-chested Cuckoo
- Dark Chanting-Goshawk
- White-billed Buffalo-Weaver
- Ring-necked Dove
- White-bellied Go-away-bird
- African Black-headed Oriole
- Slate-coloured Boubou
- White-rumped Shrike
- Yellow-breasted Apalis
- Pale White-eye
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Superb Starling
- Greater Blue-eared Starling
- Southern Black-Flycatcher
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
- Pin-tailed Whydah
- Village Indigobird
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- African Pied Wagtail
- Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
- White-crested Turaco
- Northern Fiscal
- Marico Sunbird
- Grey-backed Fiscal
- Northern Yellow White-eye
- Baglafecht Weaver
- Red-cowled Widowbird
- Fan-tailed Widowbird
- Klaas’s Cuckoo
- White-headed Woodhoopoe
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater
- Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
- Brown-throated Wattle-eye
- Pink-footed Puffback
- Lühder’s Bushshrike
- African Blue Flycatcher
- Turner’s Eremomela
- White-chinned Prinia
- Grey Apalis
- Black-faced Rufous-Warbler
- Chubb’s Cisticola
- White-headed Sawwing
- Red-tailed Bristlebill
- Joyful Greenbul
- Shelley’s Greenbul (Kakamega)
- Little Greenbul
- Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
- Common Bulbul
- Uganda Woodland-Warbler
- Stuhlmann’s Starling
- African Dusky Flycatcher
- Chapin’s Flycatcher
- White-browed Robin-Chat
- Snowy-crowned Robin-Chat
- Equatorial Akalat
- Green-headed Sunbird
- Northern Double-collared Sunbird
- Black-necked Weaver
- Forest Weaver
- Brown-capped Weaver
- Mountain Wagtail
- African Pied Wagtail
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Great Blue Turaco, Black-billed Turaco and African Broadbill.
Day 5: Kakamega Forest – 22 August 2024
We started our journey at around 6:30 am with a birding walk in the forest until 12:30 pm. After lunch at the lodge, we resumed birding at around 3:30 pm until 6:30 pm.
These are the species we found throughout the day within the forest:
- Great Blue Turaco
- African Emerald Cuckoo
- African Palm Swift
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- African Pygmy Kingfisher
- Yellow-billed Barbet
- Gray-throated Barbet
- Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
- Lesser Honeyguide
- Purple-throated Cuckooshrike
- Brown-throated Wattle-eye
- Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye
- Lühder’s Bushshrike
- Gray-green Bushshrike
- Sharpe’s Drongo
- White-chinned Prinia
- Green-backed Camaroptera
- Black-throated Apalis
- Gray Apalis
- Chubb’s Cisticola
- White-headed Sawwing
- Yellow-throated Greenbul
- Joyful Greenbul
- Little Greenbul
- Yellow-whiskered Greenbul
- Ansorge’s Greenbul
- Cabanis’s Greenbul
- Common Bulbul
- Northern Yellow White-eye
- Scaly-breasted Illadopsis
- Stuhlmann’s Starling
- Chapin’s Flycatcher
- Brown-chested Alethe
- Bronze Sunbird
- Baglafecht Weaver
- Vieillot’s Black Weaver
- Forest Weaver
- Brown-capped Weaver
- Gray-headed Nigrita
- Red-headed Bluebill
- African Pied Wagtail
- Black-billed Turaco
- Blue-headed Bee-eater
- Pink-footed Puffback
- Mackinnon’s Shrike
- Black-faced Rufous-Warbler
- Uganda Woodland-Warbler
- Green-headed Sunbird
- Northern Double-collared Sunbird
- Ross’s Turaco
- Cardinal Woodpecker
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Blue-headed Bee-eater and White-spotted Flufftail
Day 6: Kisumu, Lake Victoria – 23 August 2024
We began our walk around Kakamega Forest at approximately 7:00 am and continued until 11:30 am. Afterward, we drove for about 1 hour 30 minutes to Lake Victoria and checked in at Acacia Premier Hotel. In the afternoon, we visited the shores of Lake Victoria, where we walked around and enjoyed a boat ride for two hours. We returned to the lodge around 6:45 pm.
These are the species we found throughout the day:
- Cardinal Woodpecker
- Mackinnon’s Shrike
- Ross’s Turaco
- Bare-faced Go-away-bird
- Eastern Plantain-eater
- African Palm Swift
- Water Thick-knee
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- African Jacana
- African Openbill
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- Hamerkop
- Little Egret
- Western Cattle Egret
- Great Egret
- African Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- Shikra
- Black Kite
- Speckled Mousebird
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Woodland Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
- Broad-billed Roller
- African Gray Woodpecker
- Meyer’s Parrot
- Black-headed Gonolek
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- Northern Fiscal
- Pied Crow
- Grey-capped Warbler
- Winding Cisticola
- Carruthers’s Cisticola
- Lesser Swamp Warbler
- Angola Swallow
- Common Bulbul
- Red-billed Oxpecker
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Swamp Flycatcher
- Bronze Sunbird
- Red-chested Sunbird
- Village Weaver
- Bronze Mannikin
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- Marabou Stork
- Little Bittern
- Striated Heron
- Yellow-billed Egret
- Grey Heron
- Papyrus Gonolek
- Fischer’s Lovebird
- White-winged Swamp Warbler
- Northern Brown-throated Weaver
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Ross’s Turaco at Kakamega Forest and then the Papyrus Gonolek at Kisumu.
Day 7: Kisumu, Lake Victoria to the Masai Mara (Mara Triangle) – 24 August 2024
We began our day at around 6:00 am, driving to the lake shore where we searched for special species including the Blue-headed Coucal, Double-toothed Barbet, and Papyrus Canary, which we successfully observed. Afterward, we drove to Masai Mara Mara Elatia Camp, checked in, and then proceeded to the conservancy for birding until 6:30 pm before returning to the camp. In addition to birdwatching, we encountered various wild animals such as Rhinoceroses, Impalas, Buffaloes, and Hyenas.
These are the species we found throughout the day:
- Red-eyed Dove
- Ring-necked Dove
- Blue-spotted Wood-Dove
- Eastern Plantain-eater
- Blue-headed Coucal
- Dideric Cuckoo
- Little Swift
- African Palm Swift
- Long-toed Lapwing
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- African Jacana
- African Openbill
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- Hamerkop
- Little Egret
- Striated Heron
- Western Cattle Egret
- Great Egret
- Yellow-billed Egret
- Purple Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- Glossy Ibis
- African Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- Osprey
- Black Kite
- African Fish-Eagle
- Speckled Mousebird
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Woodland Kingfisher
- Pied Kingfisher
- Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
- Swamp Flycatcher
- White-browed Robin-Chat
- African Grey Woodpecker
- Fischer’s x Yellow-collared Lovebird (hybrid)
- Meyer’s Parrot
- Black-headed Gonolek
- Fork-tailed Drongo
- African Paradise-Flycatcher
- Scarlet-chested Sunbird
- Bronze Sunbird
- Red-chested Sunbird
- Slender-billed Weaver
- Northern Brown-throated Weaver
- Village Weaver
- Golden-backed Weaver
- Bronze Mannikin
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- Papyrus Canary
- Grey-headed Kingfisher
- Golden-breasted Bunting
- Red-necked Spurfowl
- African Green-Pigeon
- Schalow’s Turaco
- Bare-faced Go-away-bird
- Northern Fiscal
- Pied Crow
- Tawny-flanked Prinia
- Grey-capped Warbler
- Winding Cisticola
- Barn Swallow
- Angola Swallow
- Lesser Striped Swallow
- Common Bulbul
- African Woolly-necked Stork
- Red-fronted Tinkerbird
- Red-fronted Barbe
- tChinspot Batis
- Brown-crowned Tchagra
- Slate-colored Boubou
- Grey-headed Bushshrike
- Green-backed Camaroptera
- Violet-backed Starling
- Hildebrandt’s Starling
- Greater Blue-eared Starling
- Purple Grenadier
- Kenya Rufous Sparrow
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- African Pied Wagtail
- Brimstone Canary
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Papyrus Canary, Double-toothed Barbet and Myer’s Parrot.
Day 8 & 9: Masai Mara (Mara Triangle) – 25 & 26 August 2024
We began our birding adventure each day around 7:00 am with a ranger in the conservancy. During our walks, we observed a variety of birds and encountered several wild animals, including Lions, Buffalos, Elephants, and numerous Impalas, Gazelles, and other bovids.
These are the species we found throughout the day at the Mara Triangle:
- Egyptian Goose
- Ring-necked Dove
- White-browed Coucal
- Little Swift
- Grey Crowned Crane
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Crowned Lapwing
- African Openbill
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Hamerkop
- Little Egret
- Western Cattle Egret
- Great Egret
- Grey Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- African Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- White-backed Vulture
- Rüppell’s Griffon
- Brown Snake Eagle
- Long-crested Eagle
- African Hawk-Eagle
- Speckled Mousebird
- Malachite Kingfisher
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- D’Arnaud’s Barbet
- Nubian Woodpecker
- Northern Fiscal
- Rufous-naped Lark
- Rattling Cisticola
- Croaking Cisticola
- Zitting Cisticola
- Pectoral-patch Cisticola
- Plain Martin
- Barn Swallow
- Common Bulbul
- Arrow-marked Babbler
- Yellow-billed Oxpecker
- Wattled Starling
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Superb Starling
- Greater Blue-eared Starling
- African Grey Flycatcher
- Sooty Chat
- Red-billed Quelea
- White-winged Widowbird
- Common Waxbill
- Yellow-throated Longclaw
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- White-bellied Bustard
- Black-bellied Bustard
- Schalow’s Turaco
- African Jacana
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Striated Heron
- African Harrier-Hawk
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Bateleur
- African Fish Eagle
- Little Bee-eater
- Tropical Boubou
- Slate-coloured Boubou
- Long-billed Pipit
- Plain-backed Pipit
- White-bellied Canary
- Cinnamon-breasted Bunting
- Dusky Turtle Dove
- Ross’s Turaco
- Marabou Stork
- Crowned Hornbill
- Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill
- Red-fronted Barbet
- Spot-flanked Barbet
- Scaly-throated Honeyguide
- Greater Honeyguide
- Chinspot Batis
- Black-crowned Tchagra
- Black Saw-wing
- Rock Martin (Red-throated)
- Wire-tailed Swallow
- Northern Yellow White-eye
- Violet-backed Starling
- Rüppell’s Starling
- Greater Blue-eared Starling
- Red-headed Weaver
- Baglafecht Weaver
- Grosbeak Weaver
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- Plain-backed Pipit
- Yellow-throated Longclaw
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Narina Trogon and Schalow’s Turaco (no photo unfortunately).
Day 10: Mara Triangle and Depart for Nairobi – 27 August 2024
We began the day with a bush breakfast around 7:00 am, followed by a scenic drive through the Mara Triangle as we headed towards Nairobi. We observed numerous birds and animals along the way. We checked out at the gate around 2:30 pm and continued our drive to Nairobi, which took approximately four and a half hours. Upon arrival, we checked in at the Tamarid Tree Hotel at around 7:00 pm.
These are the species we found throughout the day:
- Common Ostrich
- Egyptian Goose
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Black Crake
- Water Thick-knee
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- African Jacana
- Yellow-billed Stork
- Hamerkop
- Little Egret
- Great Egret
- Grey Heron
- Black-headed Heron
- African Sacred Ibis
- Lappet-faced Vulture
- Hooded Vulture
- White-backed Vulture
- Rüppell’s Griffon
- Bateleur
- Martial Eagle
- Tawny Eagle
- Augur Buzzard
- Striped Kingfisher
- Little Bee-eater
- Lilac-breasted Roller
- Rufous-naped Lark
- Rattling Cisticola
- Stout Cisticola
- Desert Cisticola
- Barn Swallow
- Red-billed Oxpecker
- Yellow-billed Oxpecker
- Superb Starling
- African Grey Flycatcher
- Northern Anteater-Chat
- Grey-headed Social-Weaver
- Village Weaver
- Yellow Bishop
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrow
- Yellow-fronted Canary
- Brimstone Canary
- Coqui Francolin
- Red-eyed Dove
- Ring-necked Dove
- Yellow-throated Sandgrouse
- Black-winged Lapwing
- Crowned Lapwing
- African Openbill
- Marabou Stork
- Secretary Bird
- Black-winged Kite
- African Fish-Eagle
- Slate-coloured Boubou
- Grey-backed Fiscal
- Northern Fiscal
- White-tailed Lark
- Red-capped Lark
- Black-lored Babbler
- Rufous-tailed Weaver
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
- Fischer’s Sparrow-Lark
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Rufous-tailed Weaver.
Day 11: Nairobi National Park & David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage – 28 August 2024
We began our day early, driving for about 10 minutes to Nairobi National Park. We spent four and a half hours birding in the park, then visited the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust at 11:00 am. Later, we explored the Karen Blixen Museum and wrapped up our day at the Karen Coffee House.
These are the species we found at Nairobi National Park and around Nairobi:
- Egyptian Goose
- Helmeted Guineafowl
- Crested Francolin
- Speckled Pigeon
- Red-eyed Dove
- Ring-necked Dove
- Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
- White-browed Coucal
- Klaas’s Cuckoo
- Black-winged Stilt
- Three-banded Plover
- Blacksmith Lapwing
- Spur-winged Lapwing
- Common Sandpiper
- Green Sandpiper
- Wood Sandpiper
- Little Stint
- Yellow-billed Stork
- African Darter
- Long-tailed Cormorant
- Great Cormorant (White-breasted)
- Western Cattle Egret
- Grey Heron
- African Sacred Ibis
- Hadada Ibis
- African Spoonbill
- Black-winged Kite
- White-backed Vulture
- Black Kite
- African Fish-Eagle
- Speckled Mousebird
- Blue-naped Mousebird
- Pied Kingfisher
- Little Bee-eater
- Red-fronted Barbet
- Spot-flanked Barbet
- Mountain Grey Woodpecker
- Nubian Woodpecker
- Chinspot Batis
- Black-backed Puffback
- Tropical Boubou
- Slate-coloured Boubou
- Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike
- African Paradise-Flycatcher
- Long-tailed Fiscal
- Pied Crow
- Red-throated Tit
- Rufous-naped Lark
- Red-faced Crombec
- Moustached Grass-Warbler
- Green-backed Camaroptera
- Yellow-breasted Apalis
- Grey Apalis
- Tawny-flanked Prinia
- Singing Cisticola
- Rattling Cisticola
- Winding Cisticola
- African Yellow-Warbler
- Highland Rush Warbler
- Plain Martin
- Red-rumped Swallow
- Lesser Striped Swallow
- Common Bulbul
- Northern Pied-Babbler
- Abyssinian Thrush
- African Grey Flycatcher
- Southern Black-Flycatcher
- Red-backed Scrub-Robin
- Cape Robin-Chat
- Rüppell’s Robin-Chat
- Spotted Morning-Thrush
- Collared Sunbird
- Amethyst Sunbird
- Bronze Sunbird
- White-browed Sparrow-Weaver
- Spectacled Weaver
- Holub’s Golden-Weaver
- Jackson’s Widowbird
- Bronze Mannikin
- Common Waxbill
- Purple Grenadier
- Red-cheeked Cordonbleu
- African Firefinch
- Kenya Rufous Sparrow
- African Pied Wagtail
- African Pipit
- Long-billed Pipit
- Yellow-throated Longclaw
- African Citril
- Reichenow’s Seedeater
- Streaky Seedeater
- Hartlaub’s Turaco
Highlight of the Day
The highlight of the day was spotting the Hartlaub’s Turaco.
Conclusion:
The birdwatching expedition was a resounding success, showcasing an impressive variety of avian species across diverse ecosystems. With an amazing total of 412 species observed (one of our best scores on this trip outside of the migrant season), highlights included the elusive Sharpe’s Longclaw, the Northern White-faced Owl, and the vibrant Great Blue Turaco. The journey took us through swamps, forests, lakes, and savannahs, offering a comprehensive view of Kenya’s rich birdlife.
The experience significantly deepened the participants’ appreciation for Kenya’s biodiversity and highlighted the critical need for ongoing conservation efforts. Beyond personal enrichment, the trip also contributed valuable data to the broader ornithological records, enhancing our understanding of these species and their habitats.
Total number of species observed:
412
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