From Addis Ababa we travelled south into the Rift Valley, where the landscape gradually opened into farmland, volcanic lakes and acacia woodland.

The journey itself was productive, with species such as Northern Red Bishop, Rufous Chatterer, Rüppell’s Weaver, Ethiopian Bee-eater, Red-rumped Swallow, Red-winged Starling and Abyssinian Ground Hornbill recorded en route.

Around Lake Langano, birding was varied and consistently rewarding. African Fish Eagle was regularly seen over the lake, while Pied Kingfisher and Malachite Kingfisher provided excellent views along the shoreline. Silvery-cheeked Hornbill was particularly notable, especially in the late afternoon as birds moved to roost.

Other species recorded in the lakeside and woodland habitats included Beautiful Sunbird, White-browed Sparrow-Weaver, African Harrier-Hawk, Hadada Ibis and Yellow-fronted Parrot.

A visit to nearby Abyatta-Shalla National Park added a strong suite of dry-country and acacia woodland species. Highlights included Black-winged Lovebird, Bare-faced Go-away-bird, Banded Barbet, Somali Ostrich, Red-billed Hornbill, Von der Decken’s Hornbill, Bearded Woodpecker, Purple Roller, Cut-throat Finch, Reichenow’s Seedeater and Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu.

In nearby woodland, we also recorded White-cheeked Turaco, Double-toothed Barbet, Black-headed Batis, African Pygmy Kingfisher, Black-billed Wood Hoopoe and both Bronze and Black-and-white Mannikins.