Birding trip report Kenya 28 Jan - 15 Feb 2009 John van der Woude - www.jvanderw.nl
See also: text,
photos of birding sites, birds,
mammals.
Species list
This list is mostly according to Clements 6th ed. but
with several English names taken from Frank & Gill when these were more
according to the names in our field guides (principally Sinclair & Ryan -
Birds of Africa south of the Sahara; partly also Stevenson & Fanshawe -
Birds of East Afrcia).
All species were seen (no heard-only's).
* = lifer; nearly all remarks (some of which are just for personal use) are for the lifers.
Sites: (one site is mentioned: the first or the best, and often the only;
X = at more than one or two sites, or common, pan-African, etc.)
TH = Thika Ponds (rural area with lakes)
MK = Mount Kenya forest zone near Castle Forest lodge
SA = Samburu national park (NP) (dry savanna)
NA = Lake Nakuru NP (saline lake and bordering woodland)
BA = Lake Baringo area (dry bush, cliff, lake side)
KK = Kakamega forest (tropical rainforest; the westernmost part of the
Central African rainforest zone)
LV = Lake Victoria near Kisumu (papyrus stands, lake border)
MM = Masai Mara NP (grassy plateau, riverine woodland)
Nai = Naivasha Country Club
Kin = Kinangop plateau
SA> etc. means: between SA and next destination.
Struthio
camelus
Ostrich X
Struthio
molybdophanes
Somali Ostrich SA first bird in Samburu NP, group of 7
Tachybaptus
ruficollis
Little Grebe X
Podiceps
nigricollis
Black-necked Grebe BA
Pelecanus
onocrotalus
Great White Pelican X
Phalacrocorax lucidus White-breasted
Cormorant X
Phalacrocorax africanus
Long-tailed Cormorant X
Ardea
cinerea
Gray Heron X
Ardea
melanocephala
Black-headed Heron X
Ardea
goliath
Goliath Heron MM
Ardea
purpurea
Purple Heron LV
Ardea
alba
Great Egret X
Egretta
garzetta
Little Egret X
Ardeola
ralloides
Squacco Heron BA
Bubulcus
ibis
Cattle Egret X
Butorides
striata
Green-backed Heron X
Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned
Night-Heron SO>
Scopus
umbretta
Hamerkop X
Mycteria
ibis
Yellow-billed Stork X
Ciconia
nigra
Black Stork X
Ciconia
abdimii
Abdim's Stork* MM 4 on the grassy plateau driving north out of Masai Mara
West
Ciconia
episcopus
Woolly-necked Stork SA
Ciconia
ciconia
White Stork X
Ephippiorhynchus senegale
Saddle-billed Stork MM once MM, once SA
Leptoptilos
crumeniferus
Marabou Stork X
Threskiornis
aethiopicus
Sacred Ibis X
Bostrychia
hagedash
Hadada Ibis X
Platalea
alba
African Spoonbill X
Phoenicopterus
roseus
Greater Flamingo X
Phoenicopterus
minor
Lesser Flamingo X dancing group at Lake Bogoria
Dendrocygna
bicolor
Fulvous Whistling-Duck TH>
Dendrocygna viduata White-faced
Whistling-Duck X
Alopochen
aegyptiaca
Egyptian Goose X
Plectropterus
gambensis
Spur-winged Goose X
Anas
sparsa
African Black Duck SO> at a small lake where we hoped to find
"Mackinder" Eagle-Owl
Anas
capensis
Cape Teal X
Anas
undulata
Yellow-billed Duck X
Anas
erythrorhyncha
Red-billed Duck MK
Anas
hottentota
Hottentot Teal TH>
Pernis
apivorus
European Honey-buzzard X twice close views
Elanus
caeruleus
Black-shouldered Kite TH
Milvus
migrans
Black Kite X
Haliaeetus
vocifer
African Fish-Eagle X
Necrosyrtes
monachus
Hooded Vulture X
Gyps
africanus
White-backed Vulture X
Gyps
rueppellii
Rueppell's Griffon* SA a few at Samburu NP
Circaetus pectoralis Black-chested
Snake Eagle SA
Circaetus
cinereus
Brown Snake-Eagle SA
Circaetus cinerascens Western Banded Snake Eagle*
MM seen well in treetop first day in park
Terathopius
ecaudatus
Bateleur X
Circus
aeruginosus
Western Marsh-Harrier X
Circus
macrourus
Pallid Harrier SA
Circus
pygargus
Montagu's Harrier X
Polyboroides
typus
African Harrier-Hawk MK
Melierax
metabates
Dark Chanting-Goshawk MM
Melierax poliopterus Eastern
Chanting-Goshawk* X sev.
Accipiter
minullus
Little Sparrowhawk SA
Buteo
augur
Augur Buzzard X
Aquila
rapax
Tawny Eagle X
Aquila
nipalensis
Steppe Eagle X
Aquila
verreauxii
Verreaux's Eagle BA
Aquila
spilogaster
African Hawk-Eagle SA
Aquila
pennata
Booted Eagle TH>
Polemaetus
bellicosus
Martial Eagle X
Lophaetus
occipitalis
Long-crested Eagle X
Stephanoaetus
coronatus
Crowned Eagle MK
Sagittarius
serpentarius
Secretary-bird X
Polihierax
semitorquatus
Pygmy Falcon X
Falco
naumanni
Lesser Kestrel X
Falco
tinnunculus
Eurasian Kestrel X
Falco
rupicoloides
Greater Kestrel MM
Falco
subbuteo
Eurasian Hobby LV
Falco
biarmicus
Lanner Falcon X
Francolinus
coqui
Coqui Francolin* MM 2 at 12 m on the way out of Masai Mara
Francolinus
sephaena
Crested Francolin X
Francolinus leucoscepus Yellow-necked
Spurfowl SA
Francolinus
afer
Red-necked Spurfowl* MM at gate of park, closeby between grass
Numida
meleagris
Helmeted Guineafowl X
Acryllium
vulturinum
Vulturine Guineafowl* SA sev groups, often closeby
Balearica
regulorum
Gray Crowned-Crane X sev pairs SA, MM
Sarothrura
pulchra
White-spotted Flufftail* KK KK finally seen below compound, male at brook
between low undergr
Amaurornis
flavirostra
Black Crake BA
Porphyrio
porphyrio
Purple Swamphen Lim
Fulica
cristata
Red-knobbed Coot X
Ardeotis
kori
Kori Bustard SA
Eupodotis senegalensis
White-bellied Bustard >SA
Eupodotis
gindiana
Buff-crested Bustard* SA a few along road, photo
Lissotis
melanogaster
Black-bellied Bustard MM
Actophilornis
africanus
African Jacana X
Himantopus
himantopus
Black-winged Stilt X
Burhinus
vermiculatus
Water Thick-knee LV
Burhinus
capensis
Spotted Thick-knee BA
Rhinoptilus
cinctus
Three-banded Courser* BA at 7 m, near nest(?), with Francis
Vanellus
crassirostris
Long-toed Lapwing* TH> 7 at a small pool along the road
Vanellus
armatus
Blacksmith Plover X
Vanellus
spinosus
Spur-winged Plover X
Vanellus
melanopterus
Black-winged Lapwing* SO first with broken leg at 5 m, later 2 more
Vanellus
coronatus
Crowned Lapwing X
Vanellus
senegallus
Wattled Lapwing X
Charadrius
hiaticula
Common Ringed Plover X
Charadrius
pecuarius
Kittlitz's Plover NA
Charadrius
tricollaris
Three-banded Plover X
Gallinago
nigripennis
African Snipe X
Actitis
hypoleucos
Common Sandpiper X
Tringa
ochropus
Green Sandpiper MM
Tringa
nebularia
Common Greenshank X
Tringa
stagnatilis
Marsh Sandpiper NA
Tringa
glareola
Wood Sandpiper X
Calidris
minuta
Little Stint NA
Philomachus
pugnax
Ruff X
Larus
cirrocephalus
Gray-headed Gull X
Gelochelidon
nilotica
Gull-billed Tern TH
Chlidonias
hybrida
Whiskered Tern NA
Pterocles
decoratus
Black-faced Sandgrouse* SA sev groups in park, on tracks, photo
Columba
guinea
Speckled Pigeon X
Columba
arquatrix
African Olive Pigeon* MK two closeby flying along, end of day
Columba delegorguei Eastern Bronze-naped
Pigeon* MK in flight across the main forest track
Columba
larvata
Lemon Dove X
Streptopelia
semitorquata
Red-eyed Dove X
Streptopelia
capicola
Ring-necked Dove X
Turtur chalcospilos
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove SA
Turtur
afer
Blue-spotted Wood-Dove KK
Oena
capensis
Namaqua Dove X
Treron
calvus
African Green-Pigeon KK
Agapornis
fischeri
Fischer's Lovebird* X Thika Ponds and Lake Victoria
Poicephalus
gulielmi
Red-fronted Parrot* MK far but in scope,+Q7213 from grounds of lodge
Poicephalus
meyeri
Meyer's Parrot MM
Poicephalus
rufiventris
Red-bellied Parrot* SA pair on top of acacia (=Afr. Orange-bellied P)
Corythaeola
cristata
Great Blue Turaco* KK group above us in canopy at compound border at 18:45
Tauraco
schalowi
Schalow's Turaco* MM on Kitchwa Tembo camp forest grounds, above us in
tree, tape
Tauraco
hartlaubi
Hartlaub's Turaco* MK fine views along main forest track
Musophaga
rossae
Ross' Turaco* MM at lodge, good response to tape
Corythaixoides leucogaste White-bellied Go-away-bird X
Clamator
jacobinus
Jacobin Cuckoo BA
Cuculus
solitarius
Red-chested Cuckoo X
Chrysococcyx cupreus
African Emerald Cuckoo MK
Chrysococcyx
caprius
Dideric Cuckoo BA
Centropus
superciliosus
White-browed Coucal X
Bubo
cinerascens
Grayish Eagle-Owl BA
Bubo
lacteus
Verreaux's Eagle-Owl SA
Glaucidium
perlatum
Pearl-spotted Owlet SA two in front of our room
Caprimulgus
clarus
Slender-tailed Nightjar* BA 4 at day roost near cactusses, thanks to
Francis
Cypsiurus
parvus
African Palm-Swift X
Apus
apus
Common Swift X
Apus
affinis
Little Swift X
Colius
striatus
Speckled Mousebird X
Colius leucocephalus
White-headed Mousebird* SA closeby
Urocolius
macrourus
Blue-naped Mousebird* SA closeby
Apaloderma
narina
Narina Trogon MM
Apaloderma
vittatum
Bar-tailed Trogon* KK one seen well after a long search long side trail
Alcedo
cristata
Malachite Kingfisher LV
Ispidina
picta
African Pygmy-Kingfisher BA
Halcyon leucocephala
Gray-headed Kingfisher* X sev SA and further, first next to room of
SA, in local spotlight
Halcyon
senegalensis
Woodland Kingfisher MM
Megaceryle
maximus
Giant Kingfisher X
Ceryle
rudis
Pied Kingfisher X
Merops
muelleri
Blue-headed Bee-eater* KK near research station, in fine branches at 20 m
Merops
pusillus
Little Bee-eater SA
Merops oreobates
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater* MK the first bird (of sev) near the lodge,
also sev at KK
Merops
revoilii
Somali Bee-eater* SA in small bush, distant photo+Q6971
Merops
albicollis
White-throated Bee-eater* X many in Samburu NP, along roads
Coracias
caudatus
Lilac-breasted Roller X
Upupa
africana
African Hoopoe X
Phoeniculus
purpureus
Green Woodhoopoe BA
Rhinopomastus minor
Abyssinian Scimitar-bill* SA foraging in acacia, no white in wing
(cabanisi)
Tockus
erythrorhynchus
Red-billed Hornbill X
Tockus flavirostris Eastern Yellow-billed
Hornbil*SA at 6 m in front of bush
Tockus
jacksoni
Jackson's Hornbill* BA sev, first was female: even more char. than male
Tockus
deckeni
Von der Decken's Hornbill* SA some pairs, photo
Tockus
alboterminatus
Crowned Hornbill MM
Tockus
hemprichii
Hemprich's Hornbill* BA two in scope at base of cliff, after long search
Tockus
nasutus
African Gray Hornbill X
Ceratogymna brevis
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill* MK sev. along the forest track up from Castle
Lodge
Ceratogymna subcylindricaBlack-and-white-casqued Hornb*KK first bird on
grounds in early morning, flying over, later more
Bucorvus leadbeateri Southern
Ground-Hornbill MM
Trachyphonus purpuratus
Yellow-billed Barbet* KK seen well in the sun
Trachyphonus erythrocepha Red-and-yellow
Barbet X
Trachyphonus
darnaudii
D'Arnaud's Barbet* X sev SA, BA; BA: at feeder stone slab
Trachyphonus
usambiro
Usambiro Barbet* MM
Gymnobucco
bonapartei
Gray-throated Barbet* KK seen from our veranda at 10 m
Pogoniulus bilineatus Yellow-rumped
Tinkerbird MK
Pogoniulus
pusillus
Red-fronted Tinkerbird MM
Buccanodon
duchaillui
Yellow-spotted Barbet* KK sev, high in trees & flight
Tricholaema flavifunctata Streaky-throated Barbet*
KK (split fr Hairy-br; race ansorgei) singing at 30 m
Tricholaema
diademata
Red-fronted Barbet* BA at base of cliff, also at Thika Ponds
Tricholaema
lacrymosa
Spot-flanked Barbet* MM on stony slope, in small bush, head + flank
Tricholaema melanocephala Black-throated
Barbet* X first at SA closeby at eye level in bush, photo
Lybius
leucocephalus
White-headed Barbet* Naivin large acacia at righthand border of country club
grounds
Lybius
bidentatus
Double-toothed Barbet* KK one foraging between leaves
Indicator
minor
Lesser Honeyguide* BA high in tree, immediate response to tape
Indicator
indicator
Greater Honeyguide SA
Jynx
ruficollis
Rufous-necked Wryneck* MM two on small dead tree near lodge+R6633
Campethera
nubica
Nubian Woodpecker* SA first at small dead branches in lodge garden
Campethera
caroli
Brown-eared Woodpecker* KK(N)
Dendropicos
fuscescens
Cardinal Woodpecker X
Dendropicos xantholophus Yellow-crested Woodpecker* KK
foraging high in bare treetop on last morning
Dendropicos goertae
African Grey Woodpecker MM> at lunch stop, with barred tail (also at
Naivasha)
Smithornis
capensis
African Broadbill KK
Mirafra
cantillans
Singing Bushlark* SO flying and on bush
Mirafra
africana
Rufous-naped Lark X
Mirafra
rufocinnamomea
Flappet Lark* MM foraging next to car on stony slope, tape response, later
display flights
Calendulauda poecilostern
Pink-breasted Lark* SA first closeby on top of bush, singing
Calendulauda
alopex
Foxy Lark* SA intercedens singing from bush top
Eremopterix leucopareia Fischer's
Sparrow-Lark* SA group of c. 50 at only 10 m, on ground
Calandrella
cinerea
Red-capped Lark X
Psalidoprocne
albiceps
White-headed Sawwing* KK sev, best = group resting in tree near reception
Psalidoprocne
pristoptera
Black Sawwing* X esp. MK, many
Riparia
riparia
Bank Swallow NA
Riparia
cincta
Banded Martin MM
Hirundo
smithii
Wire-tailed Swallow X
Ptyonoprogne
fuligula
Rock Martin X
Delichon
urbicum
House Martin X
Cecropis
abyssinica
Lesser Striped-Swallow X
Cecropis
senegalensis
Mosque Swallow X
Cecropis
daurica
Red-rumped Swallow X
Anthus
leucophrys
Plain-backed Pipit MM
Anthus
cervinus
Red-throated Pipit SA
Anthus
trivialis
Tree Pipit >SA
Tmetothylacus
tenellus
Golden Pipit* SA one pair along entrance road, photos
Hemimacronyx
sharpei
Sharpe's Longclaw* Kin last lifer on the trip, special area (photo); endangered species
Macronyx
croceus
Yellow-throated Longclaw MM
Motacilla
aguimp
African Pied Wagtail X
Motacilla
flava
Yellow Wagtail X
Motacilla
cinerea
Gray Wagtail MK
Motacilla
clara
Mountain Wagtail* MK pair at small dam along main track down
Campephaga
petiti
Petit's Cuckoo-shrike* KK pair high in tree
Campephaga
flava
Black Cuckoo-shrike* KK pair at 20 m from veranda of room cottage
Campephaga quiscalina Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike*MK
pair along main track down, in bare tree
Pycnonotus
tricolor
Dark-capped Bulbul X
Andropadus
kakamegae
Kakamega Greenbul* KK sev, first from road
Andropadus
gracilis
Little Grey Greenbul* KK at 30 m, behind research station
Andropadus
ansorgei
Ansorge's Greenbul* KK group high, with rattling sound, last morning
Andropadus
curvirostris
Plain Greenbul* KK in tangles just after walking back along the road
Andropadus gracilirostris Slender-billed Greenbul*
MK along main track, very high in tree in sunlight
Andropadus latirostris Yellow-whiskered Greenbul*
X sev MK and KK
Andropadus nigriceps Eastern
Mountain-Greenbul* MK two low along main track, in full sunlight
Chlorocichla
laetissima
Joyful Greenbul* KK group calling all the time, at 15 m in dense trees
Phyllastrephus
placidus
Placid Greenbul* MK closeby in small tree, also sev groups KK; split from
Cabanis G
Phyllastrephus
strepitans Northern
Brownbul* BA near ground at base of cliff
Phyllastrephus hypochlori Toro
Olive-Greenbul* KK seen & heard
Bleda
syndactylus
Red-tailed Bristlebill* KK on trail, seen well
Neocossyphus poensis
White-tailed Ant-Thrush* KK(N)
Monticola saxatilis
Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush BA
Turdus
olivaceus
Olive Thrush MK
Turdus
pelios
African Thrush X
Turdus tephronotus
African Bare-eyed Thrush* SA on ground near river valley, photo
Alethe
poliocephala
Brown-chested Alethe* KK sev, on trails mostly
Cisticola
woosnami
Trilling Cisticola* MM at border of camp, in treetop, sound checked
Cisticola
chubbi
Chubb's Cisticola* KK sev along road, singing
Cisticola
hunteri
Hunter's Cisticola MK
Cisticola
chiniana
Rattling Cisticola X
Cisticola
galactotes
Winding Cisticola* LV well seen from bridge, plus sound check
Cisticola
carruthersi
Carruthers' Cisticola* LV on papyrus, low, during walk downstr fr bridge
Cisticola
robustus
Stout Cisticola* KK in open field KK in scrub; later more in MM
Cisticola brunnescens Pectoral-patch
Cisticola* NA first: 2 at 7 m, plus sound check
Prinia
somalica
Pale Prinia* SA group of 7 seen closeby & more later, also BA
Prinia
bairdii
Banded Prinia* KK seen very well in smal clearing, later too
Schistolais
leucopogon
White-chinned Prinia* KK two along road
Apalis
pulchra
Black-collared Apalis* KK foraging below our veranda at 2 m
Apalis
jacksoni
Black-throated Apalis* MK along main track
Apalis
flavida
Yellow-breasted Apalis BA
Apalis
cinerea
Gray Apalis* MK sev in low bushes along track, with song
Urorhipis
rufifrons
Red-fronted Warbler* SA along entrance road, seen well & behaviour
Eminia
lepida
Gray-capped Warbler* KK seen well near river in weeds
Camaroptera brevicaudata Grey-backed
Camaroptera X
Camaroptera chloronota Olive-green
Camaroptera* KK singing above us
Calamonastes
simplex
Gray Wren-Warbler* SA 1 just outside park gate when leaving
Bradypterus cinnamomeus Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler*
MK sev singing low along main track, one seen well
Bathmocercus rufus Black-faced
Rufous-Warbler* KK pair Q5602at 6 m in undergrowth
Acrocephalus rufescens
Greater Swamp-Warbler* LV in papyrus swamp, like Gr RW but greyish brown
above and weak supercil
Hippolais
pallida
Olivaceous Warbler BA sev below cliff
Hippolais
olivetorum
Olive-tree Warbler* BA 1 cm smaller than accomp N Brownbul, no tail mov,
strikingly light grey
Hippolais
icterina
Icterine Warbler BA
Chloropeta natalensis Dark-capped Yellow Warbler*
TH> in small wetland along road, in sedge, seen well
Phyllolais
pulchella
Buff-bellied Warbler* BA two in open acacia top on campsite next to lodge
Eremomela flavicrissalis Yellow-vented Eremomela*
SA in small bush, climbing up to top
Eremomela
turneri
Turner's Eremomela* KK seen very well near river in late afternoon,
possibly 4; endangered species
Sylvietta
leucophrys
White-browed Crombec* KK one from road
Sylvietta
brachyura
Northern Crombec BA
Sylvietta
whytii
Red-faced Crombec* MM seen well in small tree next to camp gift R9337shop
Hylia
prasina
Green Hylia* KK seen well along road
Phylloscopus budongoensis Uganda
Wood-Warbler* KK behind research station, 15 m high
Phylloscopus umbrovirens Brown
Woodland-Warbler* MK along main track
Phylloscopus
trochilus
Willow Warbler X
Sylvia
atricapilla
Blackcap KK
Sylvia
borin
Garden Warbler KK
Sylvia
nisoria
Barred Warbler MM
Empidornis
semipartitus
Silverbird* BA two at entrance of Bogoria, feeding on ground from tree
Bradornis
pallidus
Pale Flycatcher MM
Bradornis microrhynchus African Gray
Flycatcher* X sev. sites, not common
Melaenornis fischeri White-eyed
Slaty-Flycatcher X
Melaenornis edolioides Northern
Black-Flycatcher KK
Muscicapa
striata
Spotted Flycatcher SA
Muscicapa
aquatica
Swamp Flycatcher* LV during walk downstr fr bridge, scope, on branch next
to papyrus, later more
Muscicapa
adusta
African Dusky Flycatcher X
Pogonocichla
stellata
White-starred Robin MK
Sheppardia
aequatorialis
Equatorial Akalat* KK very well seen at 8 m between leaves, last morning;
white belly
Cossypha
caffra
Cape Robin-Chat MM>
Cossypha
polioptera
Gray-winged Robin-Chat* KK on trail below us, last morning, border of
compound
Cossypha
heuglini
White-browed Robin-Chat MM>
Cossypha niveicapilla Snowy-crowned
Robin-Chat KK
Cichladusa
guttata
Spotted Morning-Thrush* BA in lodge garden, singing from low log
Cercotrichas leucophrys White-browed Scrub
Robin SA
Saxicola
rubetra
Whinchat MM
Saxicola
torquatus
African Stonechat X
Oenanthe
oenanthe
Northern Wheatear X
Oenanthe
pleschanka
Pied Wheatear SA
Oenanthe
pileata
Capped Wheatear MM
Oenanthe
isabellina
Isabelline Wheatear SO
Cercomela
scotocerca
Brown-tailed Chat* BA one pair on the rocks at base of cliff
Myrmecocichla aethiops Northern
Anteater-Chat SO
Myrmecocichla
nigra
Sooty Chat* MM first along road to park, near holes; later some more in
park
Thamnolaea cinnamomeivent
Mocking Cliff-Chat NA
Platysteira cyanea
Brown-throated Wattle-eye KK KK: male and juv rather high in tree
Platysteira
castanea
Chestnut Wattle-eye* KK male and fem, high in tree
Platysteira
jamesoni
Jameson's Wattle-eye* KK early morning 2nd day
Batis
molitor
Chinspot Batis SA>
Batis
perkeo
Pygmy Batis* SA pair closeby, male at 7 m: very small & no white above
eye
Elminia
longicauda
African Blue-Flycatcher* KK sev, always fanning the tail, colour best vis
when near ground
Elminia nigromitrata Dusky
Crested-Flycatcher* KK near ground in dense undergrowth
Terpsiphone viridis African
Paradise-Flycatcher BA
Illadopsis albipectus Scaly-breasted
Illadopsis* KK walking between undergrowth, pale legs
Illadopsis
pyrrhoptera
Mountain Illadopsis* KK singing very nearby & seen shortly
Kakamega poliothorax
Gray-chested Illadopsis* KK at 6 m on ground early morning 2nd day
Pseudoalcippe abyssinica African
Hill Babbler* MK along main track, in dense 'ficus' at eye level
Turdoides
rubiginosa
Rufous Chatterer* SA group on ground in lodge garden
Turdoides
hypoleuca
Northern Pied-Babbler* Nairfirst bird of the trip, at hotel Nairobi
Turdoides
plebejus
Brown Babbler BA
Turdoides
jardineii
Arrow-marked Babbler NA
Melaniparus
albiventris
White-bellied Tit* MK along main track
Melaniparus
funereus
Dusky Tit* KK at research station, on thick branch
Melaniparus
thruppi
Acacia Tit* BA at entrance of L Bogoria park, in tree
Anthoscopus musculus Mouse-colored Penduline-Tit*
BA 4 in one tree, early morning with Francis
Anthreptes orientalis Kenya Violet-backed Sunbird*
X common, first in SA, busybird
Anthreptes rectirostris
Grey-chinned Sunbird* KK very high in tree
Hedydipna
collaris
Collared Sunbird X
Cyanomitra
verticalis
Green-headed Sunbird* KK a few times, seen well in sun
Chalcomitra rubescens
Green-throated Sunbird* KK male seen very well in sun on flowers
Chalcomitra senegalensis Scarlet-chested
Sunbird X
Chalcomitra
hunteri
Hunter's Sunbird* SA black throat seen well & very red & dry
habitat
Nectarinia
tacazze
Tacazze Sunbird MK
Nectarinia
kilimensis
Bronze Sunbird* X sev. sites, striking bird
Nectarinia
famosa
Malachite Sunbird BA
Drepanorhynchus reichenow Golden-winged
Sunbird* >SA at picnic site behind shop
Cinnyris reichenowi Northern Double-collared
Sunb*X MK: seen well at eye level closeby, after sev Eastern, also
KK
Cinnyris mediocris Eastern Double-collared
Sunbi*MK sev along main track
Cinnyris
pulchellus
Beautiful Sunbird* SA 3 singing in tree top at lodge, 7 a.m.
Cinnyris
erythrocercus
Red-chested Sunbird* LV male nicely in the sun near bridge
Zosterops senegalensis African Yellow
White-eye* KK above us on branch
Zosterops
kikuyuensis
Kikuyu White-eye MK
Zosterops
abyssinicus
Abyssinian White-eye BA at base of cliff
Oriolus brachyrhynchus Western Black-headed Oriole* KK
with food on thin branch
Oriolus larvatus African/Eastern
Black-headed OMK
Oriolus
percivali
Mountain Oriole* MK along main track, a+Q9227 pair, in scope
Lanius
isabellinus
Isabelline Shrike* SA sev in park
Lanius
excubitoroides
Gray-backed Fiscal* X sev, first at L Bogoria, nicely turning around
Lanius
dorsalis
Taita Fiscal SA sev across SA park, fewer later
Lanius
mackinnoni
Mackinnon's Shrike* KK on compound of lodge, after white shoulder became
visible!
Lanius
collaris
Common Fiscal X
Eurocephalus rueppelli Northern White-crowned Shrike X
Nilaus
afer
Brubru X
Dryoscopus
cubla
Black-backed Puffback MK
Dryoscopus
angolensis
Pink-footed Puffback* KK sev, first was female behind research station
Tchagra
senegalus
Black-crowned Tchagra MM
Tchagra
jamesi
Three-streaked Tchagra* SA closeby in small bush, head and wing seen well
Laniarius
luehderi
Luehder's Bushshrike* KK clambering in vines, twice
Laniarius
aethiopicus
Tropical Boubou X
Laniarius erythrogaster
Black-headed Gonolek* LV best seen in small tree behind our room of Kiboko
Bay Resort
Laniarius
funebris
Slate-colored Boubou* X esp. at SA, sev, in low bushes
Rhodophoneus cruentus
Rosy-patched Bushshrike* SA sev closeby along roads in park, in small
bushes
Telophorus
bocagei
Bocage's Bushshrike* KK one high in tree along road
Telophorus sulfureopectus Orange-breasted Bushshrike SA
Telophorus nigrifrons Black-fronted
Bushshrike MK
Malaconotus blanchoti
Gray-headed Bushshrike SA
Prionops poliolophus Gray-crested
Helmetshrike* NA 3 in open acacia bush, grey crest seen well
Dicrurus
ludwigii
Square-tailed Drongo KK
Dicrurus
adsimilis
Fork-tailed Drongo X
Corvus
capensis
Cape Crow X
Corvus
albus
Pied Crow X
Corvus
rhipidurus
Fan-tailed Raven X
Creatophora
cinerea
Wattled Starling SA
Lamprotornis chalybaeus Greater Blue-eared Glossy-StarX
Lamprotornis purpuroptera Rueppell's Glossy-Starling* BA best seen
at feeder of lodge, next to restaurant
Lamprotornis
superbus
Superb Starling X
Lamprotornis hildebrandti Hildebrandt's Starling*
MM next to the Coqui Francolins on way out of MM
Onychognathus
walleri
Waller's Starling* MK in top of dead tree at grounds of lodge
Onychognathus salvadorii Bristle-crowned Starling*
SA group flew along, red in wings, tapering tail; later also in BA
Poeoptera
stuhlmanni
Stuhlmann's Starling* KK small group in bare branches near reception
Pholia
femoralis
Abbott's Starling* MK two males and a fem in scope main forest
track (photo); vulnerable species
Buphagus erythrorhynchus
Red-billed Oxpecker SA
Buphagus
africanus
Yellow-billed Oxpecker MM
Passer
domesticus
House Sparrow X
Passer
rufocinctus
Kenya Rufous Sparrow* SA at picnic site behind shop
Passer griseus
Northern Grey-headed Sparrow KK
Passer
gongonensis
Parrot-billed Sparrow* SA sev closeby
Passer
suahelicus
Swahili Sparrow* MM one seen well at border of compound in treetop,
calling
Passer
eminibey
Chestnut Sparrow* SA male at 5 m in top of bush
Petronia
pyrgita
Yellow-spotted Petronia* BA 2 foraging on ground
Bubalornis albirostris White-billed Buffalo-Weaver BA
Sporopipes frontalis
Speckle-fronted Weaver* MM small groups in roadside near and in park
Plocepasser mahali White-browed
Sparrow-Weaver X
Plocepasser donaldsoni Donaldson-Smith's Sparrow-Wea*SA a few
colonies across park
Pseudonigrita cabanisi Black-capped Social-Weaver*
SA sev colonies
Malimbus
rubricollis
Red-headed Malimbe* KK male, like small woodpecker on thich bare branch,
high
Ploceus
baglafecht
Baglafecht Weaver* X sev
Ploceus
luteolus
Little Weaver* SA first = 3 non-br/fem, very small indeed
Ploceus
pelzelni
Slender-billed Weaver* LV char. female (!) seen from bridge
Ploceus
nigricollis
Black-necked Weaver KK
Ploceus
ocularis
Spectacled Weaver MK
Ploceus
melanogaster
Black-billed Weaver* KK two along road when entering the area
Ploceus taeniopterus
Northern Masked-Weaver* BA colony in tree in lake, both male and fem
clearly seen
Ploceus
intermedius
Lesser Masked-Weaver SA
Ploceus
vitellinus
Vitelline Masked-Weaver BA
Ploceus
spekei
Speke's Weaver* X first in small village 2 m from car, colony+Q8535
Ploceus
nigerrimus
Vieillot's Black Weaver* KK in tree of compound (black+eye)
Ploceus
melanocephalus
Black-headed Weaver* LV male with yellow neck (melanocephalus) from bridge
Ploceus
jacksoni
Golden-backed Weaver* BA 3 at 3 m during tea break at lodge, resting in
small tree
Ploceus
bicolor
Dark-backed Weaver KK low inside forest (=Forest Weaver)
Ploceus
insignis
Brown-capped Weaver* MK along main track, a pair, 'the mountain-tanager of
this forest'
Quelea
quelea
Red-billed Quelea TH>
Euplectes
capensis
Yellow Bishop TH>
Euplectes albonotatus
White-winged Widowbird* TH> male in flight along road
Euplectes macroura Yellow-shouldered
Widowbird* MM on bush top just after entering park
Euplectes
axillaris
Fan-tailed Widowbird LV
Euplectes
progne
Long-tailed Widowbird SO
Euplectes
jacksoni
Jackson's Widowbird* MM group of 4 male and 10 fem in grassy plain
Nigrita
canicapillus
Gray-headed Nigrita* X MK and KK sev
Nigrita
fusconotus
White-breasted Nigrita* KK on bare branch in top of tree
Coccopygia quartinia
Yellow-bellied Waxbill* MK along main track, a small group
Estrilda
astrild
Common Waxbill MM
Estrilda
nonnula
Black-crowned Waxbill* KK two along road
Estrilda
atricapilla
Black-headed Waxbill* MK along main track, two ad. male, low
Spermophaga
ruficapilla
Western Bluebill* KK at ponds below grounds
Uraeginthus bengalus
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu LV group on ground near our room of Kiboko
Bay Resort, also Nakuru NP
Uraeginthus cyanocephalus Blue-capped Cordonbleu*
BA 2 males on ground, with nest material
Granatina
ianthinogaster
Purple Grenadier* X sev
Pytilia
melba
Green-winged Pytilia X
Lagonosticta
senegala
Red-billed Firefinch X
Amadina
fasciata
Cut-throat* X 2 or 3 times, with cut throat finally too
Ortygospiza
fuscocrissa
African Quailfinch MM
Spermestes bicolor
Black-and-white Mannikin* KK group of 10 on grass near our room, race
poensis
Lonchura
nigriceps
Red-backed Mannikin MK
Vidua
macroura
Pin-tailed Whydah X
Vidua
fischeri
Straw-tailed Whydah* MM 1 on the grassy plateau while driving north out of
Masai Mara West
Vidua
chalybeata
Village Indigobird TH>
Serinus
frontalis
Western Citril* X sev
Serinus
reichenowi
Reichenow’s Seedeater* SO sev, only now seen well
Serinus
mozambicus
Yellow-fronted Canary MM
Serinus
dorsostriatus
White-bellied Canary* SA sev pairs/indiv, first in acacia top near Pygmy
Falcon
Serinus
sulphuratus
Brimstone Canary LV
Serinus
striolatus
Streaky Seedeater MK
Serinus
burtoni
Thick-billed Seedeater* MK along main track, in scope, foraging
Emberiza tahapisi
Cinnamon-breasted Bunting MM
Total 455 species, of which 203 were lifers (John: 453/201). (N) = Nollie only.
Species we saw on our more general Kenya trip in 1984 (including some more areas near Nairobi) but not on this trip: Jackson's Francolin, Crested Guineafowl, Small Buttonquail, Pied Avocet, Little Tern, African Mourning Dove, Striped Kingfisher, Common Scimitar-bill, Bearded Woodpecker, Brown-throated (Plain) Martin, Moorland Chat, Golden-breasted Starling, Red-billed Buffalo-Weaver, White-headed Buffalo-Weaver, Fire-fronted Bishop.
Mammals: Black-and-white Colobus MK, KK African Elephant African Buffalo White Rhinoceros NA Common Zebra Grevy's Zebra SA Hippopothamus Olive Baboon Black-faced Vervet Monkey Blue Monkey KK Sykes Monkey MK Red-tailed Monkey KK Cheetah MM Lion SA, MM Spotted Hyena Black-backed Jackal Banded Mongoode Slender/Black-tipped Mongoose BA Warthog Rock Hyrax Masai Giraffe Reticulated Giraffe SA Hartebeest Gnu/Wildebeest Topi Impala Grant's Gazelle Thomson's Gazelle Gerenuk SA Dikdik Common Waterbuck Reedbuck Oryx African Hare Crocodile, 'grass snake' (photo), agame lizard, small lizards, 'Papilio butterflies', etc.
See also: text, photos of birding sites, birds, mammals.