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Tropical Birding Trip Report Kenya: The Coolest Trip in Africa, May 2016

www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-9110 [email protected]

Kenya: The Coolest Trip in Africa

12-28 May 2016

TOUR LEADER: Adam Scott Kennedy Report and photos by Adam Scott Kennedy

Gray Crowned Crane in Nairobi National Park

Kenya is a mind-blowing birding destination at any time of year but it would seem that our May departure was especially well-timed. Not only did we enjoy the best weather imaginable but we arrived in time to see a majority of resident birds in full breeding plumage, intra-African migrants just arriving and we even caught the tail-end of the Palearctic migration. This classic set departure tour covered a vast array of habitats to be found within Kenya, from the verdant Guinea-Congolese rainforest at Kakamega and the Afro-montane forests of Mount Kenya, the very full Rift Valley lakes and papyrus swamps of Lake Victoria, to the endless plains of the Masai Mara. In total, we recorded 413 bird species of which 398 were seen and 15 were ‘heard only’. In addition, we observed 43 mammal species and 10 reptiles were also noted.

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12th May Tom and Suzanne negotiated Kenya customs with diplomatic acuity and were promptly delivered to the Boma Inn by Joseph. After a much needed drink, we turned in for the night and began to dream of what was to come… 13th May The group rendezvoused in the small garden of the Boma Inn for a first taste of African bird life. Close to the main bar area, a selection of common garden birds included Red-billed Firefinch, tiny Bronze Mannikins, House and Kenya Rufous Sparrows, Bronze and Variable Sunbirds, while above us Little Swift and Rock Martin whizzed over at high speed. We also had our first look at the omnipresent Yellow-vented Bulbul. This was a nice way to get our eyes honed-in on some of the commoner species that we’d see with regularity on the rest of the tour. As we entered Nairobi National Park – the only ‘within-city-limits’ national park in the world – we drove slowly while listening to the sounds of new birds, stopping where we could to view Cinnanon-chested Bee-eater, Yellow-breasted Apalis, Speckled Mousebird, African Paradise Flycatcher, Singing Cisticola and an African Harrier Hawk. We walked the Club House gardens and were greeted by White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher, Dusky Turtle Dove and the dainty Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu, while more extensive searching unearthed Amethyst and Collared Sunbirds, Eastern Honeyguide and a solitary Black-collared Apalis. At the infamous “Ivory Burning” site, we watched a Yellow-throated Longclaw (the meadowlark doppelgänger), Little Bee-eater and displaying Red-collared Widowbird. At the Nagolomon Drift, we watched two secretive Three-banded Plover on the dry river bed and an African Fish Eagle arrived close to our vehicle for super views. The Nagolomon Dam itself was heaving with waterbirds that included African Darter, Black-crowned Night Heron, Sacred Ibis and African Spoonbill. At a nearby turning point, we enjoyed a young Rosy-throated Longclaw, several swallow species and White-winged Widowbird before we joined the Park’s main road and headed into the grassland. Here we encountered many more widowbirds of several species, Holub’s Golden Weaver, Cardinal Quelea and Siffling Cisticola. By now, we had found our first mammals such as Cape Buffalo, Bohor Reedbuck, Hartebeest and Giraffe. At Hyena Dam we found our first Hippo and a basking Nile Crocodile plus plenty of attractive waterbirds including a very showy Purple Swamphen, lots of Black Crake, Egyptian Goose, Spur-winged and Long-toed Plovers, several egrets and herons. A pair of stunning Gray Crowned Crane walked sedately and unapologetically with their ‘ugly duckling’ offspring. After lunch, we resumed our route across the grasslands which held lots of cisticola species, while Rufous-naped Larks and Yellow-throated Longclaws literally littered the road. Our first vulture, an African White-backed, took off from a tall tree and Joseph then spotted two Jacobin Cuckoo close by. A pair of Shelley’s Francolin showed well in the track but our first Secretarybird and Ostrich were a little distant. As we entered a zone of scrub, we encountered Yellow-bellied Eremomela, Superb Starling, Northern Pied Babbler and several smart Shrike species. Before long, it was time to leave the park and head back to the hotel after a great first day.



Purple Swamphen; Nairobi National Park

Shelley’s Francolin in Nairobi National Park



The Flame Lily (Gloriosa superba)

14th May Our destination for the day was the Magadi Road and once Joseph had negotiated his way through the Nairobi traffic we found ourselves at one of the higher points of the southern Rift, the aptly named Corner Baridi (meaning “cold corner”) which occupies a commanding position at the end of the Ngong Hills. We stopped to check the hillside for birds but, surprisingly, there was a surprisingly large gathering of people at this spot so it was not heaving with quality. Nevertheless, we still enjoyed several Yellow-crowned Canary, Marico and Bronze Sunbirds here. A little further down the road, we stopped to check out some Grassland Pipit before having a longer stroll just past the first village. This turned out to be a great spot with Banded Parisoma, Hildebrandt’s Starling, Red-fronted Barbet, Chinspot Batis, African Gray Flycatcher, Red-and-yellow Barbet and, one of our target species, a smart pair of Abyssinian Scimitarbill. At the bottom of the steepest tarmac road in Kenya (supposedly!), we were greeted by a fine Red-fronted Tinkerbird, followed by quality views of Schalow’s Wheatear, nest-building Vitelline Masked Weaver, and Crimson-rumped Waxbill. We made several impromptu stops for more great birds such as Southern Grosbeak Canary, Brubru, and Taita Fiscal before taking lunch at a busy waterhole which contained energetic colonies of Lesser Masked Weaver and Chestnut Sparrow. We also encountered Horus and Nyanza Swifts here, Blue-naped Mousebird, Namaqua Dove and Black-necked Weaver. Passing the Maasai village of Ol Tepesi, there were plenty of White-throated Bee-eaters sitting on the overhead wires and a sentinel Eastern Chanting Goshawk watched us from a pole. We headed to the archaeological site of Olorgasaille finding Capped Wheatear, Red-fronted and Gray Wren Warblers, and African Silverbill here. With the heat an increasing menace, we retraced our steps back to Nairobi but the new birds kept coming as we added African Gray Hornbill, Gray-headed Silverbill and Fischer’s Sparrow-larks as we did so. 15th May



Leaving Nairobi, we hit the road early to make use of the quiet Sunday morning traffic and after travelling past Thika we found ourselves at our site for the endangered Hinde’s Babbler. After a short walk, we heard some of these elusive birds call but they could not be relocated. The walk did produce a superb African Cuckoo-hawk, Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike and White-headed Barbet however. We continued towards Mount Kenya via the Mwea rice fields, stopping en route to view Purple Heron, Yellow-crowned Bishops, a selection of wildfowl, a very showy Ayre’s Hawk-eagle and a fine Lizard Buzzard. After passing the Castle Forest gate, we headed to our lodge where we checked-in and headed for lunch. Around the main lodge, we enjoyed the superb Tacazze Sunbird along with Eastern Olive and Northern Double-collared Sunbirds, plus the nuthatch-like Brown-capped Weaver and African Dusky Flycatcher. A male Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleon was catching bugs in a bush next to the main lodge. A short walk around the gardens in the afternoon produced Montane Oriole, stunning Hartlaub’s Turaco, groups of noisy Hunter’s Cisticola, Gray-headed Negrofinch (Nigrita), Kandt’s (Black-headed) Waxbill, Brown-throated Woodland Warbler and Thick-billed Seedeater. With light rain beginning to fall, we agreed to head back to the lodge for relaxed birding from the balcony, from where a pair of Scarce Swift was enjoyed with a local beverage. 16th May Our eyes and ears were open to the prospect of an Olive Ibis which are known to frequent certain trees around the grounds but there was no sign or sound from them. We did, however, enjoy a Mountain Buzzard, some very noisy Silvery-cheeked Hornbill and a sprinting White-tailed Mongoose that was evading the lodge’s guard-dogs. The forest was unusually quiet so after breakfast and a quick stop for close views of a Cinnamon Bracken Warbler we headed down to the river and were rewarded with a brief glimpse of an Olive Ibis as it commuted between feeding spots. We also watched Mountain Wagtails and a busy White-starred Robin before moving on to our next site, Serena Mountain Lodge, from where we spent the afternoon watching the skies, waterhole and surrounding forest for birds and mammals from the balcony. We had the best possible view of a Red-fronted Parrot which was prospecting a nest site in a nearby tree, plus Buffalo, Elephants, Bushbuck and Waterbuck. Late in the evening, a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl flew to the waterhole and we had good scope views before turning in for the day. 17th May We took a stroll around the grounds before breakfast which produced Gray Apalis, Tropical Boubou and Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, and all the while we were accompanied by some very tame Bushbuck. After checking-out, we made our way slowly through the gate when suddenly Joseph caught sight of a Leopard! We tried hard to relocate it but it could not be encouraged out from the dense undergrowth and so it became the one that got away! Our consolation prizes were a showy African Cuckoo-hawk perched nearby and two Martial Eagle soaring overhead. We stopped briefly at Karatina, home of the ‘Starbucks Hotel’ no less, and along the roadside for a brilliant display by the amazing Long-tailed Widowbird before continuing to our accommodation at Naro Moru. In the afternoon, we took a short drive along the Solio Plains where we were able to connect with our first Anteater Chat, Red-capped Lark, a Black-bellied Bustard and flocks of widowbirds that included Jackson’s. From the edge of the conservancy we enjoyed nice views of several White Rhino, Black-backed Jackal and Beisa Oryx and just as we reached our turn-back point, Simon pointed out a peculiar sight – a Jackson’s Widowbird lekking site. For 15 minutes we enjoyed about 30 males jumping up and down, bouncing high like Maasai warriors, among the grass - a truly spectacular piece of display behaviour.



Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleon(top) and Northern Double-collared Sunbird(bottom)

Castle Forest Lodge, Mount Kenya



18th May The resident African Black Duck could not be located by the lodge and so, with the Aberdare Mountains in our sights, we drove out across the Solio Plains picking up White-bellied Bustard and Black-winged Plover along the way. We made a special stop for a roadside encounter with a pair of Mackinder’s Eagle Owl that were roosting on a cliff. Local guides Paul and Sammy took us to another area where we found White-bellied Tit and Brown Parisoma, and a Common Quail belted out its “wet me lips” territory call. It was our aim to ascend the Aberdares but we received news of incidents that blocked both of the safe roads through the park so decided to go around the mountains instead. This turned out to be very good as we later watched the mountain from afar as it was engulfed in thick rainclouds. Instead, we took a leisurely lunch at Thomson’s Falls where we got nice views of Klaas’s Cuckoo and a confiding Mountain Buzzard but the noisy Crowned Hornbills flew over a bit quickly for a good view. After passing through Nyahururu and Gilgil, we eventually made it to our comfortable hotel for the night, the Lake Naivasha Country Club, passing through a few heavy showers along the way.

Long-tailed Widowbird and Beisa Oryx; the Solio Plains



19th May Early next morning, several Green Wood-hoopoe were catching termites outside our rooms and we enjoyed these for several minutes before taking breakfast and then our leave. First stop for the day was Hippo Point where we arrived in time to see a nice African Hoopoe before heading to our boat for a few hours of birding on the lake. There was a wide selection of waterbirds on show throughout the trip, particularly kingfishers, herons, storks and terns, and we were also treated to some close encounters with Hippos and some fishing by African Fish Eagles. After searching the lake edge near the launch site, we headed across the lake to Crescent Island where we enjoyed views of Giraffe, Wildebeest and other mammals and more quality waterbirds including two stunning African Skimmer that performed beautifully for us.

Long-tailed (Reed) Cormorant and Yellow-billed Stork; Lake Naivasha



Back on dry land, we headed along the eastern edge of the lake to Lake Elementaita where we visited the stunning Sunbird Lodge for drinks, snacks and more lovely birds. The kind staff put out some fresh bird food on the tables which immediately drew in several weavers, Common Bulbul, Purple Grenadier and the charming hybrid Lovebird (a feral cross between Yellow-collared and Fischer’s Lovebirds). A brief view of a Yellow-bellied Waxbill was a surprise find here and a Little Rock Thrush was seen well in the scope as it preened on a nearby rooftop.

Hybrid Lovebird at Lake Elementaita

Reluctantly, we hit the road again and made our way to Nakuru National Park where the weather took a turn for the worse. Nevertheless, as we stopped along the lakeshore there were still great birds to enjoy such as Wood Sandpiper, Common Greenshank and White-winged Black Terns, and both species of African flamingo (or ‘flipmangos’ as we affectionately came to know them!). Our next stop was the Baboon Cliffs where the eponymous primates were conspicuous in their absence and our hoped for Mocking Cliff Chats did not show either but we did have close-up views of Rock Hyrax and a distant White Rhino through the scope. As more rain fell, we coasted along the tracks and trails of the reserve but there was a distinct lack of animal activity everywhere but this changed as we neared the Muyas Causeway where a large congregation of White-winged Black Tern, perhaps numbering 500+, gathered to feed on the rising swarms of flying termites (alates). Nearby we encountered six huge White Rhino that fed together in their characteristic grazing manner (Whites graze while Blacks browse). At the causeway, a small collection of shorebirds and ducks gathered but we found nothing new here and so proceeded to our lodgings at Lake Nakuru Lodge for the evening. 20th May The next morning was bright and fresh and as we departed the lodge we were treated to great views of two Gray-headed Kingfisher, Jackson’s Widowbird and Anteater Chat on the hillside. Heading into the Yellow-barked Acacia (Fever Tree)-dominated woodland, we encountered several large troops of Olive Baboon. At



Muyas Causeway, several tern, duck and shorebird species were seen in good light but we decided to change tack when the baboons began giving their alarm calls – something that is suggestive of a Leopard nearby. After an unsuccessful attempt at trying to locate the source of the alarms, we enjoyed a large flock of African Openbill Storks flying overhead before heading to the edge of Lake Nakuru where a large selection of waterbirds was seen. These included 15 African Skimmer, which represents the largest known gathering of the species at this site for many years. In a nearby acacia, a pair of Tawny Eagle plotted their next attack on the smaller birds nearby but these were quickly seen off by a tenacious Blacksmith Plover that persisted in dive-bombing the predators. After a quick stop in Nakuru town, we made a bee-line for Lake Baringo. Our journey, that included crossing the equator, was punctuated by a big Leopard Tortoise that was crossing the highway and a picnic lunch next to a flooded wetland. Here, we inspected a recently-used nest of a Little Weaver but the birds could not be located. After a long journey, we arrived at Soi Lodge but the air was so hot that we decided not to bird in the afternoon, and were satisfied with close views of a Slender-tailed Nightjar hawking around the lodge at dusk. 21st May In an attempt to avoid the heat, we opted for an early boat trip across Lake Baringo so we met with local guide Francis and his coxswain at 6.30am. Among the first birds of the day were a pair of Fan-tailed Raven that soared over the lodge. The lake was still in a state of flood that had wrecked many of the nearby accommodations and this made for an interesting excursion as we traversed the flooded trees and buildings. We’d barely left the launch site when we located the main target species, Northern Masked Weaver, at a nest and enjoyed it as it returned several times to complete construction. We also found the first of many African Darter, Black Crake, Goliath and Striated Herons and African Fish Eagle here. Madagascar Bee-eaters were hawking from the overhanging branches, Magpie Starlings were seen close to the main village and Francis also located an African Silverbill and a small colony of White-billed Buffalo Weaver. One wouldn’t usually expect a lake cruise to provide a good haul of woodpeckers but this two hour trip was great and we located three species - Cardinal, Bearded and Nubian Woodpecker – as well as a very obliging Woodland Kingfisher.

African Fish Eagle at Lake Baringo



Elsewhere along the shoreline, Francis showed great skill in locating a male Little Bittern and was able to encourage the bird, by voice alone, to leave the depth of the tall reeds for us to see it. Another target species was also found nearby – the stunning Northern Red Bishop – which gave us the run-around for a short while before we eventually got decent views. We haggled with local fishermen before purchasing some fish to feed the resident African Fish Eagles and, after a few unsuccessful attempts, we enjoyed fantastic displays from the pair as they swooped by us to collect their prize – amazing! We headed back to shore for breakfast, after which we headed to the “Thirsty Goat” restaurant in what remains of Robert’s Camp where the head waiter kindly fed the birds at the bird-table and furnished us with some ice-cold sodas. First in was a male Jackson’s Hornbill that collected food for his imprisoned mate who was ‘holed-up’ in the neighbouring camp gardens. A few Superb Starlings also came to investigate but the majority of the weavers were so engrossed in their nest construction that they did not visit. Francis heard some White Helmet-shrike calling and he whistled them in to give us great close-up views. We headed to the Baringo Club gardens next door where a superbly camouflaged African Scops Owl was located and we also found two Pearl-spotted Owlet and a sub-adult male Hunter’s Sunbird.

Jackson’s Hornbill and African Scops Owl; Robert’s Camp, Lake Baringo



We then set off on the long journey to Kakamega, making stops for a picnic lunch on a high pass and another at Eldoret for supplies, eventually arriving at Rondo Retreat, our base for three nights, just after 7pm. 22nd May Bright skies greeted us as we woke and the gardens of Rondo were alive with birdsong. A huge Elgon Olive tree dominates the garden and was recently used by a pair of Crowned Eagle to raise their single chick which had recently fledged but still frequented the nest and surrounding trees. Throughout our stay, we enjoyed good views of this bird but the adults remained elusive and a parent was only seen perched once. Other good ‘garden’ birds enjoyed during our time here were African Blue Flycatcher, Mackinnon’s (Fiscal) Shrike Northern Black Flycatcher and Vieillot’s Black Weaver. After breakfast, we took a leisurely walk from the gate that produced quality forest species such as Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Bocage’s Bushshrike and Joyful Greenbul. We continued eastwards from the gate along the main road and a few hours birding produced even more quality species that included the range-restricted Turner’s Eremomela plus Black-billed Weaver, Green-throated Sunbird, Square-tailed Drongo, Gray-throated Barbet, Dusky Tit, African Citril, Chubb’s Cisticola, Black-collared Apalis, White-chinned Prinia, and our target species, three fabulous Great Blue Turaco. After lunch, we headed to where the small river meets the main track through the forest and were rewarded with more great birds including Mountail Wagtail, African Black Duck and Cameroon Sombre Greenbul. 23rd May On our second morning at Kakamega, we decided to try our luck for White-spotted Flufftail – one of the most challenging of all bird families when it comes to getting a good view. Descending from the gate entrance to the ponds trail, we had only reached the bottom of the steps before spotting our first but it quickly disappeared once it saw us. Special tactics were required! Adam called to the bird and it responded quietly and slowly came closer and closer before it eventually crossed our trail almost at our feet. It was a fleeting view so we tried again and this time the male bird emerged back into the middle of the track where it commenced its territorial call right out in the open no more than a few feet from us! It really should have been much more difficult than that. Rather than navigate the rest of the slippery steps to the ponds, we agreed that we could not expect a better view and took breakfast instead, after which we drove to the ranger station and waited for our local guide Daniel, who was a delight. He led us along a delightful forest trail but the birding was always going to be tricky in this thick jungle forest. One of our hoped for birds, the Bar-tailed Trogon, was heard called nearby so Daniel proceeded to call back to it and his whistled impersonation was 100% spot on. We followed the call but it could not be seen; something that should have raised our suspicion as this is a mid-canopy species. Daniel went into the thick vegetation to investigate and soon found that it was HE that was the butt of the joke because a Blue-shouldered Robin-chat was impersonating the Bar-tailed Trogon call too! Although this was a bit annoying, it was also quite amusing to think that two trogon impersonators had been trying to fool the other. Not far away, we saw the culprit which was reward in itself as this Robin-chat is notoriously difficult to coax away from thick cover a the best of times. Also in the verdant forest we found Red-headed Malimbe, Red-tailed Bristlebill and Dark-backed (Forest) Weaver. Black-and-white Colobus and Blue Monkey kept us company along the trails and we learned the lesson of not looking up with our mouths agape! As we left the forest, Angola Swallows were in evidence over the tea plantation.



We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Rondo and a short bird-walk produced a pair of nest-building Ross’s Turaco that Suzanne located, along with a Yellow-billed Barbet nearby. Bird alarm calls alerted us to a young Great Sparrowhawk that was terrorising the local weavers and a variety of sunbirds abound. Black-and-white Casqued Hornbills were noisy around the garden all afternoon, as was the young Crowned Eagle. 24th May After an early breakfast, we took the road to Kisumu and arrived to find a pair of Eastern Gray Plantain-eaters making a lot of noise from the overhead power lines. A pair of Shikra soared over the papyrus beds and we had nice views of a smart male Red-chested Sunbird, lots of Angola Swallows and a Swamp Flycatcher here. Despite playing the call, the local Papyrus Gonolek were not prepared to make an appearance but at a nearby stop we had great views of their similarly bright cousin, the Black-crowned Gonolek. We hired a local guide to call in and pint out some of the local specialities here such as Black-billed and Double-toothed Barbets and a small party of Yellow-throated Greenbul (or Leaflove). Views were had of a handsome Woodland Kingfisher, a flock of Red-billed Quelea and a few Slender-billed Weaver but our local guide could not encourage the Greater Swamp Warbler to make an appearance despite having a good ‘warbler conversation’ with it. A fine Broad-billed Roller also made the headlines here before we began our next long road trip to the Masai Mara via Kisii. We stopped at the Ahero rice fields to admire some fine male Southern Red Bishops from the edge of the highway, which broke up the early part of the journey, but it was not until 5pm that we arrived at the fabulous Mara West Camp and the most breath-taking views of the Mara below us. It was definitely not going to be hardship spending two nights here! 25th May After breakfast, we took the steep road down towards the Oloololo Gate where we inspected the vast array of mammal skulls and a very busy colony of Little Swift. The grass was very long on the plains and this would have an impact on how many birds we would eventually see. On the plus side, there were big numbers of widowbirds especially Jackson’s, Red-collared, Fan-tailed and Yellow-mantled but also a few flocks of White-winged. There were also large numbers of cisticolas but the vast majority were Stout with a few Zitting, Pectoral-patch and Croaking also in the mix, and also flocks of Cardinal Queleas. Yellow-throated Longclaw and Buffy Pipit were very common on the ground and several Bateleur were seen on the wing and a pair Black-chested Snake Eagle on a distant nest. Another new species was Red-chested Swallow and a fly-by Rufous-bellied Heron was a great bird for our list as this is the only area in Kenya where they breed. Lilac-breasted Roller were common and in full colour, and we had a close encounter with a vocal pair of Secretarybird too. As one would expect of the Mara, the mammals were spectacular and we had many good sightings of Elephants and lots of plains game but the morning highlights were probably the close encounter we had with three lazy male Lions and a super cool but skittish Serval cat that is rarely encountered on the average safari. As we searched for an area of short grass that may hold a Cheetah, Simon received word of a Leopard sighting so we buckled in as he took us across the reserve just in time for us to enjoy a nice view of a fine Leopard that had taken refuge close to a track. No sooner had we left this amazing cat, we found a Black Rhino out in the open and had prolonged views of this endangered species before heading to the south Mara bridge which would be our lunch stop. After time spent enjoying sandwiches and Mwanza Flat-headed Agama lizards, we continued across the grasslands where we added Red-necked Spurfowl and African Wattled Plover to our ever-growing bird-list, and a solitary Lioness was found stalking some wary Warthogs. Nearby, a migrant flock of Openbill Stork were resting and we had a great opportunity to observe their snail-eating apparatus before a slow journey back up the escarpment for the evening.



African Lion and Black Rhino; The Mara Conservancy, Masai Mara



26th May A pair of Southern Ground Hornbill pronounced their territory from within the grounds of Mara West as we reluctantly prepared to depart this camp. Once we had descended the Oloololo escarpment, we began to pass numerous Maasai bomas (ring-shaped homes) before we headed across the Mara North Bridge and a Mara River in flood. Once we passed the scruffy village of Marianta, we passed through some decent short grass plain where we had nice views of Temminck’s Courser and Red-capped Lark, plus a Silverbird with young in the nearby acacias. We then arrived at Musiara Gate and, after a spot of shopping, took a slow drive towards the Musiara Marsh, stopping to enjoy some Brown (Meyer’s) Parrot and a relaxed party of Elephant along the way. A distant Rufous-bellied Heron and an obliging Saddle-billed Stork were rewards at the marsh and we then headed back onto the plains via Musiara airstrip and made our way towards the Double Crossing. Along the way, we got lucky with an obliging family party of Harlequin Quail and several African Quailfinch. We arrived at the crossing to find it in full flood and after some deliberation, agreed that the water was a little too high to warrant an attempt to cross. So we set off to find another crossing point upstream, finding a Gray Kestrel as we searched. However, we were greeted by two local rangers who advised us not to cross the river and divert around the reserve. This was a headache as it required a substantial diversion but it did produce a small party of Double-banded Courser as we snaked our way through the scrub. After a few more tricky crossings, we arrived at the Maasai village of Talek where took light refreshments before re-entering the reserve and making our way across the grassland towards our lodge. Not far from the gate, we located several Yellow-throated Sandgrouse and later found more Harlequin Quail and a couple of flight-only views of the tiny and elusive Common Buttonquail. Thankfully, the Ostrich and Black-bellied Bustard showed better and we even managed quick views of Cinnamon-breasted Bunting and White-tailed Lark here before pulling into Keekorok Lodge for the evening. 27th May After breakfast, we watched flocks of swifts that fed on the early bloom of bugs. African Black Swift and some even larger Mottled Swift dwarfed the resident Little and White-rumped Swifts. We headed out of the reserve at Sekenani Gate and soon had a fine male Straw-tailed Whydah in view but it was scared off by a friendly villager, which was a shame. A pair of Kittlitz’s Plover were seen on the short grass plains but, as we neared the municipal town of Narok, it appeared that we had missed our chance for the most massive of all flying birds – the Kori Bustard. This was a shame as it would have been quite a treat to see the heaviest flying bird in the world. We consoled ourselves with a lunch stop that included some very fine beef samosas! After lunch we took the main highway back towards Nairobi and after a few hours the journey was punctuated by a call and hitting of the brakes from driver Simon. There was a Kori Bustard walking in the middle of the busy highway!!! We pulled into the middle of the road to prevent any overtaking cars from hitting it and gently coaxed it off the road entirely; it took flight across the road and joined its mate on the other side. Just when we thought we had missed it – GREAT! Our next planned stop was the Manguo Pond at Limuru but we were greeted by a shifty-looking man and the foul-stench of some dead goats in the water so stayed just long enough to see our target - the White-backed Duck – before rolling onwards to Nairobi. As we approached our hotel for the final evening, we passed the edge of Nairobi National Park where it first began the tour, thus completing our fabulous circuit of wild Kenya. Adam Scott Kennedy May 2016



Lilac-breasted Roller and African Openbill Stork; Masai Mara



CHECKLIST # English name Scientific name

1 Maasai Ostrich Struthio camelus

2 White-faced Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna viduata

3 Fulvous Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna bicolor

4 White-backed Duck Thalassornis leuconotus

5 Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

6 African Black Duck Anas sparsa

7 Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata

8 Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha

9 Cape Teal Anas capensis

10 Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris

11 Shelley’s Francolin Scleroptila shelleyi

12 Yellow-necked Spurfowl Pternistis leucoscepus

13 Red-necked Spurfowl Pternistis afer

14 Harlequin Quail Coturnix delegorguei

15 Common Button-quail Turnix sylvaticus

16 Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis

17 Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus

18 Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor

19 African Openbill Anastomus lamelligerus

20 Saddle-billed Stork Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis

21 Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus

22 Yellow-billed Stork Mycteria ibis



23 Great Cormorant (inc. white-breasted forms) Phalacrocorax carbo

24 Long-tailed (Reed) Cormorant Microcarbo africanus

25 African Darter Anhinga rufa

26 Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus

27 Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens

28 Hamerkop Scopus umbretta

29 Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus

30 Gray Heron Ardea cinerea

31 Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala

32 Goliath Heron Ardea goliath

33 Purple Heron Ardea purpurea

34 Great Egret Ardea alba

35 Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia

36 Little Egret Egretta garzetta

37 Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis

38 Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides

39 Rufous-bellied Heron Ardeola rufiventris

40 Striated Heron Butorides striata

41 Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax

42 Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus

43 Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus

44 Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash

45 Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea

46 African Spoonbill Platalea alba



47 African Cuckoo-Hawk Aviceda cuculoides

48 Black-shouldered Kite Elanus caeruleus

49 Yellow-billed Kite Milvus (migrans) parasiticus

50 African Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus vocifer

51 Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus

52 White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus

53 Rüppell's Vulture Gyps rueppellii

54 Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotus

55 Black-chested Snake Eagle Circaetus pectoralis

56 Bateleur Terathopius ecaudatus

57 Eurasian Marsh Harrier Circus aeroginosus

58 Montagu’s Harrier Circus pygargus

59 African Harrier Hawk (Gymnogene) Polyboroides typus

60 Lizard Buzzard Kaupifalco monogrammicus

61 Dark Chanting Goshawk Melierax metabates

62 Eastern Chanting Goshawk Melierax poliopterus

63 Shikra Accipiter badius

64 Black (Great) Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus

65 Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus

66 Augur Buzzard Buteo augur

67 Tawny Eagle Aquila rapax

68 Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis

69 Ayres's Hawk Eagle Aquila ayresii

70 Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus



71 Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis

72 Crowned Eagle Stephanoaetus coronatus

73 Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius

74 Gray Kestrel Falco ardosiaceus

75 White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra

76 Black Crake Amaurornis flavirostra

77 Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

78 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus

79 Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata

80 Kori Bustard Ardeotis kori

81 White-bellied Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis

82 Black-bellied Bustard Lissotis melanogaster

83 Gray Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum

84 Water Thick-knee Burhinus vermiculatus

85 Long-toed Plover Vanellus crassirostris

86 Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus

87 Spur-winged Plover Vanellus spinosus

88 Black-winged Plover Vanellus melanopterus

89 Crowned Plover Vanellus coronatus

90 African Wattled Plover Vanellus senegallus

91 Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius

92 Three-banded Plover Charadrius tricollaris

93 Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

94 Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta



95 African Jacana Actophilornis africanus

96 Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia

97 Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis

98 Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

99 Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

100 Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

101 Temminck's Courser Cursorius temminckii

102 Double-banded Courser Smutsornis africanus

103 Gray-headed Gull Chroicocephalus cirrocephalus

104 Gull-billed Tern Gelochelidon nilotica

105 White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus

106 Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

107 African Skimmer Rynchops flavirostris

108 Yellow-throated Sandgrouse Pterocles gutturalis

109 Rock Pigeon (feral) Columba livia

110 Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea

111 Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix

112 Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei

113 Dusky Turtle-Dove Streptopelia lugens

114 African Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens

115 Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata

116 Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola

117 Laughing Dove Streptopelia senegalensis

118 Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria



119 Namaqua Dove Oena capensis

120 Fischer's Lovebird (feral hybrid) Agapornis fischeri

121 Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi

122 Meyer's (or Brown) Parrot Poicephalus meyeri

123 Great Blue Turaco Corythaeola cristata

124 Ross’s Turaco Musophaga rossae

125 Hartlaub's Turaco Tauraco hartlaubi

126 Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus

127 White-bellied Go-away-bird Corythaixoides leucogaster

128 Eastern Plantain-eater Crinifer zonurus

129 Jacobin Cuckoo Clamator jacobinus

130 Klaas's Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas

131 Dideric Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius

132 Black Coucal Centropus grillii

133 White-browed Coucal Centropus superciliosus

134 African Scops Owl Otus senegalensis

135 Cape (Mackinder's) Eagle Owl Bubo capensis [mackinderi]

136 Verreaux's Eagle Owl Bubo lacteus

137 Pearl-spotted Owlet Glaucidium perlatum

138 Slender-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus clarus

139 Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus

140 Mottled Swift Apus aequatorialis

141 Nyanza Swift Apus niansae

142 African Black Swift Apus barbatus



143 Little Swift Apus affinis

144 Horus Swift Apus horus

145 White-rumped Swift Apus caffer

146 African Palm Swift Cypsiurus parvus

147 Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus

148 Blue-naped Mousebird Urocolius macrourus

149 Malachite Kingfisher Corythornis cristatus

150 Gray-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala

151 Woodland Kingfisher Halcyon senegalensis

152 Striped Kingfisher Halcyon chelicuti

153 Giant Kingfisher Megaceryle maximus

154 Pied Kingfisher Ceryle rudis

155 White-fronted Bee-eater Merops bullockoides

156 Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus

157 Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates

158 White-throated Bee-eater Merops albicollis

159 Madagascar (Olive) Bee-eater Merops superciliosus

160 Lilac-breasted Roller Coracias caudatus

161 Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus

162 African Hoopoe Upupa africana

163 Green Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus

164 White-headed Wood-hoopoe Phoeniculus bollei

165 Abyssinian Scimitarbill Rhinopomastus minor

166 Red-billed Hornbill Tockus erythrorhynchus



167 Jackson's Hornbill Tockus jacksoni

168 Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus

169 African Gray Hornbill Tockus nasutus

170 Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis

171 Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna subcylindrica

172 Southern Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri

173 Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus

174 Red-and-yellow Barbet Trachyphonus erythrocephalus

175 D'Arnaud's Barbet Trachyphonus darnaudii

176 Gray-throated Barbet Gymnobucco bonapartei

177 Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus bilineatus

178 Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus

179 Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui

180 Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata

181 Spot-flanked Barbet Tricholaema lacrymosa

182 White-headed Barbet Lybius leucocephalus

183 Snowy Barbet Lybius (leucocephalus) senex

184 Black-billed Barbet Lybius guifsobalito

185 Double-toothed Barbet Lybius bidentatus

186 Eastern (Green-backed) Honeyguide Prodotiscus zambesiae

187 Lesser Honeyguide Indicator minor

188 Nubian Woodpecker Campethera nubica

189 Fine-spotted (Green-backed) Woodpecker Campethera cailliautii

190 Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos fuscescens



191 Bearded Woodpecker Dendropicos namaquus

192 Gray-headed Woodpecker Dendropicos spodocephalus

193 Brown-throated (Common) Wattle-eye Platysteira cyanea

194 Chin-spot Batis Batis molitor

195 White Helmet-shrike Prionops plumatus (cristatus)

196 Brubru Nilaus afer

197 Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla

198 Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis

199 Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus

200 Black-headed Gonolek Laniarius erythrogaster

201 Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris

202 Bocage's Bushshrike Telophorus bocagei

203 Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus

204 Petit's Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga petiti

205 Gray-backed Fiscal Lanius excubitoroides

206 Long-tailed Fiscal Lanius cabanisi

207 Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis

208 Common Fiscal Lanius collaris

209 Mackinnon's (Fiscal) Shrike Lanius mackinnoni

210 Northern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli

211 Eastern (African) Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus

212 Montane Oriole Oriolus percivali

213 Square-tailed Drongo Dicrurus ludwigii

214 Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis



215 African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis

216 African Blue Flycatcher Elminia longicauda

217 Cape Rook Corvus capensis

218 Pied Crow Corvus albus

219 Fan-tailed Raven Corvus rhipidurus

220 White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda

221 Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra africana

222 Foxy (Fawn-colored) Lark Calendulauda (africanoides) alopex

223 Fischer's Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucopareia

224 Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea

225 Plain Martin Riparia paludicola

226 Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula

227 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

228 Angola Swallow Hirundo angolensis

229 Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii

230 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica

231 Lesser Striped Swallow Cecropis abyssinica

232 Rufous-chested Swallow Cecropis semirufa

233 Mosque Swallow Cecropis senegalensis

234 White-headed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne albiceps

235 Black Saw-wing Psalidoprocne pristoptera

236 White-bellied Tit Melaniparus albiventris

237 Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus

238 Common (Yellow-vented) Bulbul Pycnonotus barbatus



239 Kakamega Greenbul Andropadus kakamegae

240 Little Gray Greenbul Andropadus gracilis

241 Cameroon Sombre Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris

242 Slender-billed Greenbul Andropadus gracilirostris

243 Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul Andropadus importunus

244 Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris

245 Eastern Mountain Greenbul Andropadus nigriceps

246 Yellow-throated Greenbul (Leaflove) Chlorocichla flavicollis

247 Joyful Greenbul Chlorocichla laetissima

248 Cabanis's Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi

249 Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus

250 Brown Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens

251 Lesser Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus gracilirostris

252 Cinnamon Bracken Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus

253 Black-faced Rufous-Warbler Bathmocercus rufus

254 Black-collared Apalis Apalis pulchra

255 Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida

256 Gray Apalis Apalis cinerea

257 Red-fronted Warbler Urorhipis rufifrons

258 Gray-backed Camaroptera Camaropter brevicaudata

259 Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota

260 Gray Wren-Warbler Calamonastes simplex

261 White-chinned Prinia Schistolais leucopogon

262 Singing Cisticola Cisticola cantans



263 Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubbi

264 Hunter's Cisticola Cisticola hunteri

265 Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana

266 Winding Cisticola Cisticola galactotes

267 Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus

268 Siffling Cisticola Cisticola brachypterus

269 Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus

270 Pectoral-patch Cisticola Cisticola brunnescens

271 Buff-bellied Warbler Phyllolais pulchella

272 Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava

273 Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis

274 Turner's Eremomela Eremomela turneri

275 Brown Parisoma Parisoma lugens

276 Banded Parisoma Parisoma boehmi

277 Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii

278 Silverbird Empidornis semipartitus

279 Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus

280 African Gray Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus

281 White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri

282 Northern Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis edolioides

283 Swamp Flycatcher Muscicapa aquatica

284 African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta

285 White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata

286 Blue-shouldered Robin-Chat Cossypha cyanocampter



287 White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini

288 Spotted Morning Thrush Cichladusa guttata

289 White-browed Scrub Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys

290 Schalow's Wheatear Oenanthe lugens [schalowi]

291 Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata

292 African Stonechat Saxicola torquatus

293 Anteater Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops

294 Sooty Chat Myrmecocichla nigra

295 Little Rock-Thrush Monticola rufocinereus

296 Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus

297 African Thrush Turdus pelios

298 Northern Pied Babbler Turdoides hypoleuca

299 Montane White-eye Zosterops poliogastrus

300 Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea

301 Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus

302 Rüppell's (Long-tailed) Starling Lamprotornis purpuroptera

303 Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus

304 Hildebrandt's Starling Lamprotornis hildebrandti

305 Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster

306 Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio

307 Waller's Starling Onychognathus walleri

308 Magpie Starling Speculipastor bicolor

309 Red-billed Oxpecker Buphagus erythrorhynchus

310 Yellow-billed Oxpecker Buphagus africanus



311 Eastern Violet-backed Sunbird Anthreptes orientalis

312 Collared Sunbird Hedydipna collaris

313 Green-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra verticalis

314 Eastern Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea

315 Western Olive Sunbird Cyanomitra obscura

316 Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystina

317 Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens

318 Scarlet-chested Sunbird Chalcomitra senegalensis

319 Hunter's Sunbird Chalcomitra hunteri

320 Tacazze Sunbird Nectarinia tacazze

321 Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis

322 Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi

323 Beautiful Sunbird Cinnyris pulchellus

324 Marico Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis

325 Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocercus

326 Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venustus

327 House Sparrow Passer domesticus

328 Kenya Rufous Sparrow Passer rufocinctus

329 Gray-headed Sparrow Passer griseus

330 Parrot-billed Sparrow Passer gongonensis

331 Swahili Sparrow Passer suahelicus

332 Chestnut Sparrow Passer eminibey

333 Yellow-spotted Petronia Petronia pyrgita

334 White-billed Buffalo-Weaver Bubalornis albirostris



335 White-browed Sparrow-Weaver Plocepasser mahali

336 Gray-capped Social-Weaver Pseudonigrita arnaudi

337 Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht

338 Slender-billed Weaver Ploceus pelzelni

339 Black-necked Weaver Ploceus nigricollis

340 Spectacled Weaver Ploceus ocularis

341 Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster

342 Holub's Golden Weaver Ploceus xanthops

343 Northern Masked Weaver Ploceus taeniopterus

344 Lesser Masked Weaver Ploceus intermedius

345 Vitelline Masked Weaver Ploceus vitellinus

346 Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei

347 Village Weaver Ploceus cucullatus

348 (Jackson's) Golden-backed Weaver Ploceus jacksoni

349 Chestnut Weaver Ploceus rubiginosus

350 Dark-backed (Forest) Weaver Ploceus bicolor

351 Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis

352 Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus

353 Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis

354 Cardinal Quelea Quelea cardinalis

355 Red-billed Quelea Quelea quelea

356 Northern Red Bishop Euplectes franciscanus

357 Southern Red Bishop Euplectes orix

358 Yellow-crowned Bishop Euplectes afer



359 Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis

360 White-winged Widowbird Euplectes albonotatus

361 Yellow-mantled Widowbird Euplectes macroura

362 Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens

363 Fan-tailed Widowbird Euplectes axillaris

364 Long-tailed Widowbird Euplectes progne

365 Jackson's Widowbird Euplectes jacksoni

366 Grosbeak (Thick-billed) Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons

367 Gray-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapillus

368 Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia

369 Crimson-rumped Waxbill Estrilda rhodopyga

370 Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild

371 Kandt's (Black-headed) Waxbill Estrilda (atricapilla) kandti

372 Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus

373 Purple Grenadier Granatina ianthinogaster

374 Green-winged Pytilia (Melba Finch) Pytilia melba

375 Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala

376 African Quailfinch Ortygospiza fuscocrissa

377 Bronze Mannikin Spermestes cucullatus

378

Black-and-white Mannikin

(inc. Rufous-backed form) Spermestes bicolor

379 Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura

380 Straw-tailed Whydah Vidua fischeri

381 Village Indigobird Vidua chalybeata



382 Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara

383 African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp

384 Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus

385 Rosy-throated Longclaw Macronyx ameliae

386 Grassland (African) Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus

387 Long-billed Pipit Anthus similis

388 Buffy Pipit Anthus vaalensis

389 Yellow-crowned (Cape) Canary Serinus (canicollis) flavivertex

390 Yellow-fronted Canary Serinus mozambicus

391 African (Western) Citril Serinus frontalis

392 Reichenow's (Yellow-rumped) Seedeater Serinus reichenowi

393 White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus

394 Southern Grosbeak Canary Serinus buchanani

395 Brimstone Canary Serinus sulphuratus

396 Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus

397 Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni

398 Cinnamon-breasted Bunting Emberiza tahapisi

ADDITIONAL SPECIES THAT WERE “HEARD ONLY” H# ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME

1 Common Quail Coturnix coturnix

2 Red-chested Cuckoo Cuculus solitarius

3 African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus

4 Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus



5 Lühder's Bushshrike Laniarius luehderi

6 Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri

7 Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus

8 Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator

9 Uganda Woodland Warbler Phylloscopus budongoensis

10 Greater Swamp Warbler Acrocephalus rufescens

11 Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema

12 Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis

13 Zitting Cisticola Cisticola juncidis

14 Hinde’s Babbler Turdoides hindei

15 Stuhlmann’s Starling Poeoptera stuhlmanni

ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME MAMMALS

1 Yellow-winged Bat Lavia frons

2 Vervet Monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus

3 Red-tailed Monkey Cercopithecus ascanius

4 Blue Monkey Cercopithecus mitis

5 Syke’s Monkey (White-throated form) Cercopithecus albogularis kolbi

6 Olive Baboon Papio anubis

7 Guereza (Black and White) Colobus Colobus guereza

8 Black-backed Jackal Canis mesomelas

9 Large-spotted Genet Genetta tigrina

10 White-tailed Mongoose Ichneumia albicauda

11 Slender Mongoose Herpestes sanguineus



12 Banded Mongoose Mungos mungo

13 Spotted Hyena Crocuta crocuta

14 Serval Leptailurus serval

15 Lion Panthera leo

16 Leopard Panthera pardus

17 African Elephant (Forest and Savanna forms) Loxodonta africana

18 Mount Kenya (Eastern Tree) Hyrax Dendrohyrax validus

19 Rock Hyrax Procavia capensis

20 Plains Zebra Equus burchelli

21 White Rhino Ceratotherium simum

22 Black Rhino Diceros bicornis

23 Common Warthog Phacocherus africanus

24 Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibious

25 Maasai Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi

26 Rothschild’s Giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis rothchilidi

27 Coke’s Hartebeest (Kongoni) Alcelaphus buselaphus cokii

28 Jackson’s (Lelwel) Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus jacksoni

29 Western White-bearded Gnu (Wildebeest) Connochaetes taurinus

30 Topi Damaliscus korrigum

31 Impala Aepyceros melampus

32 Grant’s Gazelle Nanger granti

33 Thomson’s Gazelle Gazella thomsonii

34 Cape Buffalo Syncerus caffer

35 Common Eland Taurotragus oryx



36 Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus

37 Beisa Oryx Oryx beisa

38 Kirk’s Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii

39 Suni Neotragus moschatus

40 Common waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus

41 Defassa Waterbuck Kobus defassa

42 Bohor Reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula

43 Huet’s (Mount Kenya) Bush Squirrel Paraxerus ochraceus kahari

REPTILES

1 Nile Crocodile Crocodylus niloticus

2 Nile Monitor Varanus niloticus

3 Blue-headed Tree Agama Acanthocerus atricollis

4 Mwanza Flat-headed Agama Agama mwanzae

5 Striped Skink Mabuya striata

6 White-headed Dwarf Gecko Lygodactylus picturatus

7 Tropical House Gecko Hemidactylus mabouia

8 Jackson’s Three-horned Chameleon Trioceros jacksonii

9 Leopard Tortoise Geochelone pardalis

10 Helmeted (Marsh) Terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa

Documents

Kenya: The Coolest Trip in Africa - Tropical Birding · Tropical Birding Trip Report Kenya: The Coolest Trip in Africa, May 2016 +1-409-515-9110 [email protected] The Flame