300. That was the target before stepping onto African soil, on an action-packed adventure that would last 7 days with plenty of drama and excitement. Getting stuck in the middle of the grasslands next to an approaching elephant and being accused of poaching by the Masais were entertaining moments, but none of that could even compare to the Panamanian absurdity over Spring break. . .
Trip report with the final species count:
22.07.2014: Nairobi to Baringo via Naivasha : 103 species
23.07.2014: Baringo : 78 species (Total - 181 species)
24.07.2014: Baringo to Kakamega : 19 species (Total - 220 species)
25.07.2014: Kakamega : 45 species (Total - 265 species)
26.07.2014: Kakamega to Masai Mara : 28 species (Total - 293 species)
27.07.2014: Masai Mara to Nairobi : 22 species (Total - 315 species)
As expected, all the common birds rocketed the bird count on the first day to over 100 species in spite of a 350 km drive to Baringo. Subsequent days threw up fewer species, and the target was always in danger until a frenzied day in Kakamega boosted the count up to 265 species by the end of the 4th day. With Masai Mara to come, 300 looked imminent and was easily overhauled on the final day.
All the specialties were up on display as the Blue-Headed Bee-Eater made an appearance at Kakamega and the Long-Toed Lapwing was an exquisite sight in the Mara. 4 species of Turacos, 2 Bustards and 11 Barbet species made the trip a memorable one. The Goliath Heron, considered a mysterious species in India, was out in Lake Baringo as well, which made the unsuccessful search for the Senegal Thick-Knee somewhat fruitful.
Special thanks to Joseph Aengwo from Baringo, whose expertise in African birds made the uncertain target of 300 easily attainable by the end of the journey. Visit http://kenyabirding.wordpress.com/ for his adventures with African birds! He is a good contact for birding tips and tours in Kenya and can be contacted at joe.aengwo@gmail.com.
The entire birds list in taxonomic order:
1. Common Ostrich - 3 in Baringo, several in Masai Mara
2. Great White Pelican - Several flying over Lake Naivasha
3. Pink-Backed Pelican - 1 sitting out in Lake Naivasha
4. Little Grebe - 3 in Limuru swamp
5. Great Cormorant - 4 in Naivasha
6. Long-Tailed Cormorant - Abundant in Naivasha and Baringo lakes
7. African Darter - Abundant in Lake Baringo
8. Little Bittern - 1 nicely hidden in the reedy isles on Lake Baringo
9. Black-Crowned Night Heron - 1 along the shore of the main island on Lake Baringo
10. Cattle Egret - Several along Baringo and areas of cultivation
11. Common Squacco Heron - Many in Lake Baringo
12. Striated Heron - 5 in Lake Baringo
13. Rufous-Bellied Heron - 1 in Masai Mara
14. Little Egret - 4 in Lake Baringo
15. Intermediate Egret - 2 in Lake Baringo
16. Great Egret - Several in Lake Baringo
17. Goliath Heron - 4 in Lake Baringo
18. Purple Heron - 3 in Lake Baringo
19. Grey Heron - Several in Naivasha, Baringo and Masa Mara wetlands
20. Black-Headed Heron - 1 in Naivasha and 2 in Masai Mara
21. Hamerkop - 5 in Lake Baringo
22. Yellow-Billed Stork - Plenty in Naivasha, Baringo and Masai Mara
23. African Open-Billed Stork - Large flock flying over Baringo
24. Saddle-Billed Stork - 2 in Masai Mara
25. Marabou Stork - Abundant all across Kenya, specially in areas of Nairobi
26. Sacred Ibis - Several in Naivasha, Baringo and Masai Mara
27. Hadada Ibis - 3 in Naivasha, several in Kakamega
28. Glossy Ibis - 4 in Limuru swamp
29. African Spoonbill - 1 in Limuru swamp
30. Egyptian Goose - 2 in Naivasha, several along the Masai river
31. White-Faced Whistling Duck - Large flock in Limuru swamp
32. Maccoa Duck - 1 in Limuru swamp
33. Red-Billed Teal - 2 in Limuru swamp
34. Hottentot Teal - 4 in Limuru swamp
35. White-Backed Duck - 1 in Limuru swamp
36. Yellow-Billed Duck - Several in Limuru swamp ad few in Masai Mara wetlands
37. Black Kite - Several in Nairobi and outskirts
38. Secretary Bird - 2 in Masai Mara
39. African Fish Eagle - 1 juvenile in Lake Baringo, 2 adults in Masai Mara
40. Osprey - 1 in Lake Baringo
41. White-Headed Vulture - 2 in Masai Mara
42. African White-Backed Vulture - Several in Masai Mara
43. Ruppel's Griffon Vulture - Several in Masai Mara
44. Lappet-Faced Vulture - 2 at kills in Masai Mara
45. Black-Chested Snake Eagle - 2 in Masai Mara
46. Brown Snake-Eagle - 1 in Masai Mara
47. Shikra - 1 in Kakamega
48. African Harrier-Hawk - 1 flying across at Lolgorian near Masai Mara
49. Augur Buzzard - Several in Baringo, Masai Mara and along the way
50. Tawny Eagle - Several in Masai Mara
51. Bateleur - 2 in Masai Mara
52. Long-Crested Eagle - 1 in Lolgorian near Masai Mara
53. Verreaux's Eagle - 1 near the Baringo cliffs
54. African Crowned Eagle - 2 in Kakamega
55. Common Kestrel - 1 on the way out of Masai Mara
56. Lanner Falcon - 1 flying overhead in Baringo
57. Peregrine Falcon - 1 in Lake Baringo
58. Taita Falcon - 1 in the open woodland area of Masai Mara
59. Helmeted Guineafowl - Large flock in Masai Mara along the Masai river
60. Crested Francolin - 2 in Baringo
61. Red-Necked Spurfowl - 2 in Masai Mara near the Masai river
62. Black Crake - Several in Lake Baringo and Masai Mara wetlands
63. Purple Swamphen - Few in Limuru swamp and in Lake Baringo
64. Red-Knobbed Coot - Several in Limuru swamp
65. Common Moorhen - Several in Limuru swamp and Lake Baringo
66. African Jacana - Common in Limuru swamp, Lakes Naivasha and Baringo and Masai Mara wetlands
67. Grey Crowned Crane - 2 in Masai Mara
68. White-Bellied Bustard - 2 in Masai Mara
69. Hartlaub's Bustard - 1 in Masai Mara
70. Spotted Thick-Knee - 2 in Baringo
71. Temminck's Courser - 2 in Masai Mara
72. Heuglin's Courser - 3 in Baringo
73. Blacksmith Lapwing - 3 in Limuru swamp
74. Spur-Winged Lapwing - Very common around wetlands of Masai Mara
75. Long-Toed Lapwing - 1 in Masai Mara wetland
76. African Wattled Lapwing - 4 in Masai Mara
77. Crowned Lapwing - Several in Masai Mara
78. Black-Winged Lapwing - 5 in Masai Mara
79. Wood Sandpiper - 3 in Masai Mara wetlands
80. Grey-Headed Gull - 1 in Naivasha
81. Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse - 2 in Masai Mara
82. African Green Pigeon - 4 in Kakamega
83. Speckled Pigeon - Several in Baringo and Nairobi outskirts
84. Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove - 1 in Baringo, 1 near Masai Mara
85. Ring-Necked Dove - Abundant in all places
86. Red-Eyed Dove - 1 in Kakamega, 2 in Masai Mara
87. African Mourning Dove - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
88. Laughing Dove - 4 in Baringo
89. Dusky Turtle Dove - 1 near Kisii on the way to Masai Mara from kakamega
90. Brown Parrot - 6 in Masai Mara near the river
91. Fischer's Lovebird - 3 in Naivasha
92. Great Blue Turaco - 4 in Kakamega
93. Ross's Turaco - 1 in Iten
94. White-Crested Turaco - 3 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
95. Schalow's Turaco - 1 in Masai Mara
96. White-Bellied Go-away-bird - 3 in Baringo
97. Diederik Cuckoo - 2 flying in Baringo
98. African Emerald Cuckoo - 1 male in Kakamega
99. White-Browed Coucal - 1 in Baringo
100. African Scops Owl - 1 in Baringo
101. White-Faced Scops Owl - 2 in Baringo
102. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl - 1 in Lake Baringo, 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
103. Spotted Eagle-Owl - 1 in Baringo, 1 subsp. Greyish Eagle-Owl in Baringo
104. Slender-Tailed Nightjar - 5 in Baringo
105. Little Swift - Several in all areas
106. White-Runped Swift - 4 in Baringo
107. Mottled Swift - 1 in Baringo
108. African Black Swift - 1 near Iten
109. Nyanza Swift - 4 in Iten
110. Speckled Mousebird - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
111. Blue-Naped Mousebird - 6 in Baringo
112. Pied Kingfisher - Abundant in Lake Baringo
113. Grey-Headed Kingfisher - 1 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
114. Giant Kingfisher - 1 in Lake Baringo
115. Woodland Kingfisher - 4 in Baringo
116. Malachite Kingfisher - Several in Lake Baringo
117. African Pygmy Kingfisher - 5 in and around Lake Baringo
118. Little Bee-Eater - 5 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo, 2 in Kakamega, 2 in Masai Mara
119. Cinnamon-Chested Bee-Eater - 4 in Kakamega
120. White-Throated Bee-Eater - 5 in Baringo
121. Blue-Headed Bee-Eater - 2 in Kakamega
122. Madagascar Bee-Eater - Several in Lake Baringo
123. Lilac-Breasted Roller - Several in Masai Mara
124. Rufous-Crowned Roller - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
125. Green Wood-Hoopoe - 1 in Naivasha
126. Violet Wood-Hoopoe - 5 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
127. White-Headed Wood-Hoopoe - 2 in Kakamega
128. African Hoopoe - 1 in Baringo
129. Red-Billed Hornbill - 4 in Baringo
130. Jackson's Hornbill - Several in Baringo
131. Hemprich's Hornbill - 3 in Baringo
132. African Grey Hornbill - 1 flying across in Baringo
133. Crowned Hornbill - 2 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
134. Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill - Several in Kakamega
135. Southern Ground-Hornbill - 3 near Lolgorian
136. Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird - 1 in Kakamega
137. Grey-Throated Barbet - 7 in Kakamega
138. Red-Fronted Tinkerbird - 2 in Baringo
139. Red-Fronted Barbet - 1 in Baringo
140. Spot-Flanked Barbet - 3 in Masai Mara
141. Black-Throated Barbet - 1 in Baringo
142. Yellow-Spotted Barbet - 1 in Kakamega
143. Double-Toothed Barbet - 1 near Lolgorian
144. D'Arnaud's Barbet - 4 in Baringo
145. Red-and-Yellow Barbet - 1 on the way from Baringo to Kakamega
146. Yellow-Billed Barbet - 2 in Kakamega
147. Buff-Spotted Woodpecker - 2 in Kakamega
148. Nubian Woodpecker - 2 in Naivasha, 1 in Masai Mara
149. Cardinal Woodpecker - 2 in Masai Mara
150. Bearded Woodpecker - 2 in Lake Baringo
151. Yellow-Crested Woodpecker - 2 in Kakamega
152. Grey Woodpecker - 1 in Baringo
153. Rufous-Naped Lark - 5 in Masai Mara
154. Somali Short-Toed lark - 2 in Masai Mara
155. Pink-Breasted Lark - 1 in Baringo
156. Red-Capped Lark - Several in Masai Mara
157. Rock Martin - Several in Iten
158. Plain Martin - 2 in Limuru swamp
159. Red-Rumped Swallow - Several in Baringo and Iten
160. Lesser Striped Swallow - 2 in Baringo
161. Barn Swallow - 5 in Lake Baringo
162. Wire-Tailed Swallow - Several in Naivasha and Baringo
163. Black Saw-wing - 2 in Kakamega
164. White-Headed Saw-wing - 6 in Kakamega
165. African Pied Wagtail - Several in Baringo, Naivasha and Masai Mara wetlands
166. Mountain Wagtail - 2 in Kakamega
167. Yellow-Throated Longclaw - 1 in Kakamega
168. Grassland Pipit - Abundant in Masai Mara
169. Plain-Backed Pipit - 5 in Masai Mara
170. Common Bulbul - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
171. Yellow-Whiskered Greenbul - 6 in Kakamega
172. Little Greenbul - 1 in Kakamega
173. Shelley's Greenbul - 5 in Kakamega
174. Northern Brownbul - 2 in Baringo
175. Cabanis's Greenbul - 3 in Kakamega
176. Cameroon Sombre Greenbul - 2 in Kakamega
177. Joyful Greenbul - Many in Kakamega
178. Red-Tailed Bristlebill - 5 in Kakamega
179. Brown-Chested Alethe - 2 in Kakamega
180. Cape Robin-Chat - 1 in Limuru swamp
181. White-Browed Robin-Chat - 2 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
182. Snowy-Headed Robin-Chat - 3 in kakamega
183. Olive Thrush - Many in Kakamega
184. African Thrush - 3 in Kakamega, 2 in Iten
185. Northern Anteater Chat - Several in Masai Mara
186. Cliff Chat - 4 in Iten
187. Sooty Chat - 4 in Masai Mara
188. Common Stonechat - Common near Baringo and Masai Mara
189. White-Browed Scrub-Robin - 5 in Baringo
190. Spotted Morning Thrush - 7 in Baringo
191. Buff-Bellied Warbler - 1 in Baringo
192. Uganda Woodland Warbler - 1 in Kakamega
193. Black-Faced Rufous Warbler - 3 in Kakamega
194. Pectoral-Patch Cisticola - 3 in Masai Mara
195. Zitting Cisticola - 2 in Masai Mara
196. Stout Cisticola - 1 in Kakamega
197. Rattling Cisticola - 1 in Masai Mara
198. Winding Cisticola - 1 in Limuru swamp
199. Hunter's Cisticola - 3 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
200. Chubb's Cisticola - 1 in Kakamega
201. Red-Fronted Warbler - 3 in Baringo
202. Tawny-Flanked Prinia - 1 in Masai Mara
203. White-Chinned Prinia - 2 in Kakamega
204. Grey-Backed Camaroptera - 4 in Baringo
205. Grey Wren-Warbler - 6 in Baringo
206. Yellow-Breasted Apalis - 3 in Baringo
207. White-Eyed Slaty Flycatcher - Several in Naivasha and Baringo
208. Northern Black Flycatcher - 1 in Baringo
209. African Grey Flycatcher - 4 in Baringo
210. Pale Flycatcher - 2 in Masai Mara
211. Gambaga Flycathcer - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
212. African Dusky Flycatcher - 2 in Masai Mara
213. Pygmy Batis - 2 in Baringo
214. Brown-Throated Wattle-eye - 1 in Kakamega
215. African Paradise Flycatcher - 3 in Baringo, 1 in Kakamega
216. Silverbird - 1 in Masai Mara on the way out
217. Dusky Crested-Flycatcher - 1 in Kakamega
218. African Blue Flycatcher - 2 in Kakamega
219. Mountain Illadopsis - 4 in Kakamega
220. Brown Illadopsis - 2 in Kakamega
221. Grey-Chested Illadopsis - 3 in Kakamega
222. Rufous Chatterer - 3 in Baringo
223. Arrow-Marked Babbler - 4 in Naivasha
224. Black-Lored Babbler - 2 in Naivasha
225. White-Bellied Tit - 3 in Naivasha
226. Mouse-Colored Penduline-Tit - 2 in Baringo
227. Yellow White-Eye - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
228. Abyssinian White-Eye - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
229. Bronze Sunbird - Several in Kakamega
230. Golden-Winged Sunbird - 2 on the outskirts of Nairobi
231. Malachite Sunbird - 1 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
232. Green-Headed Sunbird - 4 in Kakamega
233. Eastern Double-Collared Sunbird - 3 in Kakamega
234. Northern Double-Collared Sunbird - 2 in Kakamega
235. Olive-Bellied Sunbird - 1 in Kakamega
236. Marico Sunbird - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
237. Scarlet-Chested Sunbird - 1 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
238. Beautiful Sunbird - Several in Baringo and Kakamega
239. Variable Sunbird - Several in Baringo
240. Eastern Violet-Backed Sunbird - 2 in Kakamega
241. Common Fiscal - Very common throughout
242. Grey-Backed Fiscal - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
243. Mackinnon's Fiscal - 1 in Kakamega
244. Tropical Boubou - 4 in Baringo
245. Slate-Colored Boubou - 2 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
246. Brubru - 3 in Baringo
247. Three-Streaked Tchagra - 1 in Baringo
248. Sulphur-Breasted Bush-Shrike - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
249. Bocage;s Bush-Shrike - 1 in Kakamega
250. Northern White-Crowned Shrike - 7 in Baringo
251. White-Crested Helmet-Shrike - 1 huge flock in Baringo
252. Fork-Tailed Drongo - Common in Baringo
253. Square-Tailed Drongo - 2 in Kakamega
254. Pied Crow - Abundant in settlements
255. Cape Rook - Common in outskirts and cultivations
256. Fan-Tailed Raven - 3 in Iten
257. African Black-Headed Oriole - 1 in Naivasha
258. Western Black-Headed Oriole - 1 in Kakamega
259. Yellow-Billed Oxpecker - 4 in Masai Mara
260. Red-Billed Oxpecker - Several in Masai Mara, mostly preferring African Water Buffalo
261. Stuhlmann's Starling - 3 in Kakamega
262. Red-Winged Starling - 3 in Naivasha
263. Bristle-Crowned Starling - 4 in Baringo
264. Greater Blue-Eared Starling - 2 in Naivasha
265. Ruppel's Long-Tailed Starling - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
266. Violet-Backed Starling - 1 in Masai Mara
267. Magpie Starling - 3 in Baringo
268. Superb Starling - Abundant throughout
269. Hildebrandt's Starling - 2 in Baringo
270. Wattled Starling - 4 in Naivasha, several in Masai Mara
271. Rufous Sparrow - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
272. House Sparrow - Common in outskirts
273. Chestnut Sparrow - 2 in Baringo
274. Speckle-Fronted Weaver - 2 in Baringo
275. Grey-Headed Sparrow - Several in Masai Mara
276. Parrot-Billed Sparrow - Several in Baringo
277. Yellow-Spotted Petronia - 4 in Baringo
278. White-Browed Sparrow-Weaver - Abundant in Baringo
279. White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver - 3 in Baringo
280. White-Billed Buffalo-Weaver - 2 in Baringo
281. Black-Headed Weaver - 8 in Baringo
282. Lesser Masked Weaver - 6 in Baringo
283. Vitelline Masked Weaver - 9 in Baringo
284. Northern Masked Weaver - 4 in Baringo
285. Spectacled Weaver - 2 in Masai Mara
286. Black-Necked Weaver - 1 in Kakamega
287. Speke's Weaver - 2 in Naivasha
288. Baglafecht Weaver - 4 in Limuru swamp, 2 in Iten, 2 in Masai Mara
289. Chestnut Weaver - 1 in Baringo
290. Little Weaver - 2 in Baringo
291. Golden-Backed Weaver - 4 in Baringo
292. Dark-Backed Weaver - 6 in Kakamega
293. Black-Billed Weaver - 2 in Kakamega
294. Red-Headed Weaver - 2 in Baringo
295. Yellow Bishop - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
296. Yellow-Mantled Widowbird - 5 in Kakamega
297. Grey-Headed Negrofinch - 2 in Kakamega
298. Green-Winged Pytilia - 2 in Baringo
299. Red-Headed Bluebill - 1 in Kakamega
300. Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu - 3 in Iten
301. Purple Grenadier - 2 in Baringo, 2 in Masai Mara
302. Jameson's Firefinch - 3 in Masai Mara
303. Black-and-White Mannikin - 3 in Masai Mara
304. Village Indigobird - 1 in Baringo
305. Yellow-Fronted Canary - 2 in Masai Mara
306. White-Bellied Canary - 1 in Baringo
307. Thick-Billed Seedeater - 1 in Iten
308. African Citril - 2 in Naivasha, 1 in Iten
309. Yellow-Rumped Seedeater - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
310. Streaky Seedeater - Common in Limuru swamp, Baringo and Masai Mara
311. Cinnamon-Breasted Rock Bunting - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
312. African Golden-Breasted Bunting - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
Only calls heard:
313. Red-Chested Cuckoo - 1 heard in Baringo
314. Blue-Shouldered Robin-Chat - 2 in Kakamega
315. Grey-Winged Robin-Chat - 1 in Kakamega
The stand-outs were definitely Taita Falcon, Saddle-Billed Stork, Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse, Long-Toed Lapwing and Blue-Headed Bee-Eater. Overall 312 sightings and 3 calls, which is an amazing birding accomplishment over the 7 days which included a lot of travelling.
Joseph and I have already decided on our next destination - Semliki Forests in Uganda. Right next to the border with DRC, it might be a tricky trip; but it is the avian biodiversity that beckons!
Trip report with the final species count:
22.07.2014: Nairobi to Baringo via Naivasha : 103 species
23.07.2014: Baringo : 78 species (Total - 181 species)
24.07.2014: Baringo to Kakamega : 19 species (Total - 220 species)
25.07.2014: Kakamega : 45 species (Total - 265 species)
26.07.2014: Kakamega to Masai Mara : 28 species (Total - 293 species)
27.07.2014: Masai Mara to Nairobi : 22 species (Total - 315 species)
As expected, all the common birds rocketed the bird count on the first day to over 100 species in spite of a 350 km drive to Baringo. Subsequent days threw up fewer species, and the target was always in danger until a frenzied day in Kakamega boosted the count up to 265 species by the end of the 4th day. With Masai Mara to come, 300 looked imminent and was easily overhauled on the final day.
All the specialties were up on display as the Blue-Headed Bee-Eater made an appearance at Kakamega and the Long-Toed Lapwing was an exquisite sight in the Mara. 4 species of Turacos, 2 Bustards and 11 Barbet species made the trip a memorable one. The Goliath Heron, considered a mysterious species in India, was out in Lake Baringo as well, which made the unsuccessful search for the Senegal Thick-Knee somewhat fruitful.
Special thanks to Joseph Aengwo from Baringo, whose expertise in African birds made the uncertain target of 300 easily attainable by the end of the journey. Visit http://kenyabirding.wordpress.com/ for his adventures with African birds! He is a good contact for birding tips and tours in Kenya and can be contacted at joe.aengwo@gmail.com.
The entire birds list in taxonomic order:
 |
| African Citril |
2. Great White Pelican - Several flying over Lake Naivasha
3. Pink-Backed Pelican - 1 sitting out in Lake Naivasha
4. Little Grebe - 3 in Limuru swamp
5. Great Cormorant - 4 in Naivasha
6. Long-Tailed Cormorant - Abundant in Naivasha and Baringo lakes
7. African Darter - Abundant in Lake Baringo
8. Little Bittern - 1 nicely hidden in the reedy isles on Lake Baringo
9. Black-Crowned Night Heron - 1 along the shore of the main island on Lake Baringo
10. Cattle Egret - Several along Baringo and areas of cultivation
11. Common Squacco Heron - Many in Lake Baringo
12. Striated Heron - 5 in Lake Baringo
13. Rufous-Bellied Heron - 1 in Masai Mara
 |
| African Mourning Dove |
15. Intermediate Egret - 2 in Lake Baringo
16. Great Egret - Several in Lake Baringo
17. Goliath Heron - 4 in Lake Baringo
18. Purple Heron - 3 in Lake Baringo
19. Grey Heron - Several in Naivasha, Baringo and Masa Mara wetlands
20. Black-Headed Heron - 1 in Naivasha and 2 in Masai Mara
21. Hamerkop - 5 in Lake Baringo
22. Yellow-Billed Stork - Plenty in Naivasha, Baringo and Masai Mara
23. African Open-Billed Stork - Large flock flying over Baringo
24. Saddle-Billed Stork - 2 in Masai Mara
25. Marabou Stork - Abundant all across Kenya, specially in areas of Nairobi
26. Sacred Ibis - Several in Naivasha, Baringo and Masai Mara
27. Hadada Ibis - 3 in Naivasha, several in Kakamega
28. Glossy Ibis - 4 in Limuru swamp
 |
| African Pygmy Kingfisher |
30. Egyptian Goose - 2 in Naivasha, several along the Masai river
31. White-Faced Whistling Duck - Large flock in Limuru swamp
32. Maccoa Duck - 1 in Limuru swamp
33. Red-Billed Teal - 2 in Limuru swamp
34. Hottentot Teal - 4 in Limuru swamp
35. White-Backed Duck - 1 in Limuru swamp
36. Yellow-Billed Duck - Several in Limuru swamp ad few in Masai Mara wetlands
37. Black Kite - Several in Nairobi and outskirts
38. Secretary Bird - 2 in Masai Mara
39. African Fish Eagle - 1 juvenile in Lake Baringo, 2 adults in Masai Mara
40. Osprey - 1 in Lake Baringo
41. White-Headed Vulture - 2 in Masai Mara
42. African White-Backed Vulture - Several in Masai Mara
43. Ruppel's Griffon Vulture - Several in Masai Mara
 |
| African Scops Owl |
45. Black-Chested Snake Eagle - 2 in Masai Mara
46. Brown Snake-Eagle - 1 in Masai Mara
47. Shikra - 1 in Kakamega
48. African Harrier-Hawk - 1 flying across at Lolgorian near Masai Mara
49. Augur Buzzard - Several in Baringo, Masai Mara and along the way
50. Tawny Eagle - Several in Masai Mara
51. Bateleur - 2 in Masai Mara
52. Long-Crested Eagle - 1 in Lolgorian near Masai Mara
53. Verreaux's Eagle - 1 near the Baringo cliffs
54. African Crowned Eagle - 2 in Kakamega
55. Common Kestrel - 1 on the way out of Masai Mara
56. Lanner Falcon - 1 flying overhead in Baringo
57. Peregrine Falcon - 1 in Lake Baringo
58. Taita Falcon - 1 in the open woodland area of Masai Mara
 |
| African Spoonbill |
60. Crested Francolin - 2 in Baringo
61. Red-Necked Spurfowl - 2 in Masai Mara near the Masai river
62. Black Crake - Several in Lake Baringo and Masai Mara wetlands
63. Purple Swamphen - Few in Limuru swamp and in Lake Baringo
64. Red-Knobbed Coot - Several in Limuru swamp
65. Common Moorhen - Several in Limuru swamp and Lake Baringo
66. African Jacana - Common in Limuru swamp, Lakes Naivasha and Baringo and Masai Mara wetlands
67. Grey Crowned Crane - 2 in Masai Mara
68. White-Bellied Bustard - 2 in Masai Mara
69. Hartlaub's Bustard - 1 in Masai Mara
70. Spotted Thick-Knee - 2 in Baringo
 |
| African White-Backed Vulture |
72. Heuglin's Courser - 3 in Baringo
73. Blacksmith Lapwing - 3 in Limuru swamp
74. Spur-Winged Lapwing - Very common around wetlands of Masai Mara
75. Long-Toed Lapwing - 1 in Masai Mara wetland
76. African Wattled Lapwing - 4 in Masai Mara
77. Crowned Lapwing - Several in Masai Mara
78. Black-Winged Lapwing - 5 in Masai Mara
79. Wood Sandpiper - 3 in Masai Mara wetlands
80. Grey-Headed Gull - 1 in Naivasha
81. Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse - 2 in Masai Mara
82. African Green Pigeon - 4 in Kakamega
83. Speckled Pigeon - Several in Baringo and Nairobi outskirts
84. Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove - 1 in Baringo, 1 near Masai Mara
85. Ring-Necked Dove - Abundant in all places
86. Red-Eyed Dove - 1 in Kakamega, 2 in Masai Mara
 |
| Arrow-Marked Babbler |
88. Laughing Dove - 4 in Baringo
89. Dusky Turtle Dove - 1 near Kisii on the way to Masai Mara from kakamega
90. Brown Parrot - 6 in Masai Mara near the river
91. Fischer's Lovebird - 3 in Naivasha
92. Great Blue Turaco - 4 in Kakamega
93. Ross's Turaco - 1 in Iten
94. White-Crested Turaco - 3 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
95. Schalow's Turaco - 1 in Masai Mara
96. White-Bellied Go-away-bird - 3 in Baringo
97. Diederik Cuckoo - 2 flying in Baringo
98. African Emerald Cuckoo - 1 male in Kakamega
99. White-Browed Coucal - 1 in Baringo
100. African Scops Owl - 1 in Baringo
101. White-Faced Scops Owl - 2 in Baringo
102. Verreaux's Eagle-Owl - 1 in Lake Baringo, 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
 |
| Baglafecht Weaver |
104. Slender-Tailed Nightjar - 5 in Baringo
105. Little Swift - Several in all areas
106. White-Runped Swift - 4 in Baringo
107. Mottled Swift - 1 in Baringo
108. African Black Swift - 1 near Iten
109. Nyanza Swift - 4 in Iten
110. Speckled Mousebird - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
111. Blue-Naped Mousebird - 6 in Baringo
112. Pied Kingfisher - Abundant in Lake Baringo
113. Grey-Headed Kingfisher - 1 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
114. Giant Kingfisher - 1 in Lake Baringo
115. Woodland Kingfisher - 4 in Baringo
116. Malachite Kingfisher - Several in Lake Baringo
117. African Pygmy Kingfisher - 5 in and around Lake Baringo
118. Little Bee-Eater - 5 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo, 2 in Kakamega, 2 in Masai Mara
 |
| Blue-Naped Mousebird |
120. White-Throated Bee-Eater - 5 in Baringo
121. Blue-Headed Bee-Eater - 2 in Kakamega
122. Madagascar Bee-Eater - Several in Lake Baringo
123. Lilac-Breasted Roller - Several in Masai Mara
124. Rufous-Crowned Roller - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
125. Green Wood-Hoopoe - 1 in Naivasha
126. Violet Wood-Hoopoe - 5 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
127. White-Headed Wood-Hoopoe - 2 in Kakamega
128. African Hoopoe - 1 in Baringo
129. Red-Billed Hornbill - 4 in Baringo
130. Jackson's Hornbill - Several in Baringo
131. Hemprich's Hornbill - 3 in Baringo
 |
| Brown Snake-Eagle |
133. Crowned Hornbill - 2 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
134. Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill - Several in Kakamega
135. Southern Ground-Hornbill - 3 near Lolgorian
136. Yellow-Rumped Tinkerbird - 1 in Kakamega
137. Grey-Throated Barbet - 7 in Kakamega
138. Red-Fronted Tinkerbird - 2 in Baringo
139. Red-Fronted Barbet - 1 in Baringo
140. Spot-Flanked Barbet - 3 in Masai Mara
141. Black-Throated Barbet - 1 in Baringo
142. Yellow-Spotted Barbet - 1 in Kakamega
143. Double-Toothed Barbet - 1 near Lolgorian
144. D'Arnaud's Barbet - 4 in Baringo
145. Red-and-Yellow Barbet - 1 on the way from Baringo to Kakamega
146. Yellow-Billed Barbet - 2 in Kakamega
147. Buff-Spotted Woodpecker - 2 in Kakamega
 |
| Common Ostrich |
149. Cardinal Woodpecker - 2 in Masai Mara
150. Bearded Woodpecker - 2 in Lake Baringo
151. Yellow-Crested Woodpecker - 2 in Kakamega
152. Grey Woodpecker - 1 in Baringo
153. Rufous-Naped Lark - 5 in Masai Mara
154. Somali Short-Toed lark - 2 in Masai Mara
155. Pink-Breasted Lark - 1 in Baringo
156. Red-Capped Lark - Several in Masai Mara
157. Rock Martin - Several in Iten
158. Plain Martin - 2 in Limuru swamp
159. Red-Rumped Swallow - Several in Baringo and Iten
160. Lesser Striped Swallow - 2 in Baringo
161. Barn Swallow - 5 in Lake Baringo
162. Wire-Tailed Swallow - Several in Naivasha and Baringo
163. Black Saw-wing - 2 in Kakamega
 |
| Crowned Hornbill |
165. African Pied Wagtail - Several in Baringo, Naivasha and Masai Mara wetlands
166. Mountain Wagtail - 2 in Kakamega
167. Yellow-Throated Longclaw - 1 in Kakamega
168. Grassland Pipit - Abundant in Masai Mara
169. Plain-Backed Pipit - 5 in Masai Mara
170. Common Bulbul - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
171. Yellow-Whiskered Greenbul - 6 in Kakamega
172. Little Greenbul - 1 in Kakamega
173. Shelley's Greenbul - 5 in Kakamega
174. Northern Brownbul - 2 in Baringo
175. Cabanis's Greenbul - 3 in Kakamega
176. Cameroon Sombre Greenbul - 2 in Kakamega
177. Joyful Greenbul - Many in Kakamega
178. Red-Tailed Bristlebill - 5 in Kakamega
179. Brown-Chested Alethe - 2 in Kakamega
 |
| Crowned Lapwing |
181. White-Browed Robin-Chat - 2 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
182. Snowy-Headed Robin-Chat - 3 in kakamega
183. Olive Thrush - Many in Kakamega
184. African Thrush - 3 in Kakamega, 2 in Iten
185. Northern Anteater Chat - Several in Masai Mara
186. Cliff Chat - 4 in Iten
187. Sooty Chat - 4 in Masai Mara
188. Common Stonechat - Common near Baringo and Masai Mara
189. White-Browed Scrub-Robin - 5 in Baringo
190. Spotted Morning Thrush - 7 in Baringo
191. Buff-Bellied Warbler - 1 in Baringo
192. Uganda Woodland Warbler - 1 in Kakamega
193. Black-Faced Rufous Warbler - 3 in Kakamega
194. Pectoral-Patch Cisticola - 3 in Masai Mara
195. Zitting Cisticola - 2 in Masai Mara
 |
| Emerald-Spotted Wood-Dove |
197. Rattling Cisticola - 1 in Masai Mara
198. Winding Cisticola - 1 in Limuru swamp
199. Hunter's Cisticola - 3 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
200. Chubb's Cisticola - 1 in Kakamega
201. Red-Fronted Warbler - 3 in Baringo
202. Tawny-Flanked Prinia - 1 in Masai Mara
203. White-Chinned Prinia - 2 in Kakamega
204. Grey-Backed Camaroptera - 4 in Baringo
205. Grey Wren-Warbler - 6 in Baringo
206. Yellow-Breasted Apalis - 3 in Baringo
207. White-Eyed Slaty Flycatcher - Several in Naivasha and Baringo
208. Northern Black Flycatcher - 1 in Baringo
209. African Grey Flycatcher - 4 in Baringo
210. Pale Flycatcher - 2 in Masai Mara
211. Gambaga Flycathcer - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
212. African Dusky Flycatcher - 2 in Masai Mara
 |
| Fischer's Lovebird |
214. Brown-Throated Wattle-eye - 1 in Kakamega
215. African Paradise Flycatcher - 3 in Baringo, 1 in Kakamega
216. Silverbird - 1 in Masai Mara on the way out
217. Dusky Crested-Flycatcher - 1 in Kakamega
218. African Blue Flycatcher - 2 in Kakamega
219. Mountain Illadopsis - 4 in Kakamega
220. Brown Illadopsis - 2 in Kakamega
221. Grey-Chested Illadopsis - 3 in Kakamega
222. Rufous Chatterer - 3 in Baringo
223. Arrow-Marked Babbler - 4 in Naivasha
224. Black-Lored Babbler - 2 in Naivasha
225. White-Bellied Tit - 3 in Naivasha
226. Mouse-Colored Penduline-Tit - 2 in Baringo
227. Yellow White-Eye - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
228. Abyssinian White-Eye - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
229. Bronze Sunbird - Several in Kakamega
 |
| Gambaga Flycatcher |
231. Malachite Sunbird - 1 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
232. Green-Headed Sunbird - 4 in Kakamega
233. Eastern Double-Collared Sunbird - 3 in Kakamega
234. Northern Double-Collared Sunbird - 2 in Kakamega
235. Olive-Bellied Sunbird - 1 in Kakamega
236. Marico Sunbird - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
237. Scarlet-Chested Sunbird - 1 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
238. Beautiful Sunbird - Several in Baringo and Kakamega
239. Variable Sunbird - Several in Baringo
240. Eastern Violet-Backed Sunbird - 2 in Kakamega
241. Common Fiscal - Very common throughout
242. Grey-Backed Fiscal - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
 |
| Golden-Backed Weaver |
244. Tropical Boubou - 4 in Baringo
245. Slate-Colored Boubou - 2 in Baringo, 1 in Masai Mara
246. Brubru - 3 in Baringo
247. Three-Streaked Tchagra - 1 in Baringo
248. Sulphur-Breasted Bush-Shrike - 1 on the way to Kakamega from Baringo
249. Bocage;s Bush-Shrike - 1 in Kakamega
250. Northern White-Crowned Shrike - 7 in Baringo
251. White-Crested Helmet-Shrike - 1 huge flock in Baringo
252. Fork-Tailed Drongo - Common in Baringo
253. Square-Tailed Drongo - 2 in Kakamega
254. Pied Crow - Abundant in settlements
255. Cape Rook - Common in outskirts and cultivations
256. Fan-Tailed Raven - 3 in Iten
257. African Black-Headed Oriole - 1 in Naivasha
 |
| Goliath Heron |
259. Yellow-Billed Oxpecker - 4 in Masai Mara
260. Red-Billed Oxpecker - Several in Masai Mara, mostly preferring African Water Buffalo
261. Stuhlmann's Starling - 3 in Kakamega
262. Red-Winged Starling - 3 in Naivasha
263. Bristle-Crowned Starling - 4 in Baringo
264. Greater Blue-Eared Starling - 2 in Naivasha
265. Ruppel's Long-Tailed Starling - Several in Baringo and Masai Mara
266. Violet-Backed Starling - 1 in Masai Mara
267. Magpie Starling - 3 in Baringo
268. Superb Starling - Abundant throughout
269. Hildebrandt's Starling - 2 in Baringo
270. Wattled Starling - 4 in Naivasha, several in Masai Mara
271. Rufous Sparrow - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
272. House Sparrow - Common in outskirts
273. Chestnut Sparrow - 2 in Baringo
 |
| Black-Winged Lapwing |
275. Grey-Headed Sparrow - Several in Masai Mara
276. Parrot-Billed Sparrow - Several in Baringo
277. Yellow-Spotted Petronia - 4 in Baringo
278. White-Browed Sparrow-Weaver - Abundant in Baringo
279. White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver - 3 in Baringo
280. White-Billed Buffalo-Weaver - 2 in Baringo
281. Black-Headed Weaver - 8 in Baringo
282. Lesser Masked Weaver - 6 in Baringo
283. Vitelline Masked Weaver - 9 in Baringo
284. Northern Masked Weaver - 4 in Baringo
285. Spectacled Weaver - 2 in Masai Mara
286. Black-Necked Weaver - 1 in Kakamega
287. Speke's Weaver - 2 in Naivasha
288. Baglafecht Weaver - 4 in Limuru swamp, 2 in Iten, 2 in Masai Mara
289. Chestnut Weaver - 1 in Baringo
 |
| Greater Blue-Eared Starling |
291. Golden-Backed Weaver - 4 in Baringo
292. Dark-Backed Weaver - 6 in Kakamega
293. Black-Billed Weaver - 2 in Kakamega
294. Red-Headed Weaver - 2 in Baringo
295. Yellow Bishop - 2 on the way to Baringo from Nairobi
296. Yellow-Mantled Widowbird - 5 in Kakamega
297. Grey-Headed Negrofinch - 2 in Kakamega
298. Green-Winged Pytilia - 2 in Baringo
299. Red-Headed Bluebill - 1 in Kakamega
300. Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu - 3 in Iten
301. Purple Grenadier - 2 in Baringo, 2 in Masai Mara
302. Jameson's Firefinch - 3 in Masai Mara
303. Black-and-White Mannikin - 3 in Masai Mara
304. Village Indigobird - 1 in Baringo
305. Yellow-Fronted Canary - 2 in Masai Mara
 |
| Heuglin's Courser (Three-Banded Courser) |
307. Thick-Billed Seedeater - 1 in Iten
308. African Citril - 2 in Naivasha, 1 in Iten
309. Yellow-Rumped Seedeater - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
310. Streaky Seedeater - Common in Limuru swamp, Baringo and Masai Mara
311. Cinnamon-Breasted Rock Bunting - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
312. African Golden-Breasted Bunting - 2 on the way to Masai Mara from Kakamega
Only calls heard:
313. Red-Chested Cuckoo - 1 heard in Baringo
314. Blue-Shouldered Robin-Chat - 2 in Kakamega
315. Grey-Winged Robin-Chat - 1 in Kakamega
 |
| Jackson's Hornbill |
 |
| Lesser Streaked Swallow |
 |
| Lilac-Breasted Roller |
 |
| Long-Crested Eagle |
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| Madagascar Bee-Eater |
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| Malachite Kingfisher |
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| Northern Masked Weaver |
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| Nubian Woodpecker |
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| Pink-Backed Pelican |
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| Red-Billed Hornbill |
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| Red-Cheeked Cordon-Bleu |
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| Red-Fronted Barbet |
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| Red-Fronted Tinkerbird |
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| Red-Headed Weaver |
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| Ring-Necked Dove |
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| Red-Winged Starling |
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| Rufous-Crowned Roller |
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| Sacred Ibis |
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| Saddle-Billed Stork |
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| Silverbird |
 |
| Slate-Colored Boubou |
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| Slender-Tailed Nightjar |
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| Speckled Mousebird |
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| Speckled Pigeon |
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| Speckle-Fronted Weaver |
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| Spectacled Weaver |
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| Speke's Weaver |
 |
| Spotted Eagle-Owl |
 |
| Greyish Eagle-Owl |
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| Spotted Morning Thrush |
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| White-Bellied Bustard |
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| White-Browed Robin-Chat |
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| White-Browed Scrub-Robin |
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| White-Browed Sparrow-Weaver |
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| White-Eyed Slaty Flycatcher |
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| White-Faced Scops Owl |
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| White-Headed Buffalo-Weaver |
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| Woodland Kingfisher |
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| Yellow-Mantled Widowbird |
 |
| Yellow-Spotted Petronia |
The stand-outs were definitely Taita Falcon, Saddle-Billed Stork, Yellow-Throated Sandgrouse, Long-Toed Lapwing and Blue-Headed Bee-Eater. Overall 312 sightings and 3 calls, which is an amazing birding accomplishment over the 7 days which included a lot of travelling.
Joseph and I have already decided on our next destination - Semliki Forests in Uganda. Right next to the border with DRC, it might be a tricky trip; but it is the avian biodiversity that beckons!
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