Mombasa Birdwatch

The weather has been so wet here I feared that it would not be possible to get my vehicle up to Nguu Tatu, our target area. We had arranged to do our serious birding on Weds 8th. 7th had been wet early in the morning and dry from about 10 a.m. so hoping for the best Myself, Kelvin Mazera and Samson drove off into the hills. We decided to start with Nguuni where there is some shelter and in fact the first two hours were spent spotting from the picnic banda and drinking hot coffee. Amazing how many bird feed in the rain. Bare Eyed Thrush, Superb and Greater Blue Earred Starlings, Emerald Spotted Wood Dove, Common Sandpiper (who thought all the world was a lake), Sulpher Breasted Bush Shrike calling, White Faced Whistling Ducks flying over, Black Headed Heron, Golden Palm Weavers and Emeral Spotted Wood Doves. Lots of Pale and Spotted Flycatchers. Once the rain stopped (for about 5 minutes) we paddled round the site. An African Darter drying his wings made a spectactular sight. The Zanzibar Red Bishops were very many, males in bright breeding dress. The afternoon was spent sliding round Nguu Tatu where we made up the list of 74 species. About 20 less than I was expecting. Hardly any migrants, not many Barn Swallows. A couple of Red Backed Shrikes and as mentioned Spotted Flycatchers, a couple of Olivaceous Warblers, a Wood and a Common Sandpiper. Other birds of interest: Black Shouldered Kite, Whalberg's Eagle, Pangani and Yellow Throated Longclaw. Northern and Red Faced Crombecs, an African Goshawk on a hunt, a male and female Black Cuckoo Shrike, a female African Golden Oriole, a Kestrel flying high (no positive ID) and lots of other wonderful common birds of the area which we never get tired of. Plenty more days left for Birdwatch birding. Let's get out there! Marlene Reid Mombasa.