Mombasa Bird Walk

It was decided to take another look at the South Quarry, attached to Haller Park. An area which is still being worked but which has areas that are in the early stages of renovation with ponds, trees, grassland etc. Hoping to see migrant waders on the ponds we were disappointed to see only Common Sandpipers, about 6. The most prodigious bird had to be the Water Dikkop. There used to be huge number in the Central Quarry and it would seem that these have now all moved to greener pastures which has a lot more beach area on the ponds. On the whole less birds than in July when we last visited, most of the same species but fewer. Probably due to more disturbance from the quarrying activities. Interesting birds, Barn Swallows (not many), Ethiopian Swallows together with African Palm and Little Swifts drinking at the big pond. Three very fat Pied Kingfishers and a Malachite juvenile. Yellow fronted Canaries in the Casuarinas, Zanzibar Red Bishops, Malachite and Pied Kingfishers. Back at Haller Park animal sanctuary several Green Backed herons, which have been absent of late. Fish Eagle, Village Weavers busily nesting, and Palm Nut Vulture. Crested Crane and Marabou probably from the originally introduced species. Have a Happy Birding Christmas - Marlene Reid (Mombasa)