From: Fleur Ng'weno <fleur@africaonline.co.ke>
Date: 2007-11-20 17:28
Subject: Raptors on road to Isinya
Raptors on road to Isinya
Greetings
Nature Kenya’s Sunday Birdwatch became a drive through the open country along the Kiserian to Isinya road, and on to Kajiado. Surprising sightings included:
An Augur Buzzard eating a nestling or small grassland bird. Just a few metres from us on a fencepost, we could see the bird’s feet and bits of grass in the buzzard’s claws. A variation from its usual diet of rats and mole rats!
A Black-headed Heron, however, caught and swallowed a big fat rat.
Adult and immature Gabar Goshawks were mobbed by Superb Starlings.
A Greater Kestrel perched obligingly on a small Balanites tree until all 8 participating vehicles had stopped, giving all a good view of its barred rufous plumage and grey-black tail.
Other highlights included:
Kori Bustard
Great Spotted Cuckoo eating termites on the road
Black-and-white Cuckoo
Isabelline Wheatear
Red-backed Shrike
And a very large tortoise drinking from a rain pool on the roadside.
Wishing you good birding, Fleur