Dear All
Over the Easter long weekend we went birding at Kudu Hills
(Elangata Wuas)
We camped at the lodge, because all the bandas were full.
This was fine, if a little uncomfortable. Light was supplied and also cold
beers were avail be from the bar.
On the full day that we were present, we walked down the
main road for approximately road one kilometre into the surrounding bush on
both sides of the road. There had been much recent rain, so there was a lot of
activity from resident species.
Highlights included
Black cuckoo-10+ calling throughout the area. The most we
have ever encountered in a single locality.
Pringle’s puffback. One pair back along the road
towards Kajiado (looked more like nominate than Ngong type as reported by Brian)
Little rock thrush-two pairs
Grosbeak Canary- more numerous than we have ever seen
elsewhere.
Tiny cisticola-very numerous and conspicuous
Palearctics included:
Lesser spotted eagle-1 perched adult
Hobby 15+ (feeding on termites following rain0
Rock thrush 10+
At a lugga 10 km back from Kudu hills towards Kajiado (where
there is an obvious major bridge on the railway line, but before the major road
junction)
Barred warbler-2+
Irania- 1 male in song
Eurasian nightjar -1+ flying over at dusk
Perhaps most surprising to us: at the same lugga a good view
of a Zanzibar Sombre Greenbul. Brian Finch mentioned us that he has heard
it as far West as the Icross road junction and also seen it a little closer to
Kajiado.
As per Brian’s report from last year. This is an
excellent place for a birding weekend, particularly in mid-late March
Good birding to all
Richard and Anne
PS: Regarding Fleur’s Ngweno’s recent report of
cut-throat in
Dr Richard Bishop
Senior Molecular Biologist
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
Old
Telephone: 254 20 422 3000 (switchboard) 422 4106 (direct
line)
Fax: 254 20 422 3001
Mobile telephone: 0710 831 851
e-mail: r.bishop@cgiar.org