Mombasa Bird Walk

Now all the migrants have departed we have to contentrate on the areas where there might just be some birds of special interest. Despite the pouring rain we decided to go round the outer limits of Haller Park, near the tree nursery area and see if we could catch sight of the Narina's Trogon. At the very least this sparked the dampened birders. Pole sana!Trogons nowhere to be found but while searching we did see 30 other species. Pretty good for a little less than 2 hours. Special species were a magnificent African Darter preening in a tree just over our heads, Black Crowned Night Herons still sleeping but in good view, lots of beautiful Golden Palm, Grosbeak and Village Weavers collecting nest material and feeding in large groups. A pair of Spectacled Weavers which are rarely seen on our walks. A spectacular Great White Egret. Malachite and Pied Kingfisher and a Tawny Flanked Prinia, easily seen for a change. An immature and an adult Palm Nut Vulture flew overhead and (cheating a bit) 2 Spotted Eagle Owls and 2 Verreaux Eagle Owls in the large enclosures, these being rescued orphans reared at Haller and too habituated to be let loose. A beautiful, cool, if somewhat damp walk in a lovely area full of birds. Join us if you are ever in Mombasa on the 3rd Saturday in the month. (Marlene Reid-Mombasa)