Dear all:

The weekend (06-08 June 2008) camping/birding at Gatamaiyu Forest (0º 59’S 36º 43’E), Kiambu West District, Central Province, Kenya, was great!

Despite the cold/chilly weather, especially in the evening/night, and the misty mornings, in the company of my birding mate V. Obodi, we recorded 39 bird species.

The trip’s highlights included: a single sighting of a pair of the Abbott’s Starlings Cinnyricinclus femoralis, and breeding records from the following species - Greater Honeyguide Indicator indicator, Cabanis’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi, Montane White-eye Zosterops poliogaster kikuyuensis, and White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata.

On a bright note, we saw one White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri bearing a metal ring. Could anyone within the group provide more details regarding the past bird-ringing expedition(s) from this site?

On a sad note, it was alarming to see the on-going illegal tree felling. The security detail was only one Kenya Forest Service (KFS) forest guard, mandated to patrol the four ridges assigned to him. If really we are to save this biodiversity-rich site, from the wanton destruction, a massive campaign and advocacy is needed from all!

Best birding wishes and cheers,