I spent 2 nights at Rondo from 21st – 23rd
February. The forest was dry underfoot as there has been very little rain
recently but there was still some good birding to be enjoyed. Here are
some of the highlights.
The walk to the Yala river on the morning of the 22nd,
produced views of White-headed Wood-hoopoe, Cameroon Sombre Greenbul, Shelley’s
Greenbul, Toro Olive Greenbul, Cabanis Greenbul and Redtailed Bristlebill,
though the latter mostly heard as was Scaly-breasted Illadopsis. A
particularly good sighting was had of a pair of Chapin’s Flycatcher.
Other birds enjoyed included Black-faced Rufous Warbler, Olive-green Cameroptera
(this bird would provide a good advert for Duracell batteries, as the song goes
on and on), Southern Hyliota, Dusky Tit and one of my favourites, the Red-headed
Malimbe. Perhaps the surprise bird of the walk was an Osprey seen flying
from the open grassy area just before the river. An evening walk near the
forest station produced 5 Blue-headed Bee-eaters, Blue-shouldered Robin Chat
and a rare but excellent view of a Scaly-breasted Illadopsis feeding on the
pathway.
A walk the next morning, along the track going up from the
stream crossing on the way out to Kapsabet, produced good views of Joyful Greenbul,
Luhder’s Bush-Shrike and Bocage’s Bush-Shrike. There was also
a very visible flock of Vieillot’s Black Weaver. However the magic
for me was glimpses of a Grey-chested Illadopsis, whilst singing its beautiful refrain,
with another bird singing further away.
As usual, the garden at Rondo and the forest walk just
below produced some good moments. Along the forest walk, two pairs of
Dusky-crested Flycatchers were relatively easy to see as were Snowy-headed
Robin Chat, Grey-winged Robin, Mountain Illadopsis and Brown-chested Alethe.
The garden produced excellent views of a pair of Double-toothed Barbets, Grey-throated
Barbet, Buff-spotted Woodpecker and Mackinnon’s Fiscal.
Getting to Kakamega was not straightforward, as the road
between Nakuru and Eldoret is under construction, with very dusty diversions.
We went via Njoro, Molo, Kericho and then took the road to Kapsabet via Nandi
Hills. The only slow bit was the 20 kilometres from Kapsabet to the Rondo
turn off.
Best to all
Nigel Hunter