From: James Christian <jc@james-christian.com>
Date: 2009-03-17 13:28
Subject: Karisia Hills
Karisia Hills
Hi all,
A recent walk through the Karisia Hills was quite fruitful. Before the safari I thought with the dry conditions that bird activity would not be so great. This wasn’t the case. Around each spring in the forest the trees were filled with species including:
Chestnut-throated Apalis
Grey Apalis
Brown Woodland Warbler
Olive Thrush (hundreds)
Northern Double Collared Sunbird
Collared Sunbird
Thick-billed Seedeater
Moustached Green Tinkerbird
Hartalub’s Turacos (30 plus often seen in one location)
Red-fronted Parrots (Flock of 8)
Dusky Flycatcher
Three species that I have probably overlooked in the forest before were:
Abyssinian Crimsonwing
Red-capped Robin chat
Mountain Greenbul
The Robin Chats as well as various doves (I should have taken closer care in ID but I was watching the Robin chats too closely) and whiskered greenbuls were foraging over a Siafu swarm.
In the south:
Hundreds of fish eagles, vultures and marabous are over the Ewaso Nyiro river now taking advantage of all the marooned fish in the still dry Ewaso Nyiro river. The situation on the Ewaso appears very severe and worrying to me. I concerned about the few hippos left in the system as well as the crocs that must be getting extra harassment with out many places to hide. What also, I wonder, would the local finfoots do in such low water conditions? Otters? The Masai and Samburu in our area are talking about walking up the river and burning every pump they encounter – In a way I hope they do it.
Another thing: we have had a Golden pipit on our place here in Laikipia for the past few months (I’m assuming it is the same one). We have never recorded this species here before. Hope your all well.
Cheers, James Christian
Karisia Walking Safaris
http://www.karisia.com
Laikipia Conservation Blog
http://tumaren.wildlifedirect.org/
Photography
http://www.james-christian.com
Po box15283
Langata, nairobi 00509
+254 721836792 (mobile)
skype: karisia_safaris