Mombasa Bird Walk Sat. 19th Sept

After the success of the early morning walk to Nguuni I decided that we should visit the wetland while the level of the water is conducive to the many birds being there due to the enlarged wading space. Luckily it can be approached from the Lafarge land thus avoiding the Nguuni entry fee. It would have been too much to hope that all the species seen on the Tuesday were still there but overall the birds were very obliging!

The pond on the way up to the wetland had lots of Grosbeak Weavers but the African Golden Weavers that had seemed to be nesting last time we visited were nowhere to be seen. Pity! Water in the pond pretty low but lots of waterlilies with African Black Crakes (a couple of young ones as well) and African Jacanas. A Green-Backed Heron flying off and Red Billed Firefinch in the bush.

Wetland seems to have certain of the large birds around in the afternoon rather than the morning. Yellow Billed Storks, a pair of adult Purple Herons collecting grass fronds and taking them into the thick reeds so maybe nesting, and 6 African Spoonbills. Lots of Sacred Ibis, a single Great White Egret and 2 Little Egrets. Allen's Gallinules several around mostly on the grassy islands and a single Purple Swamphen seen just as we were leaving. Great Painted Snipe with a male this time, again easily seen feeding and preening out in the open. The Knob-billed Duck swimming and then waddling around the grass, knob about half grown, no female in sight. MIgrants biggest group now Greenshank, a couple of Common Sand and still the solitary Marsh and one Little Stint. Common Waxbills in the bush and flying up off the path on the journey back to the car a Slender-tailed nightjar. The grassland opposite the wetland was full of Zanzibar Red Bishops and Bronze mannikins. A large flock of White Faced Whistling Ducks flew in to roost as the sun disappeared below the horizon. Disappointing not to see the Pygmy Goose but then that's birds!