BIRD EXPLORATION OF THE SOUTHERN LOITA HILLS, SOUTH OF ENTESEKERA.
Brian W Finch
On 20th October 2010 (until 24th), a party of thirteen birders from Nairobi set off for a four-night stay in the South Nguruman Hills in South-west Kenya close to the Tanzanian border. Just to put the record straight, we were getting very confused as to the division of the Loitas from the Ngurumans, it was impossible to see where one started and the other finished. Also the interchange of names between South Loita and Ngurumans. Whilst in the area we asked several residents and this is their explanation. All of North Loita, and what we have been calling South Nguruman is the Loita Hills, the name Nguruman refers only to the south-east Escarpment (the Nguruman Escarpment) on the west wall of the Rift, and anything on the plateau is Loita.
The group consisted of Albert Baya, Heather Elkins, Brian Finch, Nigel Hunter, Patrick and Johann L’Hoir, Joseph Kariuki, Roland Minns, Ben Mugambi, Katherine Ngarachu, Fleur Ng’Weno, and Patrick and Karen Plumbe.
The intention was to investigate the area which has not been looked at for many decades, in spite of relative closeness to the capital. Amongst the target species was an aim to locate Brown-headed Apalis, at it’s reputed only location in this country…. more about that later.
Our exploration was to look at the area just to the south of Entasekera. Google-Earth shows a road reaching Entasekera, but extending no further south. We were delighted to find that the road does go south, and is in very good condition, not long since graded. We were able to drive right to the overlook of Lake Magadi, (22km from Entersekera), so were able to investigate a number of forest blocks. Another road went off to the right, some ten kilometers from Entasekera cutting through some unspoilt scrub, and actually crosses the border into Tanzania. We looked at a swampy area (3.5km from main road), with immense Fever Trees (Acacia xanthophloea), and dense evergreen scrub to within a couple of kilometres of Tanzania. Our attention was of course the forest birds, so our coverage of the drier habitats was limited to a one day excursion. Our coverage was probably very scant in this area.
Apart from the birds, we were asked to confirm the mysterious absence of Syke’s Monkey from the Nguruman Forests, and we can definitely report that the animal is naturally absent, not just from our observations but also questioning locals that have lived there all of their lives. Black-and-White Colobus was a common species however.
We were also asked to look out for the impressive endemic Cycad, Encephalartos bibalensis, that grows on the open rocky slopes in the south-east of the range, and we found the species numerous, although only occupying a small area.
On the reptile front, although only two species were found, the Mwanza Flat-headed Agama is very common, extending its range to the extreme east overlooking Lake Magadi.
Two species were found that were a pleasant surprise, both recent splits from more widespread species, but both were listed and occurring in the Ngurumans in Britton but listed under their parent species. These were Black-capped Mountain Greenbul and the grey-faced Southern Citril. The first only found in Kenya in these hills, and the second entering Kenya at a second location in the eastern Chyulu Hills.
WHY IS BROWN-HEADED APALIS ACCEPTED AS PART OF THE KENYAN AVIFAUNA, AND
WHY IS IT ALSO ACCEPTED AS OCCURING AT NEARBY LOLIONDO IN TANZANIA.
As mentioned earlier, our major objective was to locate and document Brown-headed Apalis in the Ngurumans. We were armed with a recording of Brown-headed Apalis from Ngorongoro where the bird is common and highly responsive (from personal experience) to this same recording.
Where to start? From the highest forest above Entasekera, from the very location where the record of Brown-headed Apalis originated from, from inside and outside forest, from the gallery forest along the rivers that bisect the road at lower altitudes, from dense scrub patches around seasonal swamps in otherwise mixed Acacia xanthophloea/Warburgia woodland down to 1800m right alongside the Tanzanian border, to the forest on the south-east escarpment overlooking Lake Magadi, we played this recording not only to birds that were already calling, but also to stir up any Apalises that might be in the area that were not vocalising. Out of some 25 Brown-headed Apalis playings, we had response on all but three instances, when distant canopy birds would not come into view. On every occasion it was noisy Grey Apalises that visited us. They were so abundant all through the region. The amount of brown on the head varied, but every individual showed all white undertails, and flashy white outertail feathers. We were faced with Grey Apalis response to pure Brown-headed Apalis tape. It gets worse, not only were Grey Apalis responding, but also they would arrive giving the calls absolutely identical to the Brown-headed Apalis recording. Apart from numerous photographs of numerous individuals from all over the area in all habitats, we also have video of birds at Entasekera Village, (the place of the original claims that put the bird on the Kenya list) where birds in the scrub (not forest) were calling identically to the Brown-headed Apalis recording. Just in case the proximity of the Ngorongoro birds song was too similar to Grey, we tried Brown-headed Apalis recording from Malawi and still Grey Apalis responded enthusiastically.
This led me to investigate not only the original Nguruman observation, but also the Loliondo observation, both published in Scopus.
Firstly we have Scopus 16 (1), July 1992. Under short communications Page 57. Turner, D.A. “Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola occurring alongside Grey Apalis A. cinerea in the Ngurumans, southwest Kenya.
The note starts giving a geographical overview of the Ngurumans, distribution of Brown-headed Apalis, and the occurrence of the bird in Loliondo (which we will look at next) in adjacent Tanzania. It discusses that the Dowsett-Lemaires could find no differences in the vocalizations of the two species and considered them conspecific.
The write up of the sighting…… “During the period 9th-10th December 1990, I observed a group of three A. alticola along the forest edge near Entasekera village in the Ngurumans, close to and frequently in apparent vocal competition with Chestnut-throated Apalis A. porphyrolaema. Altogether no less than five species of apalis were seen around Entasekera (altitude 1950m), each with quite distinct ecological segregation.
Without quoting verbatim, it then continues about the other Apalis species occurring together, but there is never again any reference to Brown-headed, nor is there any description of the bird anywhere in the write up and this led to the species being added to the Kenyan list.
The reference to the Loliondo record is in Scopus 17 (2), October 1994. There is an interesting short communication from Edwin Selempo on a visit to Loliondo from 29th May to 3rd June 1993. Interestingly he found Eastern Double-collared Sunbird there, as we did in Ngurumans. The relevant quote that places Brown-headed Apalis in Loliondo is “Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea Brown-headed Apalis Apalis alticola. The presence of both species at Loliondo extends their area of sympatry from the nearby Ngurumans (Turner 1992). “
These two observations that have no description whatsoever are the reason that the literature has continued with what I believe, is the fallacy that Brown-headed Apalis occurs in far northern Tanzania and Kenya. There is considerable variation in the head patterns of Grey Apalis in the southern Loitas, and a percentage of birds show extensive all brown crowns. This has no doubt been responsible for the observers believing that they were seeing Brown-headed Apalis as found in the Ngorongoro mountain forests.
Since first starting to write this report, there has been considerable correspondence relating to the sightings, and it looks like the form alticola will be removed from the Kenya list as there are no convincing arguments for considering any of the observations as being conclusively this form. What may ultimately happen, is that the Brown-headed Apalis itself may be sunk into Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea. There is now a joint publication planned for Scopus to outline the problems related to these two forms in the Loita.
Local geography of region explored.
Entasekera/camp/and to Look out over Lake Magadi.
Entasakera to camp (Enkang Sapuk) turn off 2 kms
Camp (Enkang Sapuk) turn off to camp
(Enkang Sapuk) 4.5 kms - 2200m asl
Camp (Enkang Sapuk) turn off to Tanzanian
border swamp turn off 8.5 kms or 10.5 kms from Entasekera
Tanzanian border swamp turn-off to swamp
3.5 kms - 1850m asl
Tanzanian border swamp turn-off to
Tiamanangen village - 4kms or 12.5kms from camp turn-off or 14.5 kms from
Entasekera
Tiamanangen to View Point T.O. 3 kms
(just beyond dramatic sharp flat-rock corner), place called Ololarro) or 15.5
kms from camp turn-off or 17.5 kms from Entasekera
Ololarro to viewpoint 3.5 kms - 2100m asl
The round trip from camp to large valley
seasonal marsh - 12 kms.
SPECIES RECORDED IN SOUTH NGURUMAN SOUTH OF ENTASEKERA
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta
Two sightings on valley swamps.
Hadada Ibis Bostrychia hagedash
Pairs met with on two valley
swamps.
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus
Only two single sightings.
Black-chested Snake-Eagle Circaetus pectoralis
Two single sightings.
Western Marsh-Harrier Circus aeruginosus
One male over the Camp on 21st.
African Harrier-Hawk Polyboroides typus
Regular sightings in the Camp
area.
African Goshawk Accipiter tachiro
Pairs recorded daily over the Camp.
Great Sparrowhawk Accipiter melanoleucus
One bird seen below the Camp.
Eurasian Buzzard Buteo buteo
Three single birds recorded, followed by a flock of eleven moving south on the afternoon of 23rd.
Augur Buzzard Buteo augur
Seen fairly frequently, the commonest raptor.
Martial Eagle Polemaetus bellicosus
One adult over the swamp below the Camp.
Long-crested Eagle Lophaetus occipitalis
Recorded on three occasions.
Northern Hobby Falco subbuteo
Only a single bird recorded
over the Camp on 22nd.
Scaly
Francolin Francolinus squamatus
Birds calling near the Camp and in dense scrub along the spring below the Camp.
Hildebrandt’s Francolin Francolinus hildebrandti
One on the road south of
Entasekera.
Helmeted
Guineafowl Numida meleagris
One group of a dozen, south of Entasekera.
Grey Crowned-Crane Balearica regulorum
Four flying over Entasekera as we left.
Red-chested Flufftail Sarothrura rufa
One coaxed into view at a
swamp in Entasekera.
Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus
A couple on the swamp below
the Camp. The only wader recorded.
Olive Pigeon Columba arquatrix
Extremely common all through
the forested areas, probably the most numerous species observed.
Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba delegorguei
Five single sightings in the Camp area, though the
species was never heard calling.
Red-eyed Dove Streptopelia semitorquata
Very rare in this area, with only three sightings.
Ring-necked Dove Streptopelia capicola
A few in the dry scrub area south of Entasekera.
Dusky Turtle Dove Streptopelia lugens
Only three separate sightings, inexplicably
uncommon.
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove Turtur chalcospilos
Two separate sightings from the dry scrub.
Tambourine Dove Turtur tympanistria
Four sightings in forest and along the forested
streams.
African Green-Pigeon Treron calva
Seen several times in flight, and a few in a
fruiting fig.
Red-fronted Parrot Poicephalus gulielmi
Recorded daily over the Camp, but only ever a
maximum of three seen, and evidently scarce locally.
Schalow's Turaco Tauraco schalowi
One pair in acacia dominated dense scrub near the
Tanzania border at 1600m.
Hartlaub's Turaco Tauraco hartlaubi
One of the most numerous species in evergreen
forests throughout the area.
African Cuckoo Cuculus gularis
One heard near the Tanzania border.
African Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx cupreus
Heard a couple of times in
forest near the Camp.
African Wood-Owl Strix woodfordii
One well grown chick resting quietly in the forest below the Camp.
Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus
heard from the Camp every evening.
Freckled Nightjar Caprimulgus tristigma
Heard near the Camp on most
dawns and dusky, a pair flushed from rocks near the Camp.
Mottled Swift Tachymarptis aequatorialis
Seen in small numbers over
the forest.
Common Swift Apus apus
A few seen over forest near the Camp.
White-rumped Swift Apus caffer
One individual flying over the Camp, was the only
individual recorded.
Speckled Mousebird Colius striatus
An abundant species throughout the area.
Narina
Trogon Apaloderma narina
Single male seen at a forest river south of Entasekera, and a female at Entasekera.
Grey-headed Kingfisher Halcyon leucocephala
One at the swamp near the Tanzanian border.
Little Bee-eater Merops pusillus
Small numbers recorded in valley bottoms and the
non-forested areas.
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates
A couple of pairs along forested rivers.
Crowned Hornbill Tockus alboterminatus
Evidently rare locally with only two pairs recorded.
Silvery–cheeked Hornbill Ceratogymna brevis
Inexplicably rare, with a pair recorded on two
morning at the Camp.
Southern Ground-Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri
Three birds in the short grass slopes near the Camp.
Moustached Tinkerbird Pogoniulus leucomystax
One of the most numerous species in the entire area,
even penetrating into the drier areas along the rivers.
Red-fronted Tinkerbird Pogoniulus pusillus
A few in the drier areas to the south of Entasekera.
Red-fronted Barbet Tricholaema diademata
Fairly common in the drier areas to the south of
Entasekera.
Usambiro
Barbet Trachyphonus usambiro
One of the most numerous species in the non-evergreen forested areas.
Red-throated Wryneck Jynx ruficollis
Three in a cleared garden area south of Entasekera,
a pair at the large swamp below the Camp.
Fine-banded Woodpecker Campethera tullbergii
Commonly encountered in evergreen forest throughout
the area.
Cardinal Woodpecker Dendropicos funescens
Common in scrub and open forest.
Grey Woodpecker Dendropicos goertae
Seen twice south of Entasekera.
Brown-backed Woodpecker Picoides obsoletus
A male in cleared land south of Entasekera, and a
pair around the Camp.
Lesser
Honeyguide Indicator minor
Just one individual recorded at swamp at Entasekera.
Scaly-throated
Honeyguide Indicator squamatus
The most numerous honeyguide recorded, with five sightings. The species
was never heard.
Wahlberg’s Honeybird Prodotiscus regulus
Heard at the swamp at Entasekera.
Eastern Honeybird Prodotiscus zambesicus
The distincitive call was heard on two occasions in
dense vegetation around swamps, although the species was not physically seen.
The species has not been recorded in the SW of Kenya.
Rufous-naped Lark Mirafra Africana
Remarkably rare with only four individuals recorded
from the montane grasslands.
Rock Martin Ptyonoprogne fuligula
Only a few recorded, mainly in the valley areas.
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Only three sightings of birds flying down valleys.
Wire-tailed Swallow Hirundo smithii
A pair holding territory along a forested stream.
White-headed Sawwing Psalidoprocne albiceps
A few recorded in the drier areas south of Entasekera.
Black Sawwing Psalidoprocne pristoptera
Commonly encountered in the forested highlands, but
also venturing into the drier areas.
African Pied Wagtail Motacilla aguimp
A number seen around
villages.
Cape Wagtail Motacilla capensis
A single bird at the swamp near the Tanzania border, and one at the largest swamp below the Camp.
Mountain Wagtail Motacilla clara
A single bird along a forested river mouth of Entasekera.
Yellow-throated Longclaw Macronyx croceus
Remarkably rare in the highland grasslands, with
only three individuals recorded.
Plain-backed Pipit Anthus leucophrys
The commonest species in the upland grasslands.
Grassland Pipit Anthus cinnamomeus
Only a few in grasslands on the lower slopes.
Nairobi
Pipit Anthus nov sp (kisembensis)
One bird singing on territory near the Camp, was well photographed.
Tree
Pipit Anthus trivialis
One near the Camp on 22nd, and another flying over the Camp
on 24th.
Grey
Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caesia
Singles and pairs seen at a number of forested locations.
Black
Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga flava
Fairly common, even in the highland forest edges. One bird at the camp
was a male with bright yellow shoulders.
Purple-throated Cuckoo-shrike Campephaga quiscalina
A common species, encountered
in many forested areas. Particularly in association with other species.
Dark-capped Bulbul Pycnonotus [barbatus] tricolor
An abundant species, even in the forested highlands.
Yellow-whiskered Greenbul Andropadus latirostris
Very common, more heard than seen apart from
numerous birds coming to drink and bathe at a swampy area below the Camp.
Black-capped Mountain-Greenbul Andropadus nigriceps
A very nice species to see, and a common species in
the upland forested areas. This is the only locality that this bird is found in
this country, at the northern extension of its range which extends to
Ngorongoro and then east to Mt. Meru.
Cabanis’ Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi
Not particularly common, but seen on several occasions in the upland forests.
Olive Thrush Turdus olivaceus [abyssinicus]
Extremely common in the highland forest where it is
one of the most numerous and extravert species.
Abyssinian
Ground-Thrush Zoothera piaggiae
Seen on two dates below the Camp.
Hunter's Cisticola Cisticola hunteri
Only encountered at a densely vegetated spring below
the Camp. Inexplicably rare as with all Cisticolas in the area.
Rattling Cisticola Cisticola chiniana
Scarce in the scrubby areas, but much scarcer than
would be imagined.
Lynes’s Cisticola Cisticola [lais] distinctus
A pair at the rocky escarpment overlooking Lake
Magadi, were the only individuals recorded. It was already known from the
Ngurumans.
Winding Cisticola Cisticola [galactotes] marginatus
One solitary individual at the large swamp below the
Camp.
Stout Cisticola Cisticola robustus
Two at the large Swamp below the Camp were the only birds recorded. No Cisticolas of any species were recorded from the montane grasslands which was a major surprise.
Croaking Cisticola Cisticola natalensis
One bird heard somewhere from scrub bordering the
large Swamp below the Camp.
Tawny-flanked Prinia Prinia subflava
A few in the drier areas, but surprisingly scarce.
Black-throated Apalis Apalis jacksoni
A few encountered in the forested highland areas.
Yellow-breasted Apalis Apalis flavida
Fairly common not only in the drier areas, but also
in highland forest edge.
Grey Apalis Apalis cinerea
An extremely common species, not only highland
forest, but extending into scrubby growth around lowland swamps and dense dry
scrub in valleys.
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema
A numerous species throughout the evergreen forested
areas.
Grey-capped Warbler Eminia lepida
Fairly frequent in dense scrub along rivers and valley bottoms.
Grey-backed Camaroptera Camaroptera [brevicaudata] brachyura
a common and widespread species virtually
throughout.
Little Rush Warbler Bradypterus baboecala elgonensis
A pair in the small swamp at Entasekera, and heard
from the large swamp below the Camp.
Cinnamon Bracken-Warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus
One bird was seen in scrub along a stream south of
Entasekera.
Reed Warbler sp Acrocephalus sp
A bird thought to be an Eurasian Reed Warbler, was
giving a continuous scratchy sub-song from dense bush cover at the Entasekera
Swamp, but the bird was never seen.
Red-faced Crombec Sylvietta whytii
Scarce in the drier scrub south of Entasekera.
Willow
Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
A very few migrants seen in forest edge. Surprisingly scarce.
Brown Woodland-Warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens
A common species throughout evergreen-forested
areas.
Blackcap Sylvia nigricapilla
A single male seen near the Camp.
Pale Flycatcher Bradornis pallidus
A single roadside bird seen south of Entasekera in
drier scrub.
White-eyed Slaty-Flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri
An abundant species, met with throughout the area,
including open drier areas.
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
Only one individual met with, near Entasekera.
African Dusky Flycatcher Muscicapa adusta
Seen on a number of locations at forest edge, but
could not be called common.
Ashy Flycatcher Muscicapa caerulescens
A pair in evergreen thicket at the swamp near the Tanzanian border.
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata
Surprisingly scarce with only single adults recorded
at two different swampy areas below the Camp.
White-browed Robin-Chat Cossypha heuglini
An abundant species
throughout, from dry scrub right up to the highest evergreen forest. The birds
here mimic other species, usually the species does not mimic.
Red-capped Robin-Chat Cossypha natalensis
An stunning adult and an
immature coming in to bathe at a swamp below the Camp.
White-browed Scrub-Robin Cercotrichas leucophrys
In the dry scrub, a few birds were encountered. They
had musical repeated refrains reminiscent of Brown-backed rather than the more
rambling calls, and hardly any streaking across the chest.
Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
In the area under review, two on the turf hills overlooking Lake Magadi were the only birds met with.
Northern Anteater-Chat Myrmecocichla aethiops
A few in dry garden areas, valley bottoms and short
grasslands. Not common.
Black-throated Wattle-eye Platysteira peltata
A pair in dense scrub near the Tanzania border, a
family bathing in a stream below the camp and another bathing in a swamp below
the Camp.
Chinspot Batis Batis molitor
Fairly widespread, not only in drier lowlands but
also along the edge of the highest evergreen forest.
African Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis
A few singletons seen in a number of localities, not
particularly numerous.
African Hill Babbler Illadopsis abyssinica
A common species of the highland forests.
A family of four were found by the large swamp below the Camp.
White-bellied Tit Melaniparus albiventris
A few widespread birds met
with, but not commonly seen.
Buff-bellied Penduline-Tit Anthoscopus sylviella
A numerous species of the dry scrub and acacia thickets.
Collared Sunbird Hedydipna (Anthreptes) collaris
A common and widespread species.
Amethyst Sunbird Chalcomitra amethystine
An incredibly common species throughout the area,
almost to the exclusion of other sunbird species. More numerous than ever
encountered elsewhere.
Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis
A total of five individuals
recorded, not a common species.
Eastern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris mediocris
Pairs coming to bathe at a stream and a swamp below
the Camp. The presence of this eastern species in the Ngurumans is a surprise,
and it appears not to have been recorded in this region before.
Mariqua Sunbird Cinnyris mariquensis
A couple of birds seen in the swampy area near the
Tanzanian border.
Variable Sunbird Cinnyris venusta
A common and widespread species.
African Yellow White-eye Zosterops senegalensis
Very common throughout the area.
Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus
Two, including an adult male seen at a fruiting fig south of Entasekera.
Black-headed Oriole Oriolus larvatus
A common species throughout, birds in the highland
forest occupying a niche normally taken by Montane Oriole, which is absent from
here.
Common Fiscal Lanius collaris
An extremely common species throughout.
Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla
A common species in all forested habitats.
Black-crowned Tchagra Tchagra senegala
Three individuals met with in
drier country south of Entasekera.
Brown-crowned Tchagra Tchagra australis
A remarkably numerous species all through the area,
right up to highland forest edge.
Tropical Boubou Laniarius aethiopicus
A very common species all through the forested and
dense scrubby areas.
Slate-colored Boubou Laniarius funebris
A common species of scrubland throughout the area,
though not on the highland forest ridges.
Sulphur-breasted Bushshrike Telophorus sulfureopectus
A common species of forest edge and scrub
throughout.
Black-fronted Bushshrike Telophorus nigrifrons
Heard in the forest below the Camp.
Grey-headed Bushshrike Malaconotus blanchoti
Found at Entasekera and along a forest river south
of the town.
Fork-tailed Drongo Dicrurus adsimilis
Only a few birds seen, not at all common.
White-necked Raven Corvus albicollis
One flying over the Camp on the last day, our only
locally recorded corvid.
Greater Blue-eared Starling Lamprotornis chalybaeus
Small numbers in open drier areas, also a few in the
highlands, not common.
Violet-backed Starling Cinnyricinclus leucogaster
Several in a fruiting fig south of Entasekera.
Waller’s Starling Onychognathus walleri
A common evergreen-forest and edge bird throughout.
Sharpe’s Starling Pholia sharpii
A common species in upland forest and along forested rivers.
Kenya Rufous
Sparrow Passer rufocinctus
A
few in the drier areas to the south of Entasekera.
Swahili Sparrow Passer suahelicus
A
few in disturbed country south of Entasekera.
Yellow-spotted
Petronia Petronia pyrgita
One
bird in dry scrub near the Tanzania border.
Speckle-fronted Weaver Sporopipes frontalis
Small parties common in scrubby and drier areas.
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht
A few around the Camp, and forest and swamp edges,
but not common.
Scattered individuals throughout the area.
Holub's Golden-Weaver Ploceus xanthops
The only individual was one at the large swamp below
the Camp.
Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis
A commonly met with forest and forest edge species.
Yellow Bishop Euplectes capensis
Only singles in dry cleared areas south of
Entasekera, and one at the large swamp below the Camp.
Red-collared Widowbird Euplectes ardens
One male with long tail but
rather blotchy and no red, at the large swamp below the Camp.
Grosbeak Weaver Amblyospiza albifrons
A pair at a forested river along the road south of
Entasekera were the only birds recorded.
Grey-headed Negrofinch Nigrita canicapilla
Not seen or heard in the forest where would be
expected, but pairs met with three times bathing at different swamps.
Green-winged Pytilia Pytilia melba
A few in the drier areas south of Entasekera, but
strangely one bathing at a swamp below the Camp in the highland forest area.
Red-billed Firefinch Lagonosticta senegala
A few met with around swamps and creeks south of
Entasekera.
Red-cheeked Cordonbleu Uraeginthus bengalus
Fairly frequent in drier areas south of Entasekera.
Purple Grenadier Uraeginthus ianthinogaster
An abundant species in lower forest edges and
throughout the drier scrub.
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Estrilda quartinia
Fairly common south of Entasekera and a few at the
swamp below the Camp.
Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild
A dozen in the reed bed of the large swamp below the Camp, were the only birds recorded.
Pin-tailed Whydah Vidua macroura
The only individual was a single bird in cleared
land south of Entasekera.
Yellow-crowned Canary Serinus flavivertex
One individual bathing at a
swamp below the Camp, the only indication of the species here.
Southern Citril Serinus hypostictus
The southern grey-faced hypostictus, extends into
Kenya only in the Ngurumans and the Chyulus. Another race of this species brittoni, is found in Kakamega and surrounding areas.
The Mara to the west only has the African Citril Serinus citrinelloides.
Reichenow’s Seedeater Serinus reichenowi
A party near Entasekera were the only individuals
recorded.
Streaky Seedeater Serinus striolatus
A common and widespread species of the area.
Thick-billed Seedeater Serinus burtoni
One of the more numerous species in highland forest
edge.
Golden-breasted
Bunting Emberiza flaviventris
A common species throughout, right up to the highest forest edge.
ADDITIONAL SPECIES ON DRIVE ACROSS
LOITA from Ol Kara turn-off from
Keekerok-Ewaso Ngiro (Namanga) Road.
Brown
Snake-Eagle Circaetus cinereus
African
Hawk-Eagle Aquila spilogaster
Kori
Bustard Ardeotis kori
White-bellied
Bustard Eupodotis senegalensis
Laughing
Dove Streptopelia senegalensis
Meyer's
Parrot Poicephalus meyeri
Bare-faced Go-away-bird Corythaixoides personatus
Klaas'
Cuckoo Chrysococcyx klaas
Dideric
Cuckoo Chrysococcyx caprius
African Pygmy-Kingfisher Ispidina picta
Lilac-breasted
Roller Coracias caudata
African Hoopoe Upupa africana
White-headed Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus bollei
Common Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus cyanomelas
Abyssinian Scimitar-bill Rhinopomastus minor
Fawn-breasted
Lark Calendulauda alopex
Red-capped
Lark Calandrella cinerea
Fischer's
Sparrow-Lark Eremopterix leucopareia
Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava
Buff-bellied
Warbler Phyllolais pulchella
Banded
Parisoma Parisoma boehmi
African
Grey Flycatcher Bradornis microrhynchus
Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka
Capped Wheatear Oenanthe pileata
Red-throated Tit Melaniparus
fringillinus
Northern White-crowned Shrike Eurocephalus rueppelli
Brubru Nilaus afer
Vitelline Masked-Weaver Ploceus vitellinus
White-bellied Canary Serinus dorsostriatus
ADDITIONAL SPECIES SEEN ON JOURNEY FROM
KEDONG TO EWASO NGIRO
* Seen at Engare Naregei Dam which is in excellent
condition currently.
Common Ostrich Struthio camelus
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus*
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea*
Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala*
Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis*
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumeniferus
Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus*
African Spoonbill Platalea alba*
Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus*
Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos*
African Black Duck Anas sparsa*
Yellow-billed Duck Anas undulata*
Red-billed Duck Anas erythrorhyncha*
Black Kite Milvus migrans
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus*
Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina
Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus*
Secretarybird Sagittarius serpentarius
Coqui Francolin Francolinus coqui
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristala*
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus*
Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta*
Blacksmith Plover Vanellus armatus*
Crowned Plover Vanellus coronatus
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola*
Little Stint Calidris minuta*
Yellow-throated Sandgrouse Pterocles guturalis
Speckled Pigeon Columba guinea
Little Swift Apus affinis
Athi Short-toed Lark Calandrella athensis
Plain Martin Riparia paludicola*
Pangani Longclaw Macronyx aurantiigula
Desert Cisticola Cisticola aridulus
Yellow-bellied Eremomela Eremomela icteropygialis
Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellinus
Taita Fiscal Lanius dorsalis
Cape Rook Corvus capensis
Pied Crow Corvus albus
Wattled Starling Creatophora cinerea
Superb Starling Lamprotornis superbus
Hildebrandt's Starling Lamprotornis hildebrandti
Red-winged Starling Onychognathus morio
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
Speke's Weaver Ploceus spekei