Hello Birders
We have not been doing a lot of birding outside Nairobi recently due to work commitments. However, this e-mail documents a few interesting recent records from Nairobi sites.
Corncrake; April 21st 1 bird flushed by Anne while running round the ILRI compound. (I was entertaining visitors from Spain that evening and therefore missed it!). It was not there on subsequent days.
Spotted Eagle owl: bred at ILRI in March and all three birds seen regularly in March/April. Since then only intermittently present and very unpredictable. However one bird was seen well on July 31st. Possibly the now fledged chick.
Lilac-breasted roller one in the evening2/7/2011. Only the second we have seen at ILRI in 23 years.
Brown-backed woodpecker- A pair present at ILRI front From July 8th-31st. Although a regular Nairobi bird and occurring at sites close to ILRI, this is the first time we have seen it on the ILRI compound in 23 years. The male took a liking to a dead tree in front of the house. Although I did not hear it for the last two days
Red throated wryneck. One calling and seen briefly on July 30th. This species used to be regular at ILRI but this is the first definite one for seven or eight years 9the robin chats like to mimic the call)
Ngong Road Forest Reserve 26th June 2011
At least two Brown Throated Alethe (laomst the only birds we saw, but it was midday). Our personal first record in Nairobi.
Also two different sightinigs of Suni and two of red duiker (our personal first in Nairobi).
This site would be worth visiting more regularly. It seems to be well fenced with helpful KWS wardens available for guiding around the trails.
Good birding to all
Richard and Anne
Dr. Richard Bishop
Senior Molecular Biologist
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
P.O. Box 30709
GPO 00100
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel: +254(0)20 4223000 (switchboard) 4223359 (office)
e mail: r.bishop@cgiar.org
mobile: 0710 831 851