Dear All,

Vicki and I returned to Naibor last night after a 3-day safari in the Mara. Among the best birds of the trip were;

Rufous-bellied Heron – at least 5 seen at Musiara Marsh, 6/2

Open-billed Stork – 3 juveniles at Musiara Marsh on the evening of 5/2, obviously locally raised. Around 10 adults also seen here

Black Stork – at least 3 birds in and around Musiara, possibly 4, 6/2 and 7/2

White Stork – singles at Musiara Marsh on 6/2 and another near Rhino Ridge on 7/2

Ovambo Sparrowhawk – a single whizzed by the Bateleur Camp mess as we arrived on 7/2

Harlequin Quail – males seen at Double Crossing (Mara), and another at Musiara both on 5/2. A different bird seen near Musiara Gate on 7/2.

Caspian Plover – a very obliging flock of 33 seen just outside Talek village on 7/2, with another high-flying flock of 18, plus a single, at Naboisho Conservancy on the same evening. Another flock of 16 seen there the following day. Several males were in FBP and looked absolutely amazing. I’ll be posting images on surfbirds.com on the World Birding gallery of these stunners.

Olive Pigeon – a very showy bird at Governors’ Camp on 6/2

Schalow’s Turaco – a single bathing at the birdbath at Governors’ Camp, 6/2

Ross’s Turaco – at least two, possibly three birds coming to the birdbath at Governors’ Camp 6/2. There cannot be a better place to watch and enjoy these beautiful birds.

White-tailed Lark – no birds heard singing on the plains but a single was seen close to Naibor on 8/2

Pied Wheatear - around 10 seen in Naboisho Conservancy on 7/2

Buff-bellied Penduline Tit – a single at Naboisho Camp on 8/2

Black-headed Gonolek – 2 birds calling at Bateleur Camp/ Kichwa Tembo on 7/2, with one bird seen

Black-necked Weaver – my first confirmed sighting in the Mara of what is probably a fairly common bird here, a fine male singing at Governors’ Camp, 7/2

Straw-tailed Whydah – a fine male with two females on the edge of Talek village on the afternoon of 7/2. I’ve never seen them so close to the reserve before.

We depart the Mara today for Nairobi where we'll spend 2 nights before heading down to TZ for a 3-week safari!

Best to all,

Adam